Home energy consumption is a topic most homeowners consider every time the monthly bills arrive, but they're also concerned about their impact on the planet and their desire to make the world better for the next generation. There are many ways to reduce energy consumption around the house, from turning off lights to installing smart thermostats to regulate the home's temperature automatically. Another great way to reduce energy consumption in the home is to capture and release passive heating.
What Is Passive Heating and Cooling?
Passive heating is when natural heat sources, such as the sun, warm up a home's interior simply by shining on the walls or windows. Capturing this heat and using it to warm up the house is called solar gain. There are no solar panels or special appliances required. It's a process that happens naturally whether we like it or use it or not.
The technical term solar gain refers to the heat generated when an object absorbs heat from the sun and transfers the solar radiation to objects in the surrounding space. Passive cooling is a similar opposing principle to prevent heat from entering your home.
How to Maximize Passive Heating and Cooling With Window Coverings
The idea behind passive heating and cooling is to identify where the home gets the most sun exposure and then, depending on the time of year, find a way to keep the warmth inside or out. The most efficient and straightforward way to capture and block heat entering the home is to use window coverings. Other factors that contribute to maximizing passive heating and cooling are the direction the windows face, the kind of windows installed, and how the house is insulated.
Energy Efficiency Passive Cooling Tips for Summer
Here are some ways to use passive cooling in your home during the summer:
Keep Blinds Closed During the Day
When the sun is at its peak in the summer, it's best to keep the heat outside and the cool air inside. Closing the blinds during the afternoon will help keep the scorching heat out of the home.
Avoid Cooking Inside
Cooking outside and limiting appliance usage during peak times can also contribute to maintaining a comfortable temperature indoors without relying on excessive energy usage.
Use White or Light-Coloured Materials
Dark materials will absorb heat, so using white or light-coloured materials will reflect the sunlight into the environment to minimize heat build-up inside the home.
Seal Gaps and Cracks
To prevent unwanted heat from entering the home, seal any holes or cracks in doors and windows.
Use Natural Ventilation
Utilizing ceiling fans, box fans, or window fans can create airflow throughout the house and keep it feeling cooler.
Open Blinds First Thing in the Morning
The air in the early morning is usually significantly cooler than in the afternoons, making it the best time to open blinds and windows. Closing them before the sun reaches its peak helps keep the cool air in and the hot air out.
Energy Efficiency Passive Heating Tips for Winter
Here are a few ways to use passive heating in your home during the winter:
Keep Your Blinds Open During the Day
Take advantage of the limited natural sunlight during the day by opening the blinds. This will help maximize solar gain, especially with south-facing windows.
Use Insulating Materials
Insulating materials are essential when utilizing solar gain. Concrete and brick are excellent insulators, absorbing heat during the day and slowly releasing it at night. Dark flooring materials can also be used to achieve the same effect.
Seal Off Drafts and Air Leaks
To maximize the amount of thermal energy that enters the home, it's also a good idea to keep windows closed and insulate them with clear plastic film to trap the heat. If there are any drafts or holes in the insulation, then the heat won't stay inside.
Close Blinds at Night To Trap In Heat
After keeping the blinds open during the day to collect passive heat from sunlight, close the blinds at night or once the sun goes down to trap the stored heat inside the home and keep the house warm and cozy for sleeping.
How Smart Blinds Make Life More Efficient
Smart blinds have revolutionized the way we interact with our indoor environment. They offer a convenient way for homeowners to reduce energy consumption and automate daily tasks without compromising style or aesthetics. Smart blinds come with a remote control or mobile app to program them to automatically adjust their position throughout the day based on light conditions and timing.
By regulating the amount of sunlight entering the room, smart blinds can help keep the indoor temperature of a home at an optimal level while reducing reliance on artificial heating and cooling.
Blog post provided by Sonata Design
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