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Overview
With the rising costs of energy and the destructive effects of current sources of energy on the environment, it is no surprise that homeowners are turning to solar power for home heating. Before switching to solar energy, it is important that you understand the costs, risks, and other disadvantages, but at the same time, most consumers will find that the advantages outweigh the problems. With a commitment to solar energy, you can heat your home without the hassle of electricity, coal, or gas.
Placement
When you covert to solar energy, you have many options for placement. Some forms of heating take up a lot of room in your basement or a closet, but solar panels can be attached to just about any exterior surface the sun touches. Most people put solar panels on their roofs, but you can also choose a wall, or you can build a surface away from your house to cover with the panels.
No Pollution
With solar energy, you're cutting your pollution rates to zero. Today, one's "carbon footprint" is a constant topic of conversation, and this is one way to significantly reduce yours. Solar energy doesn't use burning coal or other substances, so there aren't any pollutants entering the atmosphere. It is an almost completely clean way to generate power. Because there are no pollutants involved, solar power is much better for the environment.
Renewable Power
You can heat your home using coal, oil, gas, or even wood, but all of those resources will eventually be gone. Eventually, these resources can be replenished, but that takes millions of years in most cases. Humankind is using these resources much faster than the earth can provide them. Solar heat, however, is a renewable resource. When you convert the sun's heat and light into power, there is still just as much sunlight the next day, and that won't change no mater how many people start using solar power for a heat source.
Cost
Because solar energy can be harnessed easily from panels installed on or near your home, there are no on-going heat costs. The panels are fairly expensive, which causes many people to shy away from solar power, but once they are installed, you'll never have to pay a heat bill again. Most people think that your home will only be heated in the daytime and on sunny days, but the solar panel system stores up the power so that you don't have to use other forms of energy when the sun isn't out.
Maintenance
Maintenance for solar panels is easy. There are no moving parts, so they don't wear out very easily. For most, a solar panel system will last at least 30 years. Once the system is installed and working, you can forget about it, for the most part.
