Heating & Cooling without Fuel Considerations

Whether you're looking to save the planet or just save a few bucks, natural home heating and cooling provides an effective way to do both.

Using solar power is a great, natural way to heat a home's water supply. Solar-heated water can be used for more than cooking, cleaning and bathing. It may also be used to heat the home itself in winter months, via radiant floor heating. And if you have a swimming pool, solar power can make it accessible and comfortable year round.

There is no one type of solar water heater that is best in any situation. A variety of different types of solar heaters are available - the proper heater for your home will depend on the size of your residence and the type of climate in which you live. Checking with a local solar heating expert will insure that you get the highest quality system and best bang for your buck.

Geothermal heating and cooling is an age-old technique that involves using the earth's natural heat to regulate the temperature in the home. Water pumped underground conducts natural heat to either warm or cool a system's refrigerant, and the home's temperature is regulated accordingly.

Geothermal heat is renewable, efficient, and dirt cheap. While a geothermal system may be pricey to install upfront, it will pay for itself in a few short years, as daily heating and cooling costs can be next to nil. As an added bonus, the water heated through geothermal heating may also be diverted to your hot water heater.

In addition to these green heating and cooling sources, smart home design can go a long way toward making your home's temperature easier and more inexpensive to regulate, without having to burn fuel or waste electricity.

Good insulation is a must, both in the form of wall insulation and double paned windows. Shade trees and reflective surfaces provide shelter from the sun. Well-placed windows provide for cooling cross-breezes in summer months. And for when the windows and doors are shut, quality weather-stripping prevents unwanted heat loss or gain.

Spending outlandish sums on monthly energy bills to is not something you have to do. Heat and cool your home the natural way by going green, and you'll save some green, too.