Solar water heaters
Solar water heaters are one of the most cost-effective uses of solar power, especially when used to heat a pool. But they are also cost-effective when used to heat the water used within a home as well. Take a moment to just think of how much hot water you and your family use in a day. And think of just how much energy must be used to heat this water.
Need a little help with the numbers? Here are some numbers that relate to the hot water usage by an average American.
• Shower – 7-15 gallons
• Bath in a standard tub – 20 gallons
• Dishwasher – 8-10 gallons
• Washing machine (hot water wash with a warm rinse) – 32 gallons
• Washing machine (warm wash with a cold rinse) – 7 gallonsThere are, of course, ways to lessen your how much hot water you use without getting a solar water heater. And doing these things will lessen your impact on the environment. For instance:
• Bathing – Take a shower rather than a bath. Better yet, install a low-flow showerhead, take a short shower (no more than 5 minutes), and turn off the water while you are soaping up.
• Clothes washing – Wash and rinse your clothing in cold water. If you must, use warm water with a cold water rinse. Replace an old washing machine with a newer, more efficient one (front entry ones are generally best). Look for the Energy Star label to make sure that it is also energy efficient. Check for one that uses the least amount of water possible.
• Check for leaks – make sure that no hot water is leaking.
• Dishwashing – only operate dishwasher with full loads.As you may guess, though, the numbers still add up, even when you cut back. Using solar water heaters in your home is often the very best solution to saving energy. Of course, it is still important to cut down on your hot water usage, not just to save energy, but to save water, as well.
Solar hot water heaters can be installed just about anywhere in the United States and still be effective. They will, however, be most effective in the sun belt, and they will also be most effective during the summer months when the sun is up in the sky for longer.
To find out what size solar heater to get, add up how much hot water you and your family use in a day. Add up all of the hot showers, dishwashing, laundry, personal usage (shaving, hand-washing, etc.), food prep, etc.
In general, a 50-60 gallon storage tank is sufficient for 2-3 people. An 80 gallon tank is usually necessary for a family up to 4 people. Also, in general, 20 square feet of collector area is necessary for 2 people. For 3 people, 28 square feet. For 4 people, 36 square feet.
Keep in mind that these numbers are merely a guideline. For exact numbers as to how large your solar water heaters and system must be, contact a solar system contractor. He or she will likely use computer programs and worksheets to find out what your system requires.
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