Hot water is often considered the second most costly
household operation, after climate control. Electric hot water heaters can
consume 5500 watts, even more for instantaneous electric hot water heaters.
The alternative, gas hot water heating, is also costly and produces greenhouse
carbon dioxide.
Solar hot water heaters, on the other hand, have no moving
parts and are well-suited to Costa Rican climates. In warm coastal
climates where a cold shower is not the end of the world, a passive solar hot
water heating system provides hot water entirely by solar radiation. Well
built systems preserve heat throughout the night to provide warm water the next
morning.
Active systems couple solar hot water heaters with an
electric or gas reservoir heater. This thermostat activated water heater,
fed by hot water from the roof mounted solar heater, operates 10-20% of what it
would operate if the inlet water were cold. This ensures that piping hot
water is always available but at a savings of 80% or more over any other form of
heating that water.
For more information inquire:
I want solar hot water.
