The prospect of tapping solar energy is exciting — whether to save money or the environment. But there are doubts. Can solar do the job? What if there's not enough heat? What's the payback on the ...

As winter departs it's a good time to evaluate how well the heating's been working. Bruce Gill updates us on his DIY solar heating system installed a decade ago, spiders and all. Journal Information ...

Since ancient times, people have found ways to use the sun’s heat to stay warm or keep cool. They built homes from clay and other materials that hold heat well, and they placed them in ways that ...

• Hot-water usage: Since the more hot water you use the more money you save with a solar heating system, large households will save a lot more by going solar. For example, a family of four will save a ...

"Unparalleled efficiency in energy absorption." Scientists achieve major breakthrough that could make solar panels more ...

Think of solar greenhouse heaters as a way to supplement existing heating systems. They're out there, but some assembly may be required.

From a distance, the energy system on top of a college residence hall in Omaha, Nebraska looks like photovoltaic panels. But as you get closer, it becomes clear that this is something different, with ...

Which is best for energy savings? We put heat pumps vs solar panels to the test. Both can improve your home’s energy expenses, reduce your carbon footprint and crucially, save you money on your energy ...

IN LAST MONTH'S column ("Active and passive solar pre-heat systems," pg. 36), the final system we addressed was the closed-loop pressurized system. One of this system's major Achilles heels is the ...

About 20% of a home’s energy use goes toward water heating, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If you’re looking to save on energy for financial or environmental reasons, you might consider ...