Free Solar Hot Water Heaters

The news is out. Residential solar water heatingto 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 gascirculate water through the solar heat collectors.
heaters. Solar hot water systems are stillIn this type of indirect heating system, the
significantly more expensive initially… Soheated water drains into a holdintank when the
how is that FREE?pumps stop.
With energy prices soaring, considering theBoth the indirect and the drainback systems work
savings in electricity or natural gas, experts reportwell in colder climates because they minimize the
that solar water heaters now pay for themselveschance 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 watersolar 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 theused 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 GlobalSince water flow is minimal, these systems work
Warmingbest in warmer climates.
Consider this: according to the University of2. Thermosiphon systems - these systems rely
Wisconsin's Solar Energy Laboratory, an averageon the natural process that causes warm water
four-person household with an electric waterto rise. The system circulates water through solar
heater needs about 6,400 kilowatt hours ofheat 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 typicalThermosiphon systems can function effectively in
power plant with an efficiency of around 30colder climates due to the constant circulation of
percent; this means the average electric watersystem fluids.
heater is responsible for about 8 tons of carbonSolar Water Heaters Gaining Popularity
dioxide (CO2) annually, a significant contributor toReaching 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 carsystem installed might not be such an outrageous
emits about 4 tons of CO2 annually … sogoal. According to the Environmental and Energy
this means electric hot water heaters generateStudy Institute (EESI), there are 1.5 million solar
about twice as much CO2 as the averagewater 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 forestimated that 40 percent of all U.S. homes have
the life of the solar heating system. Imagine ifsufficient access to sunlight to make it cost
just 25 % of U.S. homes installed solar hot watereffective for them to install solar water heaters
systems … the drop in C02 emissionsright now.
would be staggering.Go Green!
So, what's not to like? Financial savings, taxUsing 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 Workworld. In some countries, such as Israel, solar hot
Solar hot water systems can be implemented aswater 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 Systemssolar hot water systems have been common in
Active solar water heaters generally usesouthern California.
electrically powered pumps and other equipmentToday, solar heated water systems provide hot
to circulate water or a 'heat-transfer fluid' throughwater for everything from remote cabins and
the system. There are three types of activehomes to hospitals and office buildings.
systems:The more we embrace new technologies that
1. Direct systems - these systems use pumps topromote eco-friendly solutions for energy
circulate water through special solar heatproduction 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 waterthat not only survives, but thrives.
through the solar collectors, these systems pumpGo Green! Look into installing a solar hot water
'heat-transfer fluids', such as antifreeze fluid. Heatheater today.
exchangers then transfer the heat from the fluid