Alascorp is a licensed, bonded, and insured general contractor building in Alaska since 1999. We are members of The Interior Alaska Builders Association and a member of the National Association of Home Builders.
Solar Hot Water - How it works
A solar hot water system is really quite simple. You're using the sun's energy to heat a solar collector full of solar fluid (or water, depending on which type of system you install), which then transfers that heat (or hot water) into your home's hot water tank.
(1) When there is sufficient heat to be drawn from the collectors, a controller automatically activates pumps. (2) Heated solar fluid is then circulated from the collector, (3) through a heat exchanger where its heat is transferred to (4) water in the storage tank. (5) The solar fluid is then pumped back to the collector to once again be reheated. This circulation loop will continue as long as there is heat to be drawn from the collector. During times when there is little or no sun, a backup heating system will be activated to provide adequate hot water.
Solar Water Heating and Space Heating
Water and space heating combination systems provide the greatest efficiency maximizing the most from the sun. With the combined approach, any heat not used for hot water consumption is automatically diverted for space heating.