Solar Water Heater – Heat Water with only the power of the Sun
When we think about solar energy, the first thing that comes to our mind is harnessing the power of the sun’s radiation to produce energy or heat water as required. 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 heated water available from these heaters can be used for business and domestic purposes and save a fortune in the long run. Common places where solar water heater is perfectly suited are under floor heating, heating of swimming pools and energy input for space heating and even cooling.
While choosing a solar heater, there are certain considerations that should be made. The first and foremost is the amount of sunshine, the required usage and the type of solar water heater. It consists of the following parts
- Solar collector to absorb energy from the sun.
- Power source for backup.
- Pump and control valves.
- Hot water storage tank.
Solar collectors can be broadly categorized into the following types:
- Evacuated vacuum tube collectors which have a series of glass tubes to take in energy.
- Absorbing plate collectors which are simpler to build and have heavy thermal insulators and glass covering to prevent escape of heat.
- Integral collector type which combines a storage tank to serve the functions of both heating and storing in a single unit.
One thing to know is all the solar heaters are mounted on to the roof top from where they supply hot water for domestic and business purposes.
Manufacturers of solar water systems are plenty in numbers and they can provide precise information about local dealers and qualified installers. A solar setup once installed requires occasional upkeep and maintenance and has high initial costs, which can be covered up in a few years. A setup which has complexities and requires roof penetration should be installed and looked after by an experienced and certified contractor to avoid future complications. A solar heater and its parts carry a warranty between 3 to 10 years depending upon type and manufacturer.
Ample information is available on the web; the manufacturer’s website provides all the information that is required. Knowledge and understanding of how a solar system works will always help to keep your home eco-friendly, green and a healthy aid to sustainable development.
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