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As more homeowners make the switch to sustainable energy sources, companies have been quick to enter the market. This has resulted in many new products becoming available which you can use at home. One of these products is a highly convenient water heater that does not require electricity or gas. Solar water heater for home is an environmentally-friendly way to heat your water and they can save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bill.
There are many different types of solar water heating systems available, so it can be difficult to find the best one for you. Today, we will talk about the advantages of having a solar water heater and compare four of the most commonly used types. We will also discuss some brands that offer good quality products that come with a reasonable price tag.
In this post, we'll discuss:
What are Solar Water Heaters for Home?
Solar water heaters are devices that utilize the sun’s rays to heat your water. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all share the same basic function.
Solar hot water heaters typically use three main technologies: separate storage tanks, drain-back systems, and thermosyphon systems. These three have their own specific characteristics but all work in a similar way – by converting sunlight into energy via panels installed on your roof or large stand-alone collector panels. In general, there are two types – active and passive solar water heaters. Active solar water heaters have fans or pumps to circulate water through their panels while passive ones rely on natural convective loops of hot trapped air bubbles rising up the pipe to transfer energy.
Solar water heaters are an environmentally-friendly way to heat your own hot water and save you money on your utility bills. These units work by using the sun’s rays or natural sunlight during the day for heating up your stored hot water inside of them instead of using electricity from the power grid.
There are many kinds of solar water heaters available on the market. If you are not familiar with them, you should conduct some research before you decide on which one to buy. Doing this ensures you that you are buying a product that you need and one which has been manufactured from good quality materials.
In the following section, we have listed four of the most common types of solar hot water heaters to give you an idea about what is available on the market today. We have also included a few well-known brands that produce high-quality products. We hope our list facilitates your decision on which type to buy and offers some guidance in terms of specific products.
What are the kinds of solar water heaters that you can install at home?
There are two main types of solar water heaters: active and passive.
Active solar water heaters use fans or pumps to circulate the water, while passive systems rely on natural convection to move the water.
There are also two types of active systems: direct and indirect. Direct systems heat the water as it passes through the collector, while indirect systems use a storage tank to hold the heated water.
Passive systems are more common than active systems, and they are cheaper to install. However, they are not as effective, and they cannot be used for homes with high hot water demands.
Both active and passive systems are available in direct or indirect configurations.
The benefits of Having a Solar Water Heating System at Home
You can never run out of reasons why you should have a solar water heater in your home. They provide free hot water that is environmentally friendly, and they can save you a lot on your energy bill. Since the sun provides free energy, a solar water heater will reduce your carbon footprint and help fight global warming.
Solar water heaters can last for over 15 years, so you won’t have to spend much money on repairs or replacement costs if anything goes wrong with them. The only maintenance required from users is keeping the system clean so it continues to operate efficiently. There are no circulating pumps in passive systems, so they are pretty durable and unlikely to break down.
What are the Popular Brands of Solar Water heaters in the market today?
There are a lot of different brands which offer solar water heaters for your home. Each of these brands has its own unique features and characteristics.
Here are the top 5 brands of solar water heating systems that may want to include in your shopping list:
Sunbank 40-gallon solar water heater
This 40-gallon solar water heater from Sunbank is a simple, all-in-one option that any homeowner can put in place and keep up.
This Sunbank product is one of the passive solar water heaters that are a good choice for small houses in temperate countries that receive a lot of sunshine. furthermore, the Sunbank system is ideal for individuals who are frightened by more complicated and advanced solar heaters since it lacks moving parts or extra components.
Using this product can save you an annual operating cost of up to $600.
Clean Republic Heat Streamer
One of the best choices for those who are looking for small solar hot water heaters is the Clean Republic Heat Streamer.
The Heat Streamer’s tiny capacity and simple setup make it ideal for people who live in off-the-grid cabins. Water may be heated using the solar system (or, consider investing in a solar oven), showers, or general heating. However, this product may not be a great fit for those who live in a medium-sized home with more than one person.
Sportneer Solar Shower Bag
For those who are still undecided about paying for expensive solar water heating systems but are curious about one, the Sportneer Solar Shower Bag can provide an excellent experience.
The Sportneer’s design is very basic: a tiny, integrated solar panel heats the water in an insulated PVC bag. The bag has a 5-gallon capacity and can provide enough showers for a solo outdoor enthusiast or a small group of people. It also includes a temperature gauge, shower head, storage compartments, and a carrying case.
SWH-1 Solar Hot Water Heating package by Northern Lights Group
If you are tired of paying expensive monthly water heating bills, one of the best solar water heating systems to try is the SWH-1 Solar Hot Water Heating package by Northern Lights Group.
The controller of this product, for example, allows you to heat two different zones at the same time. This means you may warm your water tank for showers while also heating a swimming pool simultaneously.
The storage tank includes a 4.5Kw backup electric heating element, should the weather go against you.
Duda Solar 200L Active Split System
One of the best features of this solar water heater is it can hold 200 liters of water. The additional insulation prevents a significant heat loss by keeping the water warm even with low ambient air temperature. The system also makes use of a single copper heat exchanger coil placed near the top of the tank to strategically warm the water as it’s consumed, ensuring that cold water at the bottom of the tank is heated at a later time.
This solar water heating systems unit is also eligible for federal and state tax incentives and exemptions, which is a big incentive for hesitant homeowners to choose solar water heating.
How to choose the right hot water heater?
Replacing your old electric water heater can be difficult especially if you have no idea which one to buy. There are numerous types of hot water heaters available, and each one has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
The first thing you need to consider is how much water you need to heat. If you have a large family or you run a business, you’ll need a water heater that can heat a large volume of water.
Then you need to decide what type of fuel you want to use. Some water heaters run on electricity, while others use gas or propane.
Finally, you need to think about your budget and find a model that fits your budget. There are numerous types of hot water heaters available, and they can be expensive.
Most families will want a standard electric or gas hot water heater. These heaters usually cost between $300 and $500 to buy and install (more for larger volumes). They’re fairly easy to maintain, but it takes time for them to heat up the water in your integral collector storage systems.
Pros and Cons of installing a Solar Heating System
A lot of people wonder if it is worth installing a solar water heating system. There are numerous benefits that come with them, but there are also some cons to think about before you make the decision to install one.
Here are some of them:
Pros
Economic reasons
You can save money because instead of using shore power to heat your water, you will be using solar power to do it instead. At the end of the day, the hot water that you will be using won’t come out of your monthly electricity bills. This is true if you have a dedicated solar collector and circulating pumps for your water supply.
Health reasons
You are always assured of hot water each time you take a bath. If you have a swimming pool, you will immensely benefit from this solar hot water heater as well. As we all know, hot water is beneficial to health as it helps the blood to circulate properly. In addition, your drinking water will always be sterilized before you consume it.
Environmentally-friendly
If you live in a place where the environment is not so good due to emissions and such, it will be good for you to get one. The hot water generated from solar heating does not produce any harmful gases that can harm the planet. It reduces your carbon footprint significantly.
Quality of life
Depending on where you live, if there are a lot of blackouts or power outages, a solar heater will help keep you going in case the grid goes down. You will always have warm water for showers when this happens and it’s perfect during extremely cold seasons as well because you don’t even need to use electricity when using them during cold seasons.
This is why it is worth installing a solar heating system in your home or area!
Cons
Expensive installation and maintenance costs
While it is good in the long run to get one, you need to spend a lot of money in order to buy and install one. Plus, you will need to consult a specialist each time that the solar hot water system is malfunctioning. We all know that it is not always for free. It is not like they are available everywhere because this technology is still relatively new.
Not everyone has space for them
You would need enough area on your roof if you want to put up a solar water heater so that they can absorb sun rays efficiently. This may be difficult for some houses with roofs that are not configured to accommodate such a heavy and bulky device!
Climate-dependent performance
If you live in an area where the sun doesn’t always shine brightly, installing a solar water heater system might not be cost-effective at all. This is why you would need to think about the place where you live before deciding if this system is for you or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a solar water heater worth it?
If you choose to install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should fall by about half. You’re also protected from future fuel shortages and price surges because the sun is free. The economics are even more appealing if you’re constructing a new house or refinancing.
What are the disadvantages of solar water heaters?
Not every home can accommodate the bulk and weight of solar water heaters. Because of this, homeowners who want this technology usually spend a fortune refitting their roofs with this kind of technology.
Another disadvantage is the cost of repairs and maintenance. Since solar water heaters are not your run-of-the-mill device, you will need a dedicated technician with a unique skill to help you keep your solar hot water heater in top shape.
Do solar water heaters work?
Solar heaters work perfectly fine in places where the sun is always shining. It can become an alternative to conventional water heater units because all solar water heaters require is the power of the sun.
Can I heat water using solar panels?
Yes, you can heat water using solar panels but the energy must come via a solar system. But doing so will still consume the electricity converted by the same solar panels that provide energy for the whole household.
Conclusion
While solar water heating systems are slightly more complicated than regular water heaters, there are many benefits to having one. If you install a solar water heater, your energy bill should fall by about half and you’ll be protected from future fuel shortages. You can even have it independent on your solar system. The economics of installing one makes sense if you’re building a new house or refinancing.
Before you decide on whether or not to install a solar water heater in your home, you should read more articles about the different types of them, their pros and cons, and many other benefits you’ll get from installing one. You can also research some brands so you know which ones are best before buying one.
So, if you are still wondering if installing a solar water heater for your home is a smart choice, the answer is now obvious considering the compelling argument we have presented above.
The answer is definitely a resounding yes!
