Solar Hot Water: Types of Solar Heating and Where to Get Solar Hot Water Heaters
In this lens we will cover some important facts you should consider when you are looking at getting a solar hot water heater for your home.
Important Facts to Remember
When Considering Getting a Solar Water Heating System
Aside from the environmental aspect, there is always the financial side of things. To determine the financial viability of a solar water heating system consider the following:
- The amount of hot water you use
- The system's performance
- How much solar energy available at your location, also referred to as the solar resource
- Available local financial incentives for eco-friendly solutions (there are plenty these days)
- The cost of your current heating system
- The cost of a backup heating system, should you choose to use one.
- The size of your solar water heating system. There are two parts of this: the solar collectors, and the water storage tank.
A rule of thumb for sizing the solar collectors is as follows:
- Twenty square feet for each of the first two family members.
- After that, an additional eight square feet for each additional family member, if you live in the sunbelt area of the United States.
- If you live in the Northern part of the United States, an additional twelve square feet of solar collectors per additional family member.
- For storage tanks, a rough rule of thumb is a small 60 gallon tank for 1-2 people, and a medium 80 gallon tank for 3-4 people.
- One should, of course, always check with a professional for final figures.
- Get a correct estimation of the system costss, so that you can do a comparison with your conventional water heating system and solar water heating system.
- Local building codes and regulations. Its important to know what limitations or regulations there are regarding the positioning and installing of systems, before you start the installation. This will prevent any costly changes, in case you find out about a certain regulation after you have already done the install.
All of the above points can be checked with any reputable company, and most of the information should be available in standard packages. It just helps to know what to ask for, and what points to look at, so that you can be certain to make an informed decision.
A New Solar Hot Water Heater in the Home
Solar Hot Water Heater Installation - Corbett Kroehler
Where to Get a Solar Hot Water Heater
- Silicon Solar
- This is the best place I know of to get solar hot water heaters and home solar panels. They also have a variety of portable solar chargers and other alternative energy solutions.
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This lens is brought to you by Anna (aka solarstories) of Solar Chargers and Portable Solar Power and Living Clean.
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I appreciate that you have stopped by at my lens, and I hope you will take a moment to comment.
starsam wrote...
Your lens would be a great addition to the 'Solar Technology and Solar Energy' Group
( http://www.squidoo.com/groups/solar )
Feel free to add it anytime!
Posted February 16, 2009
josh__jacobs wrote...
Wow. You've really hit some important points with a sizeable amount of detail. This will really help people. I too have a Squidoo lens on the subject of solar hot water. Come on by if you like. Nice lens!
Posted February 02, 2009
josh__jacobs wrote...
Wow. You've really hit some important points with a sizeable amount of detail. This will really help people. Nice lens! I too have a Squidoo lens on the subject of a>. Come on by if you like.
Posted February 02, 2009
love_pirate wrote...
Great lens! Those rule's of thumb go along way in the planning stages of your solar thermal system. If you get a chance, come on over to my blog on solar water systems.
Posted January 18, 2009
by solarstories
Photo at AllPosters.com
I support the use of solar power, a cleaner environment, Alternative Energy, and work against Global Warming.
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