| Residential hot water is a significant energy | | | | easely build simple systems yourself all you |
| consumer for most households. In fact, hot | | | | will need are parts that you can find in any |
| water is sometimes the largest single energy | | | | hardware store. |
| cost. Using solar energy to provide at least | | | | |
| some of the hot water in your household can | | | | Active systems make use of pumps to circulate |
| result in significant savings. | | | | the water. In some systems, the pumps can be |
| | | | powered with solar energy; otherwise they |
| There are several ways that solar energy can | | | | must be connected to the household electrical |
| be integrated into a hot water system. | | | | supply. In both systems a storage tank is |
| Although solar boilers can be used on their | | | | needed to hold the heated water. |
| own, they are most often used in conjunction | | | | |
| with traditional water heaters which are | | | | On hot days with plenty of direct sunlight |
| powered by gas or electricity. In this kind | | | | solar systems can heat water with surprising |
| of system, the water heated with solar energy | | | | efficiency. During this kind of weather, |
| can be used on its own (if it is hot enough) | | | | there may be no need to use electricity or |
| or as preheated water for the traditional | | | | gas as a backup. When the weather is colder, |
| water heater. Pre heated water will also | | | | the solar heaters can preheat the water which |
| dramatically decrease your energy bill. | | | | passes into the traditional water heater. |
| | | | This preheated water requires much less |
| Solar boilers can be used in any type of | | | | energy to bring to proper temperatures which |
| climate but are most practical in areas which | | | | can result in significant savings on your |
| don't have freezing weather during the | | | | energy bills. |
| wintertime. Solar hot water systems in | | | | |
| colder climates can use indirect heating | | | | As with all alternative energy systems there |
| systems which do not expose the water to the | | | | is a lot of room for your own imagination if |
| freezing temperatures. Instead, a fluid that | | | | you like that. If you don't you don't and |
| resists freezing circulates through the solar | | | | just use the technology, but for those who |
| panels and is used to heat the water. | | | | like to play around with technology like |
| Southern climates can use direct heating | | | | myself these systems offer a myriad of |
| systems where the water itself passes through | | | | possibilities to think about. |
| the solar panels installed on the roof. | | | | |
| | | | For example, a stirling engine converts |
| There are two basic types of solar hot water | | | | changes in temperature into mechanical |
| systems -- active and passive. Passive | | | | motion, for example to generate electricity. |
| systems rely on gravity and the natural flow | | | | Mmm, that's a nice thought. A change in |
| of water from hot to cold. They are simple | | | | temperature is something this system will |
| systems and require very little maintenance. | | | | provide, but it will also heat your water. A |
| They are durable and long-lasting. You can | | | | double benefit? |