Advantages of Using a Solar Water Heater

Solar energy is an endless, accessible, free, and renewable source that significantly reduces our dependence on non-renewable energy sources (fossil fuels) and is a very effective step in protecting the environment, conserving energy resources, and solving the country's economic problems.

Given Iran's geographical location, vast areas of the country have very high solar radiation intensity, and with the increasing cost of fossil fuels and environmental pollution, it is time to seriously use unlimited, clean, and free renewable energy sources such as solar energy on a very large and wide scale, like many other countries.

Now, considering that water heaters are one of the essential facilities equipment for all buildings, using solar water heaters can be an effective step in achieving this goal.

What is a Solar Water Heater?

Solar water heaters are one of the most effective designs for the general and easy use of solar energy to provide hot water for domestic and industrial use so that the temperature of the surface of the solar energy absorbing collectors reaches about 100 degrees Celsius and the temperature of the hot water produced in high-efficiency models increases to about the boiling point of water.

This energy supply process is so effective and efficient that even a country like Germany, which is one of the countries located in northern Europe, has the first technology for producing solar water heaters and is one of the leading producers and users of solar water heaters.

It is worth noting that many of Iran's neighboring countries have been using solar energy for years, even on a large scale, to provide important parts of their electricity consumption without any pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, or side effects.

 Reading the article "What is an Electric Water Heater?" may also be useful for you.

How Solar Water Heaters Work

A solar water heater utilizes the most efficient absorbing equipment to capture solar energy, converting radiant energy into thermal energy and simultaneously transferring this heat to water or working fluid, storing it in a tank and providing proper insulation for the hot water storage tank.

Next, we will examine the thermosiphon solar water heater and its components in more detail to understand how it operates.

Different Types of Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters are divided into three categories: thermosiphon, pressurized pump, and gravity return. Thermosiphon heaters do not use any pumps to move water.

One of the issues with this system is freezing during cold seasons, and the solution is to use antifreeze. Pressurized heaters handle the movement of hot water without any pumps. Pressurized solar water heaters are completely affected by direct sunlight and heat; thus, when solar energy is cut off, the pressurized solar water heater ceases to function.

Gravity return solar water heaters have a tank and retain solar energy in a closed system. If solar energy is insufficient, water is returned to the tank.

Thermosiphon Water Heater and Its Performance

The thermosiphon solar water heater operates based on the principle of thermosiphon, where the automatic movement of water is created due to temperature differences.

In this type of solar water heater, a solar panel is installed on the roof or in a suitable location that captures solar energy and converts it into thermal energy.

This heat is transferred to water in a tank or pipe. Since hot water is lighter than cold water, it naturally rises, while cold water descends to take its place. This natural flow continues automatically without the need for a pump or motor.

The main components of a thermosiphon solar water heater include:

• Solar collector
• Insulated hot water storage tank
• Support base and related connections, and a closed expansion tank

Advantages of Using Solar Water Heaters

Unlike electric and gas water heaters, solar water heaters do not require non-renewable sources of gas or electricity, and they also have other advantages. In the following, we will discuss the benefits of using solar water heaters:

• In the design of solar water heaters, there is always a backup mechanism to provide the necessary thermal energy for conditions where the intensity of sunlight is not sufficient (cloudy, rainy, and snowy conditions). In many cases, the backup system consists of using wall-mounted gas packages or even a coiled or double-walled hot water source from the boiler room, which, by employing a hybrid solar water heater design, reduces the annual energy consumption of the building by at least sixty to seventy percent. This means that in addition to significant savings in gas and electricity consumption, the reduction of greenhouse gases resulting from combustion and heating also greatly increases the lifespan of the package due to less operation.
  
  
• It is worth mentioning that the amount of energy savings from using each square meter of flat solar collectors is equivalent to one liter of oil per day for each of the 365 days of the year. Therefore, in addition to significantly reducing household energy costs annually, non-renewable energy reserves are also protected in line with environmental conservation.
  
  
• Using solar water heaters is quiet, safe, and hassle-free. Another advantage of these systems is their very simple installation and use, especially considering the intensity of sunlight in the geographical location of the Iranian plateau.
  
  
• Another project that is very valuable from a thermodynamic cycle perspective is the production of cooling from solar energy using flat collectors and an absorption chiller cycle with a capacity of 5 to 10 tons of refrigeration, which is very suitable and efficient for hot and dry climates and even hot and humid areas of Iran.
  
  
• In this method, cooling energy is generated in the operation of an absorption cooling cycle activated by thermal energy (resulting from the solar cycle), which, in addition to utilizing solar energy, leads to significant environmental and economic transformations.
  
  
• Currently, the technical knowledge for constructing each component of the solar cooling cycle and how to start and implement it, especially considering the angle of sunlight in the country, is available.
  
  
• The use of solar desalination systems is also very simple and effective for dry and low-water areas, and even for areas with very hard piped water. Additionally, as you know, the southern Gulf countries have been using solar energy for years to supply the vast energy needs of their large desalination plants.
  
  
• In any case, in the ranking of renewable energy usage, solar energy ranks first due to its abundance, ease of access, and unlimited nature, allowing for unlimited beneficial applications.
  
  
• Moreover, solar electricity generation through photovoltaic cells and solar power plants is another application of this clean energy.

 Reading the article "Combi Boiler Vs. Water Heater" can also help you in choosing a suitable hot water solution.

Advantages of Using a Solar Water Heater at a Glance

With the completion of the study of the following article, you can easily answer the question of what the advantages of solar water heaters are over other water heaters. The use of solar water heaters, the solar cooling cycle, the hybrid solar and gas package cycle, solar desalination systems, and solar electric generators are the best methods for optimizing energy consumption and preventing the excessive use of fossil fuels, global warming, climate change, and the increase of greenhouse gases.

Here at the DamaTajhiz HVAC store, technical information on dozens of models of gas, solar, and electric water heaters from reputable brands with original warranties has been provided for you to enjoy the feeling of optimal and smart purchasing.

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