Solar Heating for Consumers
Solar heating works in a variety of climates, as these homes near Boulder, Colorado, demonstrate. (Credit: Craig Christensen)
Today's solar-heating systems can keep swimming pools warm and be used to heat much of the water and interior space at home. Solar-heating systems are reliable, adaptable, and pollution-free.
Understanding Solar Heating
Solar heating uses the energy of the sun to heat air or water, which can be used for a variety of applications. Active solar-heating uses pumps that move air or liquid from the solar collector directly to a load (such as the building space heating or hot water system) or to storage for use later. Passive solar heating relies on the design and structure of the house to collect and distribute heat throughout the building. If interested in learning more of the technical terms associated with solar-heating systems, view the glossary.
How to Learn More
To learn more about the fundamentals of solar heating, visit Solar Heating Basics.
How to Get Solar Heating
Interested in installing solar water heating at home or in the office? Read A Consumer Guide: Heat Your Water With the Sun (PDF 603 KB). Download Adobe Reader.
Related Links for Consumers
The DOE Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency provides information on solar heating:
- Solar FAQs - Solar Heating
- Solar Water Heaters
- The Economics of a Solar Water Heater
- Evaluating Your Site's Solar Resource for Solar Water Heating
- Sizing a Solar Water-Heating System
- Siting the Collector of Your Solar Water-Heating System
- Solar Water Heater Energy Efficiency
- Estimating the Cost of a Solar Water-Heater System
- Building Codes, Covenants, and Regulations for Solar Water Heating Systems
- Heat Exchangers for Solar Water-Heating Systems
- Heat-Transfer Fluids for Solar Water-Heating Systems
- Maintenance and Repair of Solar Water-Heating Systems
- Freeze Protection for Solar Water-Heating Systems
- Scaling and Corrosion in Solar Water-Heating Systems