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Install a solar thermal water heater
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Solar thermal water heaters use the sun's radiation to heat water and are composed of thermal collectors, a storage tank, and a circulation loop. They can be used alone or in conjunction with a backup conventional water heating system.
How to install a solar thermal water heater
Solar water heaters utilize a solar collector, which absorbs the thermal energy of the sun's rays and transfers the heat to the water in the storage tank. There are several different types of solar water heaters. These include:
Active solar water heaters
Active solar hot water systems use solar panels outside the building to heat water or an antifreeze fluid such as glycol, which is then circulated through a heat exchanger made of copper or steel that transfers the heat to the water. The heated water is stored in an insulated water tank until it is used.
Direct (open-loop) systems
Active direct open-loop systems circulate water through a solar collector, which then transfers the collected heat to the storage tank.
Indirect (closed-loop) systems
Active closed-loop systems circulate a fluid other than water, such as antifreeze, through the collector, and are more popular in climates prone to colder weather.
Passive solar water heaters
Unlike active solar water heaters, which use a circulating pumps and temperature controls, passive solar water heaters do not have any moving parts. They are typically less expensive and may last longer than active systems, but may also be less efficient.
Installing your own solar thermal water heater can be somewhat technical, but if you love a good DIY challenge, check out these links for some guidance:
- DIY Network
- Mother Earth News - How To Build An Integral Passive Solar Water Heater
- Guy Marsden's Blog - Installing My Solar Domestic Hot Water Heating System
Find it! Solar water heaters
EagleSun Solar Water Heaters
The EagleSun line of 80 and 120 gallon drainback solar water heating systems, designed for families with three to six members, have fewer system components than other active solar systems so they are relatively low maintenance.Helio-Flo Solar Water Heater
An inexpensive solar water heating system requiring little maintenance. It's suitable in milder climates and areas with soft (not hard) water conditions.KingSolar Water Heater
This drainback solar water heating system is designed to meet the needs of a household of 3 or 4 adults. This system converts any water heater into a solar-powered water heater.SolarRoofs.com
Get a custom-built solar water heater for your business that's low-profile and light weight with self-balancing features. The Skyline® collectors are durable and have a 150 mph wind rating.
Before you buy
Solar water heaters can be quite pricey to install, costing upwards of $3,000 depending on the system type and the difficulty of installation. Solar water heaters work best in mild climates with lots of direct sunlight. In addition, installing a solar thermal water heater may require a permit to comply with local building codes, zoning ordinances, and subdivision covenants.
Solar thermal water heaters help you go green because…
- Solar thermal water heaters use the sun, not fuel, to heat your water, lowering your greenhouse gas emissions—while cutting your energy bills.
Installing a solar thermal water heater can save up to five times the energy used by an electric boiler, because boilers draw electricity from utility sources like coal, where a significant portion of the energy is lost to heat.[1] They offer the largest energy savings using a renewable energy source—up to $2,200 over the course of the equipment's lifetime.[2] While how much money you will save depends on a variety of factors, such as the amount of hot water used and the geographic location, installing a solar water heater should lower your water heating bills by as much as 50 to 80 percent.[3]
Tax incentives
In the US, installing a solar thermal water heater may qualify you for tax incentives at the federal, state, or local levels. For detailed information, see these resources:
- American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy: Updates on potential energy legislation.
- Tax Incentives Assistance Project: Explains federal tax credits for energy efficiency.
- Alliance to Save Energy: Offers an index of energy efficiency programs by state.
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency: Provides information on state and federal incentives.
- Contact your utility provider for information on local offers.
External links
- The Encyclopedia of Sustainable and Alternative Living
- Greenbuilder - Solar Hot Water, Heating and Cooling Systems
- New Resource Bank: Get financing (in San Francisco only at this time) with low monthly payments for your new solar project.
- Solar Depot - Solar Smart Water Heating Systems
- Solar Direct - Solar Water Heating Systems
- US Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Solar Water Heaters
- US Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Building Codes, Covenants, and Regulations for Solar Water Heating Systems
Comments
1:06pm
PV electric cells only convert at 15% efficiency, and are much more expensive. The final cost per MW is about $10000 for PV and about $2000 for solar water heating. The payback(without subsidies) for water heating is around 6-7 years if your electricity rate is 10 cents per KW/H. We have more information here at http://www.sunbelt-solar.com a local solar installer in Austin, TX.
2:53pm
Solar hot water systems definitely offer a faster payback that photovoltaic systems. Evacuated tube solar collectors also promise to increase efficiency even more.
It's a great time to harness the power of the sun! Find more info here: http://www.solarpowerbeginner.com/solar-hot-water-heater.html