As energy costs continue to rise, there’s no better way to protect yourself than with free energy from the sun. Hot water accounts for around 30% of the average power bill, so why not decrease your home’s carbon footprint and increase its value with a solar hot water system from Same Day Hot Water Service?
Let’s explore the benefits of a solar system and how they are installed and maintained so you can decide if solar water heating is the right solution for your household.
What Is Solar Hot Water?
Solar hot water systems capture the sun’s power to heat water for your home. They use solar panels and collector tanks to heat and store water. They can work in two ways.
The first is called a loline, split or pumped system. This type of system heats water and stores it ready for use and has panels on the roof and a storage tank at ground level. Cold water is drawn from the storage tank, heated by the solar panels and then returned to the tank. As they rely on a pump, they tend to be cheaper than the other types of solar hot water heaters and as they are not as heavy, installation is less complicated.
A hi-line system has both the panels and a storage tank on the roof. It uses a process called the thermosiphon effect to heat water. As they don’t rely on a pump to circulate water, they require less maintenance than loline systems but can be more expensive to purchase.
How Does Solar Hot Water Work?
A loline or split system works in the following way:
1. Cold water enters the storage tank.
2. Cold water is then circulated to the solar collectors or panels.
3. Thermal energy from sunlight heats fluid in the solar collectors.
4. This fluid then passes through pipes in or close to the storage tank called a heat exchanger. These transfer the heat to the water, ready for use in your home,
5. The fluid then cycles back to the solar panels.
In contrast, a hi-line system can heat water directly or indirectly. An indirect system is best for areas that are prone to frost to prevent freezing during circulation. It sees the water that flows through the collectors treated with anti-freeze that sits within a heat exchanger coil in the storage tank.
A direct system sees heated water naturally rise through the solar collectors into the storage cylinder, drawing cooler water from the bottom of the tank to the base of the collectors for heating.
There are also different types of solar collectors and which type of system you choose depends on the environment in which you live.
Benefits of Solar Hot Water Systems
While solar hot water systems are more of an investment than a traditional electric system, they soon pay for themselves. Here are some of the other advantages of going solar.
- Using renewable energy instead of electricity will lead to big savings on your energy bills now and into the future.
- A solar hot water system will add value to your home because many home buyers are attracted to energy-saving features.
- They are reliable and require less maintenance than other types of hot water systems.
- Solar hot water systems are a sustainable way to lower the carbon footprint of your home.
- You may be able to offset the cost of your new solar hot water system with government rebates.
- They are a smart way to maximise your solar investment.
Common Solar Hot Water Myths and Misconceptions
As you can see, solar hot water systems have many benefits. However, if you’re still not convinced a solar system is right for your home, have a read through these common misconceptions.
Myth 1. Solar hot water systems don’t work on cloudy days.
Solar water heaters still deliver hot water without bright sunshine. But if you happen to experience a few cloudy or rainy days in a row and the water temperature isn’t at an acceptable level, the technology within solar systems means your gas or electric booster system will automatically kick in, so you’ll never be without hot water.
Myth 2. My home is not suitable for a solar hot water system.
While it’s true that not every home has the right structural support for a water storage tank on the roof, split systems are a great way to overcome this. Technology means solar collectors are now more compact and efficient than ever before, so they don’t require a lot of roof space.
Myth 3. A solar system won’t provide my large family with enough hot water.
Solar hot water systems are available in a range of sizes, so they can suit households with large hot water requirements. Having your solar hot water system installed by a plumbing professional ensures it’s positioned correctly and is of the correct size to meet your needs.
Is Solar Hot Water Right for You?
Solar water heaters are a fantastic way to have reliable hot water because they take advantage of Australia’s warm, sunny climate. Using renewable energy is better for the environment and helps you save money in the long run. So, if it’s time to upgrade your hot water system, why not consider solar energy?
Same Day Hot Water Service sells solar water heaters from leading brands including Rheem, Solarhart, Dux, Rinnai, and Apricus. We can even install your solar hot water system and service it, too. Visit our website to learn more about solar hot water systems or call us on 1300 256 904.