Easy Solar Energy Tips
There are many ways to tap the sun’s energy besides rooftop
panels. Passive solar design—so named because it doesn’t require mechanical or
electrical devices to transfer the sun’s energy—can reduce your energy consumption,
save you money, and make your home more comfortable.
Let There Be (Natural) Light
Lighting accounts for 6 percent of the average home’s electricity bill. Swapping lightbulbs for sunlight can reduce these costs up to 80 percent.
- Keep window coverings open during the day. In the summer, let light in but keep heat out with light-colored, loose-weave mesh shades. In hotter climates, you can also apply reflective (also called low-emissivity, or “low-e”) coatings the outside of windows.
- Install skylights and daylighting tubes (which allow sunlight to pass through the attic into rooms below). Energy Star-rated products may be eligible for a rebate in your area¾see the Related Resources.
Keep Winter Out
About 45 percent of the total energy used in U.S. homes each year goes toward heating. Taking advantage of the sun’s warmth can reduce this consumption by more than half.
- During the day, open coverings on windows that face south or within 30 degrees of true south to let in sunlight, then close them at night to retain heat and minimize drafts. For even more heat retention, use insulated window coverings.
- In colder climates, install low-emissivity (or “low-E”) coatings on the inside of windows to reflect heat back inside.
- Consider using materials such as concrete, brick, or stone for floors or walls that will absorb solar energy during the day and radiate it into rooms at night. (In warm weather, these materials cool rooms by drawing heat from the air.)
Beat the Summer Heat
Air conditioning accounts for about 9 percent of average home energy use. Shading interior spaces can reduce cooling costs by 40 percent.
- Install low-E coatings on the outside of south- and west-facing windows and skylights to reflect sunlight. Or, install awnings over these windows to block the summer sun (sunlight can still enter in the winter because of the sun’s lower angle in the sky). Keep these windows’ coverings closed during the day.
- In the evening, open windows to let warm air escape, and consider installing an attic fan to enhance the process.
- Plant deciduous trees and shrubs on your home’s south and west sides to provide summer shade; warming sunlight returns in time for winter after their leaves fall. Well-positioned trees can cut annual energy costs by 25 percent.
