Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 30

GEORGIA'S Energy Outlook

By Alan C. Shedd

Solar energy for your home, part 1

I

n the second article in this series,
we discussed energy efficiency and
steps homeowners should take
before investing in renewable-energy
technology at home. Read on to learn
ways you can leverage Georgia's most
abundant renewable-energy source-
solar energy-to help power your home.

ISTOCK.COM / WSFURLAN

When most people think of using
solar energy at home, they think of rows
of shiny solar panels on the roof.
However, taking advantage of warmth
from the sun in winter and keeping it out
in summer are simple ways to save on
energy costs. Passive solar principles
utilize your home's design, orientation,
window placement and landscaping to
Solar water heaters use panels called collectors to absorb heat from the sun and
your advantage.
* During winter months, open the shades direct it through pipes to hot-water storage tanks.
of south-facing windows to let the sun
help heat your home. In the summer,
Solar water heating
shade south-, east- and west-facing windows with
Water heating is the second-largest energy use in the home
overhangs, plants or
after heating and cooling. Installing a solar water-heating system
shrubs to keep the
can be a wise investment.
home cooler and cut
Most systems consist of a storage tank, solar collectors,
down on air-condipipes, a pump and controls.
tioning costs.
* Add a greenhouse
The solar collectors-mounted in a sunny, south-facing
location-have metal absorber plates and insulated boxes
or sunspace to the
with glass covers, which get hot when the sun shines. Fluid is
south side of your
pumped through the collectors, picks up the heat from the sun
home to provide
and warms water in a storage tank. Often the fluid contains
supplemental heat,
antifreeze to protect the system from freezing. Solar water heata sunny spot to sit in
ers work year-round. In sunny weather, the sun provides free hot
winter or a place to
Allowing sun to stream through southfacing windows can help warm your
water; during cloudy days or when more hot water is used, your
grow plants. Passive
home in winter.
solar designs for such conventional water heater helps out.
Solar water-heating systems vary widely in size and cost. A
spaces absorb heat
system suitable for a family of four could cost between $4,000
on sunny days, then release it into the home at night.
and $8,000 to purchase and install. You may be able to receive
During hot summer months, close off the sunspace
from the rest of the house and vent to the outdoors to rebates or tax credits to help defray the cost. Shop for a system
that is certified OG-300 by the Solar Rating and Certification
allow heat to escape.
* If you are planning a new home, position it to take Corp. (SRCC), and make sure the installing contractor has
certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy
advantage of the winter sun. Masonry floors store
Practitioners (NABCEP).
energy, soaking up the sun's warmth and helping to
Alan C. Shedd is the director of sustainability for Tuckerkeep the home warm overnight. Reduce the window
based Oglethorpe Power Corp.
area on the east and west sides and use overhangs
and landscaping to keep the home cool.

30

Georgia Magazine

September 2019

ISTOCK.COM / CHANDLERPHOTO

Passive solar energy



Georgia Magazine - September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - September 2019

Contents
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - Intro
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - Cover1
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - Cover2
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - Contents
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 4
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 5
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 6
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 7
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 8
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 9
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 10
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 11
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 12
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 13
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 14
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 15
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 16
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 17
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 18
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 19
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 20
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 21
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 22
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 23
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 24
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 25
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 26
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 27
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 28
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 29
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 30
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 31
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 32
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 33
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 34
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 35
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 36
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 37
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 38
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 39
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 40
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 41
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 42
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 43
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 44
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 45
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 46
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 47
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 48
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 49
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 50
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 51
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 52
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 53
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 54
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 55
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 56
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 57
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - 58
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - Cover3
Georgia Magazine - September 2019 - Cover4
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