Solar water heating systems usually cost more to purchase and install than conventional water heating systems. However, a solar water heater can usually save you money in the long run. How much money you save depends on the following: * The amount of hot water you use * Your system’s performance * Your geographic location [...]
Posts under ‘Active Solar Heating’
How to select potential contractors for installation and/or maintenance of solar water heater
When screening potential contractors for installation and/or maintenance, ask the following questions: * Does your company have experience installing and maintaining solar water heating systems? Choose a company that has experience installing the type of system you want and servicing the applications you select. * How many years of experience does your company have with [...]
Installing and Maintaining a Solar Water Heating System
The proper installation of solar water heaters depends on many factors. These factors include solar resource, climate, local building code requirements, and safety issues; therefore, it’s best to have a qualified, solar thermal systems contractor install your system. After installation, properly maintaining your system will keep it running smoothly. Passive systems don’t require much maintenance. [...]
How to Select a Solar Water Heater
Before you purchase and install a solar water heating system, you want to do the following: * Consider the economics of a solar water heating system * Evaluate your site’s solar resource * Determine the correct system size * Determine the system’s energy efficiency * Estimate and compare system costs * Investigate local codes, covenants, [...]
Two types of active solar water heating systems
* Direct circulation systems Pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home. They work well in climates where it rarely freezes. * Indirect circulation systems Pumps circulate a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows into the home. They are popular in [...]
Solar water heaters – also called solar domestic hot water systems
Solar water heaters – also called solar domestic hot water systems – can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use – sunshine – is free. How They Work Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There [...]
Sizing a Solar Water Heating System
Sizing your solar water heating system basically involves determining the total collector area and the storage volume you’ll need to meet 90%–100% of your household’s hot water needs during the summer. Solar system contractors use worksheets and computer programs to help determine system requirements and collector sizing. Collector Area Contractors usually follow a guideline of [...]
Evaluating Your Site’s Solar Resource for Solar Water Heating
Before you buy and install a solar water heating system, you need to first consider your site’s solar resource. The efficiency and design of a solar water heating system depends on how much of the sun’s energy reaches your building site. Solar water heating systems use both direct and diffuse solar radiation. Even if you [...]
Considering a Small Solar Electric System
To help evaluate whether a small solar electric system will work for you, you should consider the following: Your available solar resource—do you have clear and unobstructed access to sunlight for most or all of the day, throughout the year? The system size—do you have a roof or area large enough to accommodate it? The [...]
How Small Solar Electric Systems Work
Solar electric systems, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems, convert sunlight into electricity. Solar cells—the basic building blocks of a PV system—consist of semiconductor materials. When sunlight is absorbed by these materials, the solar energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms. This phenomenon is called the “photoelectric effect.” These free electrons then travel into a [...]