Solar Hot WaterOkay, using solar hot water is the fastest and easiest way to start saving money on your energy bills. Besides air conditioning and electric space heating one of the greatest energy costs for a home is heating water.
Heating water with the sun is very easy. I am sure you have done it many times already. You know, the last time you were out in the yard during the summer, you picked up the garden hose to wash off the dirt on your hands and was almost scalded by the water coming out of the hose! That was solar energy at work!
Think about it, you can finally take those long guiltless hot showers again. And if you like soaking in the tub, soak at your hearts content. While you lay there in that hot steaming tub, with the bubbles and the rubber ducky, you will be saving money and slowing global warming. You just can’t beat a deal like that!
There are two types of solar hot water systems: Active solar water systems use pumps to circulate a liquid, usually water throughout a collector . Although pumps use electricity you can always use solar cells to power the pumps and viola, no charge!! Passive solar systems don’t use pumps; they use either batch or thermosyphon collectors. Batch systems are essentially one or more storage tanks placed in an insulated box with a glazed side that faces the sun. Thermosyphon collectors rely on natural convection of warm water rising to circulate water through the collectors and to a storage tank. Back from Solar Hot Water to Your Solar Energy Home Page
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