Solar water heaters are a great way to save money on your heating bills whilst also helping the environment by lowering your carbon footprint. They can be used in commercial buildings and residential homes alike, so they’re a great option no matter where you live. But how does solar hot water work?
How a solar hot water system works
Solar water heater systems use thermal energy from the sun to heat water. By placing solar panels on the roof of your home, the sun’s energy is absorbed and collected by a hot water tank, where it’s used to heat the water in your house. The system is designed to store energy like a battery, but in the form of hot water, so it can be used day or night with the promise of a constant supply.
Solar hot water systems can be installed in homes that are connected to mains gas and electricity but are also used in homes with limited access to the mains supplies. This is because the system is fully automatic and requires no electricity, making it an off-grid system and a great way to heat water whilst cutting back on costs.
Types of solar hot water systems
Despite what you may think, a solar hot water system doesn’t have to be on your roof – it can actually be installed on the ground. It works in the same way, using an absorber to absorb heat from the sunlight and a storage tank which then heats up the water to use in your home.
Since they are on the ground rather than the roof, these systems are generally less efficient, but they tend to be cheaper and easier to install.
However, ground-mounted systems can only be installed in areas with access to a natural source of groundwater, so not everyone can reap their benefits.
The benefits of a solar hot water system
When investing in solar hot water, there are many benefits for yourself but also for the environment because they don’t use fossil fuels like oil or gas to generate heat. Instead, they collect natural energy from the sun and use it to heat the water in your home, making them the most environmentally-friendly way to provide hot water in any home or business.
Using solar energy is also much more affordable than other forms of heating, so if you want to enjoy a long, hot shower, you don’t have to feel guilty for doing so or worry about the impact it will have on your energy bills. Hot water is one of the biggest drains on an Australian household’s energy usage, typically making up around 25%, so going solar is the perfect way to save.
A quality system is also easily maintained and will last for years with little need for repairs, making it a reliable investment for your home or business.
Get in touch
If you want to save money by investing in solar hot water, then get in touch with David Lewis Plumbing today for solar panel installation services.
