Part 2 of a 2 part series showing how to install a cheap cost effective solar hot water heater.
This is the concept. Anything black or very dark colored ab- sorbs solar radiation or heat energy. Any- thing light colored or mirrored/shiny re-
flects the heat back up into the atmosphere. This process involves placing several feet of black hose in the sun and circulating a liquid inside the tubes to leach the heat out. This heat is then released inside a water tank for heating water or radiator system to warm your home.
HOM MUCH ENERGY?
It is estimated that the sun produces 1000 joules of heat energy per square meter (about 3.3 feet by 3.3 feet). 1 Joule equals 1 Watt. So 1.5 square me- ters (the size of a small kitchen table) equals 1500 watts or one hair dryer. It is not possible to retain 100% of the solar energy. This is where the word efficiency comes into play. While black objects absorb much of the sunlight’s heat, some is lost due to reflection, atmospheric leaching and wind. Realistically we will be capturing about 60% of the solar heat.
