Imagine coming home from a gruelling day of work, totally knackered from dizzying events in the office. You hop into the shower and turn the knob for a nice relaxing shower, only to be greeted by the sharp, painful sting of cold water.
Not exactly the relaxing after-work de-stressing you hoped for.
True, you may have a manual heater lying around, but you’d still have to fill up a bucket with water, plug the heater in, plop it into the bucket, and wait about half an hour for it to be at the right temperature. By then, you may have already dozed off and left a dangerous hazard unattended.
It’s moments like these when a solar water heater comes in handy. Sometimes called solar domestic hot water systems, these devices are great for generating hot water for your home without costing you too much money.
But how exactly do they make life a little easier for you? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with the five most convenient things about owning a solar water heater.
They Have an Efficient Storage and Distribution System
Solar-powered water heaters always come with storage tanks and solar collectors. These ensure that your water is safe and will be heated directly.
The two kinds of solar water heaters are active systems and passive systems.
- Active systems circulate water from the collectors into your house, covering even taps and showers. These work well in areas without extreme temperatures, such as Australia.
- Passive systems utilise technology that allows the sun to heat water in the storage tank. This water then flows into the plumbing system when needed.
Their Power Source Is Free
While the installation will cost you (more on that later), these types of heaters generate power from a free source of energy: the sun. Both active and passive heater systems depend solely on solar power.
This lessens dependence on electricity and saves on household costs.
They Heat the Water before Distributing It
A solar water heater raises the water’s temperature before it is even used in taps and showers. This is possible because its insulated collectors collect heat from the sun and convert the energy to heat water—a feature used in active and passive systems.
They’ve Got Backup Systems
What if it’s suddenly cloudy in your area, or there’s an increased household demand for hot water (laundry day)? Most solar water heating packages come with backup systems. They are usually included in the solar collector or storage system, where excess solar power can be stored and reused in emergencies.
There Are Different Kinds for Different Needs
Solar water heaters accommodate a variety of needs. Active systems are slightly pricier as they circulate hot water throughout your plumbing. Take note: they also require constant maintenance due to their similarities with conventional plumbing systems.
On the other hand, passive systems are less expensive in comparison but only distribute water one way. However, they require less maintenance.
Do the following steps before installing one in your home:
- Determine its price and energy efficiency.
- Evaluate how much sun you get in your area.
- Estimate the correct size needed.
- Clarify local construction code and regulations.
- Research on the safety issues.
The Convenient Truth
Installing a solar water heater is a significant change in your everyday routine. But as outlined earlier, the several conveniences present themselves—conveniences that everyone in your home may find helpful.
If you’ve decided you need this kind of system and need a plumber on the Sunshine Coast that can set you up, reach out to us right now! We’ll help you figure out how to get hot water flowing throughout your home.
