Would you consider solar heating - to heat your water?
Question:
please tell me all.
Thanks
Most detail will be selected as best answer - 10 pts :)
Answer:
Solar water heating systems use heat from the sun to work alongside your conventional water heater. The technology is well developed with a large choice of equipment to suit many applications.
Benefits:
It can provide almost all of your hot water during the summer months and about 50% year round
reduces your impact on the environment - the average domestic system reduces carbon dioxide emissions by around 400kg per year, depending on the fuel replaced.
Different types of system:
What best suits your needs depends on a range of factors, including the area of south facing roof, the existing water heating system (e.g. some combi boilers aren't suitable) and your budget.
A competent professional installer should assess your situation and discuss with you the best configuration to meet your needs.
Solar water heating and your home:
Solar water heating can be used in the home or for larger applications, such as swimming pools.
For domestic hot water there are three main components: solar panels, a heat transfer system, and a hot water cylinder. Solar panels - or collectors - are fitted to your roof. They collect heat from the sun's radiation. The heat transfer system uses the collected heat to heat water. A hot water cylinder stores the hot water that is heated during the day and supplies it for use later.
Is my property suitable?
Preferably you will need 2-4m2 of southeast to southwest facing roof receiving direct sunlight for the main part of the day. You'll also need space to locate an additional water cylinder if required.
Cost and maintenance
The typical installation cost for a domestic flat plate collector system is £2,000 - £3,000. Evacuated tube systems will cost £3,500 - £4,500.
You can also fit or build the system yourself. It may be cheaper but will take longer and you'll need a certain level of skill. However, DIY jobs are not eligible for grant funding.
Solar hot water systems generally come with a 10-year warranty and require very little maintenance. A yearly check by the householder and a more detailed check by a professional installer every 3-5 years should be sufficient (consult your system supplier for exact maintenance requirements
not with price of solar systems here.is cheap to run but expensive to install.
Thought about it but have seen a programme on TV that said not much could be gained by having it unless you were willing to wait years to get your money back. I think the Government gives grants but do not know much about that.
in Scotland , you have got to be kidding, i would have constant ice cold water all year
I lived in Southern Spain for a few years and most of the new villas they were building had solar heat. I would love to install it in my house but can't afford it.
When I buy a house, solar heating and solar power will be some of the first things I'll do for it.
I bought my house with solar panels already installed and have had free hot water all summer and I live in Scotland which can't be bad!
I am lucky as they were already here, but I gather that they are expensive to install.
why would anyone in this country want solar heating..with the weather that we get here you would be having a cold shower every night (for the wrong reasons)..in another country mabe but i think you would still need a back up connected supply
MOST DEFINITELY! BUT ITS THE INSTALLATION COSTS THAT WOULD KILL ME, IT COSTS TOO MUCH.
Recently watched a t.v. programme about this - they said it would take years for you to recover the initial cost of installing solar panel system.
I'm afraid I don't have a swimming pool but if
I did I'd use a solar pool cover (I've had friends who use these and they work) with a solar water heater.
I use solar batch water heaters for my laundry, floor washing, and dishes.
See http://www.eere.energy.gov/re/solar_hotw...
a U.S. Department of Energy site for muchmore information.
First decide what you want to achieve. Is it (a) to save money or (b) to save the planet? If it's (a) in Britain, you can generally forget about it. The exception would be for swimmimng pools as the heat is needed in the summer when the system is most efficient.
If it's (b), then you have two basic systems to consider. The simplest (and cheapest) technology involves water filled collectors that simply heat up by virtue of the radiant effect of the sun. The hot water can be used to heat your hot water. If it is integrated with a conventional heating system, you have to take precautions to avoid the collector becoming a large radiator in winter and therefore losing heat big time!
Alternatively, you could look at photovoltaic (PV) systems that generate electricity. These cost very serious money and you are unlikely to generate enough electricity for all your needs so it would not replace your mains connection, merely reduce your dependence. Unfortunately, in this country, electricity companies are not forced to buy electricity from the likes of you and me at the price they sell it as in some more enlightened countries, so the economics are not encouraging.
Both these systems work optimally with a large expanse of south facing roof to attach them to, though they will work on other orientations, if less efficiently.
Grants are available via the Low Carbon Homes programme but they only cover a small proportion of the cost. No use for DIY though as you have to use approved installers.
yes its better then using a stove
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