
Using the sun to heat domestic hot water is the most practical application of solar energy at this time. While vast improvements to design and a reduction in the cost of photovoltaic cells are making other solar systems very practical as well, heating water for your home is the easiest and least expensive way to get involved in a solar energy solution for your home.
The solar water heater of today is as equally effective as water heaters powered by more conventional power sources, namely: gas and electric. A solar hot water panel can heat your home’s water to temperatures of up as much as 140° F.
In general, there are two kinds of solar water heater – passive and active. Both collect radiant heat from the sun into a solar hot water panel, and both can serve much of any household’s hot water needs, while at the same time, both can cut back considerably on energy costs.
An active system circulates water (or other heat-transferring fluids) through a solar water pump, while a passive system circulates the liquid(s) through use of a process called natural convection.
Whichever type of Solar Hot Water Heater one uses, both utilize certain similar components, most notably: a collector and a storage tank.
Learn how to DIY Solar Water Heater:
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Useful information Solar Hot Water Heater:
http://www.greenearth4energy.com/build_water_heater.html