Besides costs and greenhouse gas emissions savings, the beauty of  solar water heater is its relative simplicity and durability!

There are two types of collectors used in solar water heater service:

* Flat plate collectors (suitable where tank roof assembly is required)
* Evacuated tubes (great for frost prone areas)

Flat plate solar collectors

Flat plate collectors work on copper pipes running through the glass covered collector, often associated with water storage tank on the roof. In hot water may be thermo-siphon to themselves and from the tank, thus heating the water.

Evacuated tube solar collectors

Evacuated glass tubes using a tube with a vacuum inside it and copper pipes running through the center. Of copper pipes connected to a common manifold, which then is associated with slow flow circulation pump which pumps water to the storage tank below, thus heating of hot water during the day. In hot water can be used at night and the next day due to the isolation of the tank.

Evacuation pipe system is Superior, because they can extract heat from the air on humid days and does not require direct sunlight. Due to the vacuum inside the glass tubes, the overall performance in all areas is higher and has better results when the sun is not the most optimal angle – such as when it is early morning or late afternoon.

The water tank and thermal mixing

Since heat rises, hot water tank supplied by solar collectors is composed of a tip for use in the house. As the water temperature can exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit degrees Celsius/140 (required to kill bacteria) to ensure the safe temperature of taps, A tempering valve will reduce the temperature to about 45 ° degrees Celsius/113 Fahrenheit.

Electricity and gas boosters

While the sun can provide enough energy to provide plenty of hot water for most of the year, may extend the period of cloudy, cold days when your system will need support by hand. This provides electric or gas booster system increase.

Increasing use of gas tankless water heater is the most efficient method of increasing stimulation occurs only when hot water is used. Electrical system, the tank is heated as soon as the internal temperature drops.

Installation of solar water heater

If the current system for hot water is much useful life left or you’ve recently bought gas / electric hot water system, you can still go solar with retro kit!

Hot water and household energy use in

Electric and gas hot water systems accounting for about 20% of household greenhouse gas emissions. With the installation of solar water heater system will reduce these emissions and save up to 75% of your costs for heating the water!

Michael Bloch is a consultant for Energy Matters Australia – a green energy equipment company offering a wide range of discounted Solar Hot Water systems, solar panels, deep cycle batteries, wind turbines and associated accessories for residential, businesses and schools.