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Solar Water Heaters

The bathhouses of Rome in the first to forth centuries A.D. were the first solar water heating systems. These bathhouses had south facing windows that harnessed the suns warmth and raised the water temperature. Today there are more refined technologies using the same basic principle.

Today, there are two types of solar water heaters. These are active and passive systems.

The Active System uses an electric pump to circulate the water between the storage tank and the solar collector. This has advantages in colder climates. Because the tank in an active solar water system needs to be below the solar collector, it can be stored in a place where less collected heat will be lost, for example an attic. The ability to store the heater inside, means that there is also less risk of freezing, which is a very real possibility when using a passive water heater in a cooler climate, particularly in winter months.

The Passive System uses no mechanical or electrical parts and are suited to warmer climates with good sunshine. The water tank in these heaters is above the solar collector and uses natural convection currents to transport the water around the system. These passive solar water heaters are efficient, less expensive than the active alternative and because they have no mechanical parts, they require little to no maintenance.

In June 2008, the governor of Hawaii, Linda Lingle signed a bill that mandates the installation of solar water heaters in all new single-family homes. Hawaii has the perfect climate for passive solar water systems. This law was implemented in early 2010.

Building permits in the state of Hawaii will only be issued if the construction plans include a hot water solar heater. It is anticipated that this law will help reduce Hawaii’s energy costs by up to 30%. Currently, 90% of Hawaii’s energy sources come from foreign countries. Making it one of the most reliant states in America on foreign fossil fuels. But the state of Hawaii is ambitious in its solar expectations and by 2030 the state hopes to have 70% of its energy coming from renewable sources. Solar technology is definitely appropriate for the Hawaiian climate.

Using solar energy to heat water does not need to be limited to the home or business. Basic external solar showers are inexpensive and easy to use. For 20$ you can purchase a 5-gallon solar shower that will heat water from 60 to 108 degrees when placed in direct sunlight on a 70 degree day. These simple systems can be hung up anywhere, making showering in an “off the grid” experience, easy and convenient.

Both the active and passive type of solar water heater will generally use a gas or electric supply as well. This ensures that heated water is always available. Although this means that fossil fuels dependant energy needs to be used to guarantee warm water in winter months, installing a solar water heater can reduce a heating energy supply by 25% and in warm climates by as much as 85%.

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