This system can employ solar energy as its heat source. In this way, your energy cost can be reduced dramatically.

This heating system consists of long plastic tubing that snakes beneath your flooring. When hot water flows through the tubes, heat radiates upwards through the floor and into your home.

Water can be heated using gas or solar energy. The preferred method would obviously be solar. This is especially true if you already have a solar water heater installed.

You can easily put in more solar collectors to increase its capacity. In this way, you can utilize the freely available energy that comes from the sun and save lots of money in the process.

If you are not familiar with this type of heating system, here’s what we can do…

… we’ll compare the advantages and disadvantages between a radiant heat floor system and a forced-air heating system:

Advantages of using a radiant heat floor system:

1. They are quiet. There are no fans forcing air out of vents, only water quietly flowing through tiny pipes under the floor.

2. Highly efficient. Hot air rises, therefore having the heat source on the ground will be much more efficient than having the heat source mid-way between the floor and the ceiling.

3. Cheaper utility bills. Since they require less energy to make you feel comfortable, radiant heat floor systems use less electricity and saves you money.

4. Once installed properly, this system is relatively maintenance-free. All you have to do is make sure the correct fluid goes into the tubing to prevent mineral buildup.

Advantages of using a forced-air heating system:

1. They are easily installed. All it takes is an hour, some tools and a power outlet before you can enjoy the warmth.

2. You don’t have to meddle with the flooring in order to warm up your home.

Disadvantages of using a radiant heat floor system:

1. It is difficult to install. It takes time to lay those tubing under the floor. This disturbs your day-to-day schedule. Therefore this type of heating is installed more in new and renovated homes.

2. It cannot cool your living spaces as effectively as heat pumps do during summer. Although cooling is possible with such system, it is generally inefficient.

Disadvantages of using a forced-air heating system:

1. Forced-air systems are highly inefficient. Hot air coming out from the vents quickly rise to the ceiling. Therefore there isn’t much opportunity to provide warmth to the space on the ground.

2. They eat up a lot of energy. This is reflected in your utility bills when it suddenly shoots up during winter.

Technology is constantly improving for this type of heating. Therefore you can expect even higher efficiency from radiant heat floor systems. This, certainly, is good news for all of us.

Continue Reading:

1. Home Solar Power – Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Photovoltaic Generators to Power Your Home
2. Home Solar Power — Different Ways of Harnessing Energy From The Sun To Reduce Energy Bills
3. What Are Solar Heaters, How They Work And What They Are Used For

A Small Solar Power Generator

If you’re thinking of making your own solar power generator, you may have heard how easy it is to throw some photovoltaic components together and start generating energy from the sun. Isn’t it?

Yet if you’re building a solar powered generator for the first time, I can almost guarantee you’ll make these 3 most common mistakes that most beginners (and even some experienced hobbyists) do not know about.

Mistake #1: Not Calculating the Number of Solar Cells and Battery Bank Needed

While this sounds like the obvious, a good proportion of us are guilty. Simply estimating the power and voltage generated by the cells will not do. Calculations and measurements need to be done…for everything. You’ll need to have sufficient solar cells. Battery banks also need to be large enough to store enough of these renewable energy so that it can power your appliances throughout the period of use. Everything needs to be calculated, even the wire gauge (size).

This is especially important if you intend to power your appliance throughout the night. A small initial effort (towards calculations) goes a long way to make sure your project doesn’t crash and burn mid-way.

Mistake #2: Using A Flimsy Solar Panel Casing

It is important to design your solar panel casing with proper dimensions according to your material selection. But most beginners do not have a proven design nor proper planning. As a result, many of these constructions end up being flimsy. And as you may already know, solar cells are brittle and easily broken if you do not handle them with care. If they’re mounted on a flimsy panel casing, they can be broken during installation — it is at this time when most handling (and knockings) occur.

Mistake #3: Not Vapor-Proofing Your Solar Panels

Most homemade solar panel projects break down due to corrosion and rust at metallic joints. This is especially apparent if you’re living by the sea or in a humid area. Reason: vapor seeps through many types of sealant through time and they stay in the interior of the solar panel. So it is important to use the correct type of sealant so vapor cannot seep through.

While there are many other pitfalls you’ll probably encounter while building your first solar power generation project, the above three are the most common among hobbyists.

Fortunately, many mistakes such as these can be avoided if you have an experienced hobbyist guiding you. A good alternative is a reliable, step-by-step construction guide. This can also help you avert mistakes that can potentially bring your solar power generator project to a grinding halt.

PS. As many “advanced” hobbyists have commented, they’re still referencing these manuals even after they’ve built a few successful projects over the years.

Continue Reading:

1. “Who Else Wants to Build DIY Solar Panels?”
2. Build Amazing Home Solar Power Systems Used by Families Who Don’t Want to Pay For Their Utilities
3. Do-It-Yourself Solar Panels – Electricity Conversion From Sunlight