Solar energy can be harnessed to generate electricity to use for your home lighting and electrical devices. Solar energy can also be used to heat your water and your home in a cost-saving and environmentally-friendly way. The economic gains of changing to solar power are becoming well-known. You will enjoy a reduction in your utility bills with your chosen system paying for itself in no time at all. After opting for solar power, don’t worry about having an obsolete, ornamental fireplace; you can still have your favourite rug in front of it.
For a really classic look, why not choose a cowhide rug at a reasonable price? These 100% genuine cowhides have been sourced from Brazil and Argentina for their high quality. They are processed to render them durable with no odour. Each hide has its own unique colours (black, brown, white, grey) and patterns. The rugs are photographed, so you can be sure the one you select, is the one you receive.
Switching to solar power and making your fireplace obsolete is good for your finances and the environment. Active and passive are two types of solar heating systems. The main difference between them are that active solar systems use solar panels to convert energy from the sun into heat or electricity, whereas passive solar systems use heat directly from the sun to warm up heat retaining materials inside the house. Active solar systems are best suited to buildings already constructed, and passive solar systems are perfect to incorporate into new buildings.
Active solar heating systems use the sun’s energy to heat up a liquid or air that can then be pumped to where it is required. Liquid systems are best used for boilers and central heating. The sun heats up the water which is quickly pumped through a collector (most commonly, a flat-plate PV panel) to avoid it heating up the water too quickly and thereby losing heat. It is then pumped for immediate use or to be stored until ready for use.
Passive solar heating systems do not use solar panels but take heat directly from the sun. They are cheaper to incorporate into a house than active systems, but it has to be part of the building’s design and construction from the beginning. The main features of the passive system are: good house insulation, large double glazed windows, absorber (dark paint or finish) on a thermal mass (wall or floor), positioning of the house for optimal sunlight, and the use of roof overhangings and awnings. This method simply allows sun to enter the window which then heats up the thermal mass (heat retaining material such as concrete, stone, ceramic tiles, bricks),that then releases the heat when the temperature cools. The heat is dispersed naturally or using devices such as fans.
There is no doubt about it; using solar power will save you money and help to save the environment. Whichever method you use, don’t forget your unique cowhide rug for your ornamental fireplace and anywhere else you want to put it.