Too good to be true?

Some websites are advertising “solar air conditioning” with little or no running costs, along with “magnetic generators” that somehow create energy for nothing. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, especially where the laws of physics are concerned. We encourage consumers to always have their eyes open, and not to get sucked in by scammers claiming “green breakthroughs” with no scientific or credible third party verification. Any such website that does not have some credible detail on the fundamental principles of their technology should be avoided: close the window, keep the crap out.

There is no way round the laws of physics, and passive solar design is the still the best way to create zero-energy buildings. Anything else is like driving your car with your foot on the brake – it just doesn’t make sense. Passive design works with the forces of nature to keep buildings warm in winter and cool in summer. Warm, not hot. Cool, not cold. It’s simple reality! And unlike the scam websites, you can test it and see for yourself before submitting yourself to any invasive internet abuse. Go to http://yourhome.gov.au/technical/index.html – an Australian Government run website that we and many other experts contributed to – for an authoritative guide to passive thermal comfort. Or look at some of the material in this website – it is consistent with the laws of physics.