Solar Heating Systems

image of house with active solar heating

Solar Heating Systems

There are two basic types
of active solar heating
systems based on the
element—either liquid or
air—that is heated in the
solar energy collectors.

Liquid-based systems
heat water or an antifreeze
solution in a hydronic
collector.

Air-based systems heat air
in an air collector.

Liquid systems are more often used when storage is included, and are well suited for
radiant heating systems, boilers with hot water radiators, and even absorption
heat pumps and coolers. Both air and liquid systems can supplement forced air
systems.

Economics and Other Benefits of Active Solar Heating Systems
An active solar heating system is most cost-effective when they are used for most of
the year, that is, in cold climates with good solar resources. Some states offer sales
tax exemptions, income tax credits or deductions, and property tax exemptions or
deductions for solar energy systems.

The cost of an active solar heating system will vary. Commercial systems range from
$30 to $80 per square foot of collector area, installed. Usually, the larger the system,
the less it costs per unit of collector area.

Commercially available collectors come with warranties of 10 years or more, and
should easily last decades longer. The economics of an active space heating system
improve if it also heats domestic water, because an otherwise idle collector can heat
water in the summer.

Heating your home with an active solar energy system can significantly reduce your
fuel bills in the winter. A solar heating system will also reduce the amount of air
pollution and greenhouse gases that result from your use of fossil fuels such as oil,
propane, and natural gas for heating or that may be used to generate the electricity
you use.

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