How does Solar work? | American Solar Solutions

How does Solar work?

Simply. Intelligent automation is the key to the Guardian Solar Water Heater's outstanding efficiency and self-sufficiency. The Guardian Solar Water Heater will turn on and off daily, collecting heat whenever it is available. The automatic controller alerts the pump when to run. It also alerts the automatic check valve to open, simultaneously. The pump then circulates colder water (from the bottom of your special solar storage tank) through your solar collector(s), and returns the heated water to the tank. This cycle continues as long as sun is available to provide heat to your water. When there is no heat available, the controller turns the pump off, and closes the check valve to prevent any loss of heat from the tank. The system is self sufficient, needs no routine maintenance and provides the homeowner with 80-90% of their hot water needs FREE from the sun. On the days when the sun doesn't provide all your hot water needs, the back-up electric heating element automatically turns on and ensures no loss in service. The primary difference between the Guardian solar water heater and many others is that the Guardian solar water heater is an 'active' system. Many solar water heating systems are 'passive' systems. The differences in their total efficiencies are dramatic. Most passive solar water heating systems can only provide about 40-50% of the families average water heating needs. Passive systems act more like pre-heaters rather than self sufficient water heaters.