Can You Use a Solar Hot Water System to Heat Your House?

The Principles of Hydronic Radiant Heating

• Liquid, which holds heat better than air, is heated by a boiler or hot water system and sent through a grid of plastic tubing in prefabricated slabs under the floors. No blowers are necessary, because the heat in the floors causes the warm air to rise to the ceiling where it cools and drops to floor level where it gets reheated to rise again. This is called convection.

Benefits of Hydronic Radiant Heating

• Hydronic radiant heating is healthier, more efficient and more cost-effective. Without blowers to blow air and dust around, it reduces allergies and respiratory problems. The convection principle keeps the air circulating, maintaining a rather constant room temperature and reducing chills and colds. Since water retains heat better and longer, less energy is needed. After initial installation, heating costs are greatly reduced.

Solar Energy Hot Water Heating Systems

• The closed-loop system is best for places that have freezing winters, because it contains an anti-freeze type liquid (water and glycol). It will not freeze up and will keep the heat. The open-loop system is fine if you live where the winters are not too harsh or long. The water is heated by solar energy collectors on the roof and then stored in heavily insulated storage containers.

The Marriage of Solar and Hydronic Radiant Heating

• The marriage of solar hot water heating systems and hydronic radiant heating gives you the best of all possible worlds. After the initial cost of installation, you will realize considerable savings in heating costs and receive up to 30 percent tax credit thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005.