Strategic Window Placement for Maximum Solar Benefit

It is no wonder at all that ancient civilizations worshiped the sun.
Located about 150 million kilometers away, this burning ball of fire
and brimstone is one of several key figures responsible for sustaining
life here on Earth. For this I believe it deserves at least a little
respect - although perhaps not as much as it was given by some in
previous times. In this article we're going to talk about how we can
best harness this awesome power!When someone mentions the word "solar
power", what's the first thing that comes to mind? A massive solar
panel that covers half your roof maybe? Well, that's certainly not a
bad idea! But don't forget that you can harness the sun's power
without converting it into electricity. - Well, in the colder seasons
especially. I'm sure you've noticed that some rooms in the house are
naturally warmer - and brighter - than others am I right? Well, you
have to admit that the sun plays a pretty big role in these
freebies.On a sunny day, the rooms with windows on the south side of
your home will almost certainly be both several degrees warmer, and
many times brighter, than the rooms located on the north side. -
Provided there isn't a concrete wall or the equivalent obstructing the
sun's path. Architects and designers take these factors into
consideration to varying degrees depending on customer preference,
local climate and temperature, and other various physical
circumstances.But more often than not, sufficient priority isn't given
to designing homes that efficiently exploit the sun's power. The sun's
power is similar to the rain that falls. Both will continue falling
and blessing our lives, but the degree to which we benefit is
dependent on us and how we design our homes and the various other
places we spend our time. Rain for example can be collected, stored,
and used instead of city water.One of the best ways to harness solar
heat power in the winter is to build your bigger rooms - or rooms
where you spend the bulk of your time - on the south side, with bigger
windows, and your smaller rooms on the north side. Of course, bigger
windows mean more heat loss in the night hours when the sun's down, or
when it's not shining. This is where double-paned windows and thick,
good-fitting curtains come into the picture.This also means these
rooms will be that much hotter in the summer season as well! Sorry,
but you can't have your cake and eat it too. Make sure you have good
air circulation and ventilation for when the tables are turned. Sun
rooms adjacent to your dining room or master bedroom are added
luxuries that channel warm air into the rooms that matter most. But by
the same token, install dividing doors etc, so you can isolate these
rooms when the heat gets turned up.