Solar Water Heater is one of those things which are useful, eco-friendly as well as cost effective. Solar water heater captures heat from the Sun and transfers it to heat water. A solar water heater consists of a collector to collect solar energy and an insulated storage to save hot water.

While purchasing and installing a solar water heating system you need to consider your Site’s solar resource as well as optimal orientation and tilt of your solar collector. The amount of solar energy that reaches your house or building decides the efficiency and design of a solar heating system.  Most of the solar water heating systems are installed on the roof. To get the best results you need to ensure the following:

• Your roof should receive direct sunlight between the hours of 10 Am and 4 PM year round.
• It should face South (within 15 degrees)
• It should be solid and strong with the grits in good condition

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The Benefits Of Using Solar Water Heater

1. Freedom of using solar energy: As solar energy is available in abundance andfree of cost, it reduces power consumption and reliance on other energy sources.
2. Environment friendly: Instead of burning fossil fuels to produce power, which is destructive to the environment and causes different environmental problems, including human caused climate change and health effects, we can take benefit of the sun which gives free energy to the earth. It can be used for own energy requirements and there is no environmental impact from making solar energy in our homes.   
3. Financial benefits: Apart from the basic investment in installation of Solar water heater, there are minimal other charges borne by you. It comes with financial savings on your bill. There is 50% to 100% saving on your bill, which helps you to recover your initial investment in 3 to 5 years.  

The Sun’s thermal energy heats the fluid in the solar collectors. This fluid, then passes through a heat exchanger in the storage tank and transfers heat to water.   

Choosing A Solar Water Heater

While choosing a solar water heater one has to consider solar heater consultant as it helps us to determine what type and system best suits our needs. There are few steps following which we can get Solar water heater as per our requirement. They are as follows:

• Use the product list to find qualified models for consideration.
• Understand working of solar water heater so that you can discuss which collector type and circulation system makes the most sense for you.
• You have to protect against freezing in colder climates. Some solar systems are suitable for freezing climates, whereas others don’t. If there is a good chance that temperatures will fall below 42°F, choose either a closed-loop system with antifreeze as the heat transfer fluid, or a system that automatically drains back when temperatures fall too low for comfort.
• The capacity you’ll need has to be estimated. Use the gallon capacity of your current water heater as a starting point. You can find your current water heater’s capacity or volume on its nameplate or yellow Energy Guide sticker. This should help you discuss the size of your solar water heater system with contractors. If you have recently added or are planning to add more occupants to your household or a new shower, faucet, dishwasher or washer that will be in frequent use, take that into account in your discussions.
• Determine the cost to be incurred in the purchase and installation of solar water heater system.
• Check company authorisation from the Government.
• Understand about maintenance that will be required. For efficient operation of Solar water heater, one needs to check the annual maintenance options.
• Also, check the longevity of the system.  

Solar water heating system supports a clean environment. It is operated through such energy, that it does not trigger any emission or pollution like the other similar products – electric or gas powered. Solar water heater is an eco-friendly water heater. At the same time, it is economical and easy to operate.   

Curated by a Building Expert from Wienerberger India

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