To understand how passive solar houses work, it is important to have an understanding of how solar energy works, specifically through what is known as photovoltaic. This process is by no means new but has only been developed over the last decade. There are several benefits to having a home with solar energy in them, one of which is the ability to reduce or eliminate the amount of electricity a home uses from the local power company. The concept of how solar works can be explained quite easily, as sunlight hits the surface of the earth’s surface and the energy conversion occurs through the use of photovoltaic panels. There are two types of photovoltaic panels that can be found on a solar home: there are those that are made from flat mirrors called crystalline solar panels and there are those that are made from flexible materials such as glass. Each panel works to convert the sunlight into energy and this energy is then transformed into electricity by what is known as a solar cell.

Passive Solar

Another benefit of having these passive solar houses in your neighbourhood is the energy efficiency that can be achieved. Solar technology is becoming more widely used and with it, the amount of energy used in our homes is going up every year. Solar energy efficiency ratings can now be found online and listed on your city or town’s website. Once you find what is rated in your area, compare the rating to what your properties energy efficiency is so you can make an informed decision about purchasing your future solar house.

These passive solar heating and cooling buildings are also able to take full advantage of renewable energy sources. By using what is referred to as photovoltaic, the home can take advantage of the sun’s rays by using what are called photovoltaic cells to convert the rays into electricity. Although photovoltaic cells are expensive to install, the savings in energy consumption over time far outweigh the initial investment. Over time, these buildings will pay for themselves as the savings come in and you will not have to make any additional maintenance.

Technology

These passive houses also take full advantage of the use of what is commonly referred to as passive heat recovery ventilation. This ventilation system takes in cold air from outside and brings it indoors, where it can be warmed up before being released back out into your atmosphere. If the entire building is heated with renewable energy sources, there is no need for heat to be continuously produced and stored. Heat recovery ventilation systems also help to lower your energy consumption as well as your monthly heating and cooling bills.

There are some advantages to choosing a passive house as opposed to a traditional one. For one, these types of buildings do not need to be built with concrete slabs as well as walls. Wood is a great material to use when building a passive solar house as it allows for maximum sunlight absorption by using its natural thermal mass to insulate the building. A wood frame can even be constructed without using nails and without needing any special tools.

Solar Power Buildings

With these types of solar power energy buildings, solar collectors are used to extracting the sun’s energy. The panels used to trap this energy are typically placed on the roof. This structure also helps to reflect the sun’s heat so that it does not fall directly on the floor of the building. The space that a solar collector will need to cover will depend upon the size of the collector and the size of the building being covered. Typically, a zero heating building will require about twelve square feet of space for each square foot of collecting area.

Passive solar homes are built to be as energy-efficient as possible. The design of these buildings takes advantage of low-efficiency building practices such as poor insulation and window placement. To reduce your home’s heat loss through your windows, you will need to install quality window frames that provide excellent airflow. These windows will also be equipped with vapour barriers to prevent heat from escaping. You should also consider installing double-paned glass on all of your windows. Additionally, installing quality insulation between the framing and walls will help to reduce your home’s heat loss.

Passive homes are designed around two main principles: high-efficiency heating and efficient cooling. One of the most effective methods for maximizing the use of available space is to build your house so that the majority of its heat is extracted from the roof. Using space heaters with a high BTU’s rating will ensure that your house is kept well heated during the coldest times of the year. During the summer, you can turn your space heaters and appliances off. Additionally, if you plan to implement a passive cooling system that features a system fan at your home’s entry point, you will need to factor in your home’s climate data into your design.