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Solar water heaters
Solar water heaters -- sometimes called solar
domestic hot water systems -- can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your
home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use -- sunshine -- is free.
How They Work
Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are
two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and
controls, and passive, which don't.
Active Solar Water Heating Systems
There are two types of active solar water heating systems:
Direct circulation systems
Pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home. They work
well in climates where it rarely freezes.
Indirect circulation systems
Pumps circulate a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the
flat panel
solar collectors and a heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows into
the home. They are popular in climates prone to freezing temperatures.
Passive Solar Water Heating Systems
Passive solar water heating systems are typically less expensive than active
systems, but they're usually not as efficient. However, passive systems can be more
reliable and may last longer. There are two basic types of passive systems:
Integral collector-storage passive systems
These consist of a storage tank covered with a transparent material to allow the sun
to heat the water. Water from the tank then flows into the plumbing system. These
work best in areas where temperatures rarely fall below freezing. They also work well in
households with significant daytime and evening hot-water needs.
Thermosyphon systems
Water is heated in a collector on the roof and then flows through the plumbing
system when a hot water faucet is opened. The majority of these systems have a 40 gallon
capacity.
Storage Tanks and Solar Collectors
Most solar water heaters
require a well-insulated storage tank. Solar storage tanks have an additional outlet and
inlet connected to and from the collector. In two-tank systems, the
solar collector water heater
preheats water before it enters the conventional water heater. In one-tank systems, the
back-up heater is combined with the solar storage in one tank.
Three types of solar collectors are used for residential applications:
Flat-plate collector
Glazed flat-plate collectors are insulated, weatherproofed boxes that contain a dark
absorber plate under one or more glass or plastic (polymer) covers. Unglazed flat-plate
collectors -- typically used for solar pool heating -- have a dark absorber plate, made
of metal or polymer, without a cover or enclosure.
Integral collector-storage systems
Also known as ICS or batch systems, they feature one or more black tanks or tubes in
an insulated, glazed box. Cold water first passes through the solar collector, which
preheats the water. The water then continues on to the conventional backup
non
pressure solar water heater, providing a reliable source of hot water. They should
be installed only in mild-freeze climates because the outdoor pipes could freeze in
severe, cold weather.
Evacuated-tube solar collectors
They feature parallel rows of transparent glass tubes. Each tube contains a glass
outer tube and metal absorber tube attached to a fin. The fin's coating absorbs
solar energy but inhibits radiative heat loss. These collectors are used more frequently
for U.S. commercial applications.
Solar water heating systems almost always require a backup system for cloudy days
and times of increased demand. Conventional storage water heaters usually provide backup
and may already be part of the solar system package. A backup system may also be part of
the solar collector, such as rooftop tanks with thermosyphon systems. Since an
integral-collector storage system already stores hot water in addition to collecting
solar heat, it may be packaged with a tankless or demand-type water heater for backup.
Selecting a Solar Water Heater
Before you purchase and install a solar water heating system, you want to do the
following:
Estimate the cost and energy efficiency of a solar water heating system
Evaluate your site's solar resource
Determine the correct system size
Investigate local codes, covenants, and regulations.
Also understand the various components needed for solar water heating systems as
solar air project, including the
following:
Heat exchangers for solar water heating systems
Heat-transfer fluids for solar water heating systems
Installing and Maintaining the System
The proper installation of solar water heaters depends on many factors. These
factors include solar resource, climate, local building code requirements, and safety
issues; therefore, it's best to have a qualified solar thermal systems contractor
install your system.
After installation, properly maintaining your system will keep it running smoothly.
Passive systems don't require much maintenance. For active systems, discuss the
maintenance requirements with your system provider, and consult the system's
owner's manual. Plumbing and other conventional water heating components require the
same maintenance as conventional systems. Glazing may need to be cleaned in dry climates
where rainwater doesn't provide a natural rinse.
Regular maintenance on simple systems can be as infrequent as every 3–5 years,
preferably by a pre heat solar water heater contractor. Systems with electrical components
usually require a replacement part or two after 10 years. Learn more about solar water
heating system maintenance and repair.
When screening potential contractors for installation and/or maintenance, ask the
following questions:
Does your company have experience installing and maintaining solar water heating
systems with solar accessory?
Choose a company that has experience installing the type of system you want and
servicing the applications you select.
How many years of experience does your company have with solar heating installation
and maintenance?
The more experience the better. Request a list of past customers who can provide
references.
Is your company licensed or certified?
Having a valid plumber's and/or solar contractor's license is required in
some states. Contact your city and county for more information. Confirm licensing with
your state's contractor licensing board. The licensing board can also tell you about
any complaints against state-licensed contractors.
Improving Energy Efficiency
After your water heater is properly installed and maintained, try some additional
energy-saving strategies to help lower your water heating bills, especially if you
require a back-up system. Some energy-saving devices and systems are more cost-effective
to install with the water heater.
solar water heater, device that uses solar heat energy to produce hot water. A
typical solar water heater consists of a solar collector mounted on the roof of a
building and connected to a water-storage tank. Depending on the system, unheated water
either can be circulated from the tank through the collector to be heated directly or
can be heated by a high-capacity heat-exchange fluid that was warmed in the collector
and transfers its heat through tubes in the water in the tank. While heat transfer from
the solar collector to the unheated water can be facilitated passively without
mechanical means, “active” solar hot water systems use electricity to circulate the
heat-exchange fluid and to operate mechanical pumps and controllers.
Although the practice of using the sun for heating water for domestic use can be
traced back to several ancient cultures, it was not until 1891 that the first patented
high pressure solar water heater
system was sold commercially. Invented by Clarence Kemp in Baltimore, Maryland, the
system was called the “Climax” and was popular in California and other warm American
states. Given the comparatively high cost and inconvenience of using conventional fuels
to heat water, many households were eager to invest in these solar hot water heaters.
However, the Climax system was limited in that the heating element doubled as the
storage tank, thus restricting the amount of hot water available. In 1909 William J.
Bailey patented a system that separated the water-storage tank from the solar heating
element, forming the basis of the design of solar hot water heaters used today.
Solar water heaters -- sometimes called solar
domestic hot water systems -- can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your
home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use -- sunshine -- is free.
How They Work
Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are
two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and
controls, and passive, which don't.
Active Solar Water Heating Systems
There are two types of active solar water heating systems:
Direct circulation systems
Pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home. They work
well in climates where it rarely freezes.
Indirect circulation systems
Pumps circulate a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the
flat panel
solar collectors and a heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows into
the home. They are popular in climates prone to freezing temperatures.
Passive Solar Water Heating Systems
Passive solar water heating systems are typically less expensive than active
systems, but they're usually not as efficient. However, passive systems can be more
reliable and may last longer. There are two basic types of passive systems:
Integral collector-storage passive systems
These consist of a storage tank covered with a transparent material to allow the sun
to heat the water. Water from the tank then flows into the plumbing system. These
work best in areas where temperatures rarely fall below freezing. They also work well in
households with significant daytime and evening hot-water needs.
Thermosyphon systems
Water is heated in a collector on the roof and then flows through the plumbing
system when a hot water faucet is opened. The majority of these systems have a 40 gallon
capacity.
Storage Tanks and Solar Collectors
Most solar water heaters
require a well-insulated storage tank. Solar storage tanks have an additional outlet and
inlet connected to and from the collector. In two-tank systems, the
solar collector water heater
preheats water before it enters the conventional water heater. In one-tank systems, the
back-up heater is combined with the solar storage in one tank.
Three types of solar collectors are used for residential applications:
Flat-plate collector
Glazed flat-plate collectors are insulated, weatherproofed boxes that contain a dark
absorber plate under one or more glass or plastic (polymer) covers. Unglazed flat-plate
collectors -- typically used for solar pool heating -- have a dark absorber plate, made
of metal or polymer, without a cover or enclosure.
Integral collector-storage systems
Also known as ICS or batch systems, they feature one or more black tanks or tubes in
an insulated, glazed box. Cold water first passes through the solar collector, which
preheats the water. The water then continues on to the conventional backup
non
pressure solar water heater, providing a reliable source of hot water. They should
be installed only in mild-freeze climates because the outdoor pipes could freeze in
severe, cold weather.
Evacuated-tube solar collectors
They feature parallel rows of transparent glass tubes. Each tube contains a glass
outer tube and metal absorber tube attached to a fin. The fin's coating absorbs
solar energy but inhibits radiative heat loss. These collectors are used more frequently
for U.S. commercial applications.
Solar water heating systems almost always require a backup system for cloudy days
and times of increased demand. Conventional storage water heaters usually provide backup
and may already be part of the solar system package. A backup system may also be part of
the solar collector, such as rooftop tanks with thermosyphon systems. Since an
integral-collector storage system already stores hot water in addition to collecting
solar heat, it may be packaged with a tankless or demand-type water heater for backup.
Selecting a Solar Water Heater
Before you purchase and install a solar water heating system, you want to do the
following:
Estimate the cost and energy efficiency of a solar water heating system
Evaluate your site's solar resource
Determine the correct system size
Investigate local codes, covenants, and regulations.
Also understand the various components needed for solar water heating systems as
solar air project, including the
following:
Heat exchangers for solar water heating systems
Heat-transfer fluids for solar water heating systems
Installing and Maintaining the System
The proper installation of solar water heaters depends on many factors. These
factors include solar resource, climate, local building code requirements, and safety
issues; therefore, it's best to have a qualified solar thermal systems contractor
install your system.
After installation, properly maintaining your system will keep it running smoothly.
Passive systems don't require much maintenance. For active systems, discuss the
maintenance requirements with your system provider, and consult the system's
owner's manual. Plumbing and other conventional water heating components require the
same maintenance as conventional systems. Glazing may need to be cleaned in dry climates
where rainwater doesn't provide a natural rinse.
Regular maintenance on simple systems can be as infrequent as every 3–5 years,
preferably by a pre heat solar water heater contractor. Systems with electrical components
usually require a replacement part or two after 10 years. Learn more about solar water
heating system maintenance and repair.
When screening potential contractors for installation and/or maintenance, ask the
following questions:
Does your company have experience installing and maintaining solar water heating
systems with solar accessory?
Choose a company that has experience installing the type of system you want and
servicing the applications you select.
How many years of experience does your company have with solar heating installation
and maintenance?
The more experience the better. Request a list of past customers who can provide
references.
Is your company licensed or certified?
Having a valid plumber's and/or solar contractor's license is required in
some states. Contact your city and county for more information. Confirm licensing with
your state's contractor licensing board. The licensing board can also tell you about
any complaints against state-licensed contractors.
Improving Energy Efficiency
After your water heater is properly installed and maintained, try some additional
energy-saving strategies to help lower your water heating bills, especially if you
require a back-up system. Some energy-saving devices and systems are more cost-effective
to install with the water heater.
solar water heater, device that uses solar heat energy to produce hot water. A
typical solar water heater consists of a solar collector mounted on the roof of a
building and connected to a water-storage tank. Depending on the system, unheated water
either can be circulated from the tank through the collector to be heated directly or
can be heated by a high-capacity heat-exchange fluid that was warmed in the collector
and transfers its heat through tubes in the water in the tank. While heat transfer from
the solar collector to the unheated water can be facilitated passively without
mechanical means, “active” solar hot water systems use electricity to circulate the
heat-exchange fluid and to operate mechanical pumps and controllers.
Although the practice of using the sun for heating water for domestic use can be
traced back to several ancient cultures, it was not until 1891 that the first patented
high pressure solar water heater
system was sold commercially. Invented by Clarence Kemp in Baltimore, Maryland, the
system was called the “Climax” and was popular in California and other warm American
states. Given the comparatively high cost and inconvenience of using conventional fuels
to heat water, many households were eager to invest in these solar hot water heaters.
However, the Climax system was limited in that the heating element doubled as the
storage tank, thus restricting the amount of hot water available. In 1909 William J.
Bailey patented a system that separated the water-storage tank from the solar heating
element, forming the basis of the design of solar hot water heaters used today.
