How Do Solar home heating systems work? Basically, solar water heating systems include two components: storage tanks and storage collectors. There are also two types of solar water heating systems you can use: ones classified as “active” and ones classified as “passive.” Active solar water heating systems have actual pumps and controls that pump and direct water. Passive systems don’t have any of those same components.

Few people realize this, but anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of a household’s energy bills – whether they’re gas or electric – come from how much energy it takes to heat up water in a water heater. Imagine cutting your bill anywhere from 50 to 80 percent just by using a free energy source to heat up your water! That’s what happens with solar water heating systems.

Solar water heating storage tanks are special in that they have an additional outlet connected to them and an outlet leading out from them. In two-tank systems, the solar water heating system preheats water before it enters traditional water heaters. In one-tank systems, the solar water heating system heats the water up directly.

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