Solar Domestic Hot Water

Solar hot water systems are most commonly used to heat water for basic household needs such as laundry, bathing, dishwashing and cooking. These systems are commonly referred to as "domestic hot water systems".

Solar hot water systems typically use solar energy to pre-heat the water that is incoming to a conventionally fueled heating tank. The warmer the water from the solar heater, the less conventional fuel will be needed to provide the household's hot water needs.

In a solar hot water system, collector tubes inside an insulated box absorb the sun's heat and transfer the heat to water or another liquid flowing through the tubes. In areas where freezing is not a threat, the system can be an "open loop" where the water flowing through the tubes is heated directly for use. In colder areas the system is a "closed loop." Antifreeze liquid is heated before transferring its heat to the water by way of a heat exchanger.