The Working Of A Solar Water Heater Explained In Details
A solar water heater is a great alternative for producing hot water every day. Heating water with the help of solar energy is the best alternative way rather than using electricity or gas. A solar water heater consists of solar collectors, a tank and a circulating pump. In some solar water heaters, a backup is also included for the days when solar energy is not available at all and you require hot water. Solar collectors are installed to collect the sunlight. The tank is for storing the hot water and the circulating pump is used for carrying the solar energy from the collector to the tank, and a thermal regulator. Read on to find out more about how a solar water heater works.
The basic function of a solar water heater is that it absorbs light with the help of collectors and then it is converted into heat energy. The circulating pump then passes the heat energy on to the water tank. This exchange is made possible with the help of the thermal regulator. This circulating pump is the reason why you don’t need electricity at all. It also prevents your water heater from overheating.
The collectors work best during the midday when the sky is most of the time cloudless and it should be made sure that the collectors are facing south. During the times when sunlight is insufficient, the water is preheated after which the back-up system takes over and bring the water to the needed hot temperature. This is why a solar water heater can be used to produce hot water without emitting any carbon dioxide. To properly know the working of a solar water heater, you should also know that their way of functioning differs due to the varying type of collectors and circulation systems.
Collector Types
1. Batch Collectors:
This type of collector allows the water to remain in the collector for a very long time if the demand for hot water is low. It is not generally used in very cold climates.
2. Flat-plate collectors:
It consists of parallel copper tubes connected at each end by two pipes which are known as the inlet and outlet.
3. Evacuated tube collectors:
These are known as the most efficient collectors. In this, a glass or metal tube is containing the water is surrounded by a larger glass tube.
Circulation Systems
1. Direct systems:
The most common type of system, it circulates water through the solar collectors and then stored in the tank after it is heated.
2. Indirect systems:
It uses a non-freezing liquid to transfer heat from the sun to the water in the tank.
3. Active systems:
This system uses electric pumps, valves and controllers to move water from the collectors to the storage tank.
4. Passive systems:
Natural convection transfers water from the collectors to the tank as it heats up without the help of any pump.
So, buy the best solar water heating system for yourself too after understanding which function will suit you the best.
Read MoreWhy 2020 Is The Best Time To Invest In A Domestic Solar Water Heater?
Domestic solar water heaters are gaining popularity a lot these days. Even though electric and gas water heater are still now the most used heating appliances, solar water heaters have been adapted by a lot of people too. It can be predicted that in the near future, in 5-10 years, the solar water heater will become a conventional heating appliance. There are several reasons for it.
Shortage of Resources
The first reason being the shortage of electricity or gas which are non-renewable resources. As the population keeps increasing day by day, it is becoming hard to provide electricity and other resources to everyone. Already a lot of people, especially people from rural India are always facing a lot of problems regarding water and electricity. So, it is inevitable that in the future, people will look for other resources like solar energy which is free and abundant. After all, it is being predicted that in the recent future, solar energy will be the sole power to run every technology on Earth.
Too Much Cost Of Electricity
It is basic economics that when supply less than demand, the price of the commodity will rise drastically. The same goes for electricity. Already, electricity has become very costly in a lot of areas. In the future, electricity might even become a luxury affordable only by rich class people. In such a time, solar energy can become the saviour.
It is basic economics that when supply less than demand, the price of the commodity will rise drastically. The same goes for electricity. Already, electricity has become very costly in a lot of areas. In the future, electricity might even become a luxury affordable only by rich class people. In such a time, solar energy can become the saviour.
You might wonder, why then this is the right time to buy a solar water heater rather than buying it in the future. Well, there are several reasons why. One of them is that right now when it is only used less than 10% of the population, buying domestic solar water will get you a lot of benefits.
Every state in every country provides a subsidy to those who use solar-powered devices. If you invest in one now, you will be able to get the subsidy. But, there is no guarantee that you will get the same in the future when most people will start using the same just like electricity. Buying one right now will be advantageous to you in many ways. If you are already struggling with your electricity bill, buying a domestic solar water heater will help you save your money by a lot. The price of a solar water heater is quite reasonable with 10-20 years of warranty. It will be a long time before you even need to think of buying a new one in the future.
So, look for the best domestic solar water heater and buy it this year only.
Read More6 Signs That Your Domestic Solar Water Heater Is Going To Fail
A domestic solar water heater is something that should be used with utmost care. Normally a good quality solar water heater can be used 10-15 years, sometimes even 20 years. But even then it can still fail to work. There are several signs that will let you know that your domestic solar water heater is going to stop working very soon.
The Water Isn’t Becoming Much Hot
If the water you are using is not becoming hot as much as used to, it should be your first sign that something is wrong with your solar water heater. Something could be wrong with solar collectors or the solar tubes if it’s not heating your water as much even on a hot day.
It’s Taking A Lot Of Time To Heat Water
Not only your water is not heating up as much but if it is also taking too much time to heat the water, then it is a warning sign. A solar water heater usually doesn’t take much time to heat water, especially on a hot day. so, if it becomes a hardship for you, it is probably time for you to call the expert to take a look at it.
If The Water Flow Gets Reduced
Even if your water is heating well within normal time, there are other ways to know it’s not working well. The next sign is if the water flow is not as powerful as it used to be. Reduced water flow can be an important indicator of several problems in your domestic solar water heater. This is normally due to sediment build-up in the tank or a leak which can stop the flow of warm water in your home.
If The Colour Of The Water Is Rust
If the water coming out of your domestic solar water heater is red coloured or orange coloured, then it is time to check it. If the water coming out smells metallic, them immediately call your serviceman. This is a major sign of corrosion which can be the death of your solar water heater.
Presence Of Water Around The Water Heater
Sometimes, you might notice moisture around the water heater. This is also a warning sign that there might be a leak in the tank. As the metal heats from solar energy, it expands leading to water leakage from the tank. Get the tank repaired as soon as possible in such cases.
So, keep an eye on these warning signs and get your domestic solar water heater repaired before it totally breaks down.
Read MoreBusting Some Of The Common Myths Of Solar Water Heating System
Myths are a part of anything and everything that surrounds our daily life. Knowing the truth and busting those myths is important before you start using anything. Things like solar water heating system which have not yet become popular as much as an electric heater has a lot of myths people believe in. Today, we are going to bust some of those myths that people usually believe about solar water heater.
Myth 1: Solar Energy Is Only Reliable in Summer Season
Many people have a misconception that solar water heater can be used only during summer as in winter or on cloudy days there aren’t much sunlight. However, solar water heating system is designed and engineered in such a way that it can heat water throughout the year. A solar water heater is capable of absorbing heat from the atmosphere and turning it into solar energy.
Myth 2: The Heater Can’t Be Removed After It Has Been Installed
People who don’t live in a permanent house normally avoid buying solar water heating system. The myth that once it is installed, it can’t be moved prevents them to buy it. But even though depending on its size it can be heavy but it still can be moved from one place to another. So even if you live in a rental, you can easily install a heater on the roof of your house.
Myth 3: Solar Water Heater Can Be Expensive
One of the major reason people avoid buying solar water heating system is that it can be expensive. Compared to it electric heater and gas heater are lot cheaper. But you should also know that government and non-governmental subsidies are given to reduce the cost. It is also a great investment as it can be used for 15-20 years which no other type of water heater can do.
Myth 4: Solar Water Heater Cannot Make Much Difference To Electricity Bill
Even though, you have a lot of electricity appliances at your home using a solar water heater can still cut down your electricity bill. An electric water heater uses up a lot of electricity. You will be able to save at least 20-30% of your usual bill.
So, if you are interested in buying a domestic solar water heater or industrial solar water heater, you should clarify all the myths regarding them. A solar water heating system is a great alternative to electric and gas water heaters and efficient enough to provide you hot water throughout the year.
Read MoreSolar Water Heater: The Best Gift Given To The Environment
Do you know that in India there are approximately 0.7 million users of solar water heater? That means in proportion to the population of India, the people using it cannot possibly have much impact on the environment. A solar water heater is not only an alternative for heating water but also it is becoming essential for a sustainable future. In the coming years, it is being predicted that almost all of the electronic things will be needed to be run by solar energy. But, we should start taking initiative from now itself. This is why on this World Environment Day, we would like to tell you about the environmental impacts of a solar water heater and why you should install one in your home or your workspace.
Solar energy is, of course, an abundant natural resource which is renewable. An alternative to electricity and gas, solar energy is a great power source. As all the other non-renewable resources keep getting used up, this is the right time to start using solar power. Almost everyone requires hot water every day to do a lot of things both in a home or a factory and industry. Imagine the amount of electricity and gas used to heat water all year long by a whole country. If we can replace them with solar water heater, there will be a huge amount of save of both electricity and gas. Our future generation will be a lot better off if we can decrease the use of electricity and gas.
If someone is using gas to heat water, it automatically leads to the emission of carbon dioxide in nature. Other harmful chemicals also get released when using gas or electricity. One of the major cause of pollution is the emission of carbon dioxide through various sources. This has also made holes in the ozone layers. So, if we can control the emission of carbon dioxide by at least to some percentage, it will make a huge difference to nature. While using solar power, no amount of carbon dioxide or any other kinds of harmful gas is emitted. So, if at least 50% of the population of the country starts to use a solar water heater, there will be a major impact on the environment.
Installing a solar water heater might sound like a lot of work. But, you should know it is not only beneficial to the environment but also the people. So, on this World Environment Day, we are urging you to do your part for the environment and install a solar water heater.
Read MoreKnow The Difference Between Solar Panel And Solar Water Heater
As more and more technology is getting improved, people are leaning towards using solar-powered things. From solar batteries to solar phone chargers, all of these have become a lot more popular. But, a lot of people tend to become confused between solar panels and industrial solar water heater and thinks their functions are the same. But in reality, these two things are two very different things. Even though both of these things are used with the help of solar energy and both of them are needed to install on the roof, but that is all they have in common.
Solar Panel
Solar panels are used to make electricity. It is done with the help of photovoltaic effect, where the absorbed sunlight is converted to electricity by extracting the electrons. In a solar panel, the solar cells are made with semiconductor materials like silicon. It has a positive and negative layer that creates a magnetic field. This helps create electricity even in your home. The bigger the size of solar panels the more independent you will be from using the electricity supplied by the government. Large solar panels are efficient enough to generate electricity for a whole house.
Industrial Solar Water Heater
On the other hand, if you are thinking of industrial solar water heater, you should know that it can only be used for heating water. These do not produce any electricity. A solar water heater uses sunlight just like solar panels but turns it into heat. It is made up of solar collectors that have a series of pipes. These pipes turn the solar energy to heat which is then transferred and stored in a water tank. This can be then easily connected to the supplier of the hot water. An industrial solar water heater can even sometimes heat the water of a swimming pool.
Usually, a solar water heater is efficient enough to provide 90% of your hot water in the summer and about 40-60% in the winter. Also, it extends the longevity of your boiler by 60%. It is also recommended that you can use both solar panels and solar water heater to go completely green but it may not be possible for everyone.
But the biggest thing these two have in common is that they are both extremely beneficial for the environment. Whether you use solar panel or an industrial solar water heater, both of them are using solar energy which is renewable and low-cost energy.
Read MoreWhich Is More Preferable: Electric, Gas, Or Solar Water Heater?
There are several options for heating water for regular purposes. Some prefer to use gas, some use an electric heater, and some use solar water heaters. But for someone who wants to buy a new heater, it can get confusing to decide on which one to buy. Every type of heater has its own pros and cons. What you need to decide is which one will give you the most advantages and which one has disadvantages that won’t bother you much.
Electric Water Heater
Advantages
One of the biggest advantages of electric water heaters is there are no local emissions, no combustion or any release of other harmful chemicals. It is quite easy to install and comes at a very affordable price. Not only it comes in varying sizes which you can buy according to your need and you won’t even need much space to install it. It also needs very minimal maintenance.
Disadvantages
As it uses electricity to operate, it is quite expensive to use it. It uses a lot of power to heat water only once. Also, it takes some time to heat the water and since it is run by electricity, there are always chances of a short circuit or a fuse getting blown off. If you live in an area of too much power outages, the electric water heater might not work when you need it.
Gas Water Heater
Advantages
A gas water heater is mostly preferred because it is cheap and it provides instant heat. This is why it is suitable for large families. As it runs on gas there won’t be any problem in case there are power outages. It is also easy to repair.
Disadvantages
Gas water heaters are the least preferable as it has a lot of disadvantages. One of the biggest con is it’s harmful to the environment as it releases a lot of carbon monoxides. A lot of gas is wasted and you will need extra space for the gas cylinders. Due to this, there are chances of gas leaks leading to hazards. It also loses at least 3.5% of the stored heat per hour. It needs a lot of maintenance regularly due to a combustion process.
Solar Water Heater
Advantages
As you will be using solar power, an abundant renewable resource, you won’t need to spend money on ether electricity or gas. It is also quite easy to install and doesn’t need much maintenance. For long sustenance, it is recommended to have annual maintenance of the solar water heater. These are quite efficient and can use at least 80% of the radiation to turn it into heat energy. Most solar water heaters can be used for 10-15 at least without any damage. Just because it uses the sun, it doesn’t mean it won’t work on cloudy days. It can use diffused energy in the atmosphere to heat the water. Hot water will be available to you all the time, even during the night as it capable of storing the hot water. It is good for the environment.
Disadvantages
The only disadvantage of solar water heaters it requires enough space on the roof to install it and the efficiency of the heater is depended on the availability of the sunlight.
So, if you weigh all the pros and cons, a solar water heater has the least disadvantages. If you are going to spend any amount of money, spend it on the best type of heater. So, if you want to buy one, you can come to Solostar, a provider of solar water heaters in West Bengal.
Read MoreSome Facts You Should Know About Solar Energy If You Are Using It
Solar energy has become quite useful in modern technology. There are so many technologies where people have stopped relying on electricity and rather use solar power. Whether it’s batteries run by solar power, solar generator, solar water heater for home, solar chimney or even solar lamp, all of them uses energy from only one source, the sun. So, if you like using things run by solar energy, you should be knowledgeable about some facts regarding it.
Fact 1: Solar Energy Is an Abundant Energy Source
The best way about solar energy is that unlike electricity, it is the most abundant energy on earth. The solar energy we receive is enough to provide hot water throughout the day with the help of an industrial solar water heater. Earth receives almost 173 Petawatts of energy and yet we harness only 0.0001% of it.
Fact 2: Solar Energy Is Renewable
Another fact about solar energy is that it is renewable. Unlike electricity, coal, oil, etc. whose energy will eventually diminish, the solar energy will be available for a long time. It is an energy that can be used by everyone from all around the world and will never be in crisis.
Fact 3: Solar Energy Is Safe to Produce
There is always a lot of hazards involved in other energy resources. But with solar energy, it is considered safe to produce. Risks like fire, explosions, chemical leaks are not involved at all in the usage of solar energy. Solar energy is turned into solar power with the help of PV panels. These panels are made of silicon which does not have any chances of danger like leakage of toxins or fumes.
Fact 4: Very Little Maintenance Is Needed
Whether you are using a solar water heater or solar-powered generator, all solar-powered technologies need very little maintenance. The solar panels can be used for a long time without any tear and wear. There are also running cost for solar power. Once it has been installed, there is no extra cost for using it.
Fact 5: Helps You To Save The Environment
It is high time that we all do something to preserve the environment. Using solar power is the best way to do that. Solar energy does not emit any carbon dioxide or any other harmful chemicals. So, if we use solar-powered devices, it will help us in preserving the environment.
Are you still confused about whether you should use solar-powered devices or not? Don’t be. Devices and technologies like an industrial solar water heater or solar-powered generator are quite useful for everyone. In the future, solar energy will most probably become the sole provider of energy.
Read More6 Factors To Consider If You Want To Buy A Domestic Solar Water Heater
Are you thinking of buying a solar water heater? Nowadays, domestic solar water heaters have become quite common among people and in some places it has become essential. But there are several factors that one needs to consider before buying a domestic solar water heater. We have listed some of those below. Take a look.
Consider Its Purpose
Do you have a big family? Does your family use a lot of hot water? Answer these kinds of questions before you decide to buy a domestic solar water heater. If you live in a place where you would need hot water throughout the year and the electricity supply in your area is not enough, then buying a solar water heater is the best option.
Spend According To Size And Capacity
Domestic solar water heaters come at various prices based on its size and capacity. Even though they can be expensive, you should know solar water heaters are very good investments for the long term. Make sure you buy the right size with enough capacity to provide hot water to the whole family.
Consider The Climate And Your Location
As previously mentioned, where you live is a huge deciding factor on whether to buy a domestic solar water heater. If you live in a tropical place, you will not need hot water all the time. But a solar water heater will also need enough sunlight for it to provide hot water whenever you need.
Find A Branded Domestic Solar Water Heater
Don’t buy a cheap product just to save some money. A solar water heater should be bought from a well-reputed brand. You will not only get trustworthy products but also better services too. You should also be aware of fake brands. Solostar is one such good branded company that provides domestic solar water heaters.
Check Their Warranty And Certification
When you are spending on a product you should have the assurance that it is durable. So, always go for a branded solar water heater with a long warranty period. Also, making sure that your product is certified by your regional or national standard is equally essential.
Read the Reviews
Even after you have chosen the company and the product, the next sensible step is to verify that your product is really worth the investment. Who better to verify than those who are already using it? Online certified reviews are a great way to know whether people are satisfied with their domestic solar water heater or not.
So, there you have it. If you are keen on buying a domestic solar water heater consider all these factors and then decide, from where you want to buy it.
Read MoreSome Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Water Heaters
The solar water heater has become quite popular among a lot of people nowadays. Instead of using a geyser or a stove to heat water, they prefer using solar water heaters. After all, there are a lot of advantages that a solar water heater has but a geyser doesn’t. But as it is still not a regular concept to all people, there are a lot of questions that they tend to ask before buying one. Here we have answered some of those frequently answered questions.
What Is A Solar Water Heater?
It is a device that provides hot water for all kinds of domestic and commercial purposes by using solar energy. It heats water during the day when sunlight is available. This hot water is then stored in an insulated storage tank which you can use whenever you want, even at night.
How Does It Work?
A solar water heater has an array of collectors that collect solar energy. It also has an insulated tank where the hot water is stored. The collectors and the tank are connected with each other. When sunlight falls on the collectors, it heats the water in it. After that, either the water flows automatically or gets pumped to the storage tank. You can get hot water supplied from this tank directly.
How Hard Is It To Install A Solar Water Heater?
It doesn’t take much hard work at all. If you are buying from a renowned company like Solostar, then you will be provided with the service of installation. All you need is some space on your roof. Any kinds of changes in plumbing aren’t required too. Just like normal geyser the hot water supply will be easily accessible.
How Long Does The Water Remain Hot?
The hot water tank of Solostar is insulated with a high standard PUF. Depending on whether it’s winter or summer, water remains hot for over 12 hours. Moreover, if you do not disturb the water at all, it will remain hot for more than that.
What Is The Approximate Cost Of Solar Water Heater?
One thing you should know before buying a solar water heater is that it is more of an investment rather than an expenditure. It will not only save your electricity or gas bill but also the environment. The approximate cost of a solar water heater depends on the capacity of your heater which should be chosen depending on the number of family members you have.
These are only some of the frequently asked questions by most consumers of solar water heaters. If you have any other question, you can ask Solostar before buying one.
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