solar collectors for hot water

solar collectors for hot water

Solar water heating systems are a popular way for homeowners to decrease monthly electricity bills. They work by circulating a working fluid through a solar collector or solar panel which is usually placed on the roof of the home.

Some systems use pumps to circulate the fluid, while others use natural convection. The hot water is stored in a geyser or hot water cylinder, which generally needs to be larger than an electric geyser would be, to store additional water for cloudy days. The working fluid may be the water itself, or it may be a separate loop of fluid containing a corrosion inhibitor and antifreeze. In this case, the heat is transferred to the water in the geyser by means of a heat exchanger. This is usually a simple copper coil inside the tank.

A popular alternative to solar water heating is the electrically driven heat pump. This is a device which works rather like an air conditioner in reverse. It uses the ambient heat of the air to heat a fluid. The heated fluid is compressed, turning it into gas and heating it further. The heat from the gas is transferred to water which is then stored in a geyser. In the process, the fluid cools down to the point where it becomes a liquid again. The cycle is then repeated.

Heat pumps generally have a Coefficient Of Performance of between 3 and 4, which means that for every unit of electricity they use, they generate 3 to 4 units of heat energy. Effectively, this results in a saving of around 67% of the cost of hot water heating.

Which is best? Well, it depends on a number of factors. Heat pumps require a supply of electricity, but solar water heating systems generally use electricity as a backup for overcast days. If your family uses a lot of hot water early in the morning, a solar water heating system may not be able to cope. Heat pumps, on the other hand, work well all year round. If the air temperature drops below freezing, the efficiency of a heat pump is reduced - but it keeps working.

Other factors you might take into account include your feelings about having large solar collectors placed on your roof; whether or not your roof can support the extra weight of the solar panels and the water inside them; and the fact that heat pumps are usually easier and quicker to install.

If you'd like to find out more about heat pumps and how they can reduce your water heating costs by around 67%, click on the link below.

Heat Pump Information

Apricus Solar Installation Video 002 - Brooklin Canada