As the world becomes more aware of the damaging effects of climate change, people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. One way is to switch to solar energy. With the right setup, your home can produce more energy than it needs, so there’s no need to waste fossil fuels in order to keep the lights on. In this article, we’ll discuss how to heat a room with solar energy and how to make the most of your solar power. Read on and enjoy the benefits of solar heating.
Why Solar?
While solar energy isn’t new, in recent years it’s become more accessible and affordable than ever before. Modern technology has made it so that anyone can easily benefit from solar power. There are a few reasons why you should try solar energy for heating your home, but here are the biggest ones:
It’s The Most Eco-friendly And Low-carbon Energy Source
Let’s be honest, as much as we all love our fossil fuels, they aren’t the most eco-friendly energy source available. Even when used responsibly, burning coal causes air pollution and climate change. Burning natural gas causes both air pollution and a small carbon footprint, but the effects of fracking (the process of extracting natural gas) are still being felt by local communities.
On the other hand, solar power doesn’t cause any of these effects. Not only that, but it’s also the most eco-friendly and low-carbon energy source we have. When it comes to generating energy, solar power is more eco-friendly than any other energy source available. The process of turning sunshine into electricity is natural and doesn’t cause any damage to the environment. Plus, as an ecological alternative to fossil fuels, solar energy is a match made in heaven.
It Provides Electricity For Useful Devices
With the right setup, your solar power can provide electricity for useful devices. This aspect is beneficial to both you and the environment. When used responsibly, electronics that are plugged into a solar power system don’t throw away any energy, they just return what they’ve already stored. This means that they’re not taking up any additional non-renewable resources to keep plugged in. In some places, electronics that are plugged into the grid can be bought cheaply or even for free, as long as you meet the right conditions. This aspect makes solar power a cost-effective solution for anyone who needs electricity.
It Has No Effect On The Climate Change
One of the major concerns when it comes to climate change is the effect it will have on the world’s temperature. While solar energy doesn’t heat up the planet like fossil fuels do, it does help to reduce the effect it has on climate change. Modern technologies such as solar radiation management allow us to regulate the way heat is distributed around the house and create more comfortable temperatures without raising the overall temperature of the planet. With solar energy, you don’t need to worry about the effects of climate change. You can just enjoy the benefits of sustainable energy.
It Can Be Fun To Play Around With
If you’re the type of person who likes to tinker around with electronics or has a knack for building things, then you can greatly benefit from solar energy. You can use it to power things such as a radio, a stereo, or a fan. That’s a lot of cool stuff you can do with solar energy that doesn’t have anything to do with heating your home. You can also play games on your phone with the aid of a solar charger, so the fun element definitely comes with this energy source.
How To Heat A Room With Solar Energy
Now that you’re convinced that solar energy is beneficial and plays an important part in the fight against climate change, it’s time to figure out how to use it to heat your home. There are several ways to do this, but here’s a how-to guide to get you started.
Find The Right Place For Your Solar Panels
The first step is to figure out where you’ll position your panels. You want to pick a spot that gets full exposure to the sun, but doesn’t disturb you while working on other parts of your home. Your bedroom, for example, is a nice place because you don’t need to be disturbed by noises while you sleep. In the morning, the sun usually shines through the window, creating a gorgeous light show and allowing you to wake up easily without the aid of an alarm clock.
Another option is to position them on the roof. This is the most ideal spot to get maximum sun exposure and still be able to enjoy the space below. If this is not an option for you, then the next best thing is to put them on the side of your house or on an attached (non-detached) garage.
Gather The Necessary Equipment
The next step is to gather the necessary equipment. You’ll need a couple of things to get started:
- A tracking device to follow the sun path and stay aligned with the sun (this is important for getting optimal energy output)
- A solar monitor to track how much energy your system is producing (this will guide you in knowing when it’s time to buy more solar panels and when to switch to a different type of fuel)
- A backup battery to store electricity (ideally solar-charged)
- A good weatherproof power strip to connect all of your electronics (ideally waterproof)
- A surge protector to protect your electronics from electrical surges (this will prevent any damage to your electronic device)
Install The Hardware
Now that you have all of the necessary equipment, it’s time to install it. This is the part where you’ll connect all of the wires and screw the solar panels into the wall. You can also use a battery to provide easier installation for those with limited mobility. Once everything is in place, you can test your system to see if it’s working. If everything is connected and the system is switched on, you’ll see a light on your solar monitor. If not, then check all of the electrical connections and make sure they’re securely fastened.
Use The App
Once you’ve successfully tested your solar power system and everything is working fine, it’s time to use the app. You’ll find a number of solar apps on the market, so you can easily track the power generation of your system and save the data for future use. You can also find bonus features within these apps that will help you use solar energy more efficiently. For example, one app can turn off your electronics when there’s no motion detected and adjust the temperature of your home accordingly. Some even have a calendar feature that will notify you when to change the temperature setting so that you avoid wasting energy during periods of inactivity.
If you’re still interested in learning more about solar energy, there are a couple of books that are excellent starting points. The first is All About Solar by Stuart Pearson and the second is Solartopia: The Greenest Town On Earth by Renee Barbour.