Well we installed our solar heating panels. The company that installed them was Rural Renewable Energy Alliance. They are located in Pine River, Minnesota. They can be found here www.rreal.org
Before our decision was made to install the panels a complete site survey was done to measure my homes solar exposure. The panels are installed on the south-facing side of the structure. Two advantages to this 1) The panels do not affect the way you roof line looks and 2) The side wall installation takes advantage of the winter’s low sun angle. It really maximizes the suns solar heat input.
Here is where the panels will be installed.
This is the south-facing side of my home.
The company will install two panels that will be connected to share air flow.
There is some prep work that must be done to my home to allow the installation of the panels on the exterior. All siding must be removed where the panels will be installed.
The siding is being removed from my home.
The siding is removed to reveal the backer board. The panels must be flush against the backer board and must be air tight for correct draw of air from the home.
The siding is removed to match the dimension of the solar furnace panels.
The efficiency of your home air conditioner unit is important. While running it likely uses more electricity than any other household appliance. Here are some home air conditioner maintenance tips that will keep your unit running as efficient as possible.
Home appliance efficiency is important. Keeping your home air conditioner running efficiently will save you money and will keep your house cool using less energy.
It is always tempting to look into and research “new” energy-saving technologies, but to save energy something “new” should not be your top priority.
Keeping the appliances you have in the best, most efficient, condition possible will equal the energy conservation you desire and maximum satisfaction of use.
Focus on the home air conditioner.
Here are two things to check to verify how efficient you air conditioner runs.
When was the furnace filter changed?
When were the condenser coils last cleaned?
Nothing kills efficiency like the lack of air flow.
Here is what to do to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner.
Step One – Change your furnace filter regularly. Nothing makes your air conditioner and blower motor work harder and lose efficiency like a plugged and dirty furnace filter. Five minute job. Do this every 30 to 90 days.
Step Two – Clean the condenser coils on the outdoor air conditioner unit. Outdoor air must flow through the fins and coils to help exhaust the heat the air conditioner is pulling out of you house.
Here is a brief tutorial how to clean the condenser coils……
You will need;
A screw driver or nut driver that matches the fasteners on the air conditioner enclosure.
A soft bristle brush.
A pressurized garden hose ( for rinsing).
Simple tools are needed.
Follow these steps to get the coils clean;
1. Disconnect power from the air conditioning unit by shutting off the thermostat and by switching off the circuit breaker that feeds electricity to the unit.
2. Remove the sheet metal housing from round your air conditioner. Save all the fasteners in a safe place because they will all be used again.
The inside of the condenser unit shroud. A lot of fiber and dust.
3. Use the soft bristle brush to sweep the dust off the condenser fins. Be careful not to bend the fins. Be gentle.
Large amount of cotton wood fibers and dust really kills appliance efficiency.
4. Use the hose, wash off the sheet metal that has been removed.
5. Use the hose wash off the condensing fins and coil.
Nice clean cooling fins. You should easily see the condenser coils. Much improved appliance efficiency.
6. Let everything dry for 1 hour.
7. Re install the sheet metal shroud around the condensing unit. Use all the fasteners.
8. Switch power back on the to air conditioner.
9. Switch the thermostat to cool.
10. Enjoy the cold air coming out of your vents.
A project like this might take 1 1/2 hours to accomplish. The result will be an increase in your air conditioner efficiency.
I live in a typical suburban neighborhood in a cold…..a very cold climate. Our heating season is usually 8 months long. We currently have a forced air natural gas furnace.
For a long time I have been interested in an alternate heating source for my home. We do not have a fireplace, so wood is out of the question.
I recently learned about alternative heating sources that use solar energy to generate heat….not electricity. These systems are commonly called Solar Furnaces. They are simply solar panels that collect heat. They use a fan and duct work to push warm air into your home.
We have decided to go forward and have a solar furnace installed on our home. It is my hope that we will get supplemental heat pushed into our home during the winter heating season.
I have realistic expectations that the Solar Furnace will not replace the need for our forced air natural gas furnace. My expectation is that we will be able to push enough heat into our home from the Solar Furnace that the gas unit will not have to start-up until late in the evening.
I’ll chronicle the installation of the Solar Furnace and its use.
Natural gas prices are at their all time lowest now, but who knows what will happen to the cost of natural gas in the future.
Any extra heat we can get is a bonus for this family from Minnesota.
My 2 is 1 is a site dedicated to all things that are important for family living.
2 is 1 and 1 is none means; if an item is important you better have two of them. Members of your family must know what they’re used for and how to use them.
Things break, they get lost, and Murphy’s law exists. Take care of yourself and your family by always being prepared.
That is something I learned at an early age in the Scouts and camping with my family. The concept was reinforced in outdoor survival schools I attended. Now as a husband, father, and neighbor I believe the concept is very valid for living in modern times.
