solar hot water heater
Which solar hot water system you require depends largely on the climate in the region you live in. With a solar hot water system you are not paying to much for your hot water. When you need a lot of domestic water, then you never have to worry about your energy bill or running out of hot water yet again.
Are you living in a hot or cool climate?
Next to solar radiation is the temperature of the place you live in one of the most significant factors in your choice of a solar hot water system.
When you live in the southern states where temperatures hardly fall under freezing point, the most effective and economical choices are a passive System or an active open-loop System. Do you live in a place where it is freezing a lot, an active closed-loop installation is just the thing for you.
Do you want a passive or active solar hot water system
· In an active Installation you are using pumps and controls to manage the water temperature. Active solar water heater installations usually have a negative aspect: They are more pricey and the installation needs electricity to pump the water around, nonetheless this active-system is required in colder places. With a Homemade system you can keep the costs down.
· A passive system relies on natural sources. Because of gravity and convection the water will circulate, and warm up. A passive system is less pricey and more long-lasting than an active system but it is also less efficient.
Is an active solar hot water system just the thing for you?
In an active system you have two choices: an indirect or direct heating system.
· The water is heated inside the pipes or plates in a direct solar system (open loop system). When the sun is shining the water will be heated because it is flowing through the pipes. When you are living in hot weather an open loop system is the best system for you and it is the cheapest of the two systems.
· In colder region’s the indirect solar hot water system (closed loop system) is more often used. A non freezing heat-transfer liquid is flowing through the pipes and collectors. A glycol water anti freeze fluid is normally the fluid. The water is collected in water tanks. The heat of the liquid will be transported by heat exchangers to the water.
Is a passive solar hot water system a better solution for you?
The passive System technology is generally used in the warmer places. The technology is relatively cheap and long-lasting. It requires no electrical pump because the water flow is based on the principle that heated water is rising when cooler water is sinking. This makes it also a wonderful DIY project. However, when you want this system check first or the nights are not to cold for the water could be freezing.
Conclusion:
A passive hot water system (no freezing temperatures) or an active open loop system (a small number of days of modest freezing temperatures) are the best options for you when you are living in a hot climate. Do you live in a region where it is freezing a lot, then you better install an active closed loop system.
The installation costs of a qualified contractor can be large. When you want to have the most efficient system you will get an active indirect solar hot water system but it is the most expensive too with $15.000! A less expensive option are the Pre-build Solar Hot Water System kits that run between $2,000 – $8,000. You can also make a Homemade system. Some wonderful manuals will help you making them with good explanations and videos and images. The choice is yours to make!
Marly Kester (the author) is an expert in renewable energies and energy efficiency for ENERFY. ENERFY is an energy consultancy company advising their business customers on energy and ESCo contracts. Via http://www.bestenergysaving.net ENERFY provides energy efficiency and renewable energy tips and tools to DIY-ers, interested in reducing their energy bill and their carbon footprint. See more about the solar hot water systems on the following link – http://bestenergysaving.net/solar-hot-water-systems/which-solar-hot-water-system-is-right-for-me/.
Solar Batch Hot Water Pre-heater
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