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| The year-around demand for heating
water provides an excellent application for solar energy. In many
parts of
the world, solar energy has long been used to heat water, especially in those areas with sunny climate and high fuel costs. m A typical active Solar/Gas water heating system, as shown in the illustration, is made up of the following components; Solar collectors placed at a convenient location with an unobstructed southerly exposure to the sun. A storage tank normally ranging from 80-120 gallons, depending on individual needs. Storage is necessary so that solar preheated water can be supplied when the sun is not shining. A pump, expansion tank, mixing valve and controls to regulate the system which supplies preheated water to a conventional gas water heater as needed. |
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There are also single tank systems
available on the market. Such systems combine solar-heated water
storage with a gas water heater system in a single storage/heater tank.
m POINTS TO REMEMBER: 1. Collectors should be located as near as possible to the storage tank. This will help reduce costs and avoid the heat loss of extended piping runs. 2. Piping should always be insulated to maintain maximum efficiency. 3. Since the sun, working in conjunction with a collector, can produce very hot water, a mixing valve is usually included in the system to provide water at usable temperatures. 4. Because the sun typically will not be able to fill all hot water requirements, a conventional gas water heater also is needed. |