Friday, January 9, 2009

All About Solar Water Heating

Most homeowners would love to lower their utility costs and household expenses, and if they could do so while helping to slow global warming and reduce their own "carbon footprint" all the better. These are the primary reasons that many people seek out alternative energies from the sun, wind or water.

Today, millions of homeowners enjoy a remarkable amount of financial relief through the installation of solar panels that collect and generate energy as well as provide domestic hot water supplies. To date, there is no single all-encompassing application that provides a single alternative energy answer to the numerous systems throughout any home - just as there is no single traditional energy answer for an entire home.

While there are currently no solar technologies that can completely eliminate a home or property owner's need for traditional electric or utility suppliers, there are several systems that can be incorporated into a home or building's existing systems to help reduce emissions, cost and energy consumption.

One of the simplest systems to address is the domestic hot water supply. To incorporate a solar water heating system into an existing or conventional system requires three essential components: solar panels or collectors, a transfer system, and an appropriate hot water cylinder. Generally, it is suggested that a professional install, or at least design, the system to be utilized. This is because a solar water heating system has several factors to be considered before being purchased and installed.

First, an ample supply of southern facing roofing must be available to meet the needs of the required system. Generally, evacuated tube systems will require significantly less roof space than the more traditional flat plate systems. Next, the existing system must be analyzed in order to see if it is suitable for a second solar water-heating boiler to be added. Currently, most combi boilers are not suitable for any solar water heating systems to be incorporated. Finally, budgetary concerns must be addressed to select the most affordable system for a homeowner's financial capability.

Financially, the "average" installation of a solar water heating system can save a home or property owner a significant amount of their annual fuel or energy expense and should be figured into the cost of purchasing and installing a solar heating system.

Today, most solar water heating experts in the United Kingdom recommend the installation of evacuated tube systems. They are doing so for several reasons. First, the evacuated tube systems operate at much more effective levels under low-light and cold weather conditions. Because this is a frequent pattern in the United Kingdom the more reliable function of the evacuated tube systems are making it the preferred installation. Secondly, the evacuated tube systems require a lower amount of space for equal performance, which adds to the aesthetic as well as functional value. Finally, evacuated tube systems have very limited maintenance required and they do not allow for some of the traditional problems of flat plate panels which can frequently suffer from standing water and broken seal conditions.



Autor: Sara Magee

Kingspan is recognized through the construction industry for its wide range of products that provide building solutions to architects, developers and owners. For more information, visit http://www.Kingspan-Renewables.com


Added: January 9, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

0 Comments: