CLEARINGHOUSE

ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
AND
RENEWABLE
ENERGY

DOE/GO-10096-050
FS 119
March 1996

Solar Water Heating

This publication provides basic information on the components and types of solar
water heaters currently available and the
economic and environmental benefits of
owning a system. Although the publication does not provide information on
building and installing your own system,
it should help you discuss solar water
heating systems intelligently with a solar
equipment dealer.
Solar water heaters, sometimes called
solar domestic hot water systems, may be
a good investment for you and your family. Solar water heaters are cost competitive in many applications when you
account for the total energy costs over the
life of the system. Although the initial

cost of solar water heaters is higher than

that of conventional water heaters, the
fuel (sunshine) is free. Plus, they are
environmentally friendly. To take advantage of these heaters, you must have an
unshaded, south-facing location (a roof,
for example) on your property.
These systems use the sun to heat either
water or a heat-transfer fluid, such as a
water-glycol antifreeze mixture, in
collectors generally mounted on a roof.
The heated water is then stored in a tank
similar to a conventional gas or electric
water tank. Some systems use an electric
pump to circulate the fluid through the
collectors.

T
MEN OF EN
RT

ER
IC

ED

UN I T

GY
ER

DEP
A

Homes such as this one use solar water heaters to supply

most of the hot-water needs for the household.

ST
AT ES OF A

This document was produced for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a DOE national laboratory.
The document was produced by the Information Services Program, under the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) is operated by NCI Information Systems, Inc., for NREL / DOE. The statements contained herein are based on
information known to EREC and NREL at the time of printing. No recommendation or endorsement of any product or service is implied if mentioned by EREC.
Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 20% postconsumer waste

Using less hot water

reduces the size

(and cost) of the

solar water heater

you will need.

Solar water heaters can operate in any climate. Performance varies depending, in
part, on how much solar energy is available at the site, but also on how cold the
water coming into the system is. The
colder the water, the more efficiently the
system operates. In almost all climates,
you will need a conventional backup system. In fact, many building codes require
you to have a conventional water heater
as the backup.

First Things First

Before investing in any solar energy system, it is more cost effective to invest in
making your home more energy efficient.
Taking steps to use less hot water and to
lower the temperature of the hot water
you use reduces the size and cost of your
solar water heater.
Good first steps are installing low-flow
showerheads or flow restrictors in shower
heads and faucets, insulating your current
water heater, and insulating any hot-water
pipes that pass through unheated areas. If
you have no dishwasher, or your dishwasher is equipped with its own automatic water heater, lower the thermostat
on your water heater to 120F (49C). For

Flat-Plate Collector
Inlet connection

Glazing frame

Glazing
Outlet
connection

Enclosure

more information on ways to use less

energy for water heating, contact The
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Clearinghouse (ERECsee Source List at
the end of this publication).
Youll also want to make sure your site has
enough available sunshine to meet your
needs efficiently and economically. Your
local solar equipment dealer can perform
a solar site analysis for you or show you
how to do your own. You can also contact
EREC for more information.
Remember: Local zoning laws or
covenants may restrict where you can
place your collectors. Check with your
city, county, and homeowners association
to find out about any restrictions.

Solar Water Heater Basics

Solar water heaters are made up of collectors, storage tanks, and, depending on the
system, electric pumps.
There are basically three types of collectors: flat-plate, evacuated-tube, and concentrating. A flat-plate collector, the most
common type, is an insulated, weatherproofed box containing a dark absorber
plate under one or more transparent or
translucent covers.
Evacuated-tube collectors are made up of
rows of parallel, transparent glass tubes.
Each tube consists of a glass outer tube
and an inner tube, or absorber, covered
with a selective coating that absorbs solar
energy well but inhibits radiative heat
loss. The air is withdrawn (evacuated)
from the space between the tubes to form
a vacuum, which eliminates conductive
and convective heat loss.
Concentrating collectors for residential
applications are usually parabolic troughs
that use mirrored surfaces to concentrate
the suns energy on an absorber tube
(called a receiver) containing a heattransfer fluid. For more information on
solar collectors, contact EREC.

Flow tubes
Absorber plate
Insulation

A flat-plate collector is an insulated, weatherproofed box containing a dark

absorber plate. The plate heats up and transfers the heat to the fluid flowing
through tubes in or near the absorber plate.

Most commercially available solar water

heaters require a well-insulated storage
tank. Many systems use converted electric

closed-loop system uses a heat-transfer

fluid (water or diluted antifreeze, for
example) to collect heat and a heat
exchanger to transfer the heat to household water.

Active, Closed-Loop Solar Water Heater

Active Systems
Hot water
to house

Flat-plate
collector
Antifreeze fluid in
collector loop only

Pump

Cold water
supply
Solar storage/
backup water heater
Double-walled
heat exchanger

An active, closed-loop system heats a heat-transfer fluid (such as water or

antifreeze) in the collector and uses a heat exchanger to transfer the heat to
the household water.

water heater tanks or plumb the solar storage tank in series with the conventional
water heater. In this arrangement, the
solar water heater preheats water before
it enters the conventional water heater.

Active systems use

electric pumps,

valves, and controls

to circulate fluid

through the collectors.

Some solar water heaters use pumps to

recirculate warm water from storage tanks
through collectors and exposed piping.
This is generally to protect the pipes from
freezing when outside temperatures drop
to freezing or below.

Types of Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters can be either active or
passive. An active system uses an electric
pump to circulate the heat-transfer fluid; a
passive system has no pump. The amount
of hot water a solar water heater produces
depends on the type and size of the system, the amount of sun available at the
site, proper installation, and the tilt angle
and orientation of the collectors.
Solar water heaters are also characterized
as open loop (also called direct) or
closed loop (also called indirect). An
open-loop system circulates household
(potable) water through the collector. A
3

Active systems use electric pumps, valves,

and controllers to circulate water or other
heat-transfer fluids through the collectors.
They are usually more expensive than passive systems but are also more efficient.
Active systems are usually easier to retrofit than passive systems because their storage tanks do not need to be installed
above or close to the collectors. But
because they use electricity, they will not
function in a power outage. Active systems range in price from about $2,000 to
$4,000 installed.

Open-Loop Active Systems

Open-loop active systems use pumps to
circulate household water through the collectors. This design is efficient and lowers
operating costs but is not appropriate if
your water is hard or acidic because scale
and corrosion quickly disable the system.
These open-loop systems are popular in
nonfreezing climates such as Hawaii. They
should never be installed in climates that
experience freezing temperatures for sustained periods. You can install them in
mild but occasionally freezing climates,
but you must consider freeze protection.
Recirculation systems are a specific type
of open-loop system that provide freeze
protection. They use the system pump to
circulate warm water from storage tanks
through collectors and exposed piping
when temperatures approach freezing.
Consider recirculation systems only where
mild freezes occur once or twice a year
at most. Activating the freeze protection
more frequently wastes electricity and
stored heat.
Of course, when the power is out, the
pump will not work and the system will
freeze. To guard against this, a freeze
valve can be installed to provide additional protection in the event the pump
doesnt operate. In freezing weather, the
valve dribbles warmer water through the
collector to prevent freezing.

Passive systems

are generally more

reliable, easier to
maintain, and

possibly longer-

lasting than active

systems.

Closed-Loop Active Systems

These systems pump heat-transfer fluids
(usually a glycol-water antifreeze mixture)
through collectors. Heat exchangers transfer the heat from the fluid to the household water stored in the tanks.
Double-walled heat exchangers prevent
contamination of household water. Some
codes require double walls when the heattransfer fluid is anything other than
household water.
Closed-loop glycol systems are popular
in areas subject to extended freezing temperatures because they offer good freeze
protection. However, glycol antifreeze systems are a bit more expensive to buy and
install, and the glycol must be checked
each year and changed every 3 to 10 years,
depending on glycol quality and system
temperatures.
Drainback systems use water as the heattransfer fluid in the collector loop. A
pump circulates the water through the collectors. The water drains by gravity to the
storage tank and heat exchanger; there are
no valves to fail. When the pumps are off,

Batch Solar Collector

Pressure tank with
selective surface
Double or triple
glazing

Cusp reflector

Insulated collector box

Drain valves
Insulated
plumbing lines

Pump flow

An open-loop system heats household water directly in the collectors. One such
type of open-loop system is the batch heater. This system is simply a black tank
filled with water and placed inside a south-facing, insulated, glazed box, where
it absorbs solar energy.

the collectors are empty, which assures

freeze protection and also allows the system to turn off if the water in the storage
tank becomes too hot.

Pumps in Active Systems

The pumps in solar water heaters have
low power requirements, and some companies now include direct current (DC)
pumps powered by small solar-electric
(photovoltaic, or PV) panels. PV panels
convert sunlight into DC electricity. Such
systems cost nothing to operate and continue to function during power outages.

Passive Systems

Passive systems move household water or

a heat-transfer fluid through the system
without pumps. Passive systems have no
electric components to break. This makes
them generally more reliable, easier to
maintain, and possibly longer lasting than
active systems.
Passive systems can be less expensive than
active systems, but they can also be less
efficient. Installed costs for passive systems
range from about $1,000 to $3,000, depending on whether it is a simple batch heater
or a sophisticated thermosiphon system.

Batch Heaters
Batch heaters (also known as bread box
or integral collector storage systems) are
simple passive systems consisting of one
or more storage tanks placed in an insulated box that has a glazed side facing the
sun. Batch heaters are inexpensive and
have few componentsin other words,
less maintenance and fewer failures. A
batch heater is mounted on the ground or
on the roof (make sure your roof structure
is strong enough to support it). Some
batch heaters use selective surfaces on
the tank(s). These surfaces absorb sun well
but inhibit radiative loss.
In climates where freezing occurs, batch
heaters must either be protected from
freezing or drained for the winter. In welldesigned systems, the most vulnerable
components for freezing are the pipes, if
located in uninsulated areas, that lead to
the solar water heater. If these pipes are
well insulated, the warmth from the tank
will prevent freezing. Certified systems

Thermosiphon Solar Water Heater

Collector

Insulated
storage tank

Cold water
Auxiliary
heater

A thermosiphon solar water heater uses natural convection to circulate water

through the collectors. Cold water flows from the bottom of the insulated
storage tank to the bottom of the collector, and then returns to the storage
tank when warmed.

It makes economic

sense to think beyond

the initial purchase
price and consider

lifetime energy costs.

clearly state the temperature level that can

cause damage. In addition, you can install
heat tape (electrical plug-in tape to wrap
around the pipes to keep them from freezing), insulate exposed pipes, or both.
Remember, heat tape requires electricity,
so the combination of freezing weather
and a power outage can lead to burst
pipes. If you live in an area where freezing
is infrequent, you can use plastic pipe that
does not crack or burst when it freezes.
Keep in mind, though, that some of these
pipes cant withstand unlimited
freeze/thaw cycles before they crack.

Thermosiphon Systems
A thermosiphon system relies on warm
water rising, a phenomenon known as natural convection, to circulate water through
the collectors and to the tank. In this type
of installation, the tank must be above the
collector. As water in the collector heats,
it becomes lighter and rises naturally into
the tank above. Meanwhile, cooler water
in the tank flows down pipes to the bottom of the collector, causing circulation
throughout the system. The storage tank is
attached to the top of the collector so that
thermosiphoning can occur.
5

These systems are reliable and relatively

inexpensive but require careful planning
in new construction because the water
tanks are heavy. They can be freezeproofed by circulating an antifreeze solution through a heat exchanger in a closed
loop to heat the household water.

Sizing Your System

Just as you have to choose a 30-, 40-, or
50-gallon (114-, 151-, or 189-liter) conventional water heater, you need to determine
the right size solar water heater to install.
Sizing a solar water heater involves determining the total collector area and the
storage volume required to provide 100%
of your households hot water during the
summer. Solar-equipment experts use
worksheets or special computer programs
to assist you in determining how large a
system you need.
Solar storage tanks are usually 50-, 60-,
80-, or 120-gallon (189-, 227-, 303-, or
454-liter) capacity. A small (50 to 60 gallon)
system is sufficient for 1 to 3 people, a
medium (80-gallon) system is adequate for
a 3- or 4-person household, and a large
(120-gallon) system is appropriate for 4 to
6 people.
A rule of thumb for sizing collectors: allow
about 20 square feet (about 2 square
meters) of collector area for each of the
first two family members and 8 square
feet (0.7 square meter) for each additional
family member if you live in the Sun Belt.
Allow 12 to 14 additional square feet
(1.1 to 1.3 square meters) per person if you
live in the northern United States.
A ratio of at least 1.5 gallons (5.7 liters)
of storage capacity to 1 square foot
(0.1 square meter) of collector area prevents the system from overheating when
the demand for hot water is low. In very
warm, sunny climates, experts suggest
that the ratio should be at least 2 gallons
(7.6 liters) of storage to 1 square foot
(0.1 square meter) of collector area. For
example, a family of four in a northern
climate would need between 64 and
68 square feet (5.9 and 6.3 square meters)
of collector area and a 96- to 102-gallon
(363- to 386-liter) storage tank. (This
assumes 20 square feet of collector area for
the first person, 20 for the second person,

Tax Incentives and

Rebates
Some local or state governments offer tax incentives
to encourage residents to
invest in solar energy technologies. Check with your
state or local energy office
or Department of Revenue
for information. Some
electric utilities offer
rebates to customers who
install solar energy equipment because these installations help utilities reduce
peak loads. Peak loads are
periods when the utility
must generate extra power
to meet a high demand.
Heating water in the
evening is one example.

12 to 14 for the third person, and 12 to 14

for the fourth person. This equals 64 to
68 square feet, multiplied by 1.5 gallons
of storage capacity, which equals 96 to
102 gallons of storage.) Because you might
not be able to find a 96-gallon tank, you
may want to get a 120-gallon tank to be
sure to meet your hot water needs.

Benefits of Solar Water Heaters

There are many benefits to owning a solar
water heater, and number one is economics. Solar water heater economics compare
quite favorably with those of electric
water heaters, while the economics arent
quite so attractive when compared with
those of gas water heaters. Heating water
with the sun also means long-term benefits, such as being cushioned from future
fuel shortages and price increases, and
environmental benefits.

Economic Benefits

When you have

calculated the net cost

of your solar water
heater, figure the

annual fuel savings,

and divide the net

investment by this

number to determine
the simple payback.

Many home builders choose electric water

heaters because they are easy to install
and relatively inexpensive to purchase.
However, research shows that an average
household with an electric water heater
spends about 25% of its home energy costs
on heating water.
It makes economic sense to think beyond
the initial purchase price and consider lifetime energy costs, or how much you will
spend on energy to use the appliance over
its lifetime. The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSECsee Source List) studied the
potential savings to Florida homeowners
of common water-heating systems compared with electric water heaters. It found
that solar water heaters offered the largest
potential savings, with solar water-heater
owners saving as much as 50% to 85%
annually on their utility bills over the cost
of electric water heating.
The FSEC analysis illustrates that the initial installed cost of the solar water heater
($1,500 to $3,000) is higher than that of a
gas water heater ($350 to $450) or an electric water heater ($150 to $350). The costs
vary from region to region, so check
locally for costs in your area. Depending
on the price of fuel sources, the solar
water heater can be more economical over
the lifetime of the system than heating
6

water with electricity, fuel oil, propane, or

even natural gas because the fuel (sunshine) is free.
However, at the current low prices of natural gas, solar water heaters cannot compete with natural gas water heaters in
most parts of the country except in new
home construction. Although you will still
save energy costs with a solar water heater
because you wont be buying natural gas,
it wont be economical on a dollar-fordollar basis.
Paybacks vary widely, but you can expect
a simple payback of 4 to 8 years on a welldesigned and properly installed solar
water heater. (Simple payback is the
length of time required to recover your
investment through reduced or avoided
energy costs.) You can expect shorter paybacks in areas with higher energy costs.
After the payback period, you accrue the
savings over the life of the system, which
ranges from 15 to 40 years, depending on
the system and how well it is maintained.
You can determine the simple payback of
a solar water heater by first determining
the net cost of the system. Net costs
include the total installed cost less any tax
incentives or utility rebates. (See the box
for more information.) After you calculate
the net cost of the system, calculate the
annual fuel savings and divide the net
investment by this number to determine
the simple payback.
An example: Your total utility bill averages $160 per month and your water heating costs are average (25% of your total
utility costs) at $40 per month. If you purchase a solar water heater for $2,000 that
provides an average of 60% of your hot
water each year, that system will save you
$24 per month ($40 x 0.60 = $24) or $288
per year (12 x $24 = $288). This system has
a simple payback of less than 7 years
($2,000 $288 = 6.9). For the remainder of
the life of the solar water heater, 60% of
your hot water will be free, saving you
$288 each year. You will need to account
for some operation and maintenance costs,
which are estimated at $25 to $30 a year.
This is primarily to have the system
checked every 3 years.

When a solar water

heater replaces an

electric water heater,

the electricity

displaced over

20 years represents
more than 50 tons
of avoided carbon

dioxide emissions
alone.

If you are building a new home or refinancing your present home to do a major
renovation, the economics are even more
attractive. The cost of including the price
of a solar water heater in a new 30-year
mortgage is usually between $13 and $20
per month. The portion of the federal
income tax deduction for mortgage interest attributable to the solar system reduces
that amount by about $3 to $5 per month.
If your fuel savings are more than $15 per
month, the investment in the solar water
heater is profitable immediately.

Long-Term Benefits

Solar water heaters offer long-term benefits that go beyond simple economics. In
addition to having free hot water after the
system has paid for itself in reduced utility bills, you and your family will be cushioned from future fuel shortages and price
increases. You will also be doing your part
to reduce this countrys dependence on
foreign oil. The National Remodelers
Association reports that adding a solar
water heater to an existing home raises the
resale value of the home by the entire cost
of the system. You may be able to recoup
your entire investment when you sell your
home.

Environmental Benefits

Consider only

certified and labeled

systems when

choosing a solar
water heater.

Solar water heaters do not pollute. By

investing in one, you will be avoiding carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and the other air pollution and wastes
created when your utility generates power
or you burn fuel to heat your household
water. When a solar water heater replaces
an electric water heater, the electricity displaced over 20 years represents more than
50 tons of avoided carbon dioxide emissions alone. Carbon dioxide traps heat in
the upper atmosphere, thus contributing
to the greenhouse effect.

Be a Smart Consumer
Take the same care in choosing a solar
water heater that you would in the purchase of any major appliance. Your best
protection is to consider only certified and
labeled systems. One such label is put on
by the Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (SRCC), a nonprofit, independent
third-party organization formed by the
7

solar industry, state energy officials, and

consumer advocates to certify and rate
solar water heaters.
A national standard (OG-300) addresses a
variety of concerns, including safety and
health, durability and reliability, installation, performance, and operation and
maintenance. To meet this standard, a system is rigorously tested. A certified solar
water heater carries the SRCC OG-300
label, and the system performance is listed
in a published directory. A similar program has been established for Florida by
FSEC. Both SRCC and FSEC provide collector testing and rating programs.
Find out if the manufacturer offers a warranty, and, if so, what the warranty covers
and for how long. If the dealer you are
buying the equipment from goes out of
business, can you get support and parts
from the manufacturer, or from a local
plumbing contractor?
Make sure that the workers who are actually installing the system are qualified to
do the work. Ask the installation contractor for references and check them. When
the job is finished, have the contractor
walk you through the system so you are
familiar with the installation. And be sure
that an owners manual with maintenance
instructions is included as part of the
package.

A Bright Future
A solar water heater is a long-term investment that will save you money and energy
for many years. Like other renewable
energy systems, solar water heaters minimize the environmental effects of enjoying
a comfortable, modern lifestyle. In addition, they provide insurance against
energy price increases, help reduce our
dependence on foreign oil, and are investments in everyones future.
You might also consider other solar energy
systems for your home. Systems similar to
the solar water heater are used for space
heating and swimming pool heating. In
fact, pool heating is a major market for
solar energy systems. For more information on these systems, contact EREC.

Source List

Reading List

The following organizations can provide you with information to help you find the solar water heater that is
right for you.

The following publications provide further information

about solar water heaters. The list is not exhaustive, nor
does the mention of any publication constitute a recommendation or endorsement.

American Solar Energy Society (ASES)

2400 Central Avenue, Unit G-1
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 443-3130
Fax: (303) 443-3212

Articles

Let the Sun Provide Your Shower, S. Baldassari,

Countryside & Small Stock Journal, (78) p. 55,
November/December 1994.

ASES is a nonprofit educational organization founded in 1954

to encourage the use of solar energy technologies. ASES publishes a bimonthly magazine, Solar Today, and offers a variety
of solar publications through its catalogue.

Solar Hot Water for the 90s, M. Rosenbaum, Solar

Today, (5:5), p. 20, September/October 1991.

Solar Water Heaters Now, Home Mechanix, (87:760)

p. 67, November 1, 1991.

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)

1679 Clearlake Road
Cocoa, FL 32922-5703
(407) 638-1000
Fax: (407) 638-1010

Solar Water Heating: A Viable Technology Alternative,

M. Sheffer, Energy User News, (19:9), p. 44, September
1994.
Solar Water Heating in Pennsylvania, M.B. Sheffer and
A.S. Lau, Solar Today, (8:1), p. 12, January/February 1994.

FSEC is an alternative energy center. The FSEC staff conducts

research on a range of solar technologies, offers solar energy
workshops, and distributes many free publications to the
public.

Wisconsin Public Service Companys Orphan Solar

Program, J. DeLaune, Solar Today, (9:3), p. 32,
May/June 1995.

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)

122 C Street, NW, 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 383-2600
Fax: (202) 383-2670

Books, Pamphlets, and Reports

Consumer Guide to Solar Energy, S. Sklar and

K. Sheinkopf, Bonus Books, Inc., 160 East Illinois Street,
Chicago, IL 60611, 1991.

SEIA provides lists of solar-equipment manufacturers and

dealers and publishes a magazine called the Solar Industry
Journal.

The Homeowners Handbook of Solar Water Heating Systems,

B. Keisling, Rodale Press, 1983.

Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (SRCC)

122 C Street, NW, 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 383-2570

Periodicals

Home Energy Magazine, 2124 Kittredge Street, No. 95,

Berkeley, CA, 94704-9942. (510) 524-5405. Home Energy
Magazine is a source of information on reducing energy
consumption.

SRCC publishes the thermal-performance ratings of solar

energy equipment. The SRCC offers a directory of certified
solar systems and collectors as well as a document (OG-300-91)
that details the operating guidelines and minimum standards
for certifying solar hot-water systems.

Solar Industry Journal, Solar Energy Industries Association, 122 C Street, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20001.
Solar Industry Journal has information on commercializing new technologies, case studies of commercially
available technologies, and articles on government
policies and regulations that affect renewable-energy
businesses.

For information about many kinds of energy efficiency and

renewable energy topics, contact:
The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Clearinghouse (EREC)
P.O. Box 3048
Merrifield, VA 22116
(800) DOE-EREC (363-3732)
Fax: (703) 893-0400
Email: [email protected]

Solar Today, 2400 Central Avenue, Unit G-1, Boulder, CO,

80301. (303) 443-3130. Solar Today covers all the solar
technologies, both mature and emerging, in a generalinterest format.

EREC provides free general and technical information to the

public on the many topics and technologies pertaining to
energy efficiency and renewable energy.

You may also contact your state and local energy offices for
region-specific information on solar water heaters.