Active solar heat, Retrofit questions
The recent cold weather here in Southern California has got me thinking about adding an active solar heat system to this small tract home.
I previously eliminated most of the natural solar gain on the east, south and west sides of the house by adding roofs and awnings, to keep the AC bill down. That’s been very effective but, of course, it also stops the sun from helping to heat the house during the winter.
So I’m open to practical advice and suggestions from anyone who has some knowledge and/or experience on the subject of active solar systems for relatively mild climates.
The house has the original natural gas floor furnace, convection only. It’s on a raised foundation. There’s room on the south side of the roof for about any sized collectors.
Edited 12/26/2008 1:37 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter
Replies
First of all, your windows on the south side are easily controlled (solar wise) by a properly sized eave ... shade in the summer and sun in the winter ... that is generally very easy. And VERY effective. East/west facing windows tend to be problematic ... and IMO almost always a loser ... too much in the summer and marginal in the winter.
Active solar water heating is straight forward. If you are handy, you could build your own. If not, there are suppliers ... plan on roughly $5K for a system.
Active solar space heating ... wouldn't generally recommend it. It's easier just to have windows oriented properly. If you do want to do it ... combine it w/ your domestic hot water system ... but it can add a lot. You can always put a hot water coil in e.g. your normal furnace.
If you are still having problems w/ east and especially west windows, I have some other suggestions for them.