Solar powered HVAC can help you take an important step away from total reliance on the power grid. As solar continues to become an increasingly viable alternative to standard power sources, household cooling and heating components are now being integrated into home solar systems too.
Solar powered HVAC units are as effective as conventional units when it comes to indoor comfort. Only the power source is different. Here are some examples of the current state of cooling and heating from the sun, aka solar powered HVAC.
- A typical 2,000-square-foot residence requires a 3.5-ton central AC unit to cool the entire house. Each ton of cooling consumes 1,200 watts of electricity. In that example, a home in typical summer conditions would require a minimum of between 11 and 17 solar panels to run a central AC.
- Residential solar options include hybrid heat pumps that can be powered by solar panels or the local utility grid to provide both cooling and heat. Most often, a solar heat pump gets power from rooftop solar panels during daylight hours, then utilizes grid power after dark.
- In locales where a residence is off-grid and no local utility power is available, air conditioners and heat pumps are available that run off of DC power direct from the solar panels. These systems do not require an AC inverter.
- Ductless mini-splits are very adaptable to solar. These compact, highly efficient heat pumps provide both cooling and heating to individual rooms, new additions, or other limited spaces, each with its own independent thermostat. One outdoor mini-split heat pump may serve multiple indoor units and still consume comparatively less electricity than a standard central AC.
- As an example, a typical mini-split consumes between 500 and 700 watts per each zone per hour. Standard residential solar panels produce 250 to 400 watts per hour. Therefore, at least two solar panels per indoor zone would be required to run a mini-split.
To learn more about the rapid advance of solar powered HVAC technology and how it can lower your costs of living without sacrificing comfort or convenience, contact the professionals at Paitson Bros.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922