Can I heat my home with solar energy?
On One Hand: Solar Power Saves EnergyIf you have “passive” solar energy, you’re using the sun’s energy to heat your home in the winter. The design of your home helps “reject” too much sun and lower your cooling bills in summer. Solar power is renewable energy, clean and nonpolluting. Using solar energy will not contribute to greenhouse gases.On the Other: Too Much Sun Can Overheat HomesYour efforts could backfire in the summertime if you utilize passive solar energy and your home is designed wrong. Your home could heat up significantly on hot summer afternoons if there is not enough roof overhang on the west and south sides of the house.Bottom LineThe benefits of solar energy far outweigh the drawbacks. Because the sun’s energy is renewable, you won’t deplete valuable resources. Solar energy produces no pollution or greenhouse gas emissions.
