Thinking about upgrading your cheap water heater to a super energy efficient, earth friendly, solar water heater for your home, or even your place of business? First off you in the right place to learn a little about solar water heaters, which also can be referred to as SWH’s. There are many types and models, but the basics that you will need to begin heating your water from the power of the sun are a solar thermal collectors, a storage tank, and a heat transfer fluid, optional would be a pump, or something to circulate the heated water into the storage tank.
You would actually be surprised on how many homes these days are using solar power to heat their water, as I see them on top of roofs all the time. Those that have the big black blanket looking thing on the roof, yep, those are the solar thermal collectors for a solar water heater. Now let’s get into the most important part, the solar water heater prices, which can be a bit pricey, starting at around $4,000, and up, depending on how much water is in demand for your home.
You have to also understand that many solar water heaters that are out there also have either electricity or gas tied into them as well. Being that you are not going to collect much energy from the sun on a rainy day, so you always have that for a back up.
If you are a DIYer there are literally hundreds of Diy solar water heater kits that are available out there. But you will need some pretty basic to advanced plumbing and electrical skills in order to install it into your home or business, I don’t care which product you get and how easy they claim that they are to make, they are anything but easy to make.
Even though the initial investment may set you back financially for awhile, you will start to get your money back over the long run, as you will be slashing 30% or more off of your water heating bill every month, and seeing that most solar water heating systems will last typically 20 years or longer, you will see a good return of investment.
There will be a day that the only types of heaters used will all be powered by solar power, though I see this happening in our next generation, it is never to early to start going green and saving money, along with our natural resources.
Apart from hot water for your home, there are also solar powered pool heaters that are available. Just remember when looking for bargains on water heaters powered by sun, make sure you get the right one for your geographic location. For cold weather, you will need a different type of heat transfer fluid then if you lived in Florida. Your local water heater rep will be sure to work with you to ensure that you get the right kind of solar water heater for your home.