Save Electricity with a Solar Water Heater

Posted by admin on Jan 13, 2014 in Posts

When we think about solar energy, the first thing that comes into our mind is harnessing the power of the sun’s radiation to produce energy or heat water as per requirements. A solar water heater consists of solar thermal collectors and a fluid system which runs through interconnecting pipes and moves the heat from the collector to the tank.

The power rating of a traditional water heater is approx. 4500Watts(4.5 Kilowatts). To reduce running costs, it might only be turned on for an hour daily to meet your daily needs. If we assume that the heater is used for 365 days a year, the total usage of electricity goes up to a whopping 1642.5kWH. This when multiplied with the current electricity cost, makes it US$657, which in any way is a big amount for a middle class family to bathe comfortably every morning.

A solar hot water system includes a collector panel and a collecting tank to heat and store hot water. There are two types of solar water heater, and within each type there are two main subtypes. There are active solar water heaters and passive solar water heaters. Of the active solar water heating systems, you have direct circulation systems and indirect circulation systems. Of the passive solar water heating systems, you have thermo siphon and integral collector-storage systems.

The passive type of solar heater is the most simple, durable and reliable type of heater and is less costly than its active counterpart. It uses simple physics, and gravity to move hot water in tubes and pipes. The use of a solar water heater can provide abundant water supply for all domestic needs. The location and typical climate of the area determines the type of solar heater that should be installed and the capacity of SWH depends upon the family requirements.