solar heat exchangers

solar heat exchangers

All about solar heating systems

The use of solar heating systems is probably the best way to harness energy from the sun. It is the most practical as well as a really cost effective and pollution free measure. The solar water heating system works by heating the water while absorbing the heat from the sun. Efficient systems like that of the Benchmark Solar water heating systems collect more than 70% of the sun's energy and can heat water to 140 degree Fahrenheit which quite matches the temperature attained through traditional methods.

There are two main types of solar water heating systems. They are the direct and the indirect water heating systems.

Direct solar water heating systems:

This solar water heating system works by directly capturing the heat of the sun in the collector tank. The system consists of the collector pipes which are filled with water and they are linked to the insulated storage tank which is located somewhere inside of the property. The sun heats the water inside the pipes and is stored in the tank. The direct systems are more efficient but on the downside in areas where cold climate prevail the pipes are prone to freezing.

Indirect solar water heating systems:

As the name suggests indirect water heating systems have the advantage that they do not heat water directly. Indirect water heating systems use a fluid with a low freezing point in order to absorb solar energy from the sun. It works on the useful principle that the system transfers the sun's rays into heat pipes which again heats up the thin copper laminate plate situated on the rear portion of each pipe. Glycol which is an ‘anti-freeze' is also used to speed up the process. This runs through adjacent pipes and it heats up when it comes into contact with copper laminate. Basically the heat produced activates a pump that circulates the glycol through a coil that is used for heat exchange. The chain reaction continues as the coil transfers the heat to the water tank and one has running hot water supply in one's house. The pipes are free from freezing in the indirect water heating systems.

Solar Pool and Hot Tub heating systems:

Another useful method for heating water is the Solar Pool and Hot Tub heating systems. The principle used here is similar to that used in the direct solar water heating system, with the exception that the collector's grazing is often removed to prevent wastage of energy by overheating. The other advantage of using this form of heating system is that costs to the overall system are considerably reduced.

If you are considering getting a solar power upgrade it may be a good idea to consult a professional who can best advice you on cutting costs, and evaluate your potential savings for the most effective solar hot water system that works the best for you. If you are keen on doing your bit for the environment, do not hesitate to install solar domestic water system immediately.

About the Author

John Logan is the author of this article on Solar Hot Water. Find more information about Solar Hot Water Systems here.

Tub of Water Solar Heat Exchanger Experiment: Mar. 22, 2010