Question:
I'm contemplating the next step in our families contribution to
reducing global warming. Does anyone have any experience with solar
water heaters? We live in the hill country of Texas, lots of sun. I'd
like to also consider a solar powered pool pump. My biggest concern
with a water heater, is does it really work??? Can the tank store
enough energy from the previous day -- will we have hot showers first
thing in the morning before the sun rises?
Answer:
Since it appears that they work in England (many postings to that
effect) I am sure they will work in Texas hill country. They work very
well here in Fresno CA, but you will need to make sure yours is either a
drain down or a two stage with a non poisonous antifreeze exposed to any
wintertime freezing outside air temperatures. In either case you may
want to use your existing water heater as the final storage for the
potable hot water, so if it is necessary because of too little sun, or
other unusual extraordinary demands the original water heater will
automatically come to the rescue.
