Passive Solar

Passive solar is a type of green technology that uses sunlight for useful energy without having to use active mechanical systems. This is the complete opposite of active solar, which uses mechanical systems instead. This technology is used to convert sunlight into usable heat, such as water, air or thermal mass, or it can also cause air-movement for ventilating or for future use. In any case, you have to remember that active solar energy use a huge amount of energy in order to power pumps or fans while passive solar technology is only used for controlling dampers, shutters, night insulation, and other devices that can enhance solar energy collection, use and storage.

If you are interested in turning your house into a passive solar house, then you are making a wise choice. Not only is it relatively cheap to implement, it of course saves you money in the long run because you don’t have to rely on power-grid generated electricity for all of your home’s energy needs.

Passive solar is commonly used for solar hot water heaters. It is largely responsible for why they work with relatively few maintenance issues. You can also get a passive solar heating system, or install something called a passive solar air heater. This is an elementary type of solar panel that is installed in close proximity to one or several supply air valves, thus preheating the air being sucked into your home. The simplest type of passive solar panel can contain anything from black painted sheet metal, behind which the air is heated before it enters through the valve, to slightly more advanced solar air heaters which also make use of electric fans.

A large portion of passive solar heating has to do with how the house is oriented and constructed. It should be constructed and placed so that it should be able to absorb and store as much sunlight as possible, while leaking out as little heat as possible. Since there are important design elements involved, including choice of construction materials, location and orientation of the building this is of course something best implemented when building a new home. But there are still ways to make use of this kind of passive solar heating without completely remodeling your home.