Solar water heating systems – Which one is best for you?

When it comes to heating water to use in your home, there are several ways that you can do it. Unsurprisingly, the cost may vary from one system to another, with heating water through an on-grid electricity supply one of the most common and most costly. If you want a far more economical and efficient way to heat your water, then a solar water heating system is your best choice.

Using power from the sun’s rays is nothing new since solar panels have been used for several decades, though only truly affordable over the last 10 years or so.

Heating water by the power of the sun has been around for even longer, with the sun-soaked states of the USA using solar energy to heat water for hotels and large buildings since the early 1920s.

In comparison to today’s systems, the technology used then was rough around the edges to say the least. Today, the systems available are sleeker and more efficient, but exactly what systems are available and which is the best for your home use?

Solar water heating systems use the sun’s energy to heat enough water to serve the hot water needs of a household or business. Solar thermal collectors capture the energy and either heat water directly or via a heating fluid (usually a mix of water and anti-freeze) which then heats the water through a heat exchanger inside a water storage tank.

There are two types of solar water heating systems – active and passive. The difference between active and passive systems is that active systems use a pump to push heated fluid around the building; passive systems use the natural power of convection and so use no moving parts, which saves further money on repair and maintenance.

All of the active systems differ very little from each other, but as they use alternative power to pump the heating fluid around the house, they are more complex with more elements to maintain.

There are two types that you can choose from – open loop and closed loop. Open loop systems are perfect in climates where the risk of freezing is minimal, and are direct in pumping the heated water through the solar collectors and then around the building. However, closed loop systems are indirect in that they pump heated fluid through the collectors and then into a storage tank, where water for the building is heated. This system is ideal for climates where freezing is a high risk.

There are also two forms of passive solar water heating systems: thermosyphon and batch. Batch systems are the most common where the batch collector is also the storage tank. It means large amounts of water can be heated, but it must be used quickly. A thermosyphon system uses a separate insulated storage tank, usually located in the attic.

Which of these systems is for you will depend on your location and your normal hot water needs, but it is worth noting that all of these systems will save you money.

Solar Water Heating System – Comment Below

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4. Understanding Active Solar Water Heating
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