| Solar energy is a natural source of energy that | | | | you need to know the information on a passive |
| comes directly from the sun. When solar energy | | | | and an active home. These two types of solar |
| hits the earth it spreads over the earth's surface | | | | homes offer the homeowner options to choose |
| and provides warmth evenly. If you could capture | | | | from and your cost of heating may be down. |
| the sun's rays into a particular area for a long | | | | Solar energy does not only heat your home but it |
| period of time it would provide enough warmth | | | | also heats your water and if you use solar energy |
| for nighttime or on cloudy days. Learning where | | | | lights it can light your home at night. |
| to find solar energy can help you to get started | | | | Passive homes do not use any equipment to heat |
| today. Solar energy does not cost anything | | | | the home. Passive homes use windows that are |
| because it comes from the sun. The source that | | | | made to allow the maximum amount of sunlight |
| you choose may cost some but in the long run it | | | | into your home. The sunlight is controlled by |
| should be your only expense, unlike gas or oil | | | | keeping the doors closed in the hottest part of |
| heaters that you continue to pay for monthly in | | | | the day not allowing any heat to escape. At night |
| order to have power or gas heat in your home. | | | | thick curtains may be used on these windows so |
| Solar power can provide heating, cooling and | | | | that the warmth stays inside during the night. This |
| ventilation. | | | | allows the sun to naturally heat your home |
| If you want to make your own solar power to | | | | without any help. |
| capture the energy for heating its easy to do if | | | | Active homes do use equipment to help circulate |
| you can find a solar collector, which is anything | | | | the heat in the home. Some of the equipment |
| that attracts the heat from the sun in a | | | | that may be used includes pumps, blowers and an |
| concentrated amount, such as glass or clear | | | | alternative heating source in case the sunlight was |
| plastic. Getting into your car that has sat out in | | | | not enough during the daytime. In order to heat |
| the hot sun all day long can be extremely hot and | | | | the home with sunlight these homes use special |
| you have to roll down your windows to cool it off | | | | boxes on the outside that attract the sunrays to |
| inside. That is because the glass has attracted the | | | | it. They are made from a dark colored metal to |
| sun and the objects in your car, including your | | | | help attract the sun more. The water or air that |
| seats, have trapped the heat not allowing it to | | | | is carried in the pipes and ductwork is heated by |
| escape. When you roll your windows down you | | | | this glass box that has captured the sunlight. Then |
| are allowing the heat to escape causing your car | | | | the heated water or air is then carried to the rest |
| to cool down. The same thing is true about | | | | of the home. |
| greenhouses. The glass or clear plastic can attract | | | | In the long run, solar energy helps to heat the |
| the sun and not allow it to escape causing the | | | | home naturally and without depending on a |
| greenhouse to maintain the heat for the plants to | | | | company to supply it for you. Solar energy can |
| grow effectively. | | | | be found anywhere the sun is. |
| In order to heat your home using solar energy, | | | | |