Solar energy heating systems are more cost efficient when installed in climates, even cold ones, having good access to the sun’s rays. They are not generally used as stand-alone systems but usually work jointly with the existing power infrastructure to supplement your home’s power needs. With the extremely cold winters in Minnesota, this supplemental power can help to reduce the amount of your heating bills significantly.
An extra benefit is being ecologically responsible by reducing your carbon footprint. Traditional heating methods require combustion of fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, propane and oil. In the burning process that converts fuel to energy, by-product gases are released that contribute to the greenhouse effect of polluting our atmosphere. Conversely, energy from the sun is clean, renewable, and non-polluting.
Collector panels, usually installed on roofs, gather energy from the sun and convert that energy into usable power for your home. The larger the roof area you have to support the collectors, the more energy your system can generate. To optimize the benefits of the sun’s rays, it’s best if the roof surface that houses your collector area faces southward and is not shaded by trees or neighboring structures.
Some collectors are mounted on the ground. These systems are usually designed for homes in rural areas with more acreage or for homes where the panels will not be aesthetically desirable. A review of your local zoning laws and community ordinances will determine if there are restrictions on the type of system you’re considering having installed.
Ensuring that your house is adequately sealed and insulated will help keep your solar system performing at maximum efficiency. Heat loss through cracks around doors and windows, and through thinly insulated walls, sub-floor and ceilings can cause your HVAC system to work overtime. This will defeat your goal of a new energy-efficient solar system.
Even the best system on the market won’t function properly or efficiently without being installed by an experienced contractor. Serving the Twin Cities since 1974, Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning remains a family-owned business. Please contact our team of expertswith all your questions about installing a home solar system.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about solar and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!