| When you think about living off the grid or solar power | | | | advantage. |
| with connection to the grid, you have already made a | | | | So, when you plan your solar home, plan for the future. |
| basic decision to save planetary energy by using | | | | You want to consider designing a solar system that |
| renewable energy resources. Off the grid means not | | | | can constantly grow and change as your needs |
| being connected to a utility company that delivers | | | | change and new solar technology becomes available. |
| electricity over a wide area which means you are self | | | | For instance, if you want to plan a 2,000 square foot |
| sufficient. But you could also use solar power and | | | | independent family dwelling, you need to remember |
| have a connection to a utility company. | | | | that a builder could make the mistake of placing the |
| To make it simple, a solar home has to be as efficient | | | | living room on the wrong side of the house, which may |
| as it can be for things to work in a balanced manner. It | | | | increase the heat in the house. |
| should be built in a passive solar style. You probably | | | | Planning especially involves your personal habits. If you |
| live in a passive solar home right now and don't even | | | | are a morning person, have your living and or bedroom |
| know it. Passive solar homes use a room or another | | | | face towards the southeast so they warm up early |
| part of the structure as a solar thermal energy | | | | with the morning sun. If you have a spectacular view |
| collector, and in fact, your home's windows, walls, and | | | | to the north, and you must have your living room facing |
| floors collect, store, and distribute solar energy every | | | | this direction, try to connect your north facing living |
| day. However, your home may not be very efficient at | | | | room with a south facing sun room which is situated |
| using the sun's energy. Your house should be sealed | | | | slightly lower than the living room. The warm air will rise |
| and insulated top, bottom, and sides. A passive solar | | | | into your living room. |
| home has three times as many windows as a normal | | | | For every situation, there are a number of different |
| home. In your home you might have one room that | | | | advantages. Compromises may have to be made in |
| gets toasty while another is chilly. That's because the | | | | the design of your solar home, but the results are well |
| typical home isn't designed to use solar energy to its | | | | worth it. |