Plumbing FAQs – Should You Invest in Solar Water Heating?

Your hot water heating plays a major role in your home, connected directly to the plumbing system and providing for your family’s hygiene needs. But traditional hot water heaters can be expensive and contribute to greater levels of greenhouse gases. The option of switching to a solar water heating system can be very attractive, but are these systems really worth the investment, and can they reliably deliver the hot water your family needs?

What Are Solar Hot Water Systems?







Heat Transfer Fluids for Solar Water Heating Systems

Solar water heating systems use the sun’s rays to heat up pools of water, and then employ a system of pumps and plumbing to redirect that heated water throughout your home. Solar collectors are installed on the roof of your home, generally on a south-facing portion of the roof that has a direct path to the sun. Trees and other obstacles may need to be removed to eliminate shading.

Solar water heating systems use the sun’s rays to heat up pools of water, and then employ a system of pumps and plumbing to redirect that heated water throughout your home. Solar collectors are installed on the roof of your home, generally on a south-facing portion of the roof that has a direct path to the sun. Trees and other obstacles may need to be removed to eliminate shading.

Types of Solar Water Heaters

You’ll find a wide range of solar hot water heaters on the market today, including:

  • HTF Systems – this style of solar-powered hot water heater uses an heat transfer fluid solution (often antifreeze diluted with water) to carry the harvested heat to a heat exchanged located within the storage tank. Ideal for areas that experience cold winters and temperatures below freezing.
  • Drainback Systems – the collectors on these systems are automatically drained when the water temperature falls below a set limit. Drainback systems are also suitable for use in colder locations.
  • Theromsiphon Hot Water Systems – these systems use direct heat, warming up the water in the solar collector and allowing that to naturally move into the storage tank. Pumps are not used and these systems do not offer protection against freezing temperatures. Thermosiphon systems are mainly used for seasonal needs at cottages and vacation cabins.

The pumps used on HTF and Drainback solar hot water systems can be powered by electricity or connected to a small PV panel. Truly renewable systems will use a PV panel to power up the pump, allowing this system to work “off the grid.” If you are not concerned with operating the hot water system in a power outage, traditionally powered pumps work just fine.

Do Solar Water Heating Systems Actually Work?

These eco friendly systems have been in use for years, and do offer a dependable supply of hot water. Some homes will require a standard hot water heater as a backup, especially in northern areas where winter days are short.

Remember that your solar hot water heater will collect energy even when it’s cold outside. As long as the sun is shining, the system will work. Some designs are ultra efficient and can even harvest solar energy and heat on cloudy days.

Sizing Your New Solar Hot Water Heater

The size requirements for your family could be vastly different than those of your neighbor. It depends on the number of people living in your home, the number of plumbing fixtures and appliances in use, and the amount of hot water required per day. Standard sizes are rated by daily use, and come with capacities very similar to traditional hot water heaters.

Solar collectors tend to be the same size no matter what. Extremely small systems may only require one solar collector, but most use a connected system to reach full capacity. Storage tank sizes vary, depending on your requirements.

Where Are Solar Collectors Installed?

Most homes present a suitable location on the rooftop. Other applications mount the solar collectors against a south-facing wall or on a ground-mounted frame near the house. Remember that the distance between the solar collectors, storage tanks and your bathroom, kitchen and laundry area will affect the overall efficiency of the system. Try to keep everything within a reasonable distance.

A professional solar hot water heater installer will visit your home to assess the optimum location. They will also inspect your roof to be sure the structure will hold the weight and provides the space required for the applicable plumbing. Whenever possible, all pipes running from the collectors to the storage tanks are insulated and located within the walls of your home. Exterior installations require extra insulation and protection from UV damage and degradation.

If you live in an urban area or subdivision, find out whether local bylaws or subdivision agreements allow the installation of a solar hot water heater system. Some areas around North America have zoning restrictions against these systems, while others simply require that a building permit be obtained prior to installation.

Can You DIY a Solar Hot Water System?

Hot water is important to your family’s basic needs, and you need a hot water system that’s reliable and low maintenance. Although solar hot water systems fit the bill and offer plenty of advantages over conventional hot water heaters, they can be relatively complicated. Besides the initial installation of your solar collectors, this type of hot water heater system needs to be connected to your household plumbing and powered up either by traditional electricity or solar power.

An experienced and knowledgeable homeowner may be tempted to install a solar hot water system on his or her own, but the help of a professional is invaluable. A solar power expert can help you size the system, assess the installation and design and make sure all of the components are securely mounted and operating well. They can also be relied on for service and post-installation support.

Your family needs reliable hot water, and modern solar water heating systems can deliver. These systems need to be well designed and installed correctly to offer the dependable service you need. A back up conventional hot water heater may be required, but for homes with adequate exposure, a properly sized solar hot water heater can do the trick. Call a professional contractor or solar power dealer today to find out your options.