Go Green, save money!

Solar Homes are Lighter on the Pocketbook

There's a huge push in Central Oregon to conserve energy and cut related costs. Homes with energy-saving features are likely to be much more marketable today and in the future. Whether you're building a new home or remodeling a home, let the sun shine in to heat and (get this) cool your home.

Homeowners can start today by designing homes that take advantage of the earth's natural and renewable energy resources. Solar homes meet the basic criteria for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Passive Solar Homes Save Energy, Money

Passive solar homes use heat from the sun to heat and cool homes. A home might be entirely or partially warmed by the sun depending on the home's design and the stage at which solar design is incorporated.

Large windows serve as heat collectors. Heat absorption is maximized with the perfect angle. An absorber in an indoor wall, or on the floor in direct sunlight collects and stores the sun's energy. The energy is moved through the home via a distribution system that relies on radiation, conduction and convection alone. It is possible to eliminate a heating bill with solar energy. Passive solar energy incorporates many natural elements including wind and trees. Design elements like landscape features, overhangs, and careful landscaping also come into play.

An active solar system uses fans and blowers to help distribute the heat. This usually requires photovoltaic panels to collect solar energy. The energy is then turned into electricity.

It might seem like an oxymoron to suggest you cool your home with the sun, but there is a wide variety of systems available to cool homes including, but certainly not limited to the use of a coolant that absorbs and actually dissipates heat from a structure.

Even if you're not building a new home and don't want to remodel a home entirely, you can take advantage of easy-to-install features to conserve energy including trees, insulation and window dressings that allow you to let the sun shine in when you seek warmth and block it out when you're trying to cool you home.

If you're looking for an energy efficient home, contact us today. If you have a green home you're ready to sell, let us guide you through the selling process.

Troy Batson ~ Broker
Duke Warner Realty
1033 NW Newport Ave
Bend, Oregon 97701
541.678.3725 or 541.382.8262
troybatson@dukewarner.com
troybatson.com