Solar Water Heating is the Way to Go If You Want to Save Money

About 3% of all US energy consumption isthree. Most active water heating systems consist
dedicated to the activity of heating water.of various pumps, controls, and valves. The idea
Weather in industry or in the household, waterbehind active solar heating systems is to pump
must be heated for all sorts of necessarywater through these solar collectors on the roof
activities. Fortunately, solar heating is the mostfor it to be heated. The water is then pumped
efficient and cost effective of all of the solarback to a holding tank to be used by the
technologies. Depending on what kind of systemhousehold. Some systems have a solar powered
you use, solar water heating can be about 60%pump to run the water through the collectors.
efficient. In its simplest form, this technology isThere are three types of active solar water
the idea of exposing a water container to sunlightheating systems: drain-down, drain-back, and
to heat the water up. But solar water heatingclosed loop antifreeze systems. Each of these
systems range in complexity.systems varies in complexity and maintenance.
The basic types of solar water heating systemsActive water heating systems were designed to
are:be used in very cold climates to prevent water
1) Passivefrom freezing. There is still a chance water may
2) Activefreeze in the pipes leading to and from the water
3) Thermo Siphontank, thus needing to be freeze protected.
The differences between these systems consistBecause of the many parts to these systems,
in cost, complexity, efficiency, and maintenance.they require much maintenance and oversight.
Passive Solar Water heating SystemsThe Thermo Siphon System
Passive heating systems are characterized byThese systems consist of a large water storage
very simple ingenuity. This system consists of atank mounted above a solar water collector. The
water tank that is painted black to absorb morewater collector is exposed to the sun and is
heat from the sun's rays. The water tank is thensealed and insulated so that the heat accumulates.
encased in a sealed wooden box with a bigSince the heated water is less dense than cold
window facing south. The box is completelywater, it starts to rise through pipes up to the
sealed and insulated to trap the heat in. Thisstorage tank above the collector. It's a very
system is the most inexpensive but also thesimple yet ingenious system.
most inefficient. It usually takes a while for theBecause of the simplicity factor, most people
sun to fully heat up the tank. But it's the perfecttoday are more likely to go with a passive solar
system for the do-it-yourself person.water heating unit. And if you really want to save
Active Solar Water Heating Systemsmoney, you can even make your own.
This system is by far the most complex of all