Solar Hot Water Heater (Pros and Cons)

Solar technology is an increasing trend at this time. Therefore, it is not surprise if there are many appliances (including for heating appliances) that use solar energy as the source power. The awareness of the serious problems of climate changing emissions, makes the utilization of eco-friendly technology is also increasingly popular. There are many reasons (advantages) why you should try to use solar hot water heater. But there are also some drawbacks (cons) that should be anticipated as well. Let’s have to a look at both points (pros and cons) in this article!

One thing that make a new technology can be exist is should be able to provide advantages, so there are available reasonable reasons why people should choose to use it. Below are some pros arguments of solar water heaters:

1. They are friendly to our environment since use the solar energy as the source power and don’t produce CO or CO2. So it is reasonable if we call them as 100 percent of the clean heating technology. This looks so different if we compare to other conventional heating appliances that use oil and gas (either propane or methane) as fuel.
2. They work more efficiently with the unlimited solar energy of sunlight (free natural resources). The high initial cost for the installation will be returned (with the low maintenance costs and low or even can be said free energy bill) after around four to six years. To guarantee your money, they always come with the warranties large!
3. We can use them all around year, but during summer season is full active period which usually they can work more powerfully. But you can still use them optimally during winter season if you choose the right system. Some popular systems that are based on the climate; (a) ‘cold season system’ which is consisted of two popular models = anti-freezing technology and drain-back, (b) ‘thermo-syphon’, it is the most popular model that can be found easily all around the world, (c) ‘batch solar’, some experts call this model as the simplest technology of solar water heater, and so on.
4. The other advantage is, you will find some financial incentives, especially if you live in Canada, USA, and some European countries. This is so helpful for some homeowners who want to use and install solar technology but have limited budget.

And on other hand, the following are some cons issues that hold up the popularity of the positive effects when using solar hot water heaters:

1. Like mentioned frequently before, the initial investment costs of them are more expensive than which required by regular gas, oil, or even electric water heating systems.
2. The performance is closely influenced by the sunlight resources, and this will get worse if you choose and use the wrong climate system.
3. We cannot combine them with radiators or if you insist to do it then will result the poor efficiency performance.
4. Except for indoor component, the outdoor units that get the direct sunlight or other extreme weather are required more maintenance and should be checked periodically. Check also the pipes periodically and make ensure these pipes are free from freeze, especially during winter months.

Other related post: Green house heating systems and Solar pool cover!