Learn About The Various Components Of A Domestic Solar Water Heater
If you are a user of domestic solar water heater, you also need to know how to maintain it properly so that it will at least work for 10-15 years without any problem. But in order to that, one should also know what consists of a solar water heater and what are the various components it has. If you know about the components, you will be able to maintain it properly. So, read on to learn more about these components.
Collectors
The most important component of a domestic solar water heater is the collectors. Their basic function is to collect solar energy and then turn it into heat energy for further use. Collectors are mostly flat panels or tubes that contain a series of copper pipes in evacuated glass tubes. These panels can heat the fluid inside the pipes while minimizing radiative heat loss.
Storage
The second most important component of a solar water heater is the storage. Its basic function is to keep the hot water stored for a long time. This is possible due to the insulation of the storage that enables the water to stay hot. If in case your solar water heater has a closed-loop system, it normally has a heat exchanger for both the heating fluid and the water. In another type of system, the fluid is drained out of the coils and they tend to have a separate storage tank for storing the water.
Other Components
Among other components includes a temperature and a pressure relief valve. This is needed as the temperature of the water can get as hot as possible, so it needs to stay under control.
- It also has an expansion tank that expands when water heats and expands.
- Circulating pump is also there in order to circulate the water for heating.
- Heat transfer fluid is also an important component in a solar water heating system. It carries the heat from solar collectors to water storage tanks. This fluid can either be potable water or a non-toxic anti-freeze depending on the climate.
- Another component is heat exchangers which transfer solar heat from the transfer fluid to the home water supply.
You can see clearly that neither the function nor the components of a domestic solar water heater are much complicated. You can easily use and maintain a solar water heating system on your own without the need for any external services.
