Home Removal Services Blog

For ages sunlight has been utilized by man. From being used in ancient temples for natural lighting to being converted to electricity for today’s power hungry nations, the power of the sun has a number of uses.

But, more importantly it can also be used on a domestic level, as a clean source energy for various households.

So far people have discovered how to solar power their homes in 4 ways:

Solar Cookers:

A solar cooker is an extremely healthy, inexpensive and clean alternative to cooking your food. Though solar cookers have been used a lot to desalinize water in poor arid countries, many 1st world countries are adopting them in summer for cooking their food.

The solar oven works where reflective material is constructed in a bowl-like shape, and concentrates the sunlight on a single point, that heats up a pot. A number of meals can be cooked in this energy saving oven, from roast chicken to soups to bread. Depending on the design, enough food can be made to feed a family of five.

The one problem with a solar oven is that it takes rather long to cook the food – up to 4 times longer. But if you are prepared to wait for a healthy, wholesome, energy saving meal to be ready, then a solar cooker is a good idea.

Solar Water Heating:

With a solar water heater, the advancement in technology has enabled any households and business to completely replace their traditional electric or gas geysers and hot-water cylinders.

As cold water is pumped through a solar collector, the pipes absorb the sun’s energy, and heat the water, which is then stored in an insulated tank for later use. Usually the water can get so hot that it has to be mixed with cold water before it can be used.

Natural Heating and Lighting:

What people do not realize is how much power they consume just to heat and light their homes. And if they could just see the benefit of using natural lighting and heating from the sun, they could save a lot of power and money.

With passive solar living, a household is design to effectively use the sun’s rays for natural heating and lighting. This would include being built on a sun-facing slope, with the length of the house facing the sun and having a number of large Low-E windows. And as a result staying naturally warmer in the colder months.

For natural lighting, the effective placement of large windows and mirrors in your home can help reflect and distribute sunshine throughout the house, and lower you dependence on traditional light bulbs.

To help regulate the temperature in your home, you could plant deciduous trees outside to shade your home from hot sunlight in summer and let sunshine through in winter.

To replace your conventional ventilation system, you could install a solar attic fan or solar chimney that draws hot air out of the house, and pulls in cooler air.

Solar Electricity:

More scientifically known as photovoltaic energy, this form of solar power can be used at home as a renewable source of electricity. For a solar electric panels system to be most effective, the panels should always be facing the sun.

As the sun’s rays penetrate the solar panels, electrons in the cells become charged, creating a current that is stored in deep-cycle batteries. When electricity is needed, the stored power is passed through an inverter to change the DC to AC, which can then be used to power various household appliances or connected to the grid for net metering.

Other than providing you cheap, clean renewable power, solar electric panels have become affordable and simple enough for anyone to install at home. In fact, with the right information it is possible to make your own solar power for under $200, as compared to getting a professional installation for a couple of thousand dollars.

And these are the 4 ways how to solar power your home. If your are willing to learn how to use these methods at home, you will not only be living a greener life, but you will reduce your power needs and costs, receive renewable energy tax incentives, and lower the burden on our vanishing energy sources. So take the initiative and enjoy the sun’s free, clean, abundant energy now.