More and more homeowners care about their impact on the environment. While your impact on emissions may be minimal compared to some businesses and even nations, every little help, and can provide real peace of mind knowing you’ve done all you can to neutralize your carbon footprint.
But you don’t need to curate such noble aspirations to understand the worthwhile investment in renewable energy sources. Solar panels are known to pay for themselves within ten to fifteen years, and so for many, they can be a reliable means of saving energy costs in the long term.
But there are more provisions available than simple solar panels. Solar hot water systems, for example, are commonly found throughout the nation. But what is a solar hot water system, and what are the benefits to be found here? Let’s consider that below, but first, make sure to call a plumber to find out what type of system is best for you!
What is a solar hot water system?
A solar hot water system uses a collector (the solar panel) to transfer sunlight into heat, which then feeds a heating element to heat up your hot water supply without using conventional energy sources to do so. In some cases, they can even use solar electricity to feed the pumps and keep the water circulating.
Providing control valves and thermostats to show current readings and to control during cold weather, it works seamlessly in line with your current central heating system to fortify (and often substitute) the measures by which your home is heated.
How do solar hot water systems work?
Solar hot water systems use panels or tubes to collect solar energy. They can often store this, like batteries, in your hot water tanks. Using a heat exchanger, they then transfer heat to the water circulating around the system using effective pumps. This gives you access to clean, reliable, and worthwhile energy.
Solar energy is not always available, which is why solar hot water systems tend to be considered competent and complimentary add-on systems to a mainline heating system, but the truth is that solar hot water systems, as well as their storage elements, can work for weeks or months at a time.
What are the pros and cons of solar hot water systems?
Aside from the installation and maintenance costs, water heated by your solar energy system is completely free, and will only require a minimal electrical cost (sometimes provided by the system itself) to operate the pumps.
The cost, however, is that solar energy is not always available and in very cold conditions, like in the middle of winter, cold water can cause damage to the system, which is why protective valves are in place during these conditions. However, they are still well worth the investment, paying for themselves in rarely more than ten or so years.
To summarise, solar hot water systems are exciting additions to the renewable energy infrastructure available to residential homes. Why not contact a provider today to see what your options maybe?
