Solar Hot Water Heating |
One of the largest uses for solar energy is to heat water! Heating water with the sun is a naturally occuring phenomenon that has been going on for billions of years. Just think of how your favorite local swimming hole, not to mention the world's oceans, gets warmer as the sun shines. With the potential to heat such large quatities of water all over the earth, you can only wonder why everyone does not use this abundant energy source to provide for their water heating needs. Solar water heating also reduces emissions created by the use of fossil fuels such as gas and oil for heating water as well as those emmisions associated with electricity generation. There are several types of solar heating systems that are commonly used for most fluid heating applications. |
One of the best uses for solar hot water is for your domestic hot water needs! Hot water heating is the largest consumer of energy in most homes. Independent solar hot water systems are perfect for the volume of hot water needed for most families. Most systems heat and circulate water within collectors and tanks for storage either by thermosyphon or mechanical means. Other systems, that may operate in colder climates, incorporate a heat exchanging fluid, such as glycol, in conjunction with solar hot water collectors and a heat exchanger tank or external heat exchanger. |
The second most used application for solar water heating is swimming pool heating! Since heating large quantities of water can be very expensive, solar water heating is the logical choice. Systems can be designed using high temperature and low temperature collectors. The size of the system will determine the amout of time it will take to raise a volume of water by a desired temperature. |
Advances in heating technology make solar the perfect choice to offset home heating cost! -Water temperatures gained using solar are perfect for use in radiant heating systems, so it just makes sense to incorporate solar. Conventional radiant heating methods raise water temperatures higher, requiring mixing and cooling of the water to be delivered to the heating zones. This results in a greater loss and waste of energy for which you have to pay. -SHW can be sent to individual rooms or sunspaces with radiant heat from which hot air can be delivered to other parts of the house, to a hot water to hot air exchanger, or to cast iron radiators that have been converted to be used with forced hot water. -SHW can be gained from sunspaces and distributed thoughout your home or to your hot water or hot air system. -SHW heating can also be used in vacation homes and outbuildings and animal shelters to maintain warm, indoor temperatures to prevent cold weather damage at little or no operating cost. |
Water pasteurization is the key to obtaining potable water from a water source that otherwise may be tainted with harmful organic organisms! Filtering can remove small particles and most microscopic organisms depending on the filter type and micron rating (This determines the size particle that the filter will remove). Systems generally consist of a sediment filter in conjunction with a carbon filter for potable water. Other systems such as water softeners, remove or neutralize elements, such as copper, zinc and iron, that can cause hard water. Chlorinization requires precise amounts of chlorine to kill bacteria but must be such as to keep the levels of chlorine safe for consumption. Pasteutization kills water borne bacteria and microbes such as giardia and cysts, cryptosporidium and worms. Besides consumption, pasteurized water can be used for medical purposes such as washing wounds and other medical proceedures to reduce infections caused by tainted water. Pastuerization, though similar to boiling water, does not require the higher temperatures associated with boiling, rather a temperature and time relationship. Pasteurization can take place by maintaining a minimum temperature around 150 F for ten to fifteen minutes. Higher temperatures reduce the amount of time needed to kill the water borne organisms. These lower temperatures make solar the economical choice for water pasteurization. Note: Pasteurization will only destroy organic matter and will not destroy or remove deadly toxins that may be introduced to water supplies! |
Sanitation and energy conservation are the key uses for solar showers! Showering, next to laundy, is the largest consumer of hot water on the domestic level. Solar showers can be designed for direct use or in conjunction with a larger solar hot water system. Solar showers are perfect for rural applications where only cold spring water is available, making bathing uncomfortable or time consuming when other methods of water heating are required. The pool area is another great location for a solar shower. |
At times when potable water services are interupted, either through line breaks or natural disasters such as floods, contamination of the water supply can sometimes take place and may not be suitable for consumption until lines are repaired and flushed. Having a supply of pasteurized water or the ability to filter and pasteurize water without the use of local utilites can be crucial if the supply is tainted for a long period of time. |
Small pasteurization systems can be carried on trips, in conjunction with portable filtration devices, where carrying a supply of fresh water is not an option, and where available water supplies may be questionable. |
Larger systems for pasteurizing water supplies can be installed. These system can be made totally automatic to produce enough clean water for many peoples daily uses. |
Types of solar hot water heaters we install; Vaugh Manufacturing SHWH 80-120 gallon Stone lined construction - 7 yr. manufacturers warranty Direct exchange - w/wo electric backup Heat exchange - w/wo electric backup Superstor 40- 80 -120 gallon Heat exchange / direct exchange Stainless steel construction - limited lifetime warranty -All conventional domestic, gas/elec. hot water heaters used in conjunction with an external heat exchanger. |
Complete SHW service for domestic hot water, heating and pools. -System checks -System flush / drain / winterizing -Glycol recharge w/ non-toxic antifreeze -Controls - troubleshooting / repair / replace -Pump service -repair / replace -Plumbing and valves - repair / replace -Safety valves -Temperature/pressure gauges -Hot water panel construction and repair |