6 Ways to Incorporate Solar Energy into Your Home

6 Ways to Incorporate Solar Energy into Your Home

The use of solar energy has been on the rise for years around the world, and it’s no different in the United States. With incentives such as the solar tax credit, homeowners are finding affordable and convenient ways to have solar panels installed. What surprises some people are the different ways that solar power can be used at home. The sun produces light and heat, both of which can be harnessed by a solar power system that is installed correctly. Here are some of the most common ways that solar power can be used for your home. 

Heating

The heat that we get here on Earth comes from the sun. It should only stand to reason that using solar power can be an effective and efficient way to heat up your home or certain spaces within it. Not only can you power a central HVAC system, but solar power can heat radiant floors to keep your feet warm on cold mornings as well. Of course, even without solar panels, you can still provide heat to your home. You can make sure that certain windows, at certain times of day, are open to allow the sun’s heat into the home. 

Electricity

When you think of solar power, there’s no doubt that you think of large panels on a roof, collecting sunlight and storing it for when it is needed. Using these panels to provide electricity for the home is one of the primary reasons why homeowners choose to go solar. In most cases, these panels are used to lower the use of electricity from the grid. Homes will use solar power for certain things or at certain times, and use their regular electricity in all of the others. Some homes, however, manage to be completely off the grid using solar energy. How you want to use it is up to you, so if you’re interested in taking as much advantage as possible of going solar and helping the planet by using renewable energy sources, you can check out the cost of solar panels if you’re thinking of getting them installed.  

Lighting

Solar power can be used to light the inside of homes, or the outside. Solar-powered landscape lighting is getting more common all the time. If you are concerned about getting enough sun to light up a large space, you can also install smaller lights, like pathway lighting, for which whatever energy can be stored will be more than enough. If you are sure that you will get enough sunlight, you can in fact light your entire home with solar power if you choose. Plus, you can have backup from the grid just in case your source of solar power is interrupted for some reason. 

Heating Water

Your shower water doesn’t come straight from hot springs and ready to steam up your bathroom. It must be heated, and heating water takes energy. Your solar panels can be installed with a special cell that will transfer heat directly to your water tank. That way, there is less chance of a power interruption that causes you to lose hot water. Besides having warm and hot water for your in-home uses, you can also use it on the exterior of your home. The water from your pool can flow into a solar-powered heater that will make the water more comfortable to enjoy. 

Ventilation

Many homes have certain areas or rooms that do not get properly heated or cooled by the HVAC system. These spaces are often on the upper levels of the home, since the conditioned air has a longer way to get there and there is more chance of an obstruction or issue along the way. However, solar attic fans can help. They are installed directly on the roof so that those neglected spaces can get the ventilation they need to stay as cool as possible during the hot summer months.  

Alternative Uses of Solar Power

There are also uses of solar power that go beyond use within your home or property. There are solar-powered charging options for mobile phones and devices, for instance. There is also a belief that one day cars can be completely powered by solar energy. This would have a massive impact on the damage being done to our planet. 

Whatever your reason for using it is, solar power is here to stay. You may not realize that there are many different ways that you can use solar-power in your home that go beyond just the large solar panels on your roof. The best thing about solar power is that it is renewable, and the sun will not stop being a source of energy anytime soon. You can save money on your energy bills, and get great performance if you choose to have a solar power system installed in your home.