3 Reasons To Get A Solar Water Heater

There are a plethora of hot water systems on the market, and you have a wide array of choices to choose from. However, this can be a bit dicey because you don’t know what the hot water system is perfect for you. The type of water heater you choose should depend on your budget, but we advise you to invest in a solar water heater if you have the money.

In my book, the perfect water system is solar water heaters because they save you money on gas and fossil fuel and are the most eco-friendly alternative on the market. Don’t worry because we are here to help you out. So without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn more about solar water heaters. 

1. What is a solar water heater?

A solar water heater is a system that produces domestic hot water (DHW) using solar energy. It has a very low environmental impact and allows savings on households’ second-largest energy expense after heating: domestic hot water (about 11% of the total bill).

The energy is captured thanks to thermal solar collectors (solar panels), most often located on the roof of a home. Do not confuse thermal solar panels with photovoltaic solar panels, which provide electricity. A solar water heater can cover 50 to 80% of your annual hot water needs. In most cases, an integrated backup system will cover the rest during the winter period.

2. A brief history of the solar water heater

Humans did not wait until the year 2000 to discover the energetic powers of solar radiation. Indeed, they were discovered very early but really developed and exploited quite late, towards the end of the 19th century. Some say that in 213 BC, Archimedes accomplished a scientific feat. He would have succeeded in setting fire to enemy ships thanks to parabolic mirrors in the Greek city of Syracuse, then under siege.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, real experiments on solar energy by scientists of the time appeared. In the 19th century, machines for converting solar energy were tested in the industrial field (rise of mechanics). The Genevan physicist Horace-Benedict de Saussure (1857-1913) put forward the principle of the greenhouse effect. He developed the concept of Plan thermal collectors (glazing above an absorber in an insulated box). These are still an essential part of today’s solar thermal systems.

As for the individual solar water heaters, in the years 1910-1920, we see their first commercialization in the United States. Unfortunately, the development of fossil fuels (oil, coal, etc.), which were more profitable at the time, slowed down their progression.

In the 2000s, a renewed interest emerged in the conversion of solar radiation in response to ecological, economic and social issues worldwide. Indeed, some major issues are beginning to be put on the table:

• The reduction of greenhouse gases
• The anticipation of the depletion of fossil fuels
• The reduction of the use of nuclear energy

3. The advantages of a solar water heater

By buying a solar water heater, you are choosing to invest in:

• A high-tech ecological system that generates no CO2 emissions and uses local energy: solar energy, which is inexhaustible over the next billion years
• Greater energy independence thanks to a system that does not use fossil fuels that pollute our planet and are threatened with depletion
• A material designed to last, simple to install and maintain. The life span of the sensors is 30 years on average and 10 years for the rest of the components.
• A system that allows you to reduce your electricity bill by up to 40% by covering up to 80% of your annual needs, which becomes profitable after 3 to 5 years of use
• An installation that offers tax advantages (tax credit and various bonuses) and the possibility of obtaining financial aid from various government agencies

Looking for help?

You can count on Asquith Plumbing to provide friendly, professional, and prompt service whenever you need it because a plumbing emergency can arise at any time. They offer 24/7 emergency plumbing service and will never let you figure it out on your own. The team of experts there understands that problems don’t always occur when you want them to and often occur when you least expect them.

While many factors contribute to a faulty water heater system, and you can fix some of these issues yourself, it is always better to call professional plumbers. They will make sure to handle repairs and provide personalized plumbing solutions to keep your hot water systems in good working conditions.