This is the second in a series of articles on how to beat the cold this winter using “green” home performance techniques.  My first article was on FIREPLACES…

Today let’s discuss using the Sun directly to heat your home.  Green Building pros call this PASSIVE SOLAR.

Passive solar is the intentional use of insulated windows to capture the sun’s radiant heat throughout the daylight hours. To a lesser degree, single-pane windows with storm windows can be used as well.  Openings to let the sunlight in are often combined with heat-retaining faces such as concrete/brick walls or floors or special heat-absorbing materials.  Since most of us won’t be purchasing anything new, let’s stick with using existing arrangements to maximize heat retention. By utilizing the sun’s power, you could save up to 50% in heating costs.

This is one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to help your heating system cope with winter weather.  Too often, many of us (in the name of privacy or simply habit) leave our shades and blinds closed when we bundle off to work in the morning.  Have you ever noticed how warm that east-facing bathroom can get in the morning?

Passive solar gain utilizes 5 key components:

1. Aperture (the window or opening that light strikes)
2. Absorber (the surface that collects the heat energy)
3. Thermal Mass (fancy term for the heat-absorbing material, such as concrete)
4. Distribution (how the heat energy is transferred to the room, example would be by convection – heating the air creating air movement in the room that wasn’t there before…)
5. Control (Using roof overhangs or electronic sensors to allow/restrict light entry)

Are you feeling smarter yet?  We’ll make a green building expert out of you!

OK, how do these components work to heat your existing home?

Start by assessing the direction of the sun’s path over your home in the winter months.  Identify where the sun strikes your house first thing in the morning.  Since the sun travels across a lower arc in the winter sky, you have to start collecting the sunlight right at dawn.  Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

1. Maximize the Aperture – Remember to open your shades/blinds in the windows that will get the morning sun and do it before you go to bed.
2. Maximize the Absorption – If you have concrete floors, try to keep them uncovered where the sunlight strikes them directly.  They will warm up and retain the heat for hours.
3. Control – If you’re home during the day, close the window blinds as they enter the shade.  Remove awnings (especially the large overhangs you see in the city) to open up new energy flow.
4. Distribution – install a small fan up high in a doorway or hall to encourage warmed-air flow to the interior of your home.  Or you could use that leftover portable fan near the window sill to direct the warmed air more forcefully through the room (works well in larger living rooms with multiple windows.

I think you’re getting the idea…awareness is key! Use the sun’s massive power as it strikes your home throughout the winter months to help reduce those energy bills.