Solar water heaters are being built into more and more homes these days in the ongoing quest to find renewable sources of energy – and to reduce domestic power bills.
A solar water heater is not the same as a solar electricity generator. While it would be easy to make the mistake of believing that a solar water heater generates electricity to heat domestic water, this is not the case.
A solar water heater uses a combination of absorption (thermal mass), convection, insulation and even reflection to heat water. In general, a solar water heater involves a pipe or a series of pipes running through a special panel into the hot water tank. This special panel is designed to absorb heat (this is why they’re often black, as this is the most heat-absorbent colour) and is something like a miniature glasshouse, allowing heat and light energy in but not out. Convection makes sure that the water keeps moving through the pipes so all your water is heated.
A solar water heater can be retrofitted to an existing house, as long as certain conditions are met. The solar water heater must:
- be oriented towards the midday sun – north for people in the southern hemisphere.
- be tilted at the correct angle for the latitude so the midday sun strikes it fully.
- not be shaded by trees, chimneys or other buildings.
Some people believe that a solar water heater is only suitable for places that get a lot of sunshine, such as the Outback or the tropical north. This is not the case. With correct siting and orientation, even homes in places further south than Australia can use a solar water heater to meet all their domestic hot water needs – they are used successfully in
New Zealand’s South Island. According to some sources, some parts of Alaska may even be able to use solar water heaters.
A solar water heater that is commonly used on roofs of apartment buildings
Of course, common sense should be used and just because a solar water heater can take care of most of your domestic hot water requirements, you should not be wasteful with hot water just because it’s free. You should continue to wash laundry on cold for most of the time and to thaw meat in the fridge or on the bench rather than running it under the hot tap.
Related Sites
Related Posts
- Brisbane Solar Hot Water Placement
- Home Solar Energy Uses
- Sydney Solar Hot Water Installation & Rebates
- Melbourne Solar Water Heating Placement
- Components of Passive Solar Systems
- Why You Should Consider Installing Solar Pool Heating in Brisbane
- The Basics About Solar Power Panels
- Cheap Sydney Solar Installation
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 am
[...] for domestic – or other – use. The term “solar power panels” is also used to describe solar water heater systems, which look like panels, but in this article, the term will be used to describe panels that [...]
August 14th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Yes! Keeping in mind the drastic environmental changes and rising fuel prices going Solar is one option open to all at minimal investments. The Solar Water heating systems are so easy to install and most of them come in a Do-it Yourself kit, With the technological advancement the once heavy, bulky hard to move panels are now available widely in light weight easy to carry by one personal only packages. The advancement in technology is not only limited to light weight, but for those concern about the asthetics of the panels, the good news is that the panels are now available with a variety of teim colors to choose from and can be easily matched to your roof. Saving about $25.oo on ones electricity bill on a residence of 4. We all use hot water, as one of our basic needs and what can be a better way, than helping our environment, saving our resources and ourself’s some money other than by investing in a Solar Water Heating System.
There are a couple useful websites I’m aware off, that I would like to share with you
1. http://www.dsireusa.org- is a comprehensive source of information on state, local
, utility ans federal incentives that promote renewable engery ans energy efficieny.
2. http://www.powerpartnerssolar.com- one of the many manufacturers of certified Solar Water Heating Systems available. One place I saw the light weight panels and trim color options I was mentioning earlier.
Lastly, the local utilites in some areas also provide additional rebates and incentives for adding a Solar Water Heating Sytem to your exisitng water tank.
Keep the look out on. Feel Good and save- money for you, environment for us.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I’ve seen this guy comment on tonnes of solar energy articles – wierd.
Regardless, I’m a big fan of solar electricity – I dream of a computer I can use that works entirely from solar power. I reckon a little more work on energy efficiency and battery power efficiny and we will be another step closer to a greener world.
October 6th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
[...] essential if you want to power a full household, even if other energy-efficient measures such as solar water heating and passive solar house design are [...]
October 6th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
[...] Solar water heating is the perfect partner to solar electricity. Solar water heating is unique among the different forms of solar power for homes, as it can be retrofitted to existing homes, even if those homes weren’t designed with solar power and sustainability in mind. Many people are turning to solar water heating to cut down on electricity costs. [...]
October 13th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I’m not really a fan of this technology – I hate cold showers!
November 24th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Dear head master
The science and research university of Tehran-Iran intend to equip its sport complex , swimming pool and office complex to solar water heater (polymer – flat plate collector and evacuted … ) and pv systems.so the technical catalouges of your products and their price lists. please send them for us as soon as possible.
Best Regurds
Engnieer Hamed Ahmadi
project manager of Science and Research University
email : h.ahmadi.62@gmail.com & eng_hamed_ahmadi@yahoo.com
Fax : +982144865002
May 13th, 2009 at 3:24 am
[...] you live in Sydney, installation of a solar hot water system makes good sense. Sunlight is a free source of energy that is sustainable and has no carbon [...]
May 13th, 2009 at 3:53 am
[...] main types of solar water heaters are suitable for use in Adelaide – and indeed, throughout Australia and the world. The first is [...]
May 15th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
[...] sunshine as abundant as it is in Perth, installation of a solar hot water system or even a solar power system makes good sense – from the environmental and sustainability [...]
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:56 pm
That is a very informative article but geothermal water heating still seems more reliable to me.
October 24th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Good point Grahm, but geothermal isn’t readily accessible for many people. In ubiquitously sunny places, Solar water heating can be pretty reliable too – but then not everyone lives in the Sahara!