Using solar power to heat your water is one of the most practical and cost effective ways to harness energy from the sun. St. Augustine Solar thermal systems absorb the sun’s heat and use it to heat your residence’s own hot water needs. In general, the St. Augustine solar Water Heating System will easily heat water to 140ºF or higher matching the range of its traditional hot water tank counterpart. Effective systems can collect up to 70 percent of the sun’s energy that reaches them and transfer it to you.

How Solar Hot Water Heating Systems Work

In general there are two types of active water heating systems: direct and indirect.

Direct Solar Water Heating
As implied, direct systems capture the sun’s heat in collectors to directly heat a household’s water supply. The system consists of collector pipes filled with water that are linked to an insulated storage tank usually located inside a home. As the sun heats the water inside the pipes, the water flows into the storage tank. Although direct systems are more efficient that indirect ones, they require more maintenance to keep the pipes clear of mineral deposits. Direct solar thermal systems also work best in warmer climates where the system is less prone to freezing.

Indirect Solar Water Heating
Indirect systems do not heat the water directly rather they use fluid with a low-freezing point to absorb radiant energy from the sun. Also termed closed-loop systems, an indirect St. Augustine solar water heating system absorbs the sun’s rays into heat pipes evacuated of air which in turn heats up the pipe’s thin copper laminate located on the back of each pipe. The collection array consists of multiple heating pipes that are mounted and tilted to maximize solar collection.

Often glycol (an ingredient in antifreeze) runs through adjacent pipes within the array and heats up via contact with the copper laminate. As the temperature in the pipes rise, the heat activates a pump that circulates the glycol fluid through a heat exchange coil in the water tank. That coil, in turn, transfers its heat to the water tank and voila, hot water is produced.

Work with a St. Augustine Solar Pro
As with any St. Augustine solar power upgrade, consulting with a St. Augustine solar professional can help you evaluate your potential savings and determine the type of solar hot water system that’s best for you. St. Augustine solar thermal panels come both as stand-alone collection arrays and as integrated building panels. A St. Augustine solar water heater installation professional can size your system and help you compare the different options for the collection panels and water tank you may need. And remember, St. Augustine solar domestic water systems often qualify for federal, state, and local tax credits and rebates!

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If you are looking for a St Augustine solar heating system, then please call 904-823-1223 or complete our online request form.