The sun is an excellent source of energy. It’s been around for billions of years and can heat our planet far more than a few thousand tonnes of coal could ever aspire to.
Solar heaters are an excellent choice if you live in a colder place or just want an alternative to paying expensive energy costs. They’re often used in residential homes, businesses, and swimming pools for heating water for domestic use or heating swimming pools. They can also be used as an alternative source of energy in areas where other sources are limited or nonexistent.
So, If you’re thinking of installing a solar water heater system by professionals like Master Tech Plumbing in Columbia and Mid-Missouri in your home, it’s important that you know how they work.
This article will explain how solar heaters work, why they’re such an important part of any home heating system, and how much a solar water heater costs.
Let’s find out.
What is a solar water heater?
A solar water heater is an appliance that uses the power of the sun to heat water, which is then used for bathing, laundry, and cleaning.
Solar collectors are placed on the roof of your home and collect solar energy through black or dark gray glass or plastic tubes. The energy heats up water in a storage tank inside your home.
Solar water heaters are generally more expensive than other types of heaters. Still, they can save you money over time because they don’t use electricity or gas like other heating systems.
How does a solar water heater work?
Well, the sun is a pretty big deal.
It’s the biggest star in our solar system, and it gives us plenty of energy that we can use to power our lives. We’ve been harnessing this energy for thousands of years—from ancient Egyptians who wondered “how to make solar water heater panels?” and used the sun’s power to create their own electricity to modern-day solar panels that convert light into electricity. But how do they work?
A solar hot water heater works by using the sun’s energy to heat up water from your pipes through a process called convection. The water passes through a collector panel (the part of your heater that collects energy from the sun), which is surrounded by glass or plastic to allow sunlight in. When sunlight hits the collector panel, it heats up quickly, heating up your water and itself! Once heated up enough, these panels can transfer their heat into your pipes so that your hot water stays hot all day.
Main Components of Solar Water Heater
DIY solar water heater systems are comprised of several main components, including:
- Solar collector: A solar collector is an insulated metal box that captures solar energy and distributes it to the system’s fluid.
- Storage tank: The storage tank, which can be built of plastic or fiberglass, stores and warms the water.
- Controls: The controls help manage the flow of hot water by regulating its temperature and pressure and preventing damage caused by freezing temperatures.
- Instrumentation and connecting pipes: The connecting pipes are used to link the solar panels to the tank. The equipment is used to track how much energy the system generates.
What are the Benefits of a Solar Heater?
Look no further than solar heating if you want to save money and the environment.
Solar-powered water heaters have been available since the 1800s and have improved through time. They may be used on homes, workplaces, schools, and even in your own backyard—and they’re simple to install!
Here are a few benefits of using a solar heater:
1. Cost savings
A solar heater can help you cut down on your heating bill. However, you must use and maintain the system regularly to take full advantage of its benefits.
2. Environmental friendliness
The sun’s energy is free—it doesn’t cost anything to use it! When you use a solar heater, you’re helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint and not contributing as much waste into landfills.
3. Comfort and safety
When used properly, a solar heater can reduce your energy costs while keeping your home warm and cozy during cooler months of the year (or even during summer months if you live in a warmer climate).
4. Long-term investment
Investing in solar panels is also an investment in your future! If all goes well, your panels will last decades longer than other types of heating systems like oil or gas furnaces (and they don’t require any maintenance). That means they’ll continue producing clean energy for decades after most other systems have failed—and if something goes wrong with them? Well, then, it’s not too big of a deal because you’re still saving money.
5. Energy Independence
Solar energy is a great way to become less dependent on fossil fuels and other power sources that pollute the environment. With solar energy, you’ll never be at the mercy of rising electricity prices again!
Applications of Solar Water Heater
It’s no secret that solar water heaters are pretty great. They’re an excellent way to save money, lower your carbon footprint, and live sustainably. However, did you know they can also be used for the following?
Residential Use
The most popular use for solar water heaters is residential usage, which often entails putting them on an existing roof area to supply hot water for a single-family home. When compared to other forms of renewable energy generation, such as wind farms or hydroelectric power plants, the cost of installing these devices is relatively low.
Commercial Use
Commercial applications are also possible with solar water heaters. Hotels and restaurants, for example, may install these systems on their roofs to save money on energy bills while benefiting the environment by lowering their carbon footprint.
Pool Heating
Pool heating is a great way to use your solar water heater. All you have to do is set up your solar panels, connect them to the heater, and then place the panels in direct sunlight. The sun will heat up the water in the panels, which will then be transferred into your solar water heater for the pool via a pump or other device. This can save you tons of money on electricity bills!
Types of Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters are one of the most common types of solar energy systems, and they’re perfect for anyone who wants to save money on their energy bill.
There are a lot of types of solar water heaters. They can be categorized into the following:
Flat-Plate Collector Water Heaters
Flat-plate collectors are made of metal plates that face the sun. The plates absorb the sun’s energy, which heats the water inside the tank. These solar water heaters cost less than $1,000 and usually last about 20 years.
Integral Collector-Storage Water Heater Systems
Integral collector-storage systems have pipes that collect water from a roof or ground source, like a swimming pool or pond. The pipes then bring the water into a storage tank, where it is heated by solar energy before being sent back to your home or business via a pump system. The cost of this type of system ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 but lasts longer than flat-plate collectors at 25 years or more in most cases.
Batch Solar Water Heaters
These are the most common kind of solar water heaters. They’re usually made from black plastic, and they have a clear glass top to allow the sun’s rays to heat up the water.
The Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heaters
This type of solar water heater is more efficient than batch solar water heaters because they don’t lose energy through convection or conduction.
How much does a solar water heater cost?
The cost of a solar water heater is determined by the unit’s size and capacity and other considerations. On average, a solar water heater installation costs between $2,000 and $4,500.
If you want your solar water heater to heat your pool as well as your home, it would cost extra. The same is true for quality: a high-quality product that will last a long time before needing repairs or replacement will cost more than one built with low-quality components.
Furthermore, if you live somewhere where it is sunny all year, you can probably get away with a smaller system. However, if you live in an area where the sun only shines for half the year, you may need to invest in a more powerful system that can heat enough water when the sun isn’t shining as brightly.
How much space is required to install a solar water heater?
It depends on the water heater model you choose. In general, you’ll need plenty of space for the solar collectors that heat your water. You will also need to ensure that there’s enough room between your roof and the ground so that the top of your collectors isn’t shaded by tree branches or anything else.
Ready to Install a Solar Water Heater? Call Master Tech Plumbing in Columbia and Mid-Missouri
Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner in Columbia, installing a solar water heater is an excellent way to lower your carbon footprint and save money. But the process can be confusing, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing.
That’s why we’re here for you!
Master Tech Plumbing is the leading plumbing company in Columbia, Missouri. With over 30 years of experience, we have the experience and knowledge to help you through your project and provide the best Heating Services in Columbia and Mid-Missouri. Our team of expert plumbers is certified to install solar water heaters, and we have an excellent track record of providing high-quality service to our clients.
We will work with you every step of the way and make sure that everything is done correctly. From planning and designing your system to installation and maintenance, we’ve got you covered.
Our service is available 24/7, so you can always rely on us to be there when you need us most. We understand that plumbing problems don’t care about your schedule—that’s why we’re available whenever you need us!
If you’re looking for someone who knows their stuff when it comes to solar energy systems, look no further than Master Tech Plumbing in Columbia and Mid-Missouri.
Have questions about solar water heater installation or repair? Just give us a call at (573) 777-3660!
