Solar Hot Water Heaters
There are two different styles of solar hot water systems available, each with multiple options for water storage sizes, heating methods, and designs to suit various home styles, climates, and locations. Installing a solar hot water system offers significant environmental benefits, including a significant reduction in power consumption. Additionally, installing a solar hot water system can result in cost savings on your power bill.
Roof mounted, Thermosyphon solar water heaters
Solar hot water systems are available in two different styles, which offer multiple options in terms of water storage sizes, heating methods, and designs to suit different home styles, climates, and locations. These systems provide numerous benefits, including significant environmental benefits through the reduction in power consumption, as well as cost savings on power bills.
The traditional solar hot water style features a tank and panels located on the roof. While this style has been around for many years and works efficiently to heat the water in the cylinder, it can be aesthetically unpleasing and poses a significant weight on the roof.
Additionally, the older systems would dump a lot of water out of the tanks pressure and temperature relief valve when it reached very high temperatures, as the heat transfer continued to boiling point.
However, all new thermosyphon type solar water heaters now have a valve on the flow line to the panels that restricts water when it has reached 60 degrees Celsius. While this does save the water loss, having a 60-degree restriction means that they do not become as efficient or store as much hot water.
The solar collectors also come in different sizes between brands to have different solar gain abilities. Evacuated tubes on roof-mounted solar hot water systems are not advised, especially in Queensland, as they provide way too much solar gain and can boil away most of the day. Evacuated tube solars are really designed for locations further away from the equator, such as mid NSW and lower.
The storage tanks are available in both Stainless Steel and Vitreous Enamel lined Mild Steel, offering durability and reliability.
To learn more about which solar hot water system is right for you, call us at 1300 218 122 for expert advice.
Ground Mounted, Split system solar hot water heaters
The solar hot water system with the tank on the ground and the solar collectors on the roof is a modern and efficient option for homeowners. These systems can use either flat solar panels or evacuated tubes, but it’s important to note that evacuated tubes are not recommended for the Queensland climate as they can boil away and create annoying rumbling noises.
The hot water storage tanks come in different sizes, ranging from 250 litres to 400 litres. The system operates using sensors located at the solar panels and storage tanks that take a continuity reading, which translates to a temperature. This information is then sent through a PCB board to a small circulating pump that pushes water from the lowest point of the tank through the panels at a slow rate of 2-3 litres per minute, allowing for heat transfer. The water then returns to the tank, generally at a midway point, before continuing to transfer naturally to the highest point of the hot water cylinder.
The flow and return water pipes connected to the panels and tank should always be made of copper to withstand the high temperatures involved. At Brisbane Hot Water Heaters, we use a continuous copper pipe with no joints or fittings in any roof space. This pipe is covered in a 25mm thick high-temperature and UV-rated insulation to prevent as much heat loss as possible during water transfer.
Most brands will not operate the circulation pump until the panels reach a temperature that is 10 degrees Celsius above the water temperature within the tank. The panels are highly efficient, and temperatures can rise very quickly; it’s not uncommon for water to reach 120 degrees Celsius inside the panels. Some systems allow temperatures of up to 75 degrees Celsius to be held in the tank.
Once the tank reaches its desired temperature, the water is held in the panels until it is used and lowers below the parameters to have the pump operate. The pumps used in these systems make little to no noise and use very little power, most being 25 watts or less. To put it simply, your microwave clock probably uses more power in a day than the pump.
Using a reputable brand for your solar hot water system is advised, as cheaper options from unknown brands can cause problems and incur additional costs for homeowners. At Brisbane Hot Water Heaters, we offer unbiased, honest, and factual information on solar hot water systems. Please feel free to contact us at 1300 728 122 for further information.
Check out the simple drawing below for a visual representation of how these solar water heaters operate.
Flat Panel solar collector
Solar hot water systems are the most common type of renewable energy system installed in Australia, and are suitable for use in most climates and locations. These systems typically consist of a manifold of copper pipes and flat plates that are powder-coated black to absorb as much heat as possible. The hot water is transferred through the pipes either by thermosiphon transfer (in roof-mounted tank types) or by a circulation pump in split systems where the tank is located at ground level.
The solar panels used in these systems have a toughened glass top with a full frame and base, and insulation between the copper manifold and backing. Heat is trapped under the glass, providing long-lasting warmth even on cloudy days. In fact, these systems can provide some heat without direct sunlight, up to twice the temperature of the ambient air. For example, if it’s 26 degrees Celsius outside, the panels should still be able to get the tank to 52 degrees Celsius on an overcast day where direct sunlight is not achieved.
Depending on the size of your storage tank, you may only need 2 to 3 solar panels to provide enough hot water for your needs. Installing a solar hot water system can help reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint, while also increasing the value of your home. If you’re interested in installing a solar hot water system, it’s important to work with a reputable installer who can help you choose the right system for your needs and ensure that it’s installed correctly.
Evacuated Tube solar collectors
Evacuated tube solar hot water systems are composed of a series of glass tubes containing a copper rod filled with fluid that rapidly heats up when exposed to sunlight. The tubes are inserted into a manifold at the highest point, allowing the hot water to rise to the top of the tank. The number of tubes in a system can vary from 12 to 32, depending on the size of your tank and its location.
While these systems are highly efficient and can reach temperatures of around 250 degrees Celsius, they are not always the best choice for homes in Queensland, where sunlight and heating ability are typically available for most of the day. Designed for cooler European climates, these systems work better in areas such as lower New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and the southern end of Western Australia, where the angle of sunlight is different and the intensity is lower.
It’s worth noting that there are only a few suppliers of evacuated tube solar hot water systems left in Australia, and they are typically more expensive than flat solar panels, with an average price increase of around $1000.
If you’re considering an evacuated tube solar hot water system, it’s important to work with a reputable installer who can help you determine if this type of system is suitable for your needs and location. While they may not be the best choice for all homes, evacuated tube solar hot water systems can be highly effective in the right circumstances, providing you with an eco-friendly and cost-effective source of hot water.
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After hours and weekends Call 0413 861 166
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Are you in need of a solar hot water system for your home or business in Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast? Look no further than Brisbane Hot Water Heaters! We have a variety of systems in stock and ready for installation at our warehouses, so you won’t have to wait for delivery. Plus, we offer easy payment plans to make the initial cost more manageable. Our payment terms range from 1 to 3 years with fortnightly payments after a small deposit, which can even be offset by the money you save on your electricity bill.
Our team is dedicated to providing quality products and professional installation services to customers throughout Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, including Bribie Island and Gympie. Contact us today to learn more about our solar hot water solutions and start saving on your energy bills.
Let us help you make the right decision on your Solar Hot Water Heater replacement and repairs
Brisbane Hot Water Heaters have expert technicians to repair any kind of hot water heater.
Call us NOW on 1300 728 122 or 0413 861 166 after hours and weekends
Lets us help you make the right decision on your Solar Hot Water Heater replacement and repairs
Suncity Hot Water have expert technicians to repair any kind of hot water heater
Call us NOW on 1300 728 122 or 0413 861 166 after hours and weekends
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