Here is California, we are blessed with warmer weather than the rest of the country. We are all aware of the benefits of fitting solar panels to our homes to generate power. The focus of this article is not on using solar power by actively gathering it, but more about using the power of the sun passively. We are all aware that the sun can provide a great deal of heat near our windows, but how could this be used effectively? Here are a few tips to make the most out of the winter sun to make your home warmer.
Tracking the Position of the Sun:
The key to getting the most out of the sunlight that hits your home is to follow the sun. As the sun moves across the sky during the day, different elevations of your home will be affected. A simple way to get started is to open your blind on windows facing east in the morning. This will let the sunlight into your home and the accompanying heat that inevitably follows. After noon it is important to open blinds on west facing windows to catch the sun until sunset.
Harnessing the Power of Sunlight:
Like all homes that are located in the northern hemisphere, here in California, we have a southern side to our homes that catches the sun all day long. During the winter months, the sun is lower in the sky, and this angle can potentially light up your home all day. If your home has southern facing windows, it is a good idea in colder months to have the blinds up all day. This will create a great deal of natural light and add some much needed passive heat to warm up your home.
Making the Most of this Natural Resource:
The sun will shine all day, so you need to make the most of it and pay attention to a few key areas. Trust your senses, if you’re not sure which blinds need opening, just check to see if sunlight is shining through. If the window is nice and sunny, uncover it and let the warming light flood into your home. If the window is not receiving any bright sunlight, cover it with some insulated curtains and prevent any heat from escaping.
Some Troubleshooting:
Harnessing natural sunlight to heat your home is a great way to save money and help the environment. There are a few things to keep an eye on to get the best results for this method of heating. It is very important that the windows are very clean, a dirty window can block between 50% and 70% of the sunlight hitting the window. Obviously, this equates to a reduced ability to get passive heat into your home. A quick way to clean a window effectively is to wash it down using white vinegar and a clean cloth. After sunset, it will be necessary to use your preferred method of heating your home, but passive heating during the day is a great way to cut your energy bills.