The question is should you use evacuated or the conventional collectors for your solar heating system. Evacuated collecters are very well designed. You have a series of tubes in a panel. Each can be individually replaced should it become faulty or get damaged.

What you have is two tubes, an inner and an outer one. The inner carries the water and the outer one creates a vacuum. This vacuum makes the system very efficient. The solar water heating glass tubes heat losses are kept to a bare minimum, less that 2%. It also means that these units can work in very low temperatures even down to as low as -40 deg F.

The liquid is pumped round the system, and the heated liquid transfers its heat to the water held in a hot water heater storage tank.

All very good, so why do people still use flat plate absorber panels for a solar hot water system? There are two main reasons. One is that the evacuated collector tube systems are larger and heavier than the flat plate collectors, this means you need at least two people to install it. Where as the flat thermal systems can be carried and positioned by one man.

The other reason is that because they are more sophisticated and have a lot more parts to them, they are more prone to damage. Remember you are dealing with glass with a vacuum between the two tubes. In the past, these panels have been susceptible to damage due to the thermal expansion of the different materials. The glass is connected to a copper pipe with a waterproof seal. Because glass and copper expand at different rates, this seal often became damaged. I understand that modern production techniques have by and large overcome this problem but when you compare them to flat plate systems there is still a lot more to go wrong.

In fact, the flat plate solar hot water system is extremely simple and have very little that can go wrong. The main things you have to look out for are joints leaking and ensuring your system is designed that it can never freeze up should the temperature plummet below freezing point.

There are plenty of suppliers who are offering solar tubes kits for easy installation and it might worth experimenting with it to see if it is right for you.  However I have seen reports and some independent organizations are saying that the efficiency of the evacuated type compared to the flat type, when measured over a year is not that much, perhaps 5% better. They are also suggesting that because there is less maintenance and fewer things to go wrong with flat plate, flat plate is a better option.

Solar water heating collector tubes are more efficient but you have to decide if the advantages are great enough to warrant the higher cost over flat plate.

Solar Water Heating Collector Tubes is a post from: How to Build a Solar Panel

Using solar collectors for heating water can produce 42% to 72% of all your hot water needs. This can translate to 53% and 81% reduction in your energy water heating bill. If you maintain your solar water heating system, it can last for 25 to 30 years before needing replacing.

Our recommended supplier of Solar Water Heating is the altE Store, who offer a range of solar panels and accessories including:

Climate freezes: Closed Loop Systems

Closed Loop Systems for 1-4 People

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Closed Loop Systems for 5+ People

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Climates are mild: Open Loop Systems

Open Loop Systems for 1-4 People

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Open Loop Systems for 5+ People

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Collectors, Mounts and System Components

AET Collectors, Rack & Mounts

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AET Absorber Plates

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Heliodyne Collectors, Racks & Mounts

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Retrofit Kits for Drainback Systems

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SolarRoofs Skyline Collectors & Parts

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Differential Temperature Controllers

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Heat Exchangers

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Hot Water Storage Tanks

Tanks WITH Heat Exchangers

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Tanks WITHOUT Heat Exchangers

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Solar Circulator Pumps

Ac Pumps

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Dc Pumps

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Grundfos Flanges And Unions

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Taco Flanges

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Solar Water Heaters is a post from: How to Build a Solar Panel

Solar water heating temperatures fluctuate by large amounts during the day and night as well as throughout the year i.e. summer and winter. Obviously the water is heated during daylight hours using the suns energy and if the water is not used then it needs to be stored in an insulated cylinder ready for use to provide hot water on demand.

During the summer months, solar thermal panels can provide up to 75% of a households hot water needs and in the winter months this can drop down to 25%.

There are two main types of solar thermal heating collectors. These are the evacuated tube and the flat panels. The evacuated tube heater panels work harder and are more efficient at converting the suns energy into hot water. These are made of glass tubes, and the gap between the tubes is a vacuum which gives its increased efficiency, plus they will not freeze when the temperature drops during the winter months. However the cost of installation is higher than flat panels.
The flat plate solar collector panel is made up of copper tubes which harvest the suns energy. These are not as efficient and will freeze unless an anti-freeze is pumped round the system.

However, the flatplate panels are currently more popular with home owners because they are lighter and easier to fit and more importantly there are fewer things to go wrong and maintenance is kept to a very minimum.

What if the Water is To Hot

A solar thermal hot water system design will include a sensor and mixer valve on the outlet pipe from the central hot water storage cylinder which feeds your households plumbing system. If the water that comes out is too hot, it will mix it with cold water from the mains supply.

What if the Water is To Cold

As a backup, the central hot water holding tank is also fed with hot water from your homes boiler or it has an electric coil fitted or both. So if the water temperature drops below a certain point, one of these backup systems will cut in.

And so this is how you get the figure 75% during the summer months and 25% during the winter months – for the amount of hot water your solar panels will produce.

If anybody would like to expand on this or specify what solar water heating temperatures they are getting from their solar panels then feel free to leave a comment below.

Solar Water Heating System Temperatures is a post from: How to Build a Solar Panel

Solar heating systems have been around since the beginning of time; when man first realized that the heat from direct sunlight would heat up water in a container. Centuries later , a solar heating system would still consist of putting water in a tub or bowl, and then allow enough time to pass for the temperature of the water to warm up enough to take a bath or wash clothing. This was great in the summertime when the sun was at its highest point in the sky. However, often in the wintertime the sun was not strong enough to perform this simple task. Nothing much was thought about how to actually harness the sun’s energy until recently in the past 80 years or so.

Before the 18th century man could only dream of ways to collect the sun’s rays; they did not have the knowledge or the technology that we have today. Today, solar panels can be seen on the roof of many homes and businesses, conducting enough solar thermal heat to produce up to 75% of the buildings hot water needs. They can be seen in some homes for heating both the water in swimming pools and the homes hot water system. It seems that every year people develop new products pertaining to Solar Heating; panels and other items are continuing to get smaller and fit elegantly outside the house.

Issues of Using Solar Heating

Just in the past 50 years, man has advanced enough in technology to begin construction of Solar panels to first collect the sun’s thermal energy and to be able to store it. However, the cost of this technology was very expensive. There have been many private companies that have worked on the improvements of Solar power and the panels themselves. The panels were very large and bulky at first, taking up a large amount of space where ever they were built.

Today, the panels are not as big, and the costs are coming down all the time. The solar power packs are not the only items that a person needs to install. There are other necessary items that must be purchased separately in order to connect the Solar collector panels to a storage unit; such as a  pump, temperature sensors, air vents, pressure gauge, safety valve, expansion vessel and the connection pipes & gaskets. All of these items can be bought as a kit, and you can get different kits depending on your needs.

Solar Heating Works

Solar Heating has now advanced far enough that many people can purchase small Solar panels and packs that are so light-weight that they can be carried by one person. You can now find countries all around the world that have solar power stations which are connected to the power grid producing Heating for many homes and companies.

The Benefits of Using Solar Heating

Solar thermal heating is a lot more efficient and cheaper at producing hot water in comparison to electric solar panels or photovoltaic cells (PV). Conversely, the downside is they can’t produce electricity.

The world has seen what the fossil fuels have done to the earth’s atmosphere, and has just recently begun a world-wide program for cleaning up the pollution and restoring balance to the eco system. Solar Heating is contributing to that clean up. There are no harmful vapors or smog to contend with.

Governments around the world are offering credits and money back for people and companies that use solar heating which can help cover part of the cost of installation. In the very near future we will see many more solar heating units that are much smaller and much simpler to install. Technology will continually advance much faster than it has, and we will see theses changes in our life time.

Solar Heating is a post from: How to Build a Solar Panel

The economy is in bad shape, of that we have no doubt.  The cost of energy seems to be at the forefront of any argument these days.  It’s good to know that people are now thinking about the climate and better sources of energy than ever before.  However, how does that help you?  How do you know which clean energy sources are best for you?

One source of “free” energy you should consider is solar power, more specifically solar water heating.

You know how hard it is to keep your water at a hot temperature.  You fight all the time for a nice hot shower to end your hard day.  But sometimes it seems hard to get because you are so concerned with saving energy that you have to keep the water heater turned down.  With solar water heating units you can keep that heat cranked as high as it will go without worrying about your energy bills going through the roof!

Not only that, but in this eco-friendly age, imagine how great it would feel to NOT burn any fossil fuels for your personal benefit or feel guilty about heating your swimming pool.   You also know what it means to have your energy prices go up and down dependent on how the energy company feels that day.  With a solar water heater, your energy bill stays relatively constant and can even become non-existent!

We understand the problems facing home owners and their growing energy bills, so that is why it is important to check out solar water heaters.  Sizing is easy, and you can have them installed with very little hassle.  Many local governments offer tax incentives for those switching to renewable energy such as solar water heaters.

Some solar water heater features:

•    Solar water heating can provide 40-75% of your water heating from the sun.
•    In sunny areas, you may save 50-80% on your electricity or gas bill.
•    State and local governments offer incentives for renewable energy solutions.
•    Dependence on fossil fuels significantly reduced.
•    More control over your final energy bill.

There are two types of solar water heaters.  This is where you should start – deciding to size up exactly what you need.
•    Open Loop:  These systems are mostly used for homes that are not subjected to freezing temperatures.
•    Closed Loop: Closed loop systems are mostly for homes that will experience some freezing temperatures.

Basic Components used In a Solar Water Heater

•   Solar collectors or a panel which absorbs the suns energy, the modern ones work very efficiently. These are designed to fit on the side or roof of a building and installation is fairly simple, copper tube, thermal heat exchanger, pump, evacuated tube collector, storage system .

Be sure to check out the many options of solar water heating.  You really can’t go wrong with this wonderful, renewable source of energy.  For about a 3-6k, you’ll get about 25 years of renewable energy, and it will likely pay itself off in a meager 5-6 years.  If you want to be a part of the solution and not the problem, then invest in a solar water heater.

Don’t get caught out falling behind when every home has a solar water heater.  It is a much better idea to be at the forefront of this new energy revolution.

Let us help you on your way by providing you with information that will help you lower your energy bill and will save you and mother earth a lot!

Solar Water Heating is a post from: How to Build a Solar Panel

If you have a solar water heating system, it would make sense to have a solar water pump. These are typically circulating pumps and have their own in built solar panel which means you do not need a battery. A circulating solar water pump has a lift of about 650 feet and can fit into very small areas, down to 4 inches square.

Solar Water Pump – Which Solar Water Pump Should You Use For Your Heating System? is a post from: How to Build a Solar Panel

This means that after the payback period, you get an annual supply of hot water for about 50 bucks – sounds good to me.

How Reliable are Solar Water Heaters? is a post from: How to Build a Solar Panel