There are different types of solar water heating systems to choose from. Selecting the right hot water solar system for your home is contingent on several variables like location, water consumption, budget, and personal preference. Usually, there is not a major difference between roof mounted and split systems. Both offer similar efficiency and performance. Selecting a roof mounted system might be more of a worry where reinforcing is required to support your system’s weight on the roof or in instance where maintenance and service will be particularly problematic. However, the variance between evacuated tube and flat plate systems is more significant from a company such as Hotsy Houston. Flat plate systems are cheaper, but evacuated tube systems provide better performance and enhanced durability.
Different Types Of Solar Water Heating Systems
Flat Plate
A flat plate solar hot water system is efficient, reliable, and presently the most used system. It is manufactured from patterned and strong tempered glass and the collectors absorb heat from the sun and utilize it to warm water. The water is stored in either a roof or ground mounted tank, ready for use.
Evacuated Tube
This more current technology provides substantial gains in both efficiency and performance. Other than flat plate collectors, these systems contain several glass tubes which is installed side-by-side on the rooftop. The copper pipes inside the tubes warms up when sunlight is absorbed. The heat gets transferred to the insulated storage space where the water continuously flows through and warms. The heater water is typically stored in a ground mounted water tank.
Roof Mount
Roof mounted systems is generally installed on the roof, together with the storage tank and solar collectors. In most instances, the solar collectors are installed in a northerly placement to maximize energy from the sun. Heater water is stored in the tank is accessed by your home through mains pressure delivery. When you utilize hot water in the home, the cold water travels through the solar collectors, starts heating up and re-fill the storage tank, therefore you are never without hot water.
Split System
Similar to roof mounted systems, the split system solar collectors are placed facing North. Other than installing the water tank on the roof, it is installed on the ground, usually near the main hot water usage area (bathroom, laundry, etc.). When water is heated by the sun in solar collectors, the sensor activates the circulation pump which pushes warm water through the storage tank on the ground. When the water travels down, the cold water travels upwards to be warmed as required. Evacuated tube heated water systems are typically installed exclusively using the split-level technique.
Heat Pump
Heat pump technology provides an efficient substitute for conventional hot water heating techniques. It is easily installed, without using solar panels. Heat pump technology has been advanced over thirty years. A heat pump absorbs heat from adjoining air. The air gets sucked into the unit where a liquid refrigerant is heated and converted into gas when the temperature rises. The gas gets compressed, producing heat, and is passed through copper tubes that is wrapped around the water storage tank. The heat gets transferred to the water inside. Even though electricity is necessitated as part of the process, only about a quarter of the volume is used than the case would be with a standard electric hot water heater.