Innovations surrounding solar HVAC system technology has been advancing rapidly in the past few years. Simply put, a solar HVAC system harnesses the sun’s energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells and uses it to power your heating and cooling system.
The PV panels are typically mounted on the roof of the home, the south side being preferable, in line with passive solar concepts. The two types of systems are grid-tied and stand-alone. With the first type the PV system connects to the local utility company to use as a supplemental power source; with the second type the system remains independent and completely powers the home.
When the HVAC is idle, PV power can be used to power other appliances
In 1999 Kansas declared renewable power equipment exempt from property taxes
The federal government provides energy tax credits for installed solar equipment although the details change frequently
You can start small with just a couple of panels and add more as you can afford them
Things to Consider Before Installing Solar HVAC
There are several things to consider before making this upgrade to your home. Does your roof receive enough sun? Tall trees can block the sun during the prime time of day. You’ll need to get permission from your homeowner’s association if your neighborhood has one.
Have your HVAC contractor perform a comprehensive evaluation on your home’s wiring and breaker box. If you are also upgrading your HVAC system, consider whether you would benefit from a temperature zoning system; in many cases this can also result in a considerable drop in energy consumption.
Is your roof large enough for the PV panels? In general, each panel will need about fifteen square feet in a sunny area. Your contractor can take measurements and determine if your roof is a good candidate. Otherwise, a ground-mount might be a feasible option.
The bottom line is that you can reap the benefits of solar HVAC system technology. It will not only reduce your carbon footprint but can save money in utility bills. Who doesn’t like that?
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About the Author:
Kelly R. Smith was a commercial carpenter for 20 years before returning to night school at the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. After working at NASA for a few years, he went on to develop software for the transportation and financial and energy trading industries. He has been writing, in one capacity or another, since he could hold a pencil. As a freelance writer now, he specializes in producing articles and blog content for a variety of clients. His personal blog is at I Can Fix Up My Home Blog where he muses on many different topics.
Kelly R. Smith was a commercial carpenter for 20 years before returning to night school at the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. After working at NASA for a few years, he went on to develop software for the transportation and financial and energy trading industries. He has been writing, in one capacity or another, since he could hold a pencil. As a freelance writer now, he specializes in producing articles and blog content for a variety of clients. His personal blog is at 
