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Solar Water Heater: Read ahead of you procure
A solar water heater very well
is eligible for DIY project but before you start there are some basic
facts that you should know. These will help in correctly identifying
your requirements and selecting right solar water heater to make how
does it work?
Solar water heaters use the sun light to heat water in a collector and heated water is then stored in a storage tank for use. Depending on the requirements this heated water can be used to feed in to conventional water heater which has to spend little or no energy to heat it further.
Types of Solar Water Heater
There are two types of solar water heaters - active or passive, active systems being the most common one. Active solar water heaters rely on active components like electric pumps to circulate water, or other heat-transfer fluids through the collectors.
These are the three types of active solar water-heating systems:
1) Direct-circulation systems use pumps to circulate clean water directly through the collectors and is appropriate for the areas that do not freeze for long periods and do not have hard/acidic water
2) Indirect-circulation systems use pumps to circulate heat transfer fluids through collectors and heat is transferred to water through heat exchangers. A passive solar water heater depends on gravity and natural circulation of hot water. No electrical components are used and hence these are more reliable.
The two most popular types of passive systems are:
3) Integral-collector storage systems with storage tanks placed in an insulated box and glazed side facing the sun. These solar collectors are suited for areas where temperatures don’t go below freezing point and hot water needs are in daytime/evenings. They lose temperature overnight so not very much suited for early morning needs.
4) Thermo Syphon systems rely on the natural convection of warm water. As water in the solar collector heats it becomes lighter and rises naturally into the tank above due to convection and cold water flows down the to the collector, enhancing the circulation. Some manufacturers place the storage tank in the house's attic, concealing it from view.
Solar water heaters use the sun light to heat water in a collector and heated water is then stored in a storage tank for use. Depending on the requirements this heated water can be used to feed in to conventional water heater which has to spend little or no energy to heat it further.
Types of Solar Water Heater
There are two types of solar water heaters - active or passive, active systems being the most common one. Active solar water heaters rely on active components like electric pumps to circulate water, or other heat-transfer fluids through the collectors.
These are the three types of active solar water-heating systems:
1) Direct-circulation systems use pumps to circulate clean water directly through the collectors and is appropriate for the areas that do not freeze for long periods and do not have hard/acidic water
2) Indirect-circulation systems use pumps to circulate heat transfer fluids through collectors and heat is transferred to water through heat exchangers. A passive solar water heater depends on gravity and natural circulation of hot water. No electrical components are used and hence these are more reliable.
The two most popular types of passive systems are:
3) Integral-collector storage systems with storage tanks placed in an insulated box and glazed side facing the sun. These solar collectors are suited for areas where temperatures don’t go below freezing point and hot water needs are in daytime/evenings. They lose temperature overnight so not very much suited for early morning needs.
4) Thermo Syphon systems rely on the natural convection of warm water. As water in the solar collector heats it becomes lighter and rises naturally into the tank above due to convection and cold water flows down the to the collector, enhancing the circulation. Some manufacturers place the storage tank in the house's attic, concealing it from view.
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