Solar water heating systems are eco-friendly and suitable options for people with limited roof space. But this is not the only benefit it offers. If you are also planning to get one but are unsure, let’s read about various advantages of installing a solar water heater.
Advantages of Installing A Solar Water Heater
Solar heaters use sunlight to heat water that we can use for household work. The following are the pros of solar water heaters.
1. Good Efficiency
Solar thermal technology used in solar water heating systems has 80-90% efficiency. This is way higher than the PV system, whose efficiency is around 15-20%. A solar water heater generates the same amount of energy in 1 meter square area while a solar system takes around 4–5 meters square to generate.
2. Environmentally Friendly Option
They rely on solar energy to generate hot water. It also helps us in reducing our carbon footprint. Moreover, solar water heaters do not consume any electricity or fuel as they are not connected to the grid.
3. Zero Operating Cost
Yes, the system requires the least maintenance as it does not have any electrical parts. Periodic maintenance is required in hard water regions to prevent rusting and corrosion. This requires minimal costs and annual maintenance contracts are way affordable.
4. Continuous Power Supply
Since solar water heaters work solely on solar power, they remain unaffected by load shedding or power outages.
5. Saves Space
A solar water heater does not require a large space to operate. If we have very less space, we can simply install them with a thermal panel and they are good to go.
Read about Mono PERC Solar Panel Advantages and Disadvantages.
6. Works on Cloudy Days
Yes, and the reason is in their make and build. The storage tanks are followed by an insulation layer, usually of Rockwool or PUF. There is a final layer of SS, PPGI, and aluminum outer cladding that covers the insulation. These layers are 50-77 mm thick and thus can hold the heat for 3–4 days.
7. Offers Varying Capacities
Solar water heaters are available in different sizes to suit the specific requirements of families. Considering different needs, solar water heaters are available from 100 to 500 LPD.
8. Ideal for Different Water Pressure
Solar water heaters can provide good water flow for different types of pressure shower heads or faucets. Some heating systems can handle up to 10 bar pressures and are often paired with booster pumps.
9. Easy, Quick and Cost-Effective to Install
Solar water heaters do not take long hours to install, and the entire process can be completed between 1 and 2 hours. The time taken can vary depending on the system size and the place of installation.
10. Longer Lifespan
Generally, a solar water heater lasts for more than 15 years in areas with moderate to good water quality. In areas with hard water, they last around 7 to 10 years. In comparison to electric water heaters or gas geysers, the solar water heater serves the purpose for almost double time span.
11. Easy and Affordable to Replace
At the end of the life of solar water heaters, we don’t need to replace the entire system, which saves a good amount of money. We just need to invest in tank and stand/mounting structure (if required). It is around 30 to 40% of the original system cost.
Even when the solar water heaters are worn out, solar FPC collectors and ETC tubes stay in working condition. These two devices absorb heat energy from the sun and have longer lifespans than the heater. Even after 15 years of usage, ETC systems work efficiently.
12. Qualify for Tax Incentives and Rebates
As per the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, solar energy systems qualify for a 30% federal tax credit.
13. Increases Resale Value
As more people are shifting towards renewable energy resources, the demand for houses with pre-installed solar energy systems is also rising. Thus, the resale value of a property with an installed solar water heater also increases.
Cross-Reference: Advantages Of Installing A Solar Water Heater
Disadvantages Of Solar Water Heater
Despite a long list of pros of installing a solar water heater, let us look at a couple of cons of installing a solar water heater.
1. Scaling
Although most systems do not require frequent care and servicing, some can be susceptible to scaling, because of their material or water (primarily hard water) in the region. Scaling results in pump and valve failures, and reduces the efficiency of the system. Due to this, every 3 to 5 days, scaling needs to be done by adding water softener (vinegar) through the collector.
Cross-Reference: Preventing Scaling and Corrosion
2. Corrosion
Solar water heating systems with storage tanks that are not made from rust-resistant materials, can corrode easily. Thus, they require plastic or glass lining to prevent corrosion.
3. Overheating
If the storage tank is too small for the collector, it causes overheating in the system. To avoid this, there should be 1.5 gallons of storage for every square foot of collector. For this, we need to invest more and buy the system with a large tank.
4. Limited Working Hours
Since solar water heating system works on sunlight, it cannot work 24 by 7. To get a hot water supply at night, we are required to install an insulated storage tank.
Find out if solar water heater work in winter?
5. Increase the Cost
Now, with installation of extra components or large tanks, requires more expense. Overall, the cost of solar water heating systems is more than traditional ones and there are extra expenses.
So, along with the numerous advantages of installing a solar water heater, we get to know about some of its limitations too. However, considering the benefits of solar water heaters, their drawbacks are not that concerning. It is time to contact your local provider to get complete information about the rebates and incentives offered in your region before you get the solar water heating system for yourself.
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