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The method of using the sun to heat water or Solar Heating has been used for many centuries. With modern technology like Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heating it is now possible to convert a massive 98% of the available direct (infra red) and diffused (ultra violet) radiation from the suns rays (indirect and direct) into energy that allows us to heat water. The energy efficient solar technology that is now used by Evacuated tubes and Vacuum tubes makes it one of the cheapest renewable energy source available and also allows it to provide up to 50%-60% of your annual domestic hot water requirements.
 The hotbeams Evacuated tube solar water heating system consists of a Vacuum tube which is constructed out of glass, typically very strong and also heat resistant Pyrex with a double wall construction. The glass on the inner tube of the evacuated tube is coated on the outside with an energy absorbent material whilst the inner surface is coated with a reflective coating known as a Compound Parabolic Concentrator or CPC. Like the name suggests all the air is removed from the glass tubes to create a vacuum and a heat pipe constructed out of copper is positioned through the centre of the tubes. The copper heat pipe that is located inside the evacuated tube absorbs most of the energy from the sun and also contains a special fluid named Tyfocor.
As more and more energy or heat from the sun is collected the fluid inside the copper tube named Tyfocor rises up to the tip of the tube and flows through a header pipe. The hot Tyfocor fluid is then pumped through pipes inside the hot water tank an transfers its heat to the water. As a result that the Tyfocor fluid becomes cooler.
Inside the evacuated tube the copper at the tip can reach well over 200 degrees. This will easily heat water to 90 degrees Celsius on hot days and to 60 degrees Celsius even in the winter. This simple system is completely sealed and needs minimal maintenance over its 20+ years life.
The main advantage of using evacuated tubes to heat water is that they will work even during the coldest winter months unlike old style Flat Plate Solar Collectors. The vacuum prevents the heat tube from being cooled much by the ambient temperature which can be well below freezing, and so winter sun can easily heat water to 50+ degrees even in the depths of the coldest season. Even if it is very cloudy and very cold, enough sunlight gets through to keep the tubes well above freezing and so they will be still be pre-heating the water which can then be heated further by a standard immersion heater or gas burner reducing the costs of heating the water.
Hotbeams Ltd will fit a evacuated tube Solar Water Heating system using experienced and qualified engineers. The solar tubes are usually put on modules of 10 or 20 tubes which are then connected via insulated copper piping to a suitable hot water cylinder.
Tel: 0800 633 5882 or use our online enquiry form
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