If you live in a climate that does not have sub-zero temperatures, and your household consists of fewer than five people, you can put in a batch heater.  This is the least expensive solar water heating choice, and it is relatively easy to build if you have the inclination to do-it-yourself. It is simply a water storage tank that additionally serves as the solar collector.

The tank is enclosed in a glass-covered box that is positioned to allow maximum exposure to the sun.  The water in the tank heats up and hot water is available for use.   However, it is not the most efficient system, since it takes longer to warm up an entire tank of water than to heat a flat panel solar collector.  Also as the tank cools at night, there is less hot water available for use.

There are two superior systems that can be used even in freezing areas.  The direct pump system circulates water between a solar collector and a storage cistern.  With this design, water in the solar collector can heat up quicker, and the tank can be insulated for better temperature holding capacity. The pump can be designed to run on electricity from a photovoltaic cell if you want to keep your system completely solar powered.

A thermosiphon system also uses a separate solar collector, along with the pull of gravity. And it allows for the use of an insulated storage container for more reliable hot water delivery.  When using either of these systems in cold climates where freezing is an issue, both the piping and the storage tank should be located indoors and properly insulated to provide hot water even on the coldest days.

From the operators of www.build-a-solar-panel.info, providing education regarding how to make a solar panel, go green at home,
and save the environment.

Solar pool heaters are usually less complicated than solar water heating systems for your home.  They typically use the pool’s pump and filter, so you will only have the expense of buying and installing the solar collector, piping, a diverter valve and an automatic control.

The control lets you adjust the warmth at the high end of the range to your preference so the pool doesn’t get too warm.  The diverter valve works with the control, either sending water into the solar collector to be warmed, or back into the pool if not heating is needed.

Solar pool heaters use a simple open loop design.  That means that the water flows back and forth between the solar collectors and the pool.  When the pool’s pump is on, chilly water from the pool flows into the solar collectors, is warmed up by the sun’s heat and the heated water flows back into the pool.  There are no additional moving parts involved.

The least expensive solar collectors can be used year round in warm climates, and are also good for moderate climates where pools are used during the spring, summer and early fall, when air temperatures are above about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. These solar collectors are not insulated and are constructed from UV-resistant black plastic.  They heat the water to comfortable temperature, but are not useful for heating pools in colder climates.

For heating pools in cold wintry weather climates, a more expensive solar collector with a glass cover and insulated box is used.  Copper absorbers are used as a substitute of plastic, since it does a better job of conducting heat.  These solar collectors are capable of heating water to the much higher temperatures needed in cold climates.  They are more expensive and more difficult to build and install than the lower temperature designs.

But no matter whether your pool is located in a warm, moderate or cold climate, a solar pool heater will save you cash.  Since there are so few components to purchase and install, they usually pay for themselves in energy savings in about 2 years.  And they are very low maintenance, since there are no moving parts.  They are one of the most cost-effective solar applications that can be installed in a home.

From the operators of www.build-a-solar-panel.info, providing education regarding how to make a homemade solar panel, go green at home,
and save the environment.

Solar hot water heating products are a basically straightforward design.  Solar collectors heat water all through the day, which is stored in an insulated tank to keep it warm for ongoing use.  But chilly temperatures can bring this kind of system to a standstill.  But fresh and improved methods have been developed that allow solar hot water systems to operate effectively even in cold climates.  Here is a basic description of how they work.

After a few decades of testing with solar hot water systems, most qualified users have determined that the closed loop design is the most successful for climates with freezing temperatures.   Because oxygen is eliminated from the system, pumps will not corrode and will have a longer lifespan, saving you time and money for maintenance and replacement parts.

The system is filled with an antifreeze blend (propylene glycol) at the time it is installed.  It then circulates between the solar collectors (where it is heated by the sun during the day) and the storage tanks, which provide heat during the day and night.  There are several smaller components that allow the antifreeze to expand and contract, and which inhibit too much pressure from building up in the system, among other things.  But the solar collectors, the pump and the tank with heat exchanger are the key components.

Drainback systems are so named because the solar collectors drain when they are not being used.  For this reason, you can use either water or antifreeze in the system.  But for maximum guarantee that the system will not freeze, people regularly choose to use antifreeze as an extra precaution, especially in regions that frequently experience temperatures below zero.  

A thermosiphon system also uses a isolated solar collector, along with the pull of gravity. And it allows for the use of an insulated storage container for more reliable hot water delivery. When using any of these systems in cold areas where freezing is an issue, both the piping and the storage tank should be placed indoors and correctly insulated to provide hot water even on the coldest days.

Even though the collectors drain when not in use, they drainback system is still a closed loop system. It requires a strong pump in order to return the drained liquid to the solar collector as soon as it has been drained.  But it is a good choice for a homeowner who needs a solar heating system that is uncomplicated to maintain.