How Do You Gain Passive Solar Heat In A Home?
While the cost of oil or gas to heat our homes may be going down this year, we all expect that in the long run it’s probably going back up. So, anything that can help us reduce the cost of heating our homes is worthwhile. Passive solar heating (taking advantage of the heat provided by the sun) is a relatively inexpensive, but effective way to help minimize the direct cost of heating our homes, both now and in the future. Here are some ideas on how passive solar heating can help you in your home. Ensure that your insulation is up to code (or even above code). If you live in the northern part of the United States, you should have at least R-40 in your attic or roof to help keep your home warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. Allow the sun to shine in during the day, but close your blinds or curtains at night. In the United States it’s particularly important to have south-facing windows uncovered during the day so all the sun’s rays can enter and provide heat to your home. When the
