## How Solar Water Heaters Work
Solar water heaters are a great way to reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint. They use the sun’s energy to heat water, which can then be used for a variety of purposes, including bathing, washing dishes, and heating your home.
There are two main types of solar water heaters: active and passive. Active solar water heaters use a pump to circulate water through a collector, which is a device that absorbs the sun’s energy and transfers it to the water. Passive solar water heaters do not use a pump; instead, they rely on the natural circulation of water to move water through the collector.
Both active and passive solar water heaters can be used to heat water for a variety of purposes. However, active solar water heaters are more efficient than passive solar water heaters, so they can produce more hot water for the same amount of sunlight.
### Active Solar Water Heaters
Active solar water heaters are the most common type of solar water heater. They use a pump to circulate water through a collector, which is a device that absorbs the sun’s energy and transfers it to the water. The collector is typically mounted on the roof of your home, where it can receive the most sunlight.
The pump circulates water through the collector in a closed loop. As the water passes through the collector, it absorbs the sun’s energy and warms up. The warmed water then flows back to the storage tank, where it is stored until you need it.
Active solar water heaters are more efficient than passive solar water heaters, so they can produce more hot water for the same amount of sunlight. However, they are also more expensive to install and maintain.
### Passive Solar Water Heaters
Passive solar water heaters do not use a pump to circulate water through the collector. Instead, they rely on the natural circulation of water to move water through the collector. The collector is typically mounted on the side of your home, where it can receive the most sunlight.
As the water in the collector heats up, it becomes less dense and rises to the top of the collector. The cooler water at the bottom of the collector sinks to the bottom and takes its place. This natural circulation of water creates a continuous flow of hot water through the collector.
The heated water from the collector flows into the storage tank, where it is stored until you need it. Passive solar water heaters are less efficient than active solar water heaters, but they are also less expensive to install and maintain.
### Benefits of Solar Water Heaters
There are many benefits to using solar water heaters, including:
Reduced energy bills: Solar water heaters can reduce your energy bills by up to 80%.
Reduced carbon footprint: Solar water heaters do not produce any greenhouse gases, so they can help to reduce your carbon footprint.
Increased home value: Solar water heaters can increase the value of your home.
Government incentives: There are many government incentives available for solar water heaters, including tax credits and rebates.
### How to Choose a Solar Water Heater
There are a few things to consider when choosing a solar water heater, including:
The size of your home: The size of your home will determine the size of the solar water heater you need.
The amount of sunlight your home receives: The amount of sunlight your home receives will determine how much hot water your solar water heater can produce.
Your budget: Solar water heaters can range in price from $2,000 to $10,000.
The type of solar water heater you want: There are two main types of solar water heaters: active and passive. Active solar water heaters are more efficient than passive solar water heaters, but they are also more expensive to install and maintain.
### How to Install a Solar Water Heater
Installing a solar water heater is a complex process that should be performed by a qualified professional. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare for the installation, including:
Choose a location for the collector: The collector should be mounted on a sunny location where it can receive the most sunlight.
Clear the area around the collector: The area around the collector should be clear of any obstructions, such as trees or shrubs.
Install the storage tank: The storage tank should be installed in a convenient location near the collector.
Connect the collector to the storage tank: The collector should be connected to the storage tank using a flexible hose.
Fill the system with water: The system should be filled with water