Understanding Different Types of Solar Water Heating Systems

When it comes to buying solar water heating systems, they can be either active or passive; but the most common ones are the active systems. Active solar water heating systems use heat pumps while passive systems operate on thermo-siphon or gravity.

 

Northern Lights solar solutions are dedicated to provide applications based on active solar water heating systems with pumps and controllers designed specifically for the use in the solar industry. Solar water heating systems usually do much more than just heating water inside your home.

Using the vacuum tubes, solar thermal heating can be utilized in many more applications. Residential heating, space heating, solar air conditioning and commercial solar heating are some of the applications where solar thermal energy is used.

Around $1000s government grants and low interest loans are provided in North America. This is why solar thermal heating has become the fastest growing energy alternative in the United States and Canada. Therefore, you should consider taking advantage of solar heating and save more dollars today.

 

Active Indirect Circulation (Closed Loop) – 

Active Indirect Circulation systems use a heat transfer fluid – water or a diluted antifreeze fluid to collect heat and a heat exchanger for heat transfer to potable water in an indirect way. Heat exchangers start transferring the heat from the fluid to the potable water.

Some indirect systems are featured with overheat protection that removes the excessive amount of heat that can’t be used. This system protects solar hot water collector and the glycol water mixture with the glycol concentration that depends on the expected minimum temperature.

Generally, food-grade Propylene glycol is used as its non toxic. This system is used for water heating, radiator and in floor home or commercial heating. The system is closed to the atmosphere; the pressure can build up as the temperature rises. Such type of systems will incorporate solar expansion tanks and pressure relief valves for safety purposes.

Active Direct Circulation (Open Loop Systems) –

Active Direct Circulation systems use pumps for potable water circulation through the collectors. These systems are suitable in areas that don’t freeze for long periods and don’t have acidic or hard water. The systems may need a recirculation freeze protection which includes circulating warm tank water during freeze conditions and it in return needs electric power for the effective protection.

An open loop solar water heating system operates at atmospheric pressure. This method is used in pool as it’s not operated in freezing months. However, the usable hot water in an open loop system is circulated directly.

 

Passive Solar Water Heating Systems –

Passive solar water heaters move water in residential spaces or a heat transfer fluid through the system without using pumps. They count on gravity and the tendency for water to circulate naturally as it’s heated. In fact, warm water is lighter and emerges.

These systems contain no electrical components and have very minimal control for residential use. The passive storage systems comprise of one or more storage tanks that are placed in an insulated box with a glazed side which faces the sun.

The solar water heating collector is well-suited for areas where temperatures go below freezing rarely. It works really well in households significantly during daytime and evening for hot water needs. But they don’t operate well in residential spaces with morning draw predominantly as they continue losing most of the collected energy overnight.

Final consideration –

If you want to know more about the functionality, efficiency and durability of solar hot water collector, please visit the website. Contact us right now and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!