 |
||||
The first option is to build a brand new green, solar efficient home. The other option is to take your existing home design and transform it into a more solar efficient structure. Both options have benefits and drawbacks to consider, not the least of which is budget. However, there are several other factors that go into this decision. Benefits of Building a New Solar Power HomeOne of the most wonderful benefits of building a new solar power home from the foundation to the roof is that you can choose every aspect of the house. You can determine whether you’re going to build a passive solar home, active solar home, or a combination of both. You can choose everything from the type of materials you use for construction, the style of home, the size, number of rooms, roof design, overhangs, solar features, thermal mass structures and floors, solar appliances, and much more. It’s easy to incorporate passive solar heating into a new home by adding south-facing windows that hopefully receive full sunlight for most of the daylight hours. Sunlight makes a home feel open and spacious, which is another benefit of building a green home with solar energy. You can add as many windows as you like, not only for the solar advantages, but for aesthetic value as well. In addition to lowering your heating costs, passive solar style homes are also comfortably cool in the summer. Solar style homes are often open floor plans, so even if you build a smaller square footage home, it will feel and appear larger because of the design plan. The addition of passive solar heating to a brand new home is only about $6,000 more on top of construction costs, so it's well worth the additional money considering what you’ll save in heating costs over the coming years. Drawbacks to Building a New Solar HomeThe cost of building a completely solar home can be a drawback for some homeowners or those who are looking to build a home for the first time, especially if land or location becomes an issue for proper orientation. Benefits of Transitioning an Existing Home to Solar EnergyObviously, the cost of transitioning an existing home to solar energy is much more affordable than building one brand new. Another advantage is that it's more affordable to add solar features to your home over time, as the budget permits, so you can begin slowly and work your way toward being as energy efficient as you can when the disposable income is available. Solar appliances and solar lighting can easily be added to an existing home to save you more money each month. Drawbacks of Transitioning and Existing Home to SolarIf your home doesn't have windows that face the south or you live in a climate that receives little sun, passive heating and cooling of your home will prove to be an obstacle. Also, depending on the structure of your existing home, installation of enough solar panels to truly make a difference could be a challenge. Regardless of whether you opt for building a brand new solar home or adding solar features to your existing home, the benefits most often outweigh the drawbacks and will be well worth the investment. Transitioning an existing home energy system over to solar may be complicated or time consuming, depending on the details of
your current home's design and how well a new solar energy system may be able to fit into the existing structures.
|
Get free access to our Affordable Solar Energy Library Related Articles Residential Solar Power An overview of the many options available today for residential solar power systems, including active and passive solar, on grid and off grid, direct gain and indirect gain, and hybrid solar systems. Residential Solar Panels Residential solar panels are quickly becoming more popular as homeowners realize the benefits of solar energy. Learn the three home solar panel choices currently available and which one best fits your needs! Home Solar Power Systems There are four types of home solar power systems available to homeowners. Which one is best, which is the most affordable, and which is right for your needs? Solar Energy for Homes Solar energy for homes is becoming more and more popular as awareness of how fossil fuels are adversely affecting our health and our environment. Learn some simple ways to solar power your home affordably! Solar Energy Products This new area of our site will be featuring some of the latest affordable solar energy products that offer useful and energy saving solutions for your daily life. Solar Power Homes Solar power homes are constructed from natural materials and designed to take every advantage of renewable energy sources. Learn the different styles of solar homes, and some suprising green building materials you may not have imagined! Sustainable House Design Would it surprise you to know that a sustainable house design may be more affordable than you thought? Learn five different green home plans, how they work, and which may match with your needs! Residential Solar Energy Residential solar energy has become a viable option for many homeowners in recent years. Learn which type of solar energy is best for your home, and how to affordably transition to residential solar power. Solar Power Home Options Are you considering making a move toward a solar power home? There are two options from which to choose if you’re thinking you’d like to take active steps to help the environment and to lower your energy costs. Passive Solar House Plans Passive solar house plans are know for being durable, which means they’ll typically last for years. These simple designs also deliver energy savings and a lower maintenance home. Will passive solar house designs work for your home? Your Dream Solar Energy House Can you envision your dream solar energy house? These are some of the benefits of using a sustainable house design with solar energy. Green Prefab Homes and Your Carbon Footprint Green prefab homes offer a resurgence of a once popular home building technique. Learn why green modular homes are an economical and ecofriendly option, and where to find these affordable green homes. Green Home Plans - Which are the Best? Green home plans are more than just an energy efficient version of your neighbor’s home. Which green home building materials are most affordable? Which are most eco-friendly? Green Modular Homes All about green modular homes, where to find them, and how building a green home can help the environment and your budget! Where Can I Find Green Homes for Sale? Where to find green homes for sale and tips for knowing the difference between truly sustainable homes for sale and those which are only energy efficient. |
|||
|
Subscribe To      
Enjoy This Site?
Then why not use the button below, to add us to your favorite bookmarking service? |
||||
|
| Home |
About |
Contact|
Privacy Policy|
Sitemap|
What's New|
|
||||
|
| ||||