| How it works? |
In a standard solar hot water system using heat pipe evacuated tube collectors, the main objective is to heat your hot water without having to utilize the back-up system. To do this the process is quite simple. The solar control system will recognise when there is enough solar energy to gain temperature in the water. Without this the water would actually be cooled down and defeat the purpose. Once there is enough solar gain, a small in-line pump will be switched on and begin circulating the hot water within your storage tank and up to the solar collector. Once the water reaches the manifold at the top of the solar collector, it is instantly heated to temperature and flows back down to be kept in the storage tank. Before the water is actually used, it is tempered down to a reasonable temperature so that it can be used as soon as a tap is turned on. Because of natural processes, the water for use within the house is drawn from the top of the tank where it is hottest, and the solar feeds from the bottom, where it is cooler. As water is used from the storage tank, a cold feed at the bottom tops it up so that it never runs out. In the case that the water in the tank is not up to temperature because of extremely overcast conditions, a natural gas, LPG or solid fuel backup is used to ensure that you have hot water every day of the year. |
