Solar power is not only a reliable resource for a homeowner, but it is also a luxury that can be included in any custom build or renovation. We have been integrating sustainable green energy into custom home plans since day one, and one of the biggest impacts in helping the environment is the use of solar power. It makes sense to use Colorado’s sunny weather to your advantage – not only is it environmentally friendly, but adding solar heating is advantageous in financial ways. It can only enhance the beauty of your new luxury home.
What Is Passive Solar Heating?
Passive heating is the easiest way to incorporate solar heat into most homes. Many homes use it without owners realizing it has been integrated. Still, we encourage the conscious and judicious use of planning your custom build around the best use of passive energy. It uses the power of the sun to warm an area without any energy storage or pumps to push heat throughout the home. The most well-known example of passive solar heating is based on using large south-facing windows to ensure extra light and heat are allowed into an area, a technique that has been in use for centuries to supplement the main source of heat throughout a home.
Although large windows are the most common and easily recognizable part of passive heating, the materials used in the walls themselves can help to capture the sun’s energy and transform it into heat for the entire house. The use of insulating materials helps ensure this wholly natural type of heating seals in the warmth and helps to reduce heat loss. Easton Homes has experience in using insulating materials throughout every step of construction, from the initial plans through the final coat of paint. Insulating curtains, blinds, and drapes can be used to accentuate your décor throughout your home and to help conserve passive heat once construction is complete.
Because passive solar heating relies on large areas of the external structure being exposed to long periods of sunlight, it is best to plan for the use of passive energy while working with our team to customize the plans for your new luxury construction. It can be put into use on existing structures. Still, the efficiency of the system will partially rely on what is already in place.
Integration into a new home allows for the use of more insulating materials than what is generally available during reconstruction or renovation. Still, we can help ensure you get the best available materials no matter what the circumstances are. We can also help put a secondary heating system into place to ensure your home holds the luxury of warm nights during cold weather when passive heating may not work as well.
What Is Active Solar Heating?
One of the types of secondary systems we recommend also relies on solar power. Many environmentally conscious people have added active solar heating systems, along with other types of solar power throughout the whole home, to help reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy bills. Active solar heating uses technology and hardware that passive heating does not need. Heat pumps, storage tanks, and collectors are installed so heat can be forced throughout the area rather than relying wholly on the natural diffusion of passive heating. Installation of the hardware makes it easy to add active systems during the renovation of a home, and many people include the heating system as a part of a solar-powered energy system refresh.
Active systems include radiant floor heating, forced air, baseboard, and radiator systems. Any of these can be incorporated in either a new custom-designed home or in renovations. Advantages include the ability to work within your unique aesthetic tastes, with options ranging from completely invisible to sleek vents and everything in between. It is also easy to use existing ducts and vents to either replace a standard forced air system with solar heating or to supplement a current system with renewable energy.
Active systems will provide more consistent temperatures than passive systems. A standard temperature-controlling thermostat is normally put in place, but there are also options to ensure individual rooms are kept at different temperatures.
Financial Considerations of Colorado Solar Heating
Because the sun itself is the power source for solar heat, these systems are the most sustainable options available on the market. Fuel is provided naturally while protecting the environment, ensuring a minimal impact on the beauty of the natural world. Without the need for expensive heating fuels, there are other advantages as well. Fewer greenhouse gases are released with the use of power. There is less air pollution. The state of Colorado understands how important it is to protect the environment and promote sustainable energy, so it has multiple tax credits and incentives that may be available for the integration of solar power within your home.
The initial installation cost may be steep, but with the incentives available, the initial output can be offset quickly. Long-term energy savings stack up quickly, especially when whole home systems are in use and the resale value of a solar-powered home is increased. Many areas also provide the option to sell excess energy to the larger energy grid. The installation of these systems not only decreases your own carbon footprint but can help your neighbors, too.
Talk to Easton Homes – The Custom Home Experts
It is important to keep your system up to date. The technology is changing constantly, and improvements are being made. Regular inspections are also needed – any damage can lower the efficiency of the system as a whole, so repairs should be completed quickly.
Because Colorado is the place we have made our home, the people of Easton Homes understand how important sustainability and environmentally safe options are to our neighbors. We have years of experience in supporting people who choose to integrate solar heating options seamlessly into the larger components of whole home energy systems. We specialize in building green custom homes from the ground up and look forward to lending our expertise to bring your vision to life. Contact us now to see how we can work together to build your dream solar-powered home.
