Understanding Different Types of Solar Water Heaters

Are you looking for the cost-effective and easiest ways to save more on energy consumption? Why don’t you harness the solar energy directly! This is where solar water heaters come in handy. Heating water at home by using solar energy takes you back to 1892 when the first solar water heater was used for residential application. 

Currently, North America and the entire worldwide countries are providing lucrative tax incentives on solar powered systems. That’s why the use of solar water heating has grown immensely throughout the world. 

Out of all available solar water heating systems, Northern Lights per-engineered solar water heaters are easy to install and operate. They are specifically designed to deliver unsurpassed level of performance and safety.

There is a huge availability of different solar water heating kits available to choose for your personal use at home. Some of the best systems are discussed below:

Pre-Heat Solar Tank System –

This solar water heater comes with two tanks. The first tank is known as pre-heat tank, which is nothing but a basic solar hot water storage tank. This tank comes with an internal heat exchanger used for water heating purposes. 

Generally, solar per-heat tank is utilized to supply warm water to the existing hot water tank. This type of solar hot water heater is the most common retrofit which uses the existing hot water storage tank and requires very little retrofit to plumbing. The existing main supply line is routed to per-heat tank and drawn back to the supply line when it’s heated. 

Generally, the highly efficient solar hot water heaters work as per the principle of stratification. In this process, the solar hot water heater gets heated by using thermostatic or a slower pump. 

The water heating systems deliver slow mixing of water that means the top layers have the hottest water. When the top level water is drawn into the main storage tank, the hottest water will be used first. On an average, households use hot water in batches and the solar water heating system can supply daily demands easily. 

Solar Tankless Water Heaters –

The principle is same like the pre-heat solar tank system. The water gets heated first through the solar storage tank before entering the tankless heater. For example, the main line water coming into the home at 40 degrees can be heated in a pre-heat tank at 120 degrees. 

If you set the tankless heater to the 140 degrees, it has to supply 20 degrees of heat energy than 100 degrees without the pre-heat solar tank. This means, you will receive significant heat savings in the long run. 

Solar Combo Tank System –

This specially designed solar water heating system combines the solar pre-heat tank with an electric backup heater. This combo tank system uses an internal heat exchanger present in the bottom part of the tank. 

The solar loop helps in heating the water. The topmost part of the tank comprises of an electric heating element that will increase the water temperature or support during the days without sun. 

New Compact Solar Water Heater –

This solar water heater is ideal for those looking for heating hot water at home. It’s the better alternative to the more advanced closed loop solar water heaters and doesn’t have any moving parts or pump.

The compact solar water heating system works really well in southern climates that seldom get freezing conditions and are good to work up to 20 F or -5 C. This solar heater sits on the ground or gets mounted on the roof. 

Usually, the 80 gallon solar storage tank is integrated with solar evacuated tubes and is capable of providing hot water for a family of four to five people. 

Bottom Line –

If you are thinking to buy solar hot water heaters, you should look no further than Northern Lights Solar Tubs. For more information, feel free to call us at +1 800-317-9054.