Solar Heaters
What Are Solar Heaters?
Solar heaters are devices that provide energy in the form of heat
for the purpose of heating homes, workshops, businesses or other
locations normally requiring the use of conventional energy sources
to maintain a constant temperature and to heat water. They are
usually very simple in terms of use, once built requiring little
maintenance to ensure continued effective operation. They are also
relatively straightforward to construct and install, requiring a
small amount of technical knowledge and experience of small home
improvement projects.
There are two main types of solar heaters: solar air heaters and
solar water heaters. The former are generally used to heat the air
in living areas and workspaces, while the latter are used to provide
hot water for a variety of uses.
Solar Air Heaters
Solar air heaters are used to heat the air in living areas and
workspaces, most commonly in locales where the air temperature is
not constant throughout the year. Though there are many different
designs of air heaters, they all have common elements as the basic
premise is relatively simple. Cold air from the dwelling or
workplace is drawn by convection over a surface designed to soak up
the heat generated by sunlight. This retained heat warms the cold
air, which then is pushed round the system and back into the area
being heated. This in turn forces cooler air back into the system
for warming, and the cycle begins again.
While there are commercially available solar air heaters, the simple
nature of the device makes it perfect for a not too challenging DIY
or home improvement project. Most of the materials needed for a
homemade solar air heater are commonly available and relatively
cheap, meaning constructing your own air solar heater can lead to
real savings on fuel bills. A sample list of components required for
an solar air heater is: foam insulation, plate glass, thin sheet
aluminium (often available from engineers and printers as refuse),
aluminium foil, spare sheets of wood or plastic for the sides of the
heater, and duct tape/glue and some form of sealant (builders caulk
or similar) to hold the solar air heater together and to ensure the
system is airtight. Depending on the design, the solar heater can be
than placed in the appropriate position on or underneath the window,
connected to a suitable gap allowing airflow from the house or
workplace to the heating system and vice versa.
Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters have two main uses, namely the heating of
domestic or commercial hot water systems and the heating of swimming
pools.
Solar heaters for heating home or commercial water systems and are
simple in operation. Solar cells or panels are placed on the roof of
the designated building, and connected to a solar storage tank. This
storage tank receives water from the cold water system of the
building, and outputs to the standard hot water heater. Water cycles
between the solar collectors on the roof and the solar storage tank,
heating the water contained there. It is only when a hot tap or
faucet is turned on that water goes from the solar storage tank to
the normal hot water heater, and it is only when the temperature of
water needed exceeds that of the water provided by the solar water
heating system that the conventional system activates and starts
heating the water.
Solar heaters for swimming pools and the like operate on a similar
principle. The solar energy collectors are connected to the pools
water system, with the solar heater directly warming the pool water.
Using them can significantly extend the amount of days available for
pool usage at little extra cost.
Many companies are now offering solar water heaters for purchase,
and some governments and public bodies are encouraging their
citizens to adopt this technology by making grants available to
defray the cost of purchase and installation. It is possible for an
amateur to make a solar water heating system, but this is
significantly more complex than with solar air heaters. As a result
it is advisable to purchase any solar water heater required rather
than building from scratch, as is possible with air heaters.
Benefits Of Solar Heaters
The main benefit of solar heaters is obvious. Both solar air and
water heaters can significantly save on utility bills. Since each
place of installation has different costs and requirements it is
impossible to give precise figures on the savings to be made.
However, it is likely that a large percentage of annual energy costs
can be saved, especially if a solar combisystem is installed (one
combining both air and water heaters). Depending on the initial
outlay, a solar heater can pay for itself as early as two years
after installation (though for bought rather than homemade systems
this would take longer).
Another benefit of solar heaters is independence
of energy supply. With the rapid growth of China, India, Brazil and
other developing countries world energy demand is growing while
supply is projected to decrease. Installing solar heaters will
protect against the inevitable price rises, and against the
blackouts that are likely to occur as a result of forthcoming
shortages.
|