Solar Energy - How the Active Solar Heating Systems are Used

There are basically two types of solar heating systems: active and passive. With passive solar heating the sun heat is simply trapped in some way. This is how a greenhouse works; the heat from the sun is let in but struggles to come out.

Active solar heating is how most houses use solar energy. With active solar heating the energy is trapped, and then the system does something to improve the way the heat is collected and distributed. Here, you will learn a little more about active solar heating, how it is used within the houses, and which type is the best to use to heat a house.

There are basically two types of active solar heating systems, and each has its own pros and cons.

In a liquid based active solar heating systems the sun energy is used to heat water or other liquid which is used to heat space or water. These liquid based systems are most appropriate to use in home central heating.

There is a collector in such a system used to collect the sun heat into water, antifreeze, or some other type of liquid. The absorbed heat is circulated through a pump that moves the liquid to where it is needed. It can be used to heat water indirectly or the panels can heat water directly. Additionally, the heated fluid can be moved through the house to heat the space.

Actually, the liquid solar system can be used with a forced air system to heat a house. A liquid to air heat exchange is generally used. This could be done by heating a coil with the liquid heated and letting air pass over it. Additional heating may be needed, so a furnace is usually in place to act as support. Basically, it is a hybrid system in such cases.

In an active solar air based heating system water or antifreeze are not used. Instead, air is used as a fluid for absorbing and carrying the energy through the house or building. This type of system is useful to heat rooms or even to preheat air for recovery ventilators.

The biggest difference between air and liquid based systems is the air system can collect heat earlier and later in the day. It makes an air system more efficient and better than the liquid systems during some periods of year in many cases. Also, air systems will not freeze since no liquid is used. The only real drawback is an air is significantly less efficient for heat transferring compared to a liquid.

Active solar heating is used most often for home heating. The biggest upside, whether you use liquid or air, is solar heat is basically free. Even if the solar heat is used just to offset some of what taken from “the grid”, it is a great way to save fuel and money.

As you can see, active solar energy systems are the best way to capture heat for your home. Actually, the buildings and spaces heating are the best and most common uses of the active solar heating systems you can see today. So when you think about solar energy, you know it is more than just big panels adorning the side of a building. It is rather about active heat and energy transportation via the liquid or air use. It is about preserving and using renewable and virtually limitless natural resource as an alternative to dirtier and nonrenewable sources.