| The rising cost of energy over the last decade has | | | | One application employs a glazed, moisture proof box |
| made the use of solar water heating appliances | | | | containing an absorber plate under plastic or glass |
| increase greatly. Technology's advancements in | | | | covers. |
| efficiency and the decreasing cost have made solar | | | | The second type of solar collector uses the same |
| energy possible for more homes. | | | | glazed box but contains tubing to allow the water to |
| Solar heating units consume the energy from the sun | | | | move to the storage tank as it is heated. |
| to heat water before transferring it into the home for | | | | Solar heating that is considered active is when water |
| use. Typically, a traditional water heater will be kept as | | | | is transported through the home by the actual system. |
| a storage area for the solar heated water, thus | | | | This direct circulation moves the water through the |
| assuring hot water is always available but energy | | | | solar energy tubing or collection system and sends it to |
| consumption is kept minimal. | | | | the home for use. |
| Available Water Heaters | | | | With passive systems the flow of the water is due to |
| Basically, there are two variations of water heating | | | | nature, cold water will go to the bottom of the tank as |
| systems: one that employs circulation and controls and | | | | the hot water rises and moves through the system. |
| one that doesn't. In order to maintain efficiency, both | | | | Other solar heating systems exist that are a |
| types use insulation to keep the solar heated water | | | | combination of both passive and active. These are |
| hot until used. | | | | usually for specialized situations such as heated |
| There are also two types of tank systems used in | | | | swimming pools. |
| solar water heating. One combines the solar heated | | | | Only a few years ago your only option would be to |
| water storage with the back-up heater water storage | | | | purchase an off-the-shelf solar water heating system, |
| and the other one transfers the solar heated water to | | | | but now DIY systems are more popular than ever. |
| a separate tank to keep it warm until use. | | | | You can now get some great homemade power |
| Solar panels containing solar cells are the source of | | | | guides that teach you how to build renewable energy |
| energy used in the water heating systems. | | | | systems step by step. |