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solar water heaters
Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters are a simple, reliable,
and cost-effective way to harness the sun's energy to provide
the energy needs of a home. New technologies help to make
solar water heaters an affordable and efficient heater for
all climates. Solar energy systems typically have a high
initial cost, but you will be sure to earn that money back
in savings due to extremely low operating costs. As far
as tank size is concerned, the same factors that contribute
to a traditional heater, apply to a solar water heater.
There are two main solar water heater systems;
active systems and passive systems.
An active system is one where fluid is
actively pumped from the storage tank through the collectors
and back into the tank. Passive systems do not use pumps
or other electrical components, thus providing a simple
and reliable system. The most common passive systems are
the thermosiphon.
Active and passive systems can be divided
into direct systems, indirect systems, down drain systems,
and thermosiphon. Down drain systems are used in colder
climates and thermosiphon systems are used in warmer climates.
In addition, there are several different types of solar
energy collectors as well.
In certain cases, a solar water heater
can work in conjunction with a conventional water heater.
The water is first stored in the conventional heater and
the water is warmed. Cold water then goes to the solar power
heater and this water is heated. The home will function
off of the water stored in the solar water heater, unless
it is not hot enough. If the water needs to be warmed up
more, the conventional heater will kick in and make up the
difference.
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