Due to frustration with utility companies more and more people are looking for way to make a switch to efficient and affordable homemade energy. One of the first steps in significantly lowering your costs is making the transition to a solar powered water heater.This is done by installing solar photovoltaic panels.This is much more efficient today because of affordable home solar panel kits.The use of solar power now allows you to heat your water efficiently and affordably.
Heating your water efficiently will require both a solar collector and storage tank. The solar collector is what is used to harness solar energy. This can be built using a home solar photovoltaic panel kit.The water will be heated by this and then stored in the tank to be kept warm before it travels through pipes into your home.
There are a variety of solar collector options,but the most common is a flat plate collector. It is a thin, flat box with a see-thru cover and it carries fluid to be heated. The fluid can be water or it may be a solution, such as antifreeze that will prevent the water from freezing. Next the water moves through the tubes to an absorber plate. This plate is black to attract and absorb the heat from the sun. When the collector gets hot, it will heat the fluid that passes through the tubes. The water will then pass through the tubes and then to the storage tank. The tank holds the water after it is heated. It is usually well insulated so the water will stay warm longer. Then the water flows into the home as needed.
Here is brief comparison of two solar hot water systems:
1. The most common water heating system is referred to as active. It relies on some type of mechanical devices such as a pump, moving water from the flat plate collector to the storage tank. The active water heating system is more efficient and quicker making it the most common.
2. Heating water by relying on gravity to feed the water from the flat plate collector to the storage tank is called a passive system. This system may be slow and difficult to keep up with demand. Having the angle correct on your flat plate collector and storage tank is also a must for the passive system to work properly since it relies on gravity.
Solar power is an efficient and affordable alternative for heating water and requires some knowledge and minimal efforts. You can take the first step to living off grid by choosing to heat your water using solar power.
Heating your water efficiently will require both a solar collector and storage tank. The solar collector is what is used to harness solar energy. This can be built using a home solar photovoltaic panel kit.The water will be heated by this and then stored in the tank to be kept warm before it travels through pipes into your home.
There are a variety of solar collector options,but the most common is a flat plate collector. It is a thin, flat box with a see-thru cover and it carries fluid to be heated. The fluid can be water or it may be a solution, such as antifreeze that will prevent the water from freezing. Next the water moves through the tubes to an absorber plate. This plate is black to attract and absorb the heat from the sun. When the collector gets hot, it will heat the fluid that passes through the tubes. The water will then pass through the tubes and then to the storage tank. The tank holds the water after it is heated. It is usually well insulated so the water will stay warm longer. Then the water flows into the home as needed.
Here is brief comparison of two solar hot water systems:
1. The most common water heating system is referred to as active. It relies on some type of mechanical devices such as a pump, moving water from the flat plate collector to the storage tank. The active water heating system is more efficient and quicker making it the most common.
2. Heating water by relying on gravity to feed the water from the flat plate collector to the storage tank is called a passive system. This system may be slow and difficult to keep up with demand. Having the angle correct on your flat plate collector and storage tank is also a must for the passive system to work properly since it relies on gravity.
Solar power is an efficient and affordable alternative for heating water and requires some knowledge and minimal efforts. You can take the first step to living off grid by choosing to heat your water using solar power.
About the Author:
If you found Kobi Haretz's article informative about living off grid you will also enjoy his site with more affordable solar products available.
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