The Advantages of Solar Water Heating Systems
With the rising cost of energy and the prospect of shortages in the future, the idea of harnessing the power of the sun as a renewable energy source is gaining in popularity around the world. According to Solar Direct, there are more than 300,000 solar water heating units installed in the U.S., and the number is growing as people realize the many advantages of solar heating.
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Systems
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There are two types of solar water heating systems--passive and active. Passive, as the name implies, involves no moving parts. The simplest passive system consists of a dark-colored water tank exposed to sunlight. Thermosyphon passive heaters work on the principle of convection, in which hot water rises and cold water sinks within the tank in a continual process as long as there is sunlight available. Active systems employ pumps to move water from the collector to the water tank.
Available Energy
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One of the biggest advantages of solar energy is that it is readily available to everyone, cutting out the necessity of the middle-man energy provider. According to one Arizona utility company, just a portion of the roof of a typical house receives more energy than is needed to heat water for its occupants for more than a year. There are systems designed to work in any climate.
Cost Effective
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Initial costs to install a solar water heating system range from $2,500 to $5,000 for an active system, which will produce between 80 to 100 gallons of hot water per day, to as little as $1,000 to $2,000 for a passive system with lower capacity. Since solar water heating systems save more than 50 percent on hot water energy bills, most homeowners recoup these expenses within 10 years. Homeowners also receive federal and state tax credits for installing solar power systems.
Other Advantages
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Using solar energy has a positive impact on the environment by reducing the use of nonrenewable energy sources to heat water, such as gas, coal, oil or nuclear power. Solar energy is safe, efficient, reliable and non-polluting. The consumer has direct control over the system, and unlike conventional water heaters, hot water is available even during a power outage.
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