Solar Power Water Heater

The ultimate energy efficient water heater.

A Solar Power Water Heater is a cost effective hot water system and a great way to go greener at home. If you're looking for water heating options, you'll be impressed with a solar hot water system.

Low cost, highly efficient and green, solar energy hot water systems score high marks on all fronts.

Available for purchase at prices that can be recovered within 3 to 7 years a solar power water heater is a fairly low tech form of solar energy but it's a powerhouse when it comes to saving money.

Inexpensive and environmentally kind, a solar water heater will pay for itself repeatedly in the coming years. Additionally, tax incentives, rebates and other money saving programs exist in most developed nations for establishing a solar water heating system.

There are four methods of collecting solar energy (passive, thermal, potovoltaic and thin film). A solar water heater uses the thermal method which collects the heat from the sun and transfers it to the water.

Conventional water heating methods consume

approximately 30% of your household energy. Heating water with solar takes a significant load off of existing infrastructure. As demand for energy increases in municipalities, existing infrastructure can become overburdened.

Building new power plants to address the demand is very expensive not to mention a move backward when Nations are trying to clean up their energy act. It's less expensive and more progressive to encourage residents (with incentives and rebates) to switch to clean, green, energy sources.

One of the simplest, least expensive and most effective methods of using solar energy, hot water systems for heating home and pool water can save you thousands of dollars and the start up costs can be recovered within 3 - 5 years.

Solar Power Water Heater Tips

• Cost of the system is from $1,000 to $3,500, depending on some variables.
• Pay back time is from 1 to 6 years, again, depending on a number of variables.
• An active, glazed system will cost the most and produce between 80 and 100 gallons of heated water daily.
• Passive solar hot water systems cost less but produce less hot water and pressure is reduced
• A solar power water heater is capable of reaching temperatures of 82 degrees celsius (180F) .

Glazed or Unglazed?

Glazed panels

(pictured at right) look more like a solar panel - flat, rectangular and covered with glass - than unglazed. Constructed of more expensive materials (copper), glazed panels are more durable and can be coaxed to function in below freezing temperatures. They're also the more spendy choice. Sunlight passes through these panels and collects on a dark absorber plate behind the glass. Tubing is looped back and forth under the glass next to the dark plate and through the tubing circulates air, water or an antifreeze solution. As the fluid or air in the tube warms it moves off to the insulated storage tank or is used immediately.

Unglazed

water heaters consist of black hose or pipe which is exposed directly to the sunlight (no cover). The pipe is usually coiled or looped into a relatively compact unit that is placed in a sunny area preferably on a black surface (the more heat, the better). Water fills the pipe and the heat that the pipe collects is then transferred to the water. In some cases the water can be used directly from the unit and at other times the heated water is transferred to a super insulated tank for storage. If the collector is situated on a roof or other elevated structure, the hot water can be accessed by gravity.

In temperate climates where temperatures never dip below freezing and for heating swimming pools, an unglazed solar water heater may be all you require.

In our current economic climate we're all looking for effective ways of saving money and energy at home. Switching to a solar power water heater is one of the most effective and least expensive applications of solar energy and will continue to benefit your family for years after it's paid for.

Cost of a Solar Power Water Heater

Depending on numerous factors you can spend from almost nothing to $3,500 USD on a solar water heater.

A do-it-yourself project costs the least and an active, glazed solar water heater will cost the most. Consider the tasks your heater will be expected to tackle and choose one that is capable of the job. Payback times obviously depend on the initial cost of the system, energy costs in your area and any tax credits or other initiatives available locally. Whether it takes 6 months or 6 years to pay for the system, once it's paid for you'll be spending the next 10 to 15 years basking in free hot water.

~ Make a Solar Power Water Heater ~

Here's a great video on assembling an unglazed passive solar powered water heater. This super easy DIY project uses a minimum of materials. You start saving money right away. It also makes a great swimming pool heater.

Visitors to our Solar Power Water Heater page may also be interested in the following pages

Solar Powered Water Pump
Solar Powered Equipment