sohw:solar_hot_water

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sohw:solar_hot_water [2026/03/12 19:30] – [Related topics] Simon Grantsohw:solar_hot_water [2026/08/19 00:24] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Solar hot water+This topic is part of [[gt:power|Power & heating]]. 
 +====== Solar hot water ======
  
  
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-## What is solar hot water?+===== What is solar hot water? =====
  
 Also known as solar thermal, a domestic solar hot water system is one that absorbs the sun’s energy and transfers it to the water in a well-insulated storage cylinder, so that you have hot water when you need it. Solar thermal is different from solar [photovoltaics](/soel/solar_electricity), as solar hot water panels (usually called ‘collectors’) don’t produce electricity - they have water flowing through them, which they heat directly. Also known as solar thermal, a domestic solar hot water system is one that absorbs the sun’s energy and transfers it to the water in a well-insulated storage cylinder, so that you have hot water when you need it. Solar thermal is different from solar [photovoltaics](/soel/solar_electricity), as solar hot water panels (usually called ‘collectors’) don’t produce electricity - they have water flowing through them, which they heat directly.
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 _Plumber demonstrates they mysteries of heat transfer coils in hot water cylinders by cutting away the side of the cylinder. Coils can transfer heat to or from the cylinder. So for example, hot water from solar panels can transfer heat to the cylinder via a coil; but also, hot water in the cylinder can transfer heat to water in a coil for the central heating. A cylinder can have one, two or more coils._ _Plumber demonstrates they mysteries of heat transfer coils in hot water cylinders by cutting away the side of the cylinder. Coils can transfer heat to or from the cylinder. So for example, hot water from solar panels can transfer heat to the cylinder via a coil; but also, hot water in the cylinder can transfer heat to water in a coil for the central heating. A cylinder can have one, two or more coils._
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-## What are the benefits of solar hot water?+===== What are the benefits of solar hot water? =====
  
 Solar thermal, and other renewable energy sources, doesn’t involve the burning of fossil fuels, which releases nitric oxides, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. This causes acid rain which damages forests, wildlife and human health, and acidifies the oceans; it also releases carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, lead, particulates and hydrocarbons, which pollute the atmosphere, and cause damage to plants, ecosystems, and human respiratory health. Solar thermal, and other renewable energy sources, doesn’t involve the burning of fossil fuels, which releases nitric oxides, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. This causes acid rain which damages forests, wildlife and human health, and acidifies the oceans; it also releases carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, lead, particulates and hydrocarbons, which pollute the atmosphere, and cause damage to plants, ecosystems, and human respiratory health.
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 _A look at a solar thermal (evacuated tube) self-installation, with a wood-burner with back boiler connected as well (n.b. you can use a cheap plunger-type filling bottle to pump your heat-transfer liquid into the loop of pipe from the panels to the cylinder)._ _A look at a solar thermal (evacuated tube) self-installation, with a wood-burner with back boiler connected as well (n.b. you can use a cheap plunger-type filling bottle to pump your heat-transfer liquid into the loop of pipe from the panels to the cylinder)._
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 Make sure your home is well-[insulated](/insu/insulation), in good [repair](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/infoarticle/repairs-maintenance/) and [dry](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/infoarticle/understanding-damp/) before thinking about renewable energy systems. First, learn as much as you can.  Make sure your home is well-[insulated](/insu/insulation), in good [repair](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/infoarticle/repairs-maintenance/) and [dry](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/infoarticle/understanding-damp/) before thinking about renewable energy systems. First, learn as much as you can. 
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 _Ingenious and cheap home-made solar swimming pool heater._ _Ingenious and cheap home-made solar swimming pool heater._
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 Your installer will leave you with a little checklist to go through every couple of months, just to make sure everything is working properly (if you install yourself, you’ll know what these are). It might be a good idea to have a full maintenance check every 5 years or so. Your installer will leave you with a little checklist to go through every couple of months, just to make sure everything is working properly (if you install yourself, you’ll know what these are). It might be a good idea to have a full maintenance check every 5 years or so.
  
-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:power|Power & heating]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/power). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [Solar Hot Water: Choosing, Fitting and Using a System](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/solar-hot-water-text.pdf) - free book, published in 2012, and so some parts will be out of date - but it still contains a lot of useful info. - [Solar Hot Water: Choosing, Fitting and Using a System](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/solar-hot-water-text.pdf) - free book, published in 2012, and so some parts will be out of date - but it still contains a lot of useful info.
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 - [Centre for Alternative Technology](https://cat.org.uk/info-resources/free-information-service/energy/solar-water-heating/) - solar water heating advice - [Centre for Alternative Technology](https://cat.org.uk/info-resources/free-information-service/energy/solar-water-heating/) - solar water heating advice
  
-## Related topics+===== Related topics =====
  
 - [[roof:Roofing]] - [[roof:Roofing]]
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-## Specialist curators of this topic+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
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