ACTIVE SOLAR DESIGN ALTERNATIVE ENEGRY SOURCES

Solar Design Active solar design Use pumps, fans, ducts, pipes, and other mechanical equipment to collect, store, and distribute solar energy.

Conventional Storage Water Heaters Natural gas and propane water heaters basically operate the same. A gas burner under the tank heats the water. Because water is constantly heated in the tank, energy can be wasted even when a hot water tap isn't running. This is called standby heat loss.

Conventional Storage Water Heaters How Conventional Storage Water Heaters Work? A storage water heater operates by releasing hot water from the top of the tank when you turn on the hot water tap. To replace that hot water, cold water enters the bottom of the tank, ensuring that the tank is always full. Conventional storage water heater fuel sources include natural gas, propane, fuel oil, and electricity.

Tankless Demand Water Heaters Demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters have heating devices that are activated by the flow of water They provide hot water only as needed and without the use of a storage tank. They don't produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters.

Tankless Demand Water Heaters How Demand Water Heaters Work? Heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. Therefore, they avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage water heaters. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit. Either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water. As a result, demand water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water. However, a demand water heater's output limits the flow rate.

Solar Water Heaters Solar water heaters use the sun's heat to provide hot water for a home or building.

Solar Water Heaters How Solar Water Heaters Work? Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. Solar water heaters use the sun to heat either water or a heat-transfer fluid in the collector. Most solar water heaters require a well-insulated storage tank. Solar storage tanks have an additional outlet and inlet connected to and from the collector.

Types of Solar Collectors Flat-plate collectors A typical flat-plate collector is an insulated metal box with a glass or plastic cover (called the glazing) and a dark-colored absorber plate.

Types of Solar Collectors Integral collector-storage systems Integral collector-storage systems, also known as "batch" systems, are made of one or more black tanks in an insulated glazed box. Cold water first passes through the solar collector, which preheats the water, and then continues to the conventional backup water heater.

Types of Solar Collectors Evacuated-tube solar collectors Can achieve extremely high temperatures (170°F to 350°F). Made of parallel rows of transparent glass tubes, which contain a glass outer tube and metal absorber tube attached to a fin. The fin is covered with a coating that absorbs solar energy well, but which inhibits radiative heat loss. Air is removed, or evacuated, from the space between the two glass tubes to form a vacuum, which eliminates conductive and convective heat loss.

Types of Solar Water Heating Systems There are two types of solar water heating systems: Active, which have circulating pumps and controls. Passive, which don't.

Types of Solar Water Heating Systems Active Solar Water Heating Systems There are two types of active solar water heating systems: Direct circulation systems Use pumps to circulate pressurized potable water directly through the collectors. These systems are appropriate in areas that do not freeze for long periods and do not have hard or acidic water. Indirect circulation systems Pump heat-transfer fluids through collectors. Heat exchangers transfer the heat from the fluid to the potable water. They are popular in climates prone to freezing temperatures.

Passive Solar Water Heating Systems Integral collector-storage passive systems Consist of one or more storage tanks placed in an insulated box with a glazed side facing the sun. These work best in areas where temperatures rarely fall below freezing. They also work well in households with significant daytime and evening hot-water needs. They do not work well in homes or buildings with predominantly morning draws because they lose most of the collected energy overnight.

Passive Solar Water Heating Systems Thermosyphon systems Rely on the natural convection of warm water rising to circulate water through the collectors and to the tank (located above the collector). As water in the solar collector heats, it becomes lighter and rises naturally into the tank above. Meanwhile, the cooler water flows down the pipes to the bottom of the collector, enhancing the circulation. Indirect thermosyphons (that use a glycol fluid in the collector loop) can be installed in freeze-prone climates if the piping in the unconditioned space is adequately protected.

Passive Solar Water Heating Systems Backup Systems Solar water heating systems almost always require a backup system for cloudy days and times of increased demand which a conventional water heater serves as.