If you are living in a hot climate, then it only stands to reason that you would want to turn your back on the costly methods of heating your home or business’s water supply and turn instead to solar energy. Even in colder climates it is still a good idea. Heating water by electricity, gas or oil is expensive to varying degrees, but the sun can be used in solar hot water heating systems to supply the hot water your home or office building needs at a fraction of the price.
There are several options open to you if you are considering the switch to solar energy, but it is important that you know your own water needs before deciding on which system is best for you. Calculate your typical monthly or daily hot water use and the volume of water consumed, then from that point you can ascertain which system you need. Of course, your regional climate is a key factor too.
There are two main forms of solar hot water heating systems: the active system, which uses mechanisms to pump water through the heating system; and the passive system, which relies on nature to do the job for it – mainly through gravity and water pressure. What is consistent between the two forms is the use of the sun via a solar collector and the dramatic reduction in water heating costs.
Active solar hot water heating systems come in two forms – open loop (or direct) and closed loop (or indirect) systems. These systems are more or less efficient depending on your location’s climate. Open loop systems pump water through the solar collector, where it is heated directly by the heat of the sun, and is then pumped around the building. It is ideal for climates that are routinely or always hot, and where the chances of freezing are minimal.
Closed loop systems are designed specifically to cope with freezing conditions. Since the sun’s rays can be very strong in areas of extreme cold, solar collectors can still heat a fluid that is pumped through it. This fluid is usually a mixture of water and anti-freeze. The heated fluid is then pumped from the collector to a water storage tank, usually inside the building, and then, through a heat exchanger inside the tank, the water supply is heated.
Passive systems are much less expensive to buy and install, since there are no major mechanics or electronics associated with it. As a result, it is also much less expensive to maintain over time. There are also two principle types of passive solar hot water heating systems: the integrated collector storage system, which is commonly known as the batch system; and the convection heat storage system, which is known as the thermosyphon system.
The batch system uses a tank within a large, box-shaped solar collector, which is sealed, insulated and glazed to capture and retain the heat of the sun. The water heats up and then moves through the home or building in a never-ending cycle which sees cold water pushed into the collector.
The thermosyphon system uses a smaller solar collector, which receives cold water from a storage tank above it, which it heats. Since hot water is lighter than cold, the water re-enters the storage tank but flows out and into the building from the top of the tank. Again, a cycle is established and cold water flows back into the collector.
Each of these systems are highly efficient in their proper climates. Systems can cost anything from around US$1,000 to US$8,000 for active systems, and US$1,500 to US$3,000 for passive systems. While these are sizeable sums, the benefits for you last decades.
Solar Hot Water Heating System – Comment Below
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