In a time when energy costs are rising and climate change is evident, taking action to become self sufficient and produce your own energy is a great way of combating both problems. A popular way of doing this is to fit a solar water heating system and generate your own domestic hot water using free heat from the Sun.

Aside from providing long term savings on energy bills, homes fitted with solar water heating have significantly reduced carbon footprints. The process of converting sunlight into energy does not release carbon dioxide or other pollutants harmful to the environment, making solar hot water a clean green renewable energy system.

Another advantage of such a system is that it provides a reliable supply of hot water throughout the year as solar hot water uses sunlight, rather than air temperature, to heat the water.

How does Solar Water Heating Work?

Solar water heating, or solar hot water, works by heating water using energy from the Sun. It does this by collecting energy from sunlight in a solar collector and using this to heat and store water in a hot water cylinder for future use.

Typically the collector panel is either a flat plate solar panel or one containing solar evacuated tubes. The panel is either attached to a south facing roof or placed on a free standing support. Both of these panel types work by collecting sunlight which they use to heat a fluid (sometimes plain water or more usually an antifreeze mix containing propylene glycol) that is circulated in pipes underneath the panel's glass surface.

This fluid is quickly heated by the sun, even getting hot in low sunlight levels due to thermal insulation. The hot fluid is then piped into a domestic water cylinder where it releases its heat to the water through the process of conduction.

An average solar hot water system provides around 70% of a typical household's hot water. However, this is dependent on sunlight hours throughout the year. When days are darker the heating cylinder can work alongside a traditional boiler which can top up any shortfalls in hot water.

Uses of Solar Water Heating

Solar water heating is used in a variety of way by both homes and businesses. It provides a reliable supply of hot water for everyday use as well as being used for heating swimming pools.

One use that solar hot water is not suitable for is domestic radiators. A solar powered system will not be able to keep pace with their rapid heat loss. Talk to an alternative energy specialist to learn more about solar water heating for homes and businesses.