Solar Panels
Solar panel electricity systems, also known as photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells don’t need direct sunlight to work – they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting. PV cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced. Groups of cells are mounted together in panels or modules that can either be mounted on your roof or on the ground. The power of a PV cell is measured in kilowatts peak (kWp).
Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters also called solar domestic hot water systems — can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use — sunshine — is free. How They Work Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and controls, and passive, which don’t. Active Solar Water Heating Systems There are two types of active solar water heating systems: Direct circulation systems Pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home. They work well in climates where it rarely freezes. Indirect circulation systems Pumps circulate a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid
Solar Attic Fan
A powered attic ventilator, or attic fan, is a ventilation fan which regulates the heat level of a building’s attic by exhausting hot air. A thermostat is used to automatically turn the fan off and on, while sometimes a manual switch is used. An attic fan can be gable mounted or roof mounted. Additional vents are required to draw in fresh air as the hot air is exhausted. Attic fans are typically used in warmer months, when temperatures in an attic can exceed 120 °F (49 °C). A fan may be installed in an attic for the different purpose of cooling a whole house, venting hot air out via the attic; such fans are often called whole-house fans.
Radiant Barrier
A radiant barrier is a type of building material that reflects thermal radiation and reduces heat transfer. Because thermal energy is also transferred by conduction and convection, in addition radiation, radiant barriers are often supplemented with thermal insulation that slows down heat transfer by conduction or convection. A radiant barrier reflects heat radiation (radiant heat), preventing transfer from one side of the barrier to another due to a reflective, low emittance surface. In building applications, this surface is typically a very thin, mirror-like aluminum foil. The foil may be coated for resistance to the elements or for abrasion resistance. The radiant barrier may be one or two sided. One sided radiant barrier may be attached to insulating materials, such as
Solar AC Units
A solar air conditioning system is simply a system of cooling and heating that utilises solar power, rather than electricity from the mains. While they can have a significant upfront installation cost, solar air conditioners are much cheaper to own and operate in the long term, as they utilise virtually unlimited energy provided by our sun. Solar energy is a great way to decrease both your electricity bill and your carbon footprint, so what are some different ways to incorporate it into your home? Conventional solar powered cooling systems: which comprise the majority of installed systems. ‘Open loop’ cooling systems (known as desiccant cooling): this type of cooling is newer and less common, but can be more cost and energy
Insulation
Insulation is defined as material used to insulate something, especially a building. Basically, insulation is material used that reduces heat loss or heat gain by providing a barrier between the inside of your home and the significantly different temperature outside. Whether it is the winter or the summer, when you heat and cool your home the insulation should work to keep the temperature inside consistent without the furnace or air conditioner running constantly. The proper home insulation can help lower your energy bills while keeping your home a comfortable place to live and hangout in year-round. It’s important when talking about insulation to understand how it will impact the conduction – heat transfer – and the convection – air flow