How Solar-Powered Water Heaters Work

Most homes use either electricity or natural gas to power their water heaters, and while these work fine, they can add up in additional energy expenses over the month. Depending on the size of your home and how much water your family uses, you can expect to spend around $600-$800 a year just to power your water heater. An alternative, more cost-effective method, however, is to use a solar water heater. Contrary to popular belief, they’re actually fairly easy to set up and work extremely well in providing your home with all the hot water it needs. If you’re interested in learning more about them, keep reading and we’ll explain how solar water heaters work and why you should consider installing one in your home.

Basics of Solar Water Heaters

Although there are a few different types available, most solar water heaters feature the use of a solar collector and tank. These two primary components are usually mounted on the home’s roof where it will receive the greatest amount of sun exposure. Contrary to popular belief, the solar collector doesn’t actually consist of photovoltaic cells such as those found in solar panels, but instead it’s made of a dark insulated, waterproof material that absorbs the sunlight. Beneath the surface of the solar collector are tubes where the passing water is warmed by the thermal heat generated from the sun.

It’s important to note that most solar water heaters still require the use of some alternate means of energy to heat the water. When it’s sunny and the sky is cloud-free, you system shouldn’t have a problem generating the necessary energy to heat enough water for your home, but this isn’t always the case. When it’s raining, snowing or just an overcast, your system won’t generate as much energy; therefore, your water won’t heat as

Active Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters usually fall into one of two primary categories – active or passive. While both of these types can effectively produce hot water for you and your family, there are a couple of noticeable differences between the two.

There are two main types of active solar water heaters – direct and indirect circulation. In direct circulation systems, the water traveling through the collectors goes directly into the home. These are the most basic type of solar water heater available, but they typically only work well in warm climates where the temperature doesn’t frequently drop below freezing.

Indirect circulation solar water heater uses a pump combined with anti-freeze to help push the water through the system and into the home. Because it uses anti-freeze, indirect circulation is a popular method for homes in colder climates where there’s a constant threat of water freezing in the pipes.

Passive Solar Water Heater

Now that you know a little bit about active solar water heaters, lets take a look at passive. Integral collector-storage is a common type of passive solar water heater that’s designed for homes in warm climates. This method doesn’t use a pump, but rather the warm water automatically travels down into the normal water heater, which means you’ll still be required to use either gas or electricity to supplement the heating of your home’s water.

Lastly, Thermosyphon systems is a type of passive solar water that’s more suitable for colder climates and environments. In these systems, the tank must be installed above the solar collector so the warm water will rise as the cool water drops. As a result, there’s no need for a pump to be installed or used in a Thermosyphon system.

Environmental Benefits Of Solar Water Heater For A Sustainable Future

We are blessed with an abundance of solar energy free of cost. The best part about installing a solar water heating system for home is that it is an environment-friendly and cost-effective option.

What is a Solar water heater?

A solar water heater is a high-efficiency appliance to draw power directly from the sun for daily use. The heater is placed in the open area of your terrace where it gets adequate sunlight throughout the day.

How does it work?

  1. Direct sunlight is collected in the collectors and the sun’s thermal energy heats the fluid in the solar collectors
  2. The fluid is made to pass through a heat exchanger in the insulated storage tank that transfers the heat to the water.
  3. You get a 24*7 supply of hot water.

What are its environmental benefits?

The basic purpose of installing the solar water heater is to provide hot water with the use of renewable energy i.e. the sun. Solar appliances do not harm the environment and also do not affect the health of the people. That is why, today, people like to prefer solar appliances for their homes.

The solar water heater systems are beneficial in many ways, whether it is environmental, financial or socio-economical. The solar water heaters do not emit any harmful gas, unlike the other fossil fuels which produce a large amount of carbon dioxide harming the breathing layer of the environment.

Due to the direct heating process, solar water heaters do not require electricity to generate hot water. Hence they have the potentiality to reduce the emission of carbon footprints.

Here are some more environmental benefits of a solar water heater.

  1. Renewable energy is used to generate hot water.
  2. It helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  3. It is effective at even low temperatures.
  4. No added roof space is needed for installation.
  5. An easy and economical installation process, unlike others.
  6. It may last up to 15 years if properly taken care of.

The advantages and disadvantages of solar hot water systems

Solar hot water systems are becoming a popular method for homeowners to harness the sun’s energy for use inside their homes. They are environmentally friendly and offer a clean energy option for your home’s hot water needs. Every home system has its advantages and disadvantages, so below we’ll take a look at those for solar hot water systems.

Advantages of solar hot water systems include:

  • They generate free energy for use to heat water.
  • They allow you to use a renewable energy source: the Sun.
  • They are very cost effective in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
  • Many incentives are available for homeowners who wish to install solar hot water systems.
  • The payback period for the system is pretty low, at only about 5 years.
  • The systems have low maintenance needs and costs.
  • Lease options for solar hot water systems may be available to decrease installation costs.

Disadvantages of solar hot water systems include:

  • The cost of installation is more than a conventional water heater.
  • Some electricity or gas will be needed to fuel a backup system during winter months.
  • The payback period isn’t definite, it varies based on conditions in your area and the system’s exposure to sunlight.
  • They offer a relatively low efficiency of the passive solar water heating systems available.
  • They will need protection to prevent freezing as well as overheating.

What are The Benefits and Importance of Home Renovation

Home renovation is an essential aspect of homeownership that offers numerous benefits and holds significant importance. Beyond enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a house, home renovation projects can improve functionality, increase property value, and create a more comfortable living space. In this blog post, we will explore the various advantages and the importance of home renovation.

1. Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal:

One of the primary reasons homeowners choose to renovate their homes is to enhance its visual appeal. By updating the interior and exterior design elements, such as painting, flooring, and landscaping, a house can be transformed into a beautiful and inviting sanctuary. This not only creates a pleasant living environment but also leaves a positive impression on visitors.

2. Improved Functionality:

Renovating a home allows homeowners to address functional issues and improve the overall layout. Whether it’s expanding a cramped kitchen, adding a bathroom, or creating an open floor plan, renovation projects offer the opportunity to optimize space and make it more practical for daily living. This can greatly enhance the functionality and efficiency of a home, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable.

3. Increased Property Value:

Home renovation is a smart investment that can significantly increase the value of a property. When properly executed, renovations can attract potential buyers and command a higher selling price. Upgrading key areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, or adding energy-efficient features can make a home more appealing in the real estate market. Additionally, regular maintenance and upgrades help maintain the value of a property over time.

4. Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings:

Renovating a home provides an opportunity to improve energy efficiency, resulting in long-term cost savings. By replacing old windows, upgrading insulation, and installing energy-efficient appliances, homeowners can reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. This not only benefits the environment but also helps save money in the long run.

5. Personalization and Customization:

Home renovation allows homeowners to personalize and customize their living space according to their preferences and lifestyle. Whether it’s creating a home office, a dedicated workout area, or a cozy reading nook, renovations can transform a house into a reflection of the homeowner’s unique style and needs. This personal touch can greatly enhance the enjoyment and satisfaction of living in a home.

Interesting Facts about Solar Water Heater

A solar water heating system captures the warmth of the sun and transfers it into the hot water supply for once home or business property. Solar water heaters are a great alternative to electric and fossil fuel water heaters because of their ability to entirely source energy from the sun which is completely renewable and available in abundance. The modern solar water heaters are designed to work throughout the year, even during the winter season when the sunlight is relatively is less.

Key facts about solar water heaters

Fights climate change
The water heating process requires a high percentage of energy and is consumed throughout the year. Adapting to solar water heaters is a great way to reduce carbon footprints and other greenhouse emissions as it works entirely on the energy produced by the sun.

Protects air quality
A large part of the population uses electric power generated from fossil fuels for their water heat requirements which pollutes the air and contributes to negative environmental and health effects. On the other side, solar water heaters contribute to green energy and reduce public health problems that arise due to air pollution.

Protects water quality
Solar water heaters play an important role in reducing mercury contamination of watersheds caused by the mercury and other toxic heavy metals released into the environment by power plants. These substances cause a major threat to the overall well being of our rivers, lakes, and streams.

Saves electricity bill
Solar water heater helps in saving money on electricity bills as it uses free energy from the sun. The initial investment on solar hot water might be high but it typically lasts for 25 years or more which leads to a consistent amount of saving on power bills for a long period of time.

Low maintenance cost
Solar water heaters are highly durable and typically require less maintenance. It only requires a periodic inspection on yearly bases to keep producing free hot water for a long duration of time.

Unlimited energy
The solar water heaters can provide hot water throughout the year without any interruption because of their ability to use energy from the sun which is an unlimited source of energy always available for consumption.

Higher reliable
Solar water heating systems have become highly reliable over the years with many companies providing a longer duration of the warranty and consistent service.

Differs from solar panels
Solar water heaters as well as solar panels both use the mechanism of the sun’s thermal power to generate energy. The solar panels use it to generate electricity, while the solar water heaters use it to generate hot water.

3 Important features of Solar Water Heaters used Nowadays.

We all know that the essential requirement for high temp water is extravagant as it loads a tremendous measure of energy. It is trusted that over 18% of homegrown energy is utilized to warm water. These days individuals are utilizing the normal wellspring of energy that is free, sustainable, and limitless like the solar water heater – You will see the diminishing paces of the power bills. Power bills are generally high due to electrical water warmers and utilizing economical and reasonable techniques for warming arrangements will cause a decrease in power bills. In this way, it seems OK to search for practical and reasonable water heating solutions.

One method for chopping down the massive power charges because of water heaters is to invest in Solar Water Heater For your Home. Solar Water Heaters won’t just lessen the power charges but will likewise offer various benefits in a savvy way. Given below are the 3 Important features of Solar Water Heaters used Nowadays. Have a look at them:

1. It is very Efficient

One of the essential reasons solar water heater has incredible offset over some other type of energy is that with regards to warming water proficiency, they bring to us. Effectiveness here implies the solar water heater converts practically up to 80% radiation into intensity energy without utilizing any outside energy.

2. The installation is cheap

You will spend much less to introduce a solar water heater for Solar Heating Solutions for Home in contrast with a PV board. An effective method for procuring rewards is by moving the unused unit back to the power lattice. They are a one-time venture for long-haul benefits.

3. Maintenance charge is also low

Solar Water Heaters don’t need high support. It just requests straightforward cleaning. As it contains no moving parts, there will be no tears and breaks which would require customary fixing consideration. The producer of solar water heaters ensures that they will work for just about 20-25 years however will quite often work longer.

We conclude that solar water heaters require underlying speculation however are dependably a superior option for warming water.

The Top 5 Benefits of Solar Water Heaters

 

Are you trying to decide if solar water heaters are worth the investment? They have a ton of benefits, and for some people, they may be a better option than traditional solar panels. Others may consider adding solar water heaters in addition to regular solar panels.

To help you decide if solar hot water heaters are right for you, let’s talk about the top 5 benefits of solar water heaters.

Top 5 Benefits of Solar Water Heaters

Why should you choose solar water heaters for your home or business? Here are some of the biggest benefits of investing in a solar hot water system.

Free Energy

Once you invest in a solar hot water heater, you’ll start to get that money back in the form of free energy. The typical home will see an average of at least a 50% reduction in water-heating electricity use. If you live somewhere that gets a lot of sun, like Arizona, you could see as much as a 90% decrease in your water-heating bill.

Who wouldn’t want to save money and get free energy?

Reduced Carbon Footprint

The general consensus is that climate change is occurring and that carbon emissions are a major contributing factor. A solar water heater uses the renewable energy of the sun to warm up your home’s water.

If you can use solar energy to heat up water, that’s less fossil fuel or natural gas being used and released into the atmosphere from traditional electric or gas water heaters. That means you’ll be helping save the environment in addition to lowering your gas or electric bill.

High Efficiency

Heating up your water directly from the sun’s rays is much more efficient than converting sunlight into energy that is then used to warm up your home’s water. Why take two steps to heat up your water when you can do it in one step?

They Take up Less Space than Traditional Solar Panels

Since solar water heaters are more efficient than traditional solar panels, the average home only requires one to three solar water heater panels. If you don’t love the idea of your entire roof being covered in solar panels, then a solar hot water heater may be a great option.

They’re Cheaper than Solar PV Panels

Since you need fewer solar water heater panels, they’re much cheaper to install than traditional solar PV panels. If you can help save the environment and reduce your gas or electric bills for a lower initial cost, then what’s holding you back from making that investment?

What is a solar water heating system and how it works?

As soon as the winters start approaching, geysers come out as one of the most demanded home appliances of all time. However, the electricity bills that accompany the geysers could burn a hole in your pocket as they consume a considerable amount of electricity. However, there is a solution that can help you heat the water without worrying about the bills.

Yes, I am talking about solar water systems as they offer sustainable hot water supply for homes. Talking about their capability, they can heat the water up to 80 degrees Celsius. The most amazing part about the same is that the same can be done at zero or no cost of electricity. Not only for domestic purposes, the solar water heating system is also appropriate for commercial sectors like hotels, hospitals, and restaurants. Here in this piece, we will talk about the different solar water heating systems, their working, and their types.

Types of solar water heating systems

Starting with types of solar water heating systems can be categorized into two categories, active and passive. As for Passive SWH systems are completely independent of electricity, and natural phenomena like sunlight and gravity carry out their functioning. Contradictorily, the Active solar water heating systems need additional components like a pump that relies on electricity to kick start the complete system. Both systems work in completely different ways, which we will explain further in the article.

How does Passive Solar Water Heating System work?

The Passive Solar Water Heating system is based on the principle of the greenhouse heating effect. In simple terms, the working of a passive SWH system focuses more on trapping the liquid in a suitable container and leaving it to increase exposure to sunlight. A set of black-coloured heat-absorbing plates is used to gather as much solar energy as possible. The water gets heated in the tank without the requirement of any pump. With the basic use of gravity, the hot water gets transferred from the top of the home to the lower building floors.

Another major highlight of the Passive SWH systems is that they are cheaper to set up as they don’t consist of any electrical components. Passive solar water heating systems are best for regions where the climate is warm. Moreover, they also require low maintenance due to the easy and cost-efficient setup.

How does the Active Solar Water Heater System work?

The Active Solar Water Heater works on electrical components like a circulation pump, hot water storage, and heat collectors. The solar radiation falling on the plates gets absorbed, and the controllers and sensors activate the pump. Now, the water pump brings the cold water from a storage tank and circulates it via the collectors. This also helps in heating the water through the heat exchanger. This is called the direct circulation system, which is the most commonly used one.

Another system on which the Active SWH works is the Indirect Circulation System, which is apt for places where the temperature is around freezing. The anti-freezing liquid used in these heaters collects heat from the collectors instead of water. The liquid is transferred from the liquid to water in the storage tank. The Direct Active SWH systems can be used for hard and acidic water, and the indirect SWH systems are sensitive to these water types.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF USING A SOLAR WATER HEATER

Are you looking to replace your old water heater? Confused between electric, gas, and solar heaters? Your choice of water heater is not without its repercussions. After all, heating water alone accounts for 18 % of your electricity bill! If you’re looking to make an environmentally conscious decision, here are three environmental benefits of opting for a solar heater:

1. Contributes Less to Air Pollution

Using a conventional water heater comes at the expense of nature. Fossil fuels, when burnt, are known to release harmful gases into the atmosphere. From SOto CO, these pollutants can drastically deteriorate air quality. Did you know that SOis one of the main culprits for acid rain? SOpollutants, nitrogen oxides, and other particles produce deadly acid rain when they react. This is not only dangerous for marine life and wildlife, but also human life. However, the harmful effects don’t just stop there! Bad air quality can also take a toll on human health, ecosystems, and food crops. But a solar heater ensures that such harmful emissions are kept to their lowest. By installing a solar heater that’s environmentally-friendly, you become part of a positive environmental change.

2. Places Lesser Strain on Non-Renewable Resources

Conventional water heaters run on non-renewable resources. From coal to uranium, these non-renewable resources help generate electricity to keep your water hot. But non-renewable resources are finite supply. This means that over time, the reserve of non-renewable resource diminishes. From 2007–2018 alone, 82% of the United States electricity needs were fulfilled by nuclear resources and fossil fuels. Staggering, right? But our finite supply of fossil fuels can only last us so long! A solar water heater ensures that you don’t exhaust non-renewable resources to meet your hot water needs. Instead, it makes efficient use of the sun’s energy to provide you with warm water. 

3. Minimizes Water Pollution

The negative impacts of using a conventional water heater don’t just end at air pollution. The harmful emissions from fossil fuels can also take a toll on a country’s water reserves. From lakes to seas, fossil fuel emissions can also greatly increase sea levels. Buying a solar water heater prevents that! If you use a heater that runs on the sun’s energy, then the chances of harmful fossil fuel emissions are reduced. Heating your water in an environmentally-friendly way ensures you don’t get to harm the water resources along the way! Looking for a solar heater, installation or solar parts for your water heater? Then reach out to Aztec Solar Water Heater. We’ve been in the water heating business for over 70 years! For commercial water heater parts, get in touch with us today!

4 Advantages Of Solar Water Heater

Solar energy is freely available and abundant to us. The solar radiation that strikes the earth’s surface can easily be put to use for the good of human civilization. The solar water heater is one of the widely used solar energy harvesting systems. Read the blog to learn about the advantages of solar water heater and other facts related to them.

What is Solar Water Heater?

Before hopping onto the advantages of solar water heater, you need to learn what a solar water heater is. An appliance that uses sunshine to heat water is known as a solar water heater. It may be a cost-effective method of providing your household with hot water (for showers and baths). Since solar energy is free in contrast to natural gas or fuel oil, a solar heater not only provides significant energy savings. Additionally, it provides a means to continuously generate hot water for sanitary purposes without producing any CO2.

What are 4 Advantages of Solar Water Heater?

JAN23advantages of solar water heater
Image from Getty Images on Unsplash+

Solar energy is a natural form of energy that is free, unlimited, and renewable. When you use solar panels, you’ll see a noticeable decrease in electricity bills. Solar water heaters are also powered by solar energy and they also have a lot of advantages. Let’s see 5 advantages of solar water heater.

1. Saves Environment and Space

Solar water heaters use solar panels and thus they are green devices. They aren’t dependent on fuel. Additionally, they have low carbon footprints and zero-emission. They also save a lot of space. If you don’t have enough room, you can go for a thermal panel.

2. Zero Cost

A solar panel is powered by the sun’s energy and thus you don’t have to pay any money to the power grid for using electricity. It is also a renewable source of energy. It’s also available each day and completely free. You just need to figure out how to fine-tune your panel to optimize its performance on cloudy days.

3. Cheap Installation and Low Maintenance

Installing a solar panel is a lot cheaper in comparison to installing a PV panel. You can also earn rewards by transferring the unused unit back to the electricity grid. It’s a one-time investment with long-term benefits.

Solar water heaters are low-maintenance devices. They only demand simple cleaning. They don’t have moving parts and thus they don’t suffer from tears and breaks which could need regular repairing attention.

4. Efficient

Solar water heaters are really efficient as solar panels have the ability to convert almost up to 80% radiation into heat energy. The panels can do so without even making use of any external fuels.

What are Disadvantages Of Solar Water Heater?

The following points explain the major disadvantages of solar water heater-

1. In comparison to PV panels, solar thermal panel only heat water.

2. Solar water heating systems require direct sunlight to function and thus they don’t work on rainy, foggy, and cloudy days.

3. To accommodate such heaters, you require a certain amount of roof space.

4. For their installation, a new hot water cylinder is required.

Also Read: 5 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

What is Working of Solar Water Heater?

The collector panel is exposed to the sun’s rays (a component of a solar water heating system). Inside the collectors, a black absorbing surface (absorber) takes in solar radiation and transmits the heat energy to water running through it. In order to prevent heat loss, heated water is collected in an insulated tank. The thermal siphon system ensures that the automatic flow of water from the tank via the collectors and back to the tank is maintained. Solar water heaters come in two different varieties depending on the collector system: A solar water heater is made up of an insulated storage tank for hot water and a collector for gathering solar energy. You can always use the heated water that has been kept. After this, let’s learn about the types of solar water heater.

What are the Types of Solar Water Heater?

Solar water heaters come in a variety of designs, including both open-loop and closed-loop systems, each having certain advantages of solar water heater. The various types of solar water heaters are:

1. Drainback Solar water heating system

The fluid used for heat transfer is distilled water. It flows through the collector loop and serves as the medium. With the aid of the pump, the water passes through the collectors. A non-pressurized system is the Drainback Solar Water Heating System. Water is gravity-fed into the heat exchanger and storage tank. When the pumps are off, the system shuts down. Additionally, the device has a preset that disables it when the water in the storage tank becomes too hot. Installation of a sizable piping infrastructure is required for a drain-back solar water heating system. It is more practical, nevertheless, as it does not require check valves, pressure gauges, air vents, etc.

2. Active Open Loop Solar Water Heating System

This is a straightforward and inexpensive system that operates on the idea of heat transmission through the water at ordinary pressure. At the bottom of the storage tank, the system has a temperature controller. The differential controller turns on the circulating pump when the water in the storage tank is cold. As a result, water is drawn from the storage tank to the solar collector, where it is heated and returned to the tank’s top. Due to little heat loss, Active Open Loop Solar Water Heating System provides good performance.

3. Passive Solar Water Heating System

installation on the rooftop is required, along with a storage tank on top. The collector, which uses the cold water supplied by the city provider, is the system’s main component. The water is heated in this collector. The heated water is discharged into the storage tank, where it stays until used during the rest of the day. During this period of storage, there are increased chances of heat loss. A version of this system that uses an insulated tank to store the heated water is the thermosyphon system. Passive solar water heaters can be divided into two categories:

  • Large storage tanks for black water are used in integral collector solar water heaters, which are enclosed in a box and have a transparent top to let light in. When you need hot water, your plumbing system receives the heated water that was originally stored in the black tanks.
  • On your roof, passive thermosyphon systems heat water in tiny batches using metal flat plate collectors. When your hot water valves are opened, hot water from the batch collector at the top of your roof rushes down to your faucets. These are typically made to hold 40 gallons of water.

4. Active Closed Loop Solar Water Heating System

The heat-transfer fluid (HTF), which passes through the heat exchanger and collector, is used in the water heating system. This HTF helps to transfer heat to the water kept in the tanks and is non-toxic in nature. Glycol is often the HTF in systems and needs to be replaced every 3 to 10 years. However, because the collector is continually under pressure, this arrangement is a little complicated. Active solar water heaters come in two varieties:

  • Systems that heat water directly in collectors before distributing it to your faucet and showerheads are called active direct systems. Typically, solar collectors are tubes made of glass or metal.
  • In active indirect systems, heat is transferred from the solar collectors to a heat transfer fluid, such as propylene glycol, which is then transferred to the water supply via a heat exchanger in a closed-loop system. While the transfer fluid cycles the system, some heat is lost.

5. Evacuated-Tube Solar Collector

Transparent glass tubes are positioned parallel to one another in the system. These tubes have a fin-equipped inner metal absorber tube. A covering on the fin’s surface aids in absorbing solar radiation. For commercial use, this is the most typical system. The more recent version of this system contains cover plates made of tempered glass. These plates contribute to the heaters’ increased toughness.

Also Read: A Guide to Solar Panel Dimensions

What is Solar Water Heating System Price?

A solar water heater can cost you anywhere between $4,000 and $13,000 to install. This price depends on the heater type and tank size. For a standard 100-gallon solar water heater, you should expect to pay around $9,000.

The fact that influences this cost is whether your solar water heater is a passive or active unit. Passive solar water heaters don’t have pumps to push water through a backup heating system or the collectors. This is the reason why they are cheap. On the other hand, active solar water heaters fall on the expensive side but they have the advantage of an internal storage tank.

Also See: What is Renewable Energy Certificate?

What is the Lifespan of a Solar Water Heater?

JAN23advantages of solar water heaterCompared to ordinary gas or electric storage water heaters, approved solar water heating systems have an average lifespan of 20 years. Solar water heaters normally need to be changed after 10 to 25 years. The caliber of the installation, the caliber of the materials utilized, and the frequency of maintenance can all have an impact on the longevity of a solar water heater. Additionally, the solar water heater’s longevity may be impacted by the environment in which it is situated. For instance, solar water heaters often last longer in warm, sunny settings than they do in chilly, snowy ones.

Also See: How Long Do Solar Watches Last?

Is Solar Water Heater Good for Health?

Many issues arise as a result of the rising popularity of solar water heaters in today’s society. For example, is using a solar water heater healthy for you? Does having solar panels on your roof that is directly exposed to the sun pose a risk to your skin? According to medical professionals, drinking water heated by a solar water heater is perfectly safe as far as the sun’s influence is concerned. UV radiation, which causes DNA damage, cancer, and ozone destruction, can be to blame for the harmful health impacts of sunlight. Yes, the sun does emit light in the visible and infrared (IR) spectrums, and it is the IR spectrum—not the UV spectrum—that contributes to the water heating process in the best solar water heaters. The night-vision gadgets used for functioning based on the heat produced by a body are based on IR radiation as well. Because of this, drinking hot water from the solar water heater is perfectly safe.

According to the Municipal Public Health Bureau’s health education experts, solar hot water is not safe to consume. Despite the fact that the water used to fill the water heater is pure tap water, the metal utilized to construct its piping may be overly contaminated with poisonous metals including cadmium, manganese, lead, and arsenic, making it non-drinkable.

Also Read: Silicon Valley is Incorporating Health into Green Building Design

What is the Maximum Temperature of a Solar Water Heater?

A solar water heater’s temperature reaches around 60–80 °C to heat the water. Solar water heaters (SWHs) with capacities between 100 and 300 liters are suitable for home usage. In restaurants, canteens, guest homes, hotels, hospitals, etc., larger systems can be used. For home use, a 100-liter SWH can take the place of an electric geyser and potentially save 1500 units of power each year. The usage of 1000 SWHs with a 100-liter capacity per unit can help reduce peak demand by about 1 MW. An SWH with a 100-liter capacity can stop 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released annually.

Do Solar Water Heaters Work on Rainy Days?

Yes, it still functions on cloudy days. Due to the heater’s use of dispersed radiation from the atmosphere, hot water can still be produced during the monsoon. How a solar water heater functions during the rainy season may be a mystery. After all, now is the time of year when the majority of us would choose a warm, relaxing bath rather than a freezing, abrasive one. Solar panel systems have already been proven to function on overcast, rainy, and even nighttime days. Solar water heaters operate on the same principles.

Your solar panels continue to collect energy even on overcast or rainy days. The solar panels will continue to function as long as there is sunlight, even a little bit of it. Of course, during cloudy days it won’t be able to absorb as much power. On a cloudy day, the majority of solar panel systems are thought to be capable of producing between 10 and 25% of their typical output. So, if it rains nonstop where you live, you need to have backup power available. This guarantees that you will always have access to hot water.

What are Uses of Solar Water Heater?

The solar water heater is the greatest available alternative for a wide range of uses. The various applications for solar water heater include:

  • Industrial Use: Numerous enterprises make use of these solar water heaters. This system is used in enterprises that require hot water for various tasks like washing, preheating, or even separate processes.
  • Commercial Use: Solar heaters are utilized in commercial settings such as hostels, hospitals, hotels, and dorm rooms.
  • Residential Use: The solar water heater can be used in residential settings to warm the water in condominiums, bungalows, and flats.

Solar water heaters have a lot of uses in the current society. For moving toward a cleaner future, you’ll need to make more green choices. In this blog, you have gone through 4 major advantages of solar water heater. After this, you are knowledgeable enough to decide if you want to go for solar water heater or not.