Solar Water Heater – Which Suits Best for Your Home

Posted by Dan Jung on June 3rd, 2019

Heating usually takes up much of an average household’s monthly energy consumption, usually at 42 percent of the typical residential utility bill, according to the Us Department of Energy. You could be using energy efficient heating appliances, but there is nothing wrong with finding more ways to cut down your bills. One of the ways to do this is by installing a solar water heater. Unlike conventional water heating appliances, solar water heaters do not get their power from the grid. They use solar collectors to get power from the sun, making them highly efficient appliances and ideal for heating water for daily use.

Take note that they are different from the solar panel systems, which deliver electricity to the house. You can have a solar water heater installed as a separate appliance, or have it working simultaneously with the solar panel system. Solar heater systems typically have a solar collector and a storage tank, but they tend to differ in terms of the heating options they use:

• Direct active system – This system moves water through collectors to gain heat, then delivers it to your shower and faucets.

• Indirect active system – This utilizes a warming fluid to transfer the heat from collectors to the water supply.

• Passive thermosyphon systems – They use the sun’s heat to directly heat your stored water. Warmer water goes to the top to fill the storage tank linked to the plumbing.
  
  
• Integral passive systems – This type of solar water heater relies on metal plates for heating small batches of water, which are moved to the insulated storage tank, so you can use them at a later time.

A good solar water heating system should be able to produce sufficient hot water for your daily needs. However, you may still need a backup, in case solar collection is lacking. Some passive systems, for instance, come with a tankless heater to serve as a backup, and it can run on either electricity or gas.

When choosing a solar water heater, think about your needs and the climate in your area. Direct solar heating systems typically work best in areas where below freezing temperatures are uncommon. If you live in a colder area, consider indirect active systems, as they are highly resistant to harsher conditions. Indirect circulating system may be best for a double-duty purpose where the heating fluid can be made to go to the spa or pool, too. Integral passive systems may be best for homes that use warm water more frequently in the daytime.

About the author:

Northern Lights Solar Solutions is North America’s leading supplier of pre-engineered solar water heating equipment for domestic hot water, space heating, pools and commercial projects.