PV Gap

Yolanda Said:

What type of Solar Heating for a house works best in a cold climate.?

We Answered:

In a cold climate, a house with a south facing front, that is partially buried is the most efficient. The best ones are built into a hillside, the front is almost all glass and the solar cells are stacked at the front of the house, ready to pump heat into the house when it's needed. During the winter, the ground temperature (except for the top few inches) doesn't change much from what it was in summer. It's an incredible insulator.
Can't tell you what it costs to get, install and maintain because that depends on your house design, where you are, and how efficient your present home is.
With the underground house, the only conventional heat is applied to the water heating system, and even that is minimal as there is usually enough heat generated by the solar cells to provide hot water as well.

Chris Said:

Solar Heating in the Northeast?

We Answered:

There are many ways you can capture and use the sun's radiation to heat your home so here are a few things to remember:

1. The sun's azimuth (angle off the horizon) goes from nearly 70 degrees in the summer to as little as 20 degrees in the winter. If you have the long side of the house facing south then you are in the best position to collect as much as possible.

2. Window, wall, roof insulation and closing any air gaps are your best way to yield benefits from any heating source, oil or solar. Use the summer to seal everything up.

3. The type of vegetation on the southern face will also make a difference. Deciduous trees (ones that the leaves fall off in winter) are best. They shield the sun in the summer then allow the sun to shine through in the winter. See if there is any modifications you can make this summer.

Personally I have used first three methods to use the sun to lower my winter heating bills.

1. Hot water solar heating - small investment compared to photo voltaic and east to retrofit to existing gas/oil hot water systems. Depending on how much hot water you use can lower hot water heating by 50-75%. Hot water heating can be up to 1/3 of a total heating bill. Cost $2-5K depending on capacity.

2. Hot air solar heaters - Same principal of the above but a radiator and fan blow the hot air into the home close to where the unit is mounted. This panel will provide a constant flow to warm air. Units range from 2K-10K BTU and can still deliver 70-80 degree increase of air temp on sunny 10-15 degree days. Cost $1000 per 600sq-ft to heat.

3. Solar Drapes - These simple products use a material that both creates a thermal barrier (to keep in heat in) and capture and radiate the sun's heat. Cost about $1-2 per square foot.

I am planning on installing a Heat Pump system and radiant flooring to provide the majority of the heating for my home. While the investment will be high ($10-30K) it should cut my gas costs to nearly zero AND will increase the comfort of my home dramatically.

Hope that helps!