Get the facts about solar thermal water heaters

While many people associate solar power with electricity generation, not everyone knows it can be used to heat water. Solar hot water is called solar thermal, and is an energy efficient way to meet the hot water demand of your household. Solar thermal can also be used to provide cost-effective heating solutions for pools. Get the facts below to learn more about the advantages of solar thermal.

Solar thermal is cost-effective

A complete solar energy system for electricity generation may be out of your price range, but solar thermal systems are very affordable. Using solar energy to heat your water is a cost-effective way to begin utilizing natural energy to save money on your utility bills. Whether you are used to using a gas or an electric water heater, solar thermal will provide significant savings over both these traditional water heating methods.

Solar thermal is more efficient

Converting the sun’s energy to electricity takes a lot more work than simply absorbing the sun’s heat for use. Solar thermal is around 3 times more efficient than the average solar panel which converts sunlight for electricity. Hot water is also much more efficient for storing energy than the electrical storage which is used by solar panels.

Solar thermal is a good investment

Considering their cheaper price tag and higher efficiency, solar thermal systems can be a much better investment financially. Without the high cost of a solar electricity system, solar thermal systems have a much shorter payback period.

If you’re interested in using solar energy in your home, solar thermal is an affordable way to do so. Reduce energy costs by meeting your home’s hot water demand using the sun’s energy instead of your utility provider’s. Smith Sustainable Design installs solar thermal systems for homes as well as businesses. If you want to learn more about solar thermal for your home, feel free to contact us.

Drain back options for solar hot water systems

Drain back solar hot water systems are one of the most common types of solar thermal systems used today. In short, they utilize two temperature sensors to control the system. When rising temperatures are detected in the solar collectors, cold water from the storage tank is pumped through, absorbing heat as it’s pushed through. The water then flows back into the drain back tank to maintain a certain temperature.

Drain back solar hot water systems can be designed a few different ways:

Type 1 drain back design, often called a two-tank system, uses a full size solar hot water storage tank, and a separate solar storage tank. This design can be used for large or small systems. When hot water is used in the home, it passes through the heat exchanger into the hot water heater, preheating the water and minimizing the energy used by the regular water heater.

Type 2 drain back design uses a solar hot water heater with a built-in heat exchanger. This one-tank system uses one pump to run the collector loop, and holds the volume for solar storage and for the regular hot water heater. They are used mainly for smaller residential systems.

Type 3 drain back design is used for similar applications, and has a heat exchanger located within a small reservoir tank, making it compatible with gas or electric conventional hot water heaters. A second pump is usually needed to circulate water within the system.

The advantages and disadvantages of each system design vary by application. Depending on your home and the configuration required, one solar hot water system design may offer better results and more energy savings. The experts at Smith Sustainable Design will plan your solar hot water system design using the most appropriate configuration for your home. If you have questions about the drain back options available, please give us a call.

Solar hot water heater systems- the drain back design

While solar hot water heater systems are available in many configurations, there are two types that are commonly used today: pressurized glycol systems and drain back systems. In this article, we’ll take a look at how the drain back design works and its characteristics.

Drain back solar hot water heater systems have been in use for decades. The system uses two temperature sensors: a high temperature sensor on the collectors, and a low temperature sensor on the coolest area of the storage tank. The sensors detect when it’s time to start pumping water through the collectors to absorb heat. Solar power preheats water for use inside the home while a traditional water heater finishes by heating water to the desired temperature. So, the warmer the water in the solar tank is, the less energy must be used by the traditional water heater to finish off the job.

Drain back systems have some distinct characteristics, which can make this design an excellent choice for your 

solar hot water heater system installation.

1. Drain back systems can be used in applications of all sizes, from small homes to large residences, even commercial buildings.

2. Drain back solar hot water heater systems are the most durable. The alternative pressurized glycol systems have a 30% shorter lifespan, because glycols break down over time and their acids eat away at system components.

3. Drain back systems work in any climate. No matter how hot or cold it is where you live, they won’t freeze or boil.

4. Drain back systems have fewer components- this means a drain back solar hot water heater system requires less maintenance and less hassle.

A drain back solar hot water heater system can be configured a few different ways to fit your home and your needs, which we’ll discuss in an upcoming article. If you think a drain back solar hot water heater system may be right for your home, or have questions about solar thermal installation, give the experts at Smith Sustainable Design a call- we’re here to help, anytime.

The benefits of solar thermal

When it’s time to replace or upgrade your current water heater, consider all your options. Too many people overlook solar thermal systems as a choice for their new hot water heater. Before you buy a new water heater, learn the benefits solar thermal brings to your home or business.

It’s cost-efficient affordable

Solar thermal is the most cost-efficient form of renewable energy for home and business use. The energy output generated by a solar thermal system is greater than a standard water heater, and can meet your hot water demands using less energy. There are federal tax credits and local incentives available when you install a new solar thermal system, which will help you recoup your installation expenses faster.

It works anywhere

Do you worry that a solar thermal system won’t be good for your home or business because our climate is sometimes cloudy and rainy, and we get our fair share of snow most winters? Don’t worry about the weather affecting your solar thermal system, they operate effectively in our region, and all over the United States.

It’s easy to maintain

Solar thermal systems require little on your part, allowing you to enjoy your hot water without extra work. Throughout their lifetime, solar thermal systems need hardly any maintenance or service. Solar thermal equipment is long-lasting and durable, even the solar collectors can stand up to harsh weather conditions. Installation also goes quickly- typically, only a few days’ work is needed for us to install your system completely.

It helps you save

A solar thermal system will help you save big on your energy bills annually. By producing most if not all energy needed meet your hot water demands, all the hot water you want will cost you very little. With energy from your utility company, your expenses increase every time they raise their rates. With solar thermal, you can reduce your home or business’s dependence on utility power.

Are you wondering if a solar thermal system is right for you? Call the experts at Smith Sustainable Design to learn more benefits and discover how solar thermal is the right choice for your water heater replacement or upgrade.

Solar hot water systems for businesses

On a smaller scale, solar thermal systems do wonders to reduce household utility expenses. On a larger scale, solar hot water systems are an efficient solution which can provide significant savings for your business, year after year. Business owners across the United States are switching to solar thermal to reduce operating expenses.

Solar thermal systems are available for commercial use, and have been used in a variety of settings, including:

• Manufacturing
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Laundromats
• Multi-family housing
• College dormitories
• Car & truck washes

Many businesses are looking for methods to reduce waste and move to environmentally friendly processes and equipment. Solar hot water systems are a sound investment for businesses and commercial facility owners which can help meet these goals, allowing owners and occupants to reduce energy consumption, in turn reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The energy savings provided by using a solar hot water system for your business isn’t the only way you can save. Your commercial solar thermal system may qualify your business to receive federal tax credits as well as incentives from your state or other local organizations. These incentives help you recoup the cost of your investment when you choose a solar thermal system to provide for your business’s hot water needs.

Choose solar hot water systems for business use and benefit from the energy savings they provide. Smith Sustainable Design installs solar thermal systems for a variety of commercial applications, and will help your business utilize the same environmentally friendly technology other companies are taking advantage of. Contact our experts to learn more about the benefits a solar hot water system will have in your line of business, and discover the return you can expect to see when you invest in a commercial solar hot water system.

Heat exchangers: double wall versus single wall

Your solar thermal system uses a heat exchanger to warm water using the energy collected by your solar heat panels. Solar thermal systems use either a single wall heat exchanger or a double wall heat exchanger. The single wall heat exchangers are commonly used, but sometimes there are requests to use a double wall heat exchanger. Often, customers are under the impression that a double wall heat exchanger is needed for their system, but that is not always the case. Here is a look at the difference between the two, and why it may be better to choose one over the other.

The difference between the two heat exchangers is something you may be able to guess- one wall, and two walls. A single wall heat exchanger has just one barrier. A double wall heat exchanger has an additional layer. The barrier is typically made of a metal, such as copper or steel, and works to separate the solar fluid from potable water. It prevents the solar fluid from contaminating your hot water reserves.

While some may think the extra protection is a plus, a double wall heat exchanger may be a detriment in other areas. They are more expensive, adding additional cost to your solar thermal system installation which may not be warranted. They may also reduce your system’s performance because of their design, giving you results which are less than you expect from an efficient solar thermal system. The gap between the two barrier layers acts as a layer of insulation so the heat cannot be transferred as efficiently.

Using a single wall heat exchanger provides excellent protection against contamination of your water source if you follow these recommendations:

•  Label the system so toxic fluids are not inserted where they shouldn’t be.
• Use a pressure relief valve that is properly rated for your system.

If you have any questions about which heat exchanger is appropriate for your solar thermal system, call Smith Sustainable Design. Our design and installation experts will give you the facts and information on the best equipment to keep you safe and help your solar thermal system work efficiently.

Solar heat for your pool

Many pool owners love their pools but hate their heating costs. Heating your pool using traditional pool heating systems can be cost-prohibitive, preventing you from enjoying comfortable water temperatures. Luckily, there is an alternative solution which makes heating your pool much more affordable. Solar hot water heater systems aren’t just for household needs- use solar heat to keep your pool at comfortable, even temperatures affordably!

Solar heating systems for your pool consist of a few components: the solar heat panels, the pump, the filter, and a flow control valve. The pump moves cold water from your pool through the filter to remove any debris. Then, the water is pumped through the solar heat panels where it is heated using the energy they absorb. When the water reaches the desired temperature, the flow control valve opens, sending the warm water back into your pool, raising the overall temperature. The process usually takes only a few hours of sunlight, depending on the pool’s location and the temperature you prefer.

Solar heat systems for your pool use little energy to operate. Without the use of fossil fuels to warm the water, the cost of heating your pool decreases dramatically. A solar heat system for a pool pays for itself with the savings you achieve over using traditional pool heating equipment. Depending on your system and your pool, a solar heating system can pay for itself in as little as two to seven years!

Enjoy your pool without the expense. Smith Sustainable Design offers solar heat solutions which allow you to maintain comfortable water temperatures for much less than your old gas or electric pool heater. Contact us today for solar heat systems designed to reduce your pool heating costs.