The hot water is one of the main "criminals" that are hidden in your gas or electric bill every month. In fact, for most households, the hot water is the more large piece of second global use of energy. And it is relatively easy to see why. The hot water is a luxury that many of us are not willing to give, no matter that so self-sufficient that we want to be. We like the hot water for showers, laundry, washing dishes, etc.
In a single year, the electric water heater average costs $500 to work. Natural gas water heaters going a little better, with an average of 400 dollars in operating costs. That is a very high price to pay for the luxury of hot water. Other options include high-efficiency water tanks and tankless water heaters. And don't forget the solar option.
Solar water heaters are the latest in "green". Solar energy is clean, renewable power source than we have at our disposal. Solar energy is free and does not emit harmful gases and toxins when converted into energy for your home. In a nutshell, sunlight is abundant... and is not no power company property!
Solar water heaters are popular because they are simple and hassle-free. With a solar water heater, light from the sun don't have to be converted into electricity (such as that required to power an appliance in your home). To enjoy hot water with a solar heater, it will only be necessary to heat the water. And convert sunlight to heat source is very easy to do.
Do you ever has left a glass of ice water or iced tea when you are working outside or gardening? We all have at some point. With the time, almost none, in which ice melts, and the once cold drink is warmed. A solar water heater works almost the same way.
The mechanics of a solar water heater
Solar water heaters have two main parts: the solar collector and storage tank. (There are other parts and pieces, but for the sake of our card, we will focus on these two areas first.) A solar collector is a box isolated - like structure that is usually for optimal thermal insulation glazing. The solar collector has a main task: harnessing the power of the light from the Sun to convert sunlight to heat water. The storage tank then maintains the heated water.
There are two types of solar water heaters - passive and active. An active heater uses electric pumps to push the water through your system. The passive system does not. Instead, it uses only natural forces to do the job. And, as you would expect, the passive system is easier and less complicated (and therefore, less expensive).
La mecánica de un calentador de agua solar
Los calentadores solares de agua tienen dos partes principales: el colector solar y un tanque de almacenamiento. (Hay otras partes y piezas, pero por el bien de nuestra cartilla, nos centraremos en estas dos primeras áreas.) Un colector solar es una caja aislada-como la estructura que se suele acristalamiento para aislamiento térmico óptimo. El colector solar tiene una tarea principal: aprovechar el poder de la luz del sol, al convertir la radiación solar en calor para el agua. El tanque de almacenamiento mantiene entonces el agua calentada.
Hay dos tipos de calentadores de agua solares - pasivos y activos. Un calentador activo emplea bombas eléctricas para impulsar el agua a través de su sistema. El sistema pasivo no lo hace. En su lugar, utiliza sólo las fuerzas naturales para hacer el trabajo. Y, como era de esperar, el sistema pasivo es más fácil y menos complicado (y por tanto, menos costoso).
Hay dos tipos básicos de sistemas pasivos:
Batch: El sistema de proceso por lotes es tan básico como usted puede conseguir. El sistema de proceso por lotes es un tanque de agua y un colector solar sin ningún tubo o bombas. El agua se calienta, en el interior del tanque. ¡Eso es! La gravedad y la convección natural mover el agua caliente del sistema en sus tuberías. (Actualización de la Ciencia: convección natural es cuando las partículas del fluido naturalmente cambian a medida que aumenta la temperatura.)
Termosifón: No deje que el viaje nombre de fantasía para arriba. En este sistema, el depósito de agua está separado del colector solar. El agua fría se mueve a través de tubos en el colector solar. Bombas de convección naturales Entonces el agua caliente resultante en el tanque de almacenamiento. Desde el tanque de almacenamiento, el agua se desplaza en las tuberías de agua de la casa. Es sólo un poco diferente del sistema por lotes.
Los sistemas pasivos se utilizan generalmente en los climas más cálidos, porque hay un montón de sol para hacer funcionar el sistema por completo.
Los sistemas activos se utilizan en los climas más fríos y operar un poco diferente:
Directo: El agua se mueve a través de los colectores solares y un tanque de almacenamiento en el uso de bombas eléctricas y los controles.
Indirecta: En lugar de calentar directamente agua con la radiación del sol, los colectores solares utilizar una "transferencia de calor" fluido, tal como anticongelante, para ayudar a calentar el agua. El anticongelante fluye a través de tuberías selladas en un intercambiador de calor, donde se está rodeado de agua. El agua es calentada por el anticongelante, pero no se mezcla con ella. El agua se bombea en el tanque de almacenamiento.
Drainback: Similar to the system indirectly, IP44 system also uses a heat transfer fluid. But instead of antifreeze, distilled water is typically used. And true to its name, once the distilled water is used, "drains again" in a separate tank to be used again.
Almost all of these systems work in conjunction with the water heater electric or natural gas that you already have at home. While you will be able to use most of the time the solar water heater, electric or gas system can be turned on when the demand for hot water is high or too cold outside or sad for the power of the solar system.
So Many Reasons To Go Solar
The best reason to go is the solar savings. You will save money on your gas or electric natural Bill immediately. Given that the hot water is the energy # 2 "sucker" for the majority of households, your Bill usually is reduced to half. If you live in a colder climate, the savings can be less than if you live in a climate that is extremely warm and sunny like Florida or Arizona.
Solar water heaters are also environmentally friendly. You will reduce the amount of pollution from carbon dioxide in the environment. It will not only be enjoying hot water, reduce you your carbon footprint at the same time.
REALTORS report that by adding a unit of your home solar water heater, you increase its value. That could pay in the long term, if you ever decide to sell your home.
Perhaps the most attractive factor, apart from the savings, is the ability to have hot water at any time, in any situation. When the light is gone, do not stop Shivering in a cold water shower. You can enjoy hot water at any time, provided you have the Sun.
Return on investment
The biggest drawback for owners who want to switch to solar water heaters, as you will have guessed, is the price. A solar water heater installed by a professional can cost between $1000 and more. You can save money by installing you... and you can even create your own. The most basic type, batch heater, you can construct a DIY project. With a little know-how and a lot of patience, you can build a process water heater batch for less than $100.
And don't forget, there are incentives often federal and State for the installation of solar energy and energy efficiency devices, which could make your purchase more affordable time come taxes.
If you live in a sunny climate and the use of tons of hot water, you'll quickly recover their costs. But if you live in colder climates and you regularly take five-minute showers, the return on investment will take a little time. But one thing is certain: the cost of electricity and natural gas are still only rise over time. The Sun is free... do you not use his power and be a little more self-sufficient? use tons of hot water, you're going to quickly recover their costs. But if you live in colder climates and you regularly take five-minute showers, the return on investment will take a little time. But one thing is certain: the cost of electricity and natural gas are still only rise over time. The Sun is free... do you not use his power and be a little more self-sufficient?