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Solar heating

Solar heating refers to the use of the sun's energy to heat space or water. There are two different kinds of solar heating. Active solar heating utilizes pumps to move air or liquid from a solar collector into a building or storage facility. Passive solar heating, on the other hand, does not utilize electrical or mechanical equipment. However, it relies on the structure of the house or building to collect, store, and distribute heat.

When we think of solar heating we usually think of using solar panels to heat our homes. However, solar heating can also raise the temperature in any number of objects including buildings and cars through solar radiation. When it comes to solar radiation, factors such as surface area, surface reflectance, and ambient temperature factor into how much heat a building or object can collect.

All across the world countries are utilizing solar heating more and more. In October 2010 the Embassy of Italy in Beirut in celebrated the launching of a new pilot thermal solar heating system in a local village. In the United States, both presidential candidates are citing the need to use more solar power in the coming years. Indeed, solar heating can be used year-round for the home in winter and even for your swimming pool during the summer to help reduce dependency upon carbon based energy sources.

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