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