Solar Water Heater in your Home
We are a country of Sun worshipers. Yet we fail to realize immense benefits, the sun provides us. We are endowed with rich solar energy which if properly tapped could make us self sufficient for our energy needs but due the massive domination of the petroleum sector it has not been receiving due attention it really deserves. While criticizing the solar energy, some people conveniently forgets the fact that all forms of so called conventional energy such as coal, wood and the crude petroleum are actually produced by the sun .
It is pitiable that rich sources of primary energy like diesel and secondary energy like electricity are utilized to produce hot water for bathing purposes. Just imagine the kind of investment which has been made for production, distribution and supply of coal, petroleum products and electricity, and are still supplied at subsidized rates to the consumers so that they could misuse it to produce hot water. In fact, at least 8-10% of the high quality energy in the form of electricity and diesel is mis-utilised for low-grade heating, which could easily be achieved, free of cost by utilizing solar energy at least for 300-325 days in a year.
We construct houses investing lakhs of rupees, but do not give even a fair thought to install solar water heater which could not only save towards electricity charges but may also save initial cost in comparison to the Electric Geyser. The cost of providing geysers in all the rooms works out more than the cost of providing a single solar water heater. Even if one purchases the system by taking loan under MNES soft loan scheme, the loan installment works out less than the savings achieved. With housing finance available at 8-9 % per annum, a solar water heater becomes a source of revenue generation since the monthly installment is much less than the savings in electricity bills.
How many people have actually calculated the financial benefits one could get by investing in solar water heater in comparison to investing in gold or fixed deposits or in any safe investment scheme? Actually, investment in solar water heater yields maximum return on investment. On an average, return on investment in solar water heater is more than 20 % per year.
There are so many myths and doubts prevalent in the minds of the people which come in the way of popularizing solar water heaters, an attempt has been made in this article to clear all the misgivings about solar water heaters.
What is a solar heater?
It is a device for heating water using solar Energy. In other words, it heats water using the energy of the sun and supplies it through pipes which connect the system to the usage points such as bathrooms. kitchens, laundries, etc. The hot water generated could be utilized in the household for various purposes such as for bathing, for washing cloths, for cleaning vessels or even for cooking purposes.
How does a solar water heater works?
The solar water heater is based on the principle of black body absorption. The black surface of the collector absorbs the heat from the sun's rays and transfers it to the water passing through the pipes of the collector. Hot water being lighter rises to the insulated storage tank and an equal amount of cold water replaces this hot water, this cycle repeats as long as the sun shines resulting in all the water getting heated in the storage tank. The hot water is now ready for distribution through pipes to the required usage points.
Why should your purchase a solar water heater?
To enable you to decide in favour of solar water heater for your home let us first discuss the most common doubts about such systems.
Doubt no.1 : solar system will be of use only during the daytime when the Sun is shining !
Wrong! Water heated in the day time is stored inside on insulated take. The overnight temperature drop is not more than 5-6 degree centigrade. Hence, the hot water is ready in the early morning for taking bath.
Doubt no. 2 : the system will not work in winter when it is required most?
It is a fact that the solar heat received per square meter area in winter is less than what is received in summer but the system is designed in such a way that it meets the winter requirements easily.
Doubt no. 3 : what happens during the monsoon season?
During monsoon season even with cloudy weather it heats the water, for totally rainy days water can be heated up with the help of the electric back-up provided for the purpose. There is no need to heat the complete water as some fear . One may switch ON the electric back up only for about 20-25 minutes to get the desired quantity of water.
Doubt no. 4 : how many people have already opted for such systems?
There are more than 5,50,000 households in India, which are using these systems. In cities like Bangalore, Pune, Baroda these system are very popular At present about a dozen big and more than 150 small units are engaged in manufacturing of solar water heaters in India. It is expected that the above points will clear most of the doubts about usefulness of the solar water heaters, other points such as space requirement cold & hot water piping distribution, electricity supply for back-up etc could be discussed with the supplier,
Let us now discuss the benefits, which could be realized by purchasing a solar water heaters.
Benefits
1. Reduction in electricity bills: The saving in electricity bills will depend on your life style. Normally a 100 litres per day/ 60 deg.C system will save at least 1000 kWh per year. In terms of rupees, it could mean reduction in electricity bill by more than Rs 5000/- per year.
2. Time Saving : Use of solar water heater saves time since the water is ready for taking bath. In case of electric geysers, the switching ON and OFF has to be done and in case of power failure one may not hot water at all.!
3. High re-sale value : The material used in manufacturing of solar water heater components includes copper, aluminum, steel structure and pipes which all have a very high resale value even after 20 years of useful life in comparison to geysers which have practically no resale value.3
4. Benefit of soft loan : There is soft loan available from central government agencies like IREDA and Banks @ interest rate of 5% per annum for 5 years.The instalment works out equivalent to the savings achieved.Thus, installation of solar water heater works out free of cost !
5. Benefits to the country : Besides above benefits which you get entitled to as soon as you decide to purchase SWHS, your decision helps the country in realizing the following indirect benefits :
i) India saves about $ 400 worth of foreign exchange for every 1000 litres of diesel saved.
ii) Every kWh saved helps in stalling new investments in power plants.
iii) Use of solar system helps in reducing pollution and Green House Gas emissions. Indirectly ensuring clean air for subsequent generations.
Whom should you approach for most cost effective, efficient and dependable system?
Having decided in favour of purchasing a solar water heating system a prospective buyer must consider the following aspects before finalizing the supplier:
i) The manufacturer must have good design, manufacturing and testing facilities,
ii) The product must conform to MNES/BIS specifications in respect of Size. Shape. Performance,Material, Quality etc.
iii) The manufacturer must be adhering to good installation and commissioning practices to avoid most common problems encountered in solar water heating systems
iv) The manufacturer must have a good after sales network,
v) The final price of the system must be competitive enough,
vi) The manufacturer must help you in getting soft loans.
vii) The warrantee period shall be minimum 10 years.
