Do Solar Heating and Cooling Systems Work Effectively?

If you're thinking about getting a new heating and cooling system then you're probably interested in exploring all the options. One of these might be solar heating and cooling systems, but how well do these work during winter? While it's easy to imagine them working very effectively during the summer months, it's often difficult for the average person to see how they can possibly work very well during long gray winter months, or during periods of heavy snowfall. In fact solar heating and cooling systems will still keep you warm during the winter months and will still deliver energy savings. One of the best ways at understanding this is to look at the way solar panels work and the way they harness solar energy. 

Understanding the Way Solar Panels Work in winter

Solar panels work by harnessing sunlight rather than the sun's heat. This means they are just as effective on a sunny cold winter’s day as on a hot sunny day during the summer. The low temperatures don't affect the efficiency of solar panels, and in fact solar panels can be more efficient in the cooler temperatures. However during the winter months solar panels do have less time to store up energy simply because winter days are shorter than in the summer, and they may be less effective on cloudy days or times when the solar panels are covered up with snow. 

Energy Production is lower during the winter

While the energy harnessed during the winter months may be lower, it's usually not a problem as most solar heating and cooling systems are linked in to the local energy grid. This simply means that some of the power produced during the summer months, and which has been fed back into the grid, is used up during the winter months. Some systems do have a battery backup to store excess power. Provided your system has been installed by a reputable company you shouldn't have any problems with accessing power during the winter months. This is because your home would have been assessed to make sure it is suitable for this type of solar heating and cooling system, and it will have had the proper size of solar panels installed for your needs.

Most People Don't Rely Exclusively on the Solar Energy for Heating and Cooling

Solar energy is completely free and renewable which is one of its huge attractions at a time when everybody is trying to save costs while lowering their carbon footprint. However most homes with solar power also have access to an alternative form of power and the majority are connected to the local power grid to make sure they always have electricity available, even when the weather isn’t being particularly cooperative. More and more energy companies are offering electricity from renewable sources, so it's still possible to be green while still enjoying all the creature comforts of your home. Other people have chosen to install another alternative source of power such as a hybrid system that utilizes a wind turbine. The efficiency of your system during the winter months does depend on your location, but it's something your local installer will have extensive information on.

What is Radon Gas?

Radon gas is extremely serious as it is a radioactive gas that is colorless and odorless, and it
could be in your home. According to the Surgeon General, the presence of radon gas in the home
is the second most common cause of lung cancer in the United States. The problem is even worse
if you live in a home that has high radon levels and you also smoke. Various studies have also
found that children may be more sensitive towards this gas and may be more vulnerable to the
side effects produced due to exposure. This is thought to be due to the fact that they breathe more
quickly, and the cells within their body are still developing and dividing. The gas is inhaled or
ingested and can be found in rocks and soil and also groundwater.

Testing for Radon Gas in Your Home

The only way to find out whether or not you have radon gas in your home is to test for it, as there
really are no immediate symptoms that might alert you to its presence. If you find your home has
elevated levels of radon then it is probably worth conducting a follow-up test as levels can
fluctuate considerably. The follow-up test will let you know whether or not the results were
caused by any other factors such as particularly warm weather. Radon gas can be present in the
home for years before the problems caused by it become apparent. It's estimated that around 20%
of homes in the US could have elevated radon levels. Although you can test for the gas yourself,
it may be better to look for a certified radon mitigation service.

What is Radon Mitigation?

Radon mitigation is simply the methods used by a certified professional to test for and then lower
levels of radon within the home. Radon gas can enter through cracks in the foundation, through
drains, and even through gaps around wires and pipes. Radon mitigation looks at ways of
preventing the radon from entering the home as well as methods of lowering the levels of radon
already present. It can be highly effective at reducing levels, and the methods can depend on
whether or not your home has a basement or crawl space, or whether it is built on a solid slab of
concrete. Most methods of radon mitigation rely on techniques designed to extract the radon
from the ground underneath your home before venting it to the outdoors. It is definitely well
worth the cost of having radon mitigation professionally done, as the heartache and costs of
caring for someone with lung cancer can be considerably higher.

Radon Levels Can Rise during the winter

Radon levels can get worse during the winter for several different reasons. One of these is the
fact that cold weather or snow on the ground can cause a blanket effect, trapping the radon in the
soil surrounding the home. In these circumstances it's more likely to escape into the house where
the soil is not so cold. Another reason is that homes tend to be closed up much more tightly
during the winter and this prevents radon gas from being diluted by fresh air coming in from the
outdoors.

Furnace Repair or Upgrade to an Older System, Which Is Best?

Furnaces have a nasty habit of breaking down in the middle of winter, especially if they didn't
receive their fall furnace tune up, but if it gets to the point where a furnace keeps breaking down,
then is it better to simply bite the bullet and budget for a new furnace. If you have had your
furnace for quite a few years then it may be time to start looking round for a new one. It's often
possible to pick up a bargain as there are pretty good furnace sales every so often. Although the
initial outlay may be more than having an old one repaired yet again, it's likely to lead to greater
energy savings in the future as newer models are simply more fuel efficient. If your furnace is
already quite new and you've been keeping up with the manufacture required maintenance
schedules, then it may be worth looking at why it keeps on breaking down or working less than
efficiently as there may be certain modifications you can make to get it back up to speed.

Fitting Programmable Thermostats

This is a pretty good upgrade to make to any heating system work for you, as replacing an old
thermostat with one of the newer programmable digital thermostats will almost certainly lead to
energy savings. The advantage of these types of thermostats is that they'll automatically adjust
the temperature of your house to give the greatest level of home comfort while you are there, and
will adjust the temperature to save energy while you're not. Programmable thermostats are
surprisingly easy to use, and once set correctly should help to lower fuel costs. They are also a
relatively cheap way of upgrading a home heating system.

Making Sure Air Filters Are Changed Regularly

This is another easy thing to do to make sure an older furnace runs a little more smoothly. It's
recommended that the air filter on any forced air furnace is changed every month, and if you
installed a modern programmable thermostat it might even remind you when it's time to do so.
There are lots of different types of filters available, so it's best to ask advice from an expert.
Some are relatively inexpensive, while others are pricier as they are designed to trap much
smaller particles. It is also a good idea to regularly vacuum out the blower and other accessible
areas of your furnace every so often to prevent dust from building up.

Making Sure Outside Vents Are Not Blocked During Winter

Another simple but vital piece of home maintenance during winter is to make sure all outside
vents and chimneys are kept free from debris, leaves and snow. While this may impede the
efficiency of a home furnace, it is also likely to increase the risk of carbon monoxide building up
in the home. Blocked vents and chimneys can also present a fire hazard. Maintenance and
furnace repairs are important for the health and safety of your family, and unless you are
supremely confident in your skills, is almost always best carried out by a qualified professional,
although most people should be perfectly able to change the air filters in a furnace on their own.

Could a Solar Heating and Cooling System Help You Cut Your Fuel Bills?

Rising energy prices are a concern for many households, and a lot of people will have made the
decision to turn down the thermostat by a degree or two in an effort to lower fuel costs. A lot of
people's homes are heated by energy produced by burning fossil fuels, something that is regarded
as contributing towards greenhouse gases and climate change. In addition these fossil fuels
cannot be replaced and will eventually run out. The alternative is to look for greener solutions to
heating a home during winter. One such method is to choose a solar heating and cooling system.
This is a renewable, carbon free alternative to electricity generated through burning fossil fuels,
and is becoming far more popular these days. Technology has moved on to make the solar
heating and cooling systems more affordable and far more effective at helping to provide
considerable energy savings in the home.

How Does a Solar Heating and Cooling System Work?

The simplest and most straightforward way is to choose a system that works on photovoltaic
cells that simply collect the energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. Most people
choose to have a system that is tied into the local electricity company’s grid. This offers the
flexibility of being able to use electricity made through the home’s solar heating and cooling
system, while still having access to the electricity from the local utility company at times when
more energy may be needed. Home owners with this type of system also have the option of
feeding electricity back to the utility company. People living in remote areas may choose to have
a standalone system, and this can be far more cost-effective than trying to connect to the nearest
electricity grid. Some heat pumps are sold as being solar ready, which means you have the option
to add photovoltaic cells to your heating system at a time when it suits you. It also gives
homeowners the flexibility of being able to add modules bit by bit whenever they have the
money to do so.

Getting Ready for a Solar Heating and Cooling System

The first step in planning for a solar heating and cooling system is to find a reputable dealer and
installer. They will be able to ensure your home is actually suitable for this type of system. Some
people may have a roof that is not big enough, or they may not get enough sun to justify this type
of system. Other people may be restricted as to the type of system they can have in their
neighborhood.

Solar Heating and Cooling Systems Are Unobtrusive and Easy to Use

One of the questions frequently asked by customers considering a solar heating and cooling
system is whether or not the photovoltaic cells will affect the appearance of their roof. The
answer is that the modules are designed to fit almost flush with the roof, so they really are very
discreet. They are easy to operate, and some even contain modules that send information directly
to a website. This means you can view the performance of your system at any time online. The
kind of information gathered includes energy production, carbon offsets and the current status of
the system.

Protecting Your Home from Radon

Radon gas is a naturally occurring substance that rises out of the ground from the radio-active decay of various types of materials found in the Earth’s crust. It exists most everywhere to some degree—in most places the amount of radon is negligible, especially in an outdoor environment. But inside buildings, including your home, radon gas can become more concentrated, causing severe health risks for the people living in that space. Radon gas is odorless, tasteless, and invisible, which means that to be sure your home is free of this dangerous element, proper testing is necessary. Radon gas being such a risk, it only makes sense that everyone should ensure it is not putting their family in danger.

Radon and Your Health

Radon gas in a domestic setting has been directly linked to lung cancer, making it one of the most potent causes of lung cancer after smoking. There are tens of thousands of deaths related to radon caused illness per year. The danger it poses to you and your family is significant and should not be ignored. 

Testing for Radon

Testing for radon gas is the important first step in removing it as a threat to your family’s welfare. There are test kits that you can buy fairly cheap that will give you an inkling to what the radon levels in your home might be. Be aware that these tests are not definitive, because radon levels fluctuate based on a variety of factors, so properly testing for radon gas should include a series of small tests to get a clear picture of the radon levels your home is exposed to over time. Since there are factors that change the amount of radon gas generated in any given place, you may wish to test for it every few years to make sure nothing has changed. If you are thinking of buying a new home, be sure to have the property tested. This can be a big factor when buying a new home that often gets overlooked.

Radon Mitigation

If after you test your home for radon gas, the results come back with dangerous levels, you will want to employ various methods of radon mitigation—reducing the radon levels within your home. One such method uses pipes directed under your home to blow radon gas out and away from your home to the outside where it can dissipate into harmless quantities. This is one of the most reliable and most used methods of radon mitigation. Since radon originates from the ground, it is pumped away from your home before it is given a chance to enter it. Occasionally, radon gas can be produced by certain building materials, causing it to originate within the home. If this is the case, there are methods of removing it from your home through a special ventilation system. Both of these methods have proven to be effective to combat against radon gas, but there are other methods available to you if neither of these are what you need. Be sure to speak with our local representative about radon testing and mitigation, so you can keep your family safe in the comfort of your home.

How Can Ultraviolet Air Cleaners help during winter?

Ultraviolet air cleaners are effective at helping to remove indoor pollutants, something which can be a real problem during the winter months when, for obvious reasons, there's less inclination to open the doors and windows and let in that chilly air. Ultraviolet air cleaners can help overcome this problem when ventilating the home with clean air from outdoors just isn't a viable option. While some ultraviolet air cleaners are designed to be installed in your homes HVAC system, others are more portable. While their portability can be an advantage, they can only be used to clean the air in a specific area or room and will not be able to cope with filtering the air throughout the whole home.

How do Ultraviolet Air Cleaners Work?

Ultraviolet air cleaners work in a very straightforward way, as they simply use ultraviolet radiation produced from lamps to destroy various biological pollutants. This ultraviolet light is a part of the spectrum of electromagnetic energy and isn't visible, even though it's called light. These pollutants include bacteria, mold and other viruses and allergens that can be found in the air throughout the home. They're not a substitute for filtration systems, but should always be considered as an additional feature. They are ideal for anyone who is especially health-conscious, and are perfect for catching bacteria and viruses that are simply too small to be picked up by conventional air cleaners. While ultraviolet light is extremely effective at removing microbes, it cannot prevent certain infections being transmitted. These infections include colds as they are spread by coming into direct contact with an infected person.

Are Ultraviolet Air Cleaners Safe?

These types of air cleaners are very safe, and have been used for decades so the technology is tried and tested. Everyone receives some exposure to ultraviolet light, generally in the form of sunlight, and while overexposure can be dangerous, this is not something that can occur from the use of ultraviolet air cleaners. The only thing to bear in mind is that these types of cleaners can only kill the germs they come into contact with, so it is worthwhile choosing your cleaner carefully and asking a professional installer for their opinion on the best system for your situation and your family’s needs. On the plus side, some experts feel these types of cleaners may be a good defense against diseases that have gradually become more resistant to drugs, and point out the ultraviolet light found in sunlight is responsible for killing off microbes that are exposed to the outside air.

Ultraviolet Air Cleaners are great for Home and for Work

While there is little doubt that ultraviolet air cleaners can be a huge advantage when fitted to a home HVAC system, they can also work well for use within the working environment. Sicknesses are often contracted while at work, and anything that reduces the number of days off due to illness will pay for itself within a very short while. In addition, workers who are healthier will be more able to perform their jobs properly, and will certainly feel better about being at work every day. Many offices have windows that are unable to be opened, even during the summer months, so these types of air cleaners are perfect at helping to improve the atmosphere.

Facts about Solar Heating and Cooling Systems for Your Home

Everyone is looking for ways of becoming more green these days as no one can fail to have heard warnings about oil running out in the future, but one of the problems with choosing green energy can be the initial cost, and some people are also put off by the fact that they don't know very much about it, and there can be a feeling that it's not a tried and tested technology. Even so it is well worth exploring all the options, as a properly installed green energy system can lead to lower fuel costs and greater energy savings. This has to be something of interest to everyone given today's high energy prices. There is little doubt that these types of heating systems are becoming more popular, but how do they work, and are they really that effective? Solar heating and cooling systems are just one of the ways you can heat your home while using less energy. They collect the thermal energy from the sun, using it to provide heating, hot water and cooling when necessary for residential homes, and the good news is they're becoming far more affordable.

Is a Solar Heating and Cooling System Right for My Home?

Renewing any type of heating system is a big investment these days, and most tend to reach the end of their useful life after 10 or 15 years. In the past solar heating and cooling systems were even more of an investment, but greater use of this technology has brought the price down, and now families can easily recoup the money spent on a solar heating and cooling system within six years, or even less. This makes it a viable option for many, and is well worth looking into if you do not intend to sell your home within the next few years. Even if you think you might sell your home relatively soon, it may well be worth your while investigating these types of systems and doing your sums, especially as it could increase the salability of your home.

Can Solar Heating and Cooling Systems Be Fitted in Any Home?

You’ll find solar heating and cooling systems can be easily installed in most homes throughout the US. They generally consist of a solar collector, hot water storage tank and insulated piping. You can choose to have electronic controls, and if you live in a colder part of the world then it's well worth investing in freeze protection. In fact there are solar heating and cooling systems that are specifically designed for colder climates, so if you really don't need to live somewhere warm and sunny to benefit from this free energy source.

A Safe and Effective Way of Enjoying Lower Fuel Costs

A properly installed solar heating and cooling system could lead to considerable energy savings. Heating and cooling costs typically account for around half of the average amount spent on utility bills. Perhaps just as importantly you'll be doing something to help the planet stay healthy. Solar energy is clean and has little impact on the global climate. It's renewable, as whenever the sun shines you can generate electricity, and even better it's free.