Many Japanese homes are still using solar water heaters that were installed in the 1980s. They’re very inefficient now, but they still work if you take care of them.
That’s an entirely different technology. A solar water heater is essentially a specialized greenhouse with tubes and no moving parts. You just need go clean them every one to 4 years.
Oh no. Water heaters are the most efficient form of solar. Newer solar water heaters might be a bit more efficient than old systems, but we are talking like 80->90%. PVC solar peaks in the 20% range.
What’s funny is it’s enough energy that a heat pump water heater + solar ends up being more efficient than a solar water heater. Especially in a warm environment.
Many Japanese homes are still using solar water heaters that were installed in the 1980s. They’re very inefficient now, but they still work if you take care of them.
That’s an entirely different technology. A solar water heater is essentially a specialized greenhouse with tubes and no moving parts. You just need go clean them every one to 4 years.
Oh no. Water heaters are the most efficient form of solar. Newer solar water heaters might be a bit more efficient than old systems, but we are talking like 80->90%. PVC solar peaks in the 20% range.
20% of a looot of energy is still a lot though
What’s funny is it’s enough energy that a heat pump water heater + solar ends up being more efficient than a solar water heater. Especially in a warm environment.