Solar Water heating
Using solar energy to heat your home's water is a tested and proven system to reduce your home's energy needs. Solar water systems were big in the 1970's, gaining in popularity with the first energy crisis that resulted from the oil embargo during the 1973 Yom Kipper War. It was during this time period that interest in solar water heating systems increased significantly. During this period, as a result of government incentives and rising energy costs, solar water heating systems were abundantly installed.
How does a solar water system operate?
The operating principle of solar water heating systems is simple. The water supplied to your home's hot water system is exposed to the sun, which heats it up. If you have ever picked up a garden hose that has been lying in the sun for a time and noticed that the initial water coming out of it was hot, you have witnessed just how effective solar water heating can be. The principle of solar home water heating is the same, although on a larger scale. Your solar water heating systems will merely exposing the water feeding into your home or business to the sun, which then heats it. Most modern day solar water heaters use various means to increase the water heaters effectiveness.
How much energy does it save?
Solar Water heaters cost more to purchase and install than a conventional water heater, but can significantly cut down on your hot water costs. Your actual energy cost savings depend on:
- How much hot water you use
- Your system's performance efficiency and size
- Your geographic location and solar exposure
- Your energy costs
- The cost of energy used for your emergency back-up. (If you have a solar electric system installed in your home and use a back-up electric water heater your cost of energy would be VERY low!)
Typical water heating bills are reduced by 50% - 80% by installing a Solar Water Heating system.
Solar hot water systems can be divided into two basic types - Active systems and Passive systems. Most California home owners can get by with a passive solar hot water system. The advantages of a passive system are:
- There are NO moving parts. There are less things to break and little-to-no maintenance.
- The system uses no electricity!!! It will continue to function during blackouts!
- The price is significantly lower than similarly sized active systems.