| Another name for solar water heaters is | | | | systems. They are also known by their initials ICS, or |
| “domestic hot water systems”. They are a | | | | batch systems. They have at least one black tank or |
| very cost-efficient way of keeping your home warm. | | | | insulated tubes within a glazed box. The cold water |
| One great perk of this particular process is that it can | | | | starts by rushing into the solar collector where it is |
| be used regardless of what type of climate you live | | | | preheated. From here the water flows to the backup |
| in, and you get your energy from a free source, the | | | | water heater and creates a reliable source of hot |
| sun. | | | | water. An important note is that these should only be |
| There are two types of solar heating systems that | | | | installed in mild-freeze climates because the pipes |
| are most commonly used for residential purposes. | | | | could freeze when outside in the cold weather. |
| Each of these collectors includes a storage tank and | | | | The last type of solar collector is the evacuated-tube |
| a solar collector. The first type is “active” | | | | solar collector. In this type of solar collector there are |
| which has circulating pumps and controls and the | | | | dual rows of parallel transparent glass tubes. In each |
| second type is “passive” which don’t | | | | tube there is an outer glass tube and a metal |
| require pumps or controls. | | | | absorber tube which is attached to the fin. The fin |
| Solar water heaters need a storage tank that is | | | | has a coating that absorbs the solar energy and at |
| insulated well. They have an outlet and an inlet that is | | | | the same time inhibits radiative heat loss. This type |
| connected to the collector. A two-tank system has a | | | | of collector is the most commonly used collector in |
| water heater that is powered by the sun and | | | | U.S. commercial applications. |
| preheats water before it enters the water heater. In | | | | There are also two types of active solar water |
| a one-tank system the back-up water heater is | | | | heating systems. The first type is the Direct |
| joined with the solar storage in one tank. | | | | Circulation system. This system has pumps that |
| For residential purposes there are three types of | | | | circulate household water through the collectors and |
| solar collectors; Flat-plate collector, integral | | | | back into the home. This type of collector is only |
| collector-storage systems, and evacuated-tube solar | | | | effective in a climate that doesn’t freeze often. |
| collectors. The flat-plate collector has glazed flat-plate | | | | The second type of commercial solar heating system |
| collectors. It is insulated and contains weatherproof | | | | is the Indirect Circulation system. This system has |
| boxes with a dark absorber plate under one or more | | | | pumps that circulate a nom-freezing fluid that |
| polymer (plastic) cover. There are also unglazed | | | | transfers heat. The heat flows through the collectors |
| flat-plate collectors that are often used for heating | | | | and then through a heat exchanger. After the water |
| pools and also have a dark absorber plate, but | | | | is heated in this fashion it flows into the home and |
| without a cover. | | | | heats it. These are very good for homes that are in |
| The second type is integral collector-storage | | | | areas that are prone to freezing. |