Oct
21
Dramatically successful in achieving its goal of almost 100 percent active solar heating, this house was built more as a demonstration of an active heater’s capabilities than as an example of a practical solar application. Such a system is uneconomical not only because of its overall cost, but also because much of the collector and [...]
Oct
10
The trickle-type collectors that form the main collector area of this house are unusual in their construction. Instead of a single corrugated absorber plate with water flowing openly over it, these collectors have two: one nested into the other, with a tiny space (1/32 inch) between them. The heat-transfer water flows through this space, in [...]
Oct
10
In most climates, neither a heat pump nor a solar heating system can, by itself, provide all the heat a house needs.
Put the two together, and the heat pump can plumb the solar storage tank for heat, even when the tank’s liquid is much too cool for direct solar heating and the air outside is [...]
Aug
11
Decide here and now to become more energy-efficient. Look around your home at all the appliances you own. Many of them are plugged in and switched on even though you aren’t using them. Go round switching them off. Many are on standby but unless appliances are switched off at the electrical socket they are likely [...]
Aug
05
Counting the Cost of Car and Air Travel
If there’s no choice but to use your car for most journeys ask your children to think of ways to cut down using the car. If children get used to going to school by car and never walk or take the bus, it’s hard to break the habit. [...]
