Heating and cooling a house accounts for over 50 percent of the energy used in a typical house.  The first step to conserving energy and lowering costs is to look at efficiency.  Proper insulation and weather-stripping can significantly reduce wasted energy.

Active solar heating systems use solar collectors to heat air or liquid to transfer to the interior of the house or a storage tank using mechanical equipment such as fans and pumps.  Most solar collectors are boxes that contain clear covers that let in solar energy, dark interior surfaces (absorbers) that soak up the heat, insulation that traps the heat within the collector, and vents or pipes that carry the heat to where it is needed.  Liquid systems work well with radiant heating systems, and boiler and hot water radiators otherwise known as hydronic heating.  Both air and liquid systems can supplement forced air HVAC systems.  Active solar heating systems can work alongside solar water heaters so the equipment can also be used in the summer.

Active solar heating systems are most efficient in cold climates with access to good solar resources.  They can be used to offset the cost of expensive heating fuels like propane, oil, and electricity and reduce greenhouse gasses.  Some states offer incentives to help reduce initial costs of installation.  The average cost of installing an active solar heating system is about $2,500-$6,000 in Northern Climates and $2,000-$4,500 in Southern Climates.  It is usually most economical to design a system to a size that will accommodate 40-80 percent of your heating needs.  Most building codes and mortgage lenders require installing a traditional auxiliary heating system for backup.  We recommend that you consult with a local professional solar provider to design a system that is most practical for your needs.  They will be familiar with local building and zoning codes as well as government incentive programs and financing.

Controls for a solar heating system use sensors, switches, and motors to prevent extreme temperatures in the collectors.  A differential thermostat controls the amount of heat that circulates between the solar collectors and the house or storage area.  Advanced systems use microchips to control the system and can be powered with photovoltaic solar panels.