Solar Hot Water Heater
A long time ago having hot water was a luxury, however today it seems hot water is a necessity. We’ve been spoiled by the luxuries over time and now since hardly no one takes showers and baths in the modern world with cold water, the advantage of having water heated by the sun’s free energy is well worth having a system in place to do so.
So why should you have a solar hot water heater? One reason is to reduce your cost of living. Saving money on heating water is one of the easiest things you can do. Many governments, especially here in the United States, offer tax credits depending on which state you live. But once again when there is money to be made, companies will exist to assist you in reaching this goal. Whether your goals are to live off the grid, save some money on energy costs or even eliminate your energy bill completely, there are people willing to do the work for you.
Solar hot water heating is feasible today. The typical American household consumes between 1000 and 2000 gallons of number two fuel per year just in heating water for showers, cooking etc. Efficient use of the sun’s energy could easily cut this consumption in half or eliminate it entirely. The heating of water is perhaps the easiest, most cost effective solar project a person can get involved with.
So where do you start? “Should I have someone install a pre-made kit for me, or should I do it myself?”
Consider this first: There are basically two types of solar hot water heaters; a passive solar hot water heater and an active solar how water heater. We will discuss which kinds you should use below.
A passive solar hot water heater can really be nothing more than big water tank painted black. This uses no energy and just relies on the sun’s energy and the absorption properties of the color black to heat water. There are NO moving parts and this is the most reliable solar hot water system available. But not everyone has the room and geographic location to place a massive black tank for heating water. These passive systems are best for rural areas in moderate climates such as the California coast or Florida. The more temperate the weather, the better.
But passive solar hot water heaters don’t just stop there. If you do live in a moderate climate but have zoning restrictions on what you can and cannot place near your home, a slightly modified batch passive system would be right for you. These work by disguising the tank in a box to have a slightly less spartan demeanor.
If you live anywhere else with an increment climate that changes with the seasons an active solar hot water heater is your choice. They are often more efficient but a bit more pricey. Active solar hot water heaters work by using solar panels and flat plate collector systems using small amounts of electricity to pay big dividends in heating water. The electricity is harvested from solar panels and channeled through to the storage tank.
After installation, proper maintenance of your system to keep it afloat. Passive systems do not require much maintenance. For active systems, discuss the maintenance requirements with your system provider and consult the instruction manual. Plumbing and other components conventional water heating requires the same maintenance as conventional systems. Diamonds may be necessary to clean the dry climate where the rain water does not contain a natural color.
Regular maintenance of simple systems can be as rare as every 3-5 years, preferably by a solar contractor. Systems with electrical components usually require a game or two after 10 years.
There are 2 very good guides to building your own solar hot water heaters if you are so inclined. Doing this will not only save you over $10,000 in installation costs but you can get this project done in 1 weekend.
- DIY Hot Water - An easy to follow guide that makes you a solar water heater expert in one weekend. Completely step by step.
- DIY Solar Water – Another great guide on constructing your own solar hot water heater.
