What
is Solar Heating?
A system that uses the sun's energy rather than electricity or gas
to heat water.Water heating accounts for about 20% of residential energy
use and 7% of commercial energy use. A solar water heating system can
significantly reduce the fossil fuel or electricity required to heat
this water. A solar water heater typically uses glazed collectors that
are roof-mounted and connected to a preheat storage tank. Fluid is pumped
to the collectors where it is warmed by the sun and returned to a heat
exchanger where heat from the fluid is used to heats the water in a
preheat storage tank. A backup water heater is installed in series with
the preheat tank to maintain the desired water temperature during extended
cloudy periods. Most manufacturers offer packaged "residential"
systems of two to three solar collectors and associated controls and
hardware for small loads. Systems are custom designed for larger commercial
and industrial loads. A typical system will provide 50 to 75% of the
water heating load.
