How Do Solar Hot Water Heaters Work?
The future is powered by solar, and that includes everything. Hot water heaters are in the group of home essentials that can be solar-powered which is good news for homeowners looking for ways to save on energy. This isn’t some newfangled technology that’s only reserved for the modern-day home. If you have solar panels, then you can use them to power your water heater. Your trusted solar experts at Solar Bear Tampa are here to show you how it works!
Solar Water Heaters 101: The Basics You Need to Know
You probably already know how solar panels work, and if you don’t, the concept is very simple. Solar panels collect energy from the sun to be redirected to electronic devices and appliances in your home. You could even stash away excess energy into a backup battery to be used later if you wanted! This is what we call energy dependence, and it can be used to do everything in your home including operating your water heater.
Here’s what happens when you use solar panels to heat your water:
- Your solar panels act as a “collector” to extract energy from the sun.
- The collector heats up the transfer fluid in your water heater.
- The transfer fluid heats up your water tank through a heat exchanger.
- Your hot water is ready to be used!
Active vs. Passive Solar Water Heating Systems
Solar water heating systems come in two types: active and passive. What we just described earlier is one of the most common types and is easy to implement, and that would be the active indirect circulation system which utilizes heat-transfer components.
With passive solar water heating systems, your water tank would be located on the roof closer to the collector. The water is heated by the source and is then dropped below into the home once a faucet is activated. This might seem nifty, but might not be practical for days that aren’t exactly hot or sunny.
Tips For Choosing Your Solar Energy Collector
When you imagine a solar collector, whether you know it or not, a solar panel may be the first to come to mind. Solar panels (also called flat-plane collectors) are the most common type of solar collector because of their convenient design. The flat panels can easily blend into the roofing so it’s completely out of the way and requires minimum components.
Solar hot water heaters are also compatible with other types of solar collectors, such as:
- Batch collectors, or Integrated Collector-Storage (ICS) systems, which combine the solar collector and water heater into a single unit.
- Evacuated tube collectors that are made up of glass or metal tubes for direct heat transfer with little leeway to lose heat.
Solar Bear Tampa Will Install Your Solar Hot Water Heater For You. Call Us Today For a Consultation!
The possibilities are endless, and Solar Bear Tampa is here to help you find the best solar hot water heater setup for your property. Give us a call today at (727) 471-7442 to ask for a free quote and to schedule an on-site consultation! Read our FAQ page to find out what more you can do with the power of solar.