With a growing interest in sustainability beyond buzzwords, more and more homeowners enjoy the benefits of renewable sources of energy to heat their homes. Solar water heaters have become a popular choice among them, helping homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint and their energy bills at the same time. This article introduces us to the solar water heating system. It discusses the different components of the system, the benefits it can offer, how to install one, its maintenance, and finally, the cost. Understanding all of these factors can help you decide whether to purchase a solar water heater for your home.
Table of Contents:
– What is a solar water heater?
– Benefits of solar water heating
– How to install a solar water heater
– Maintenance tips for your solar water heater
– Understanding the costs of solar water heating
What is a solar water heater?
Solar water heaters – also referred to as solar thermal systems – use the sun’s energy to heat water for domestic uses. Solar water heating systems usually contain solar collectors that absorb sunlight and a storage tank to keep the heated water until needed. The two main types of solar water heating systems are active and passive. The basic principle of active systems consists in the use of pumps to circulate water or a heat-transfer fluid. Passive systems, instead, do not require the use of a pump because they rely on the natural movement of the hot water, driven by gravity. As the energy of sunlight is converted into heat without the use of external energy sources, solar water heaters are an efficient way to save fossil fuels.
Benefits of solar water heating
What’s more, apart from the environmental sustainability, there are other benefits of solar water heating that you may not be aware of.
Firstly, solar water heater reduces your electricity bill by half or even more as there is no cost associated with the heating water by a conventional source of energy.
Secondly, solar water heater can last for a long time, which is at least 20 years and sometimes more (if they are maintained on a regular basis). Hence, it is a wise long-term investment.
Last but not least, solar water heater can increase your houses value, and more home buyers prefer their houses to have energy-saving systems and eco-friendly features.
Overall, solar water heating is not only a smart decision as it helps you save your money but also a healthy option for the environment.
How to install a solar water heater
Installing a solar water heater goes like this.
First of all , choosing the right system for your home is the most important step .
There are many factors that should be consideried in such situation .
The local climate of your home , also the orientation and tilt of the solar collectors and the hot waer usage of your household .
Working with an authorized installer , he should be apted to adapt to these factor and give you the best advices about the system that suit to your situation .
Installing such system is divided into different units, starting by installing the solar collectors on the roof of ypur home .
Second , connecting the collectors with the storage tank .
As well as , connecting the system with the existing plumbing and electric systems in your home .
Professional installation gives you high performance and helps you to follow the local building codes and regulations .
Maintenance tips for your solar water heater
To prolong the longevity of your solar water heater system and prevent future breakdowns, regularly check for leaks. Clean and unobstruct your solar collectors. If your system needs antifreeze, check the level. Besides the above-mentioned DIY (do-it-yourself) tips, have the system checked and serviced by a professional every two to five years, depending on the local requirements. These maintenance tips should ensure that your solar water heater will provide you with hot water for a long time.
Understanding the costs of solar water heating
While the cost of installing a solar water heater can sometimes be higher than conventional water heating systems, the savings on your energy bills over many years are often more than enough to recover the initial expenditure. Different kinds of solar water heaters with different sizes and installation complexities come with different cost. In addition to that, many governments provide incentives and rebates for solar water heater installations. Therefore, in order to make a wise budget planning when getting ready to buy a solar water heater, one should be familiar with these factors and take advantage of any available financial incentives.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, using solar water heaters is a feasible, eco-friendly and low-cost option for homeowners, which can save energy cost and help reduce carbon footprints. By fully comprehending the technology, benefits, installation processes, maintenance and costs of using the solar water heating, more people can then make informed decision for their households with the respects to needs and values.
