Is a Solar Hot Water System Feasible?

Is it really possible to use the sun to supply a house with all the hot water needed for an average family? The answer is yes. It has actually been done, and is still being done in many parts of the United States. The idea is quite simple. Install solar conduits on the roof of the structure, have a circulation system that moves the heated liquid between the conduits and the water storage tank, have a backup heating system, and have a controller that coordinates the entire system. This is not an esoteric space age concept.

Before looking for equipment manufacturers in the Yellow Pages, you need to consider a few things. First, is the area where the system will be installed exposed to direct sunlight from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. all year round? Or at least almost every day? This will be the amount of solar energy needed to provide enough hot water and heating for a typical home. You must also take into account where the structure is located. For example, if it is in a homeowners association community, does the association have rules regarding solar conductors on the roof? It is best to know these things before you buy.

Once you have checked these items, it is time to look at the structure. What is the size of the roof where the conductors will be installed? Can you mount the necessary panels for it? And how many meters is the distance from the roof to the water storage tank? Of course, this assumes that the location of the water storage tank has been determined. Don't forget that there will be pipes from the solar conductors on the roof to the tank and back to the roof again.

In most solar hot water systems, the water that goes through the solar conductors is potable, the same water that goes directly into the house system. Typically, the water storage tank is connected to a backup water heater, and from the water heater it enters the house. In this system, the solar panels are made of glass. If the temperature in the area where the system is to be used falls below 38 degrees Celsius, a "drain down" system is used to drain water from the conduit into the storage tank to prevent the glass panels from freezing or breaking. This is an important part of the whole system, so don't skimp and choose a good one. This part of the solar hot water system should not need to do anything for months, but it should be functional from the start when temperature is required.

Another recommendation is to insulate the hot water pipes in your house to keep the water hot and save energy. Depending on the amount of water you use and the cost of electricity and gas, you can save on average about $30 a month.