Solar Water Heaters – FAQs
Solar hot water systems are rapidly gaining popularity and more and
more households have begun to install these heaters at their homes.
These heaters are not only energy efficient and eco friendly, but they
are also cost effective. If you are planning to install one of these
systems, you must have some questions. Following are some of the most
frequently asked questions about solar water heaters.
1. What is the advantage of a solar water heater over an electric
heater?
Solar energy is an excellent and truly economic solution to our
energy problems. By using solar energy to heat water, we reduce the
amount of fossil fuels that is wasted. Thereby we are also reducing the
amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the air. In addition,
it will help you save a huge amount on your electricity bills. After the
initial cost of installing the system is paid back, you can reap the
benefits of your saving.
2. How much money do you actually save?
In Australia, if you are replacing your old electric heating system
with a new solar powered heater, you will be eligible for rebates and
other incentives. Apart from this, you and your family can save up to
$920 a year on water heating bills.
3. Who will install the system?
After you purchase a solar water heater, you can install the system
yourself. However, it is extremely important that you remember that if
you would like to claim the government rebate, you should get the
service of an authorised installer.
4. Will my whole family be provided with hot water at any time?
Mostly, a 300 litre heating system can service enough water for a
home with 4 to 8 members. However, if you need more water, you can
purchase a bigger system. Alternately, you can also install multiple
systems.
Also, your solar water heater can work fine in cloudy days. However, in
case of very cloudy days or extended period of cloudy days, the gas or
electric booster that comes with your system will automatically kick in.
This entails that you and your family will have 24-hours access to hot
water, irrespective of the weather condition.
5. How does a solar heat pump work?
Heat pumps are different from the solar water heaters. In case of the
latter, the solar energy directly heats up the water. Heat pumps however
use the heat energy directly from the air in the environment. To put it
simply, the mechanism of this pump is directly opposite of a
refrigerator.
The heat from the air is used to vaporise a fluid. This gas is now again
compressed and this generates the heat to warm up the water. Once this
is done, the gas again turns back to liquid and the whole heating
process is repeated once again.
6. How does a solar hot water roof mounted system work?
A roof mounted water heating system is located in a direction facing
the north. There is a collector present, which is heated up by the sun
and the heated water then goes into the tank. In case of evacuated tube
collectors, the tank is usually placed in the ground level and the hot
water rises naturally into the tank, in a process called
thermo-siphoning.
7. How does a solar hot water split system work?
A split system, as the name suggests, will consist of north facing
roof mounted collector and a mounted tank on the ground. Once the sun
heats the water to a pre set temperature, a sensor device is activated
which activates a circulation pump, which starts to pump the hot water
into the storage tank on the ground.
8. How is a roof-mounted system different from a split system?
Both the systems are the same in terms of energy benefits. Thus, what
you choose should depend or your personal choice and your budget.
However, in a split system, the heat loss is slightly less, as the tank
is not exposed to the elements. But then, some additional energy is
required to work the small pump in case of split system.
9. What are RECs?
RECs or Renewable energy certificates are certificates that are
awarded by the federal government, in order to encourage the uptake of
products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These are awarded for
solar water heaters that qualify for the certificates.
RECs can be traded in the market. There are many companies that buy RECs.
You can earn RECs of various amounts, depending on the type of system
that you have bought. |
