| Solar hot water heating systems are a great way to | | | | reduce your carbon footprint. It will reduce the use of |
| effectively conserve energy and reduce your energy | | | | fossil fuels which pollute the environment. |
| bill. | | | | - Solar heaters can be installed in combination with |
| Contrary to popular belief, this is not a new technology. | | | | backup systems. In fact, you could install a solar heater |
| These systems have been used commercially for | | | | next to your existing system, and make it possible |
| over a century now, with the first commercial water | | | | switch to conventional heating whenever necessary. |
| heater (the Climax Solar-Water Heater) going on sale | | | | This way you are guaranteed always to have hot |
| in 1891 in the United States. By the year 1900, over | | | | water. |
| 1600 houses in California were equipped with this solar | | | | Types of Solar Hot Water Systems |
| heater. | | | | There are two types of systems, "active solar water |
| Due to its effectiveness and low cost, the solar hot | | | | heating systems" and "passive solar water heating |
| water gained popularity until, by 1941, more than half | | | | systems." They both work on the same principles. |
| the population of Florida was getting its hot water this | | | | The only difference is that active systems have a |
| way! | | | | pump or other mechanical means of moving the |
| Solar heating only lost its popularity as a result of | | | | water, whereas passive systems rely on nature's |
| lowered electricity rates, and an aggressive campaign | | | | principles: warm water rises to the top, and cold water |
| by Florida Power and Light to increase electrical | | | | sinks to the bottom. With a passive system, the water |
| consumption. This was done by offering electric water | | | | storage tank must therefore always be positioned |
| heaters at bargain prices. Thus Florida's production of | | | | above the solar water heater collector. |
| solar hot water was brought to halt. | | | | Active Solar Hot Water Systems |
| The United States is not the only country with a solar | | | | There are two main designs of active systems. Which |
| heating history. There are many other countries where | | | | one is best for you depends on the type of climate |
| it was once used, and has since fallen out of use - but | | | | you live in. |
| not all of them. In fact, there are currently more than | | | | There is what's called an "indirect circulation system" |
| ten million Japanese households which heat their water | | | | which uses a non-freezing heat-transfer fluid to |
| using solar power. This is definite proof that it is a | | | | transfer heat from the collector to a heat exchanger |
| workable technology. | | | | (a device used to transfer heat from the heat transfer |
| Important Facts about Solar Hot Water Systems | | | | fluid to the water in your storage tank). This is good for |
| - Solar water heaters can be used in any climate. | | | | colder climates. |
| Sound unbelievable? Check it out on the U.S. | | | | There is also the direct circulation system, where |
| Department of Energy website. They say so as well. | | | | water is simply passed through solar heat collector |
| - The fuel used to run a solar heater is sunshine. And, | | | | and then routed to the water storage tank for use. |
| at the time of this writing, sunshine is free - no tax has | | | | This system works fine in milder climates. |
| been added yet. | | | | Passive Solar Hot Water Systems |
| - A solar water heater can reduce your water heating | | | | Passive solar water heating systems are usually |
| bill by fifty to eighty percent. But with energy prices | | | | cheaper than "active solar water heating systems," as |
| going up, the amount of savings will soon be even | | | | they do not need controls or pumps to circulate the |
| higher. | | | | water. |
| - Aside from reducing your energy bill right now, a solar | | | | But generally, they are not as effective as the active |
| heating system will protect you from future energy | | | | systems. If you live in a warm climate, a passive water |
| price increases. You will no longer rely on fossil fuels | | | | heating system might be all you need. Passive |
| for warmth. | | | | systems are also known for being very reliable. |
| - When building a new home, or when refinancing, the | | | | Essentially, solar water heating systems consist of a |
| economic aspect of this becomes even more | | | | water storage tank and its solar collectors. The solar |
| interesting. You can, for instance, include the cost of a | | | | collectors are used to collect solar energy (which |
| solar water heater with a new thirty-year mortgage | | | | heats water), and the tanks store the heated water. |
| package. This would usually amount to about $13.00 | | | | That's all there is to it. |
| -$20.00 a month. Federal income tax deductions for | | | | A great way to reduce pollution in the environment is |
| mortgage interest would reduce the payment for the | | | | the use of solar power. 75% of the energy |
| by about $3.00 -$5.00 per month. If your fuel savings is | | | | consumption of the average home is for hot water |
| $15.00 or more per month (which it likely will be) you will | | | | and heating. The most economical and effective way |
| have reduced your monthly heating bill right then and | | | | of using solar power is through the use of solar |
| there. | | | | heating, and solar hot water heaters. |
| - Using solar power to heat your water will significantly | | | | |