1. Solar energy in the form of heat is readily available almost every day throughout the world.
2. Many homes in the United States and Canada are heated in winter.
3. A typical home in the Midwest requires 60 to 80 million btus for a single heating season.
4. Each therm of natural gas, which is defined as 100,000 btus releases 11.68 pounds (5.31kg) of carbon dioxide.
5. A typical Midwestern home heated with natural gas will release 5,840 to 7,008 pounds ( 2655 to 3185kg) of carbon dioxide per year.
6. A simple hot water and supplemental space heating system such as the omachron systems (www.omachrononline.com) cost about $2,400 and will capture about 45 million btus per year in the Midwest which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 5,256 pounds (2,389 kg) and save you about $541 based upon a natural gas cost of about $1.20 per therm.
7. Remember to caulk and insulate well to reduce your heat losses thereby saving even more energy.
