SOLAR WATER HEATERS

Solar water heating

systems comprise

several innovations

and mature

renewable energy

technologies that

have been well

established for

many decades

around the globe.

Solar water heating systems use solar panels, called collectors, fitted to

your roof. These collect heat from the sun and use it to heat up water

which is stored in a hot water cylinder. A boiler or immersion heater

can be used as a back-up to heat the water further to reach the

temperature you want. Larger solar panels can also be arranged to

provide some contribution to heating your home as well. However, the

amount of heat provided is generally very small and it is not normally

considered feasible.

Two principles govern solar

thermal collectors. First,

any hot object eventually

loses its heat back to the

environment. The efficiency

of a solar thermal collector

is directly related to heat

loss, mainly from

convection and radiation.

Thermal insulation is used

to slow down heat loss from

a hot object to its

environment.

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 is best to have a

qualified solar thermal systems contractors install the system.

Solar water heaters offer

long-term benefits that go

beyond simple economics.

In addition to having free

hot water after the system

has paid for itself in

reduced utility bills, you

will protect yourself from

future fuel shortages and

price increases. Solar

heaters provide additional

supplies of hot water for

the entire family.

Solar water heaters do

not pollute. By investing

in one, you will be

avoiding carbon dioxide,

nitrogen oxides, sulfur

dioxide, and the other air

pollution and wastes

created when your utility

generates power or you

burn fuel to heat your

household water. When a

solar water heater

replaces an electric water

heater, the electricity

displaced over 20 years

represents more than 50

tons of avoided carbon

dioxide emissions alone.