The production of domestic hot water is a major expense on the utilities bill of any home. Fortunately, these expenses can be greatly reduced by using the free energy that our homes receive every day. Solar domestic hot water can be a big energy saver. The region of Albatera, Algorfa, Alicante, Almoradi, Benijofar, Campoamor, Catral, Ciudad Quesada, Crevillent, Dolores, Elche, Elda, Guardamar, La Marina, La Mata, La Siesta, La Zenia, Los Montesinos, Playa Flamenca, Rojales, San Isidro, San Miguel de Salinas, Torrevieja, Villamartin & all the surrounding area’s on the Costa Blanca here in Spain, is ideal for such systems where they can provide free energy the whole year round.
How Does it Work?
Solar water heating systems use solar panels, called collectors, fitted to your roof or close to your home. These collect heat from the sun and use it to warm water which is stored in a hot water cylinder. The heat stored in this water can be directly used for any domestic use.
Is a solar water heating system suitable for my home?
Most homes present no problems for installing a solar domestic hot water system. All you need is a sunny place of about 3-4 square metres of roof space which faces east, west or south and receives direct sunlight for the main part of the day. Alternatively, the solar collectors may also be placed in the garden.
Roof Compact System
Both, the solar panels and the deposit are placed on the roof. This eliminates the need for a pump and other hydraulical elements, hereby simplifying the overall installation.
Split System
The panels are placed on the roof and the deposit inside the home. This reduces the aesthetic impact of the installation, because no solar boiler will be placed on the roof. Since the deposit may be placed at multiple locations, it can be located closer to the main distribution points, allowing faster access to the hot water.
Drain-Back System
This is a split system which provides automatic emptying of the collector and piping whenever the system is turned off or the collector temperature strays outside a specified temperature range. A circulation pump shuts itself down and then the water drains by gravity to the storage tank and heat exchanger. That long life and the reliability of the system is largely explained by the use of gravity and water instead of pressure and glycol.