| The news is out. Residential solar water heating | | | | to the water. Better for colder climates. |
| systems now cost between $1,500 and $3,500 - | | | | 3. Drainback systems - also use electric pumps to |
| compared to $150 to $450 for electric and gas | | | | circulate water through the solar heat collectors. |
| heaters. Solar hot water systems are still | | | | In this type of indirect heating system, the |
| significantly more expensive initially… So | | | | heated water drains into a holdintank when the |
| how is that FREE? | | | | pumps stop. |
| With energy prices soaring, considering the | | | | Both the indirect and the drainback systems work |
| savings in electricity or natural gas, experts report | | | | well in colder climates because they minimize the |
| that solar water heaters now pay for themselves | | | | chance of freezing water by constantly circulating |
| within 4-8 years! | | | | the water or fluid. |
| Solar water heating systems last 15 to 30 years - | | | | Passive Systems |
| at least twice as long as conventional systems. | | | | Passive solar water heaters circulate water or a |
| With this in mind, after the initial payback period, | | | | heat-transfer fluid without electric pumps or other |
| you can enjoy free hot water for 10 to 20 years! | | | | devices. There are two basic types of passive |
| Of course, the best reason to install a solar water | | | | solar water heating systems: |
| heater is the positive impact on the environment - | | | | 1. Batch heaters are very simple and have been |
| no fossil fuels or nuclear used to generate the | | | | used for years. They consist of one or more |
| energy to provide your home with hot water - | | | | storage tanks placed in insulated boxes with their |
| only pure energy provided by the sun. | | | | painted, or heat-absorbing sides facing the sun. |
| Conventional Water Heaters Contribute to Global | | | | Since water flow is minimal, these systems work |
| Warming | | | | best in warmer climates. |
| Consider this: according to the University of | | | | 2. Thermosiphon systems - these systems rely |
| Wisconsin's Solar Energy Laboratory, an average | | | | on the natural process that causes warm water |
| four-person household with an electric water | | | | to rise. The system circulates water through solar |
| heater needs about 6,400 kilowatt hours of | | | | heat collectors and then into a holding tank, which |
| electricity per year to heat water for their home. | | | | is located above the collector. |
| Assuming electricity is generated by a typical | | | | Thermosiphon systems can function effectively in |
| power plant with an efficiency of around 30 | | | | colder climates due to the constant circulation of |
| percent; this means the average electric water | | | | system fluids. |
| heater is responsible for about 8 tons of carbon | | | | Solar Water Heaters Gaining Popularity |
| dioxide (CO2) annually, a significant contributor to | | | | Reaching the point where 50% of all U.S. |
| CO2 pollution - and global warming. | | | | households have some type of solar hot water |
| Let's put this into perspective. The average car | | | | system installed might not be such an outrageous |
| emits about 4 tons of CO2 annually … so | | | | goal. According to the Environmental and Energy |
| this means electric hot water heaters generate | | | | Study Institute (EESI), there are 1.5 million solar |
| about twice as much CO2 as the average | | | | water heaters already in use in U.S. homes and |
| automobile - every year! | | | | businesses. Since Solar water heater systems can |
| So, for every solar hot water system installed, | | | | work effectively in just about any climate, it's |
| the effect is like taking two cars off the road for | | | | estimated that 40 percent of all U.S. homes have |
| the life of the solar heating system. Imagine if | | | | sufficient access to sunlight to make it cost |
| just 25 % of U.S. homes installed solar hot water | | | | effective for them to install solar water heaters |
| systems … the drop in C02 emissions | | | | right now. |
| would be staggering. | | | | Go Green! |
| So, what's not to like? Financial savings, tax | | | | Using the sun to heat water is not a new idea. |
| credits, clean energy, saving the planet … | | | | Solar energy has been used for years to heat |
| sounds like a winning move to me. | | | | water for homes and businesses around the |
| How They Work | | | | world. In some countries, such as Israel, solar hot |
| Solar hot water systems can be implemented as | | | | water systems are now mandatory for residential |
| either active or passive systems. | | | | use. In the U.S., as far back as the early 1900's, |
| Active Systems | | | | solar hot water systems have been common in |
| Active solar water heaters generally use | | | | southern California. |
| electrically powered pumps and other equipment | | | | Today, solar heated water systems provide hot |
| to circulate water or a 'heat-transfer fluid' through | | | | water for everything from remote cabins and |
| the system. There are three types of active | | | | homes to hospitals and office buildings. |
| systems: | | | | The more we embrace new technologies that |
| 1. Direct systems - these systems use pumps to | | | | promote eco-friendly solutions for energy |
| circulate water through special solar heat | | | | production and reduce CO2 emissions, the better |
| collectors. Best suited for mild climates. | | | | chance we have of leaving a planet to our children |
| 2. Indirect system - instead of pumping water | | | | that not only survives, but thrives. |
| through the solar collectors, these systems pump | | | | Go Green! Look into installing a solar hot water |
| 'heat-transfer fluids', such as antifreeze fluid. Heat | | | | heater today. |
| exchangers then transfer the heat from the fluid | | | | |