The Definition of Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters have become one of the most cost-efficient ways to "go green." Energy Star and the U.S. Department of Energy estimate that solar water heaters can cut utility bills in half and eliminate 3.7 tonnes of carbon gases a year.
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Identification
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Solar water heaters are made of two basic parts: a solar collector that gathers radiant energy and a storage tank for the hot water inside. These systems are used to heat water for swimming pools, as well as for domestic cooking and cleaning needs.
Active Systems
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According to Tool Base, an online resource for the housing industry, most solar water heaters in the U.S. work on an active system. In active systems, water is pumped from the solar collector to storage tanks by using pumps and timed controls. These systems are sometimes referred to as forced circulation type solar water heaters.
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Passive Systems
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Passive solar water heating systems do not use pumps or controls to circulate water. Instead, passive systems use convection to move and direct the flow of water to storage tanks.
Flat-Plate Collectors
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Some solar water heaters employ a flat-plate collector. This type of system features a flat box with an absorbent plate behind transparent glass shields. The bottom and sides of the flat-plate collectors are usually insulated to protect them against heat loss.
Evacuated-Tube Collectors
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A number of commercial solar water heaters use evacuated-tubes as solar collectors. These systems feature rows of transparent glass with a metal absorber on the inside. The metal fin absorbs heat from the sun but prevents heat from escaping the system.
Benefits
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Solar water heaters use a renewable energy resource to provide water heating needs, which reduces carbon emissions, saves on home energy costs, and protects against interruptions of service from conventional electricity providers.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of B Balaji
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