Solar Heating Systems: Taking a Cue From The Mediterranean

Across Greece and along other Mediterranean countries, solar heating systems have become all the rage. This area of the world, which is much more concerned with ways to use green energy, has found that they have the perfect amount of year round sunshine to put these applications into use effectively. Of course, using the sun for energy in the United States is nothing new, but there has always been some degree of resistance to the idea. Now, however, with better solutions available, more and more people are seeing that they can harness the sun’s rays and save themselves a lot of money on the monthly water bill.

It should be noted that solar heating systems are not the same as panels that are used to create electricity in the home. While electricity through the sun’s power is viable and many homeowners have chosen to go in that direction, it is a separate issue. There is no need for the photo-voltaic cells to translate the energy into electricity that you need with the other type of panels. In fact, using this technology for heating is quite simple and rather low tech. It works in much the same way a greenhouse collects the heat from the sun and then traps it in the house for the plants to thrive. Water is often used as the primary storage source for this energy, rather than the batteries required in electrical systems.

Of course, the technology behind the solar heating systems has been in use in America for quite a long time. If you’ve ever seen a pool with one of those thin, blue blankets on top, that’s what you are witnessing, albeit on a much smaller scale. While those blankets are varied in how well they actually work, a full system for the house will work much more effectively and can provide not only hot water for the plumbing, but many systems can use that warm water to directly warm the house itself. While not an electrical system, it’s not difficult to see how that can have a positive impact on a homeowner’s electric bill, not to mention the savings to the environment.

Solar technology is getting better and more effective every year, but that doesn’t mean you should wait until things get better before getting your feet wet. The way things are right now can still save you a great deal of money on your bills, contribute to the betterment of the environment, and upgrade your home to the point where the resale value is positively affected.