Is There Such A Thing As Solar Cooling?

Solar cooling, to be sure, is an oxymoron, but it is possible because solar energy is both capable of providing winter warmth and cooling you down in the summer.

There have been quite a number of passive cooling systems developed and tested in recent times. They function quite simply. There are cooling agents that can suck in the heat and expel it as a coolant. If you’re wondering just what are these coolants, they can even be simple everyday things, like water troughs or water tanks – they are very much capable of sucking in the heat and letting it out as the sun’s rays evaporate the heat automatically.

Apart from these simple methods, there are also some passive solar cooling systems which are more sophisticated and a bit more complex. One of these processes would be the use of a solar collector, which is covered during the daytime. And the storage medium in it gathers all the heat during daytime to release it later after sundown. When the night comes, you can remove the cover or shade of the solar collector, allowing it to get in contact with the night air, and as a result releasing any heat collected.

You can choose from many different possible shades for the solar collector, from extended shades to sun blinds. As this arrangement isn’t permanent and will change to just the opposite in the winter season, it is imperative that you keep the shade in a way that will help you to expose the collector easily to the sun as and when required.

You can also use solar panels to operate your average, everyday air conditioning system. As you perhaps already know, days when the heat remains the highest, are the best times for producing electricity by means of photovoltaic cells. You can really reduce your utility bill in the summer if you use solar panels to operate your air conditioning system.

There is one more way you can use solar cooling, and it does not involve any technological advancement. We would need to go back to earlier Roman civilizations, who used running water as a means to cool their homes. These ancient Romans, according to history, were able to cool their homes as the water evaporated against the sun’s rays, thus dissipating the heat. You can do the same thing with the walls and rooftops on your house – as you can see, nothing fancy, just historical common sense!

Cooling and heating are two reasons why Americans experience higher than usual utility bills in the summer and winter months respectively. The usage of solar energy to both heat and cool the house can really help your budget breathe and can be ecological too.

A mix of Old World charm and modern life continues to be a hallmark of Saint Louis. Explore St Louis at our premiere city guide. Whether you’re looking for shopping, services or the latest Saint Louis City events, you’ll find it here.