Benefits of Solar Water Heater

1. Solar Water Heating Systems are a better choice for your terrace space than Solar Power systems.

 

I am sure most of you reading this are surprised. But honestly, your terrace doesn’t care much for Solar Thermal or PV. All it cares about is how well the space is being utilized.

 

Solar Thermal technology, specifically solar water heating technology works at 80-90% efficiency whereas Solar PV technology (PV is Photovoltaic- a fancy word for Solar Power) works at 15-20% efficiency.

 

What this means is that a solar water heater system generates the same amount of energy in a 1m2 area which a solar power pack system takes 4-5m2 to generate.

 

Well you might be wondering if this is a fair comparison. Solar thermal systems are used to heat water whereas solar power systems are used to generate electricity. Fair point. But in terms of energy conversion all that matters is what goes in and how much comes out  – the overall usefulness of the system.

 

In solar water heater systems, 100 units of solar energy go in and about 80-90 units are converted into useful energy. The comparable number for solar power systems is only 15-20 units.

 

(Btw, your car engine works at about 35% thermal efficiency)

 

2. Solar Water Heaters utilize a renewable and green Energy source

 

This may seem obvious. But here are the hard facts.

 

A family of four (two adults, two children),using an electric geyser which runs on a non-renewable source of electricity (like a coal powered thermal power plant), generate about 3kgs of CO2 every day. That may only be about 1095kgs of CO2 in an year but it works out to about 43 Metric Tonnes of CO2 during a 40 year period!

 

Solar water heaters, in comparison, run on a green energy source – The sun and, have a minimal carbon footprint.

 

And here’s why…

 

3. They consume no electricity or fuel.

 

Let’s go back to our family of four using an electric geyser for their bathing needs.

 

Their electricity consumption from a single day of use is about 9kWh. This works out to a monthly and an annual cost in electricity bills, assuming conservative tariffs.

  

But what about the cost of maintaining the system and other operating costs?

 

4. Solar Water Heaters have next to zero operating costs

 

Yes. That is right.

 

These systems are zero maintenance due to the absence of any moving, electrical or electronic parts. Periodic maintenance is recommended for areas with hard water conditions. However, this is uncommon in cities and only a concern in  up-country locations. In either case, the maintenance costs are minimal and Annual Maintenance contracts can be purchased for dirt cheap.

 

The occasional use of electric backup heaters during monsoons does result in minor increase in operating costs.However, these costs are minimal and for days with heavy rainfall only. Solar water heaters are mightily efficient even in diffused sunlight.

 

5. They work during power cuts

 

If you’re getting late for work and your local electricity board has scheduled a load shedding on the same day, there is no cause for worry. You can still enjoy a nice, hot shower, put on your best suit and head out to work.

 

For more info contact Ariston Solar Water Heater or call us at +971 4 252 2966