The Use Of Passive Solar Climate Control

Using the passive solar design to heat and cool the home can be both environmentally friendly and cost effective. Passive solar heating techniques include placing larger, insulated windows on south-facing walls and locating thermal mass, such as a concrete slab floor or a heat-absorbing wall, close to the windows. In many cases, your heating costs could be more than 50% lower than the cost of heating the same house that does not include passive solar design.
Passive solar design can also help reduce your cooling costs. Passive solar cooling techniques include carefully designed overhangs, windows with reflective coatings, and reflective coatings on exterior walls and the roof.
A passive solar house requires careful design and site orientation, which depend on the local climate. So, if you are considering passive solar design for new construction or a major remodeling, you should consult an architect familiar with passive solar techniques.

Heat Pumps

If you are going to use electric heat, a heat pump is the way to go. Heat pumps are the most efficient form of electric heat. Heat pumps produce three times more heat than electricity they consume. Keep in mind that heat pumps are only good for moderate temperatures. If you live in a cold area then you will still need a back up heat.
When going to perches a heat pump keep in mind there are three different types, air to air, water and ground source. These different systems collect heat from air water or the ground, and distribute it through the home. There can be a saving of up to 30 to 40 percent in your electric bill. These units also have an air conditioning unit built in them. They cool your home by pumping the heat out of the home and replacing it with cool air. In my up coming blogs i will be talking about different forms of heating and cooling units.

Leaking duct work

One part of the heating and cooling system that gets over looked is the duct work. As the heating and cooling system gets upgraded most of the time the duct work just gets fitted to it. Most duck work runs through the basement attic and walls which can be running through an unconditioned space. There are several things you can do to raise the efficiency of the duct work starting with doing a visual inspection. Check duct for air leaks. You may find most leaks around seams and joints. Then check for holes in the duct work. Also make sure there is a good insulation on the duct work in the unconditioned spaces. This may be a job you want to seek professional help for depending on your construction skills.

Heating and cooling tips

In residential homes, heating and air conditioning account for about 43 percent of your monthly utility bill. There are many different types of heating and air conditioning units you can buy. Before you make any major changes to your unit you should try some of these tips first. In the winter time try setting your thermostat as low as possible with still being comfortable and summer time as high as possible while staying comfortable. Keep you filters clean. Replace then once a month or as needed. Run exhaust fans as little as possible. In the winter keep shades blinds and drapes open to allow the sun to help heat your home. During summer keep closed to prevent excess heat from entering. This is all the heating and cooling tips I have for now. Next week I will continue on other parts of heating and air conditioning.

Sealing air leaks

Air leaks in a home are just as important to have fixed as having the house insulated. Before any air leaks can be fixed you have to know what is leaking. One good way for checking for leaks is to have a smoke pen or a lit incense stick and hold it by the homes outlets, windows, or any place you might suspect a leak. If the smoke moves horizontal then a leak is present. Some indications of leaks are around windows and doors. These should be caulked or sealed. Also look for dirty spots on your insulation. This will show where air is leaking by. By up grading single Paine windows to double Paine windows is a good investment when stopping leaks. When the fire place is not in use keep the flue dampener tightly closed. In my upcoming post we will be talking about different types of heating and cooling units.