Direct Vs Indirect Solar Water Heater

Direct systems heat water right from the sun while indirect systems use a different fluid to transfer heat from your collectors before heating your water.

Direct vs indirect solar water heater.

From a tank the water flows up through solar collectors and back down to. Direct circulation systems vs. Indirect heaters making the decision between these two water heater types can be difficult as each style offers unique benefits. Indirect solar water heating systems circulate a fluid typically a mixture of water and glycol in a circuit between the rooftop thermal collector and a heat exchanger that actually warms the potable water.

Standard direct water heaters don t need to transport water over a distance so in one regard they can be seen as more efficient. An indirect storage tank is heated through the boiler this requires your boiler to get up to temperature to heat the water properly. The system is essentially a closed loop that water flows through. This increases the chance of heat losses in the boiler and associated pipework between the boiler and calorifier.

However indirect heaters are more efficient in other ways. A direct fired water heater can be heated by propane oil or natural gas and has its own burner. These types of water heaters are traditionally the most energy efficient. Direct solar water heating systems pass potable water through the thermal collector that eventually flows directly to the desired application the faucet the showerhead etc.