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Save electric power with solar energy water heaters
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Posted On :
Jan-20-2010
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Article Word Count :
619
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Solar energy water heaters receive energy from the sun in the form of radiation and convert it to thermal energy for use. The two kinds of heaters are active and passive heaters.
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Solar energy water heaters receive energy from the sun in the form of radiation and convert it to thermal energy for use. The two kinds of heaters are active and passive heaters. Passive heaters are the oldest kind of solar energy heaters and have no moving parts. ). The passive system generates circulation by the hot water rising and the cooler water sinking, like cold or hot air. Since this is the principle used passive systems must have a tank mounted above the solar collectors. Active heaters need a controller and pump for the solar heater to operate. The active system makes use of the pump, which circulates the water. The controller is used to turn the system on and off. Active systems are more efficient than passive systems. Since active systems also make use of the electric power, they are more difficult to install and costlier than passive systems. Active systems also have a holding tank and separately located solar collectors which are mostly installed on the roof. The controller simultaneously senses the temperature of water in the solar collectors and in the holding tanks. The controller brings intelligence to the system by only turning the pump on to harvest the energy when the collectors are hotter than the tank.
The most common style of solar water heating collector is the flat plat collector. There are two other styles as well, evacuated tubes and polymer collectors. The polymer (plastic) collector is the least expensive and is predominantly used for heating pool water directly. Any of these collectors work by the solar radiation striking the collector and making them hot. A fluid then passes through the collector picking up this heat and transferring it back to the storage tank. On sunny days the water going through the collectors can reach temperatures in excess of 150 Fahrenheit even in cold climates. Active solar energy water heaters can cost from $2500 to $10,000. The energy savings will repay the investment. Not only will the owner enjoy lower energy costs they will also minimize their environmental impact. When purchasing a system you want to make sure you are purchasing from a reputable company. You want to avoid purchasing a system that is erected on site which can lead to difficulties in providing quality assurance for the system.
The energy from the sun is totally natural and has been used to heat water since the world began. Manufactured systems have been used to harvest the solar energy since the 1800s. Initially passive solar energy water heaters were the predominant style. You can choose active or passive heaters for commercial or residential buildings. Passive heaters are the most simple for installation and usage because there are no moving parts. The active heaters need electric power and hence, they make use of the blend of electric and solar energy. The location of the solar collectors at home or commercial building plus the hot water usage in the building will determine the realized benefits. In areas with no issues of freezing you can make use of a batch kind of heater. They will heat and accumulate the water in collector. These types of systems are called ICS (integral collector and storage). Most of the collectors have a flat copper plate, which is coated to absorb the solar energy with the tubes attached to it. The plates absorb the solar energy and transfer the heat to the water flowing through the tubes. The identification and implementation of the right solar water heating system is essential and can prove to be the best solution for your workplace or home.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Save electric power with solar energy water heaters_9141.aspx
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Author Resource :
Jeanette Gretsch is the president of SolarHotUSA which deals in solar water heaters and other solar energy products. He is a chemistry graduate from Georgia Institute of Technology and have a vast experience in solar water heating systems.
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Keywords :
Solar energy water heaters, solar energy heaters, solar collectors, solar water heating system,
Category :
Home and Family
:
Home Improvement
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