04-04-2009, 01:51 PM
There are two basic types.
The convection type has the tank on the roof, above the solar panels. There is an electric back up in the tank if the water temperature drops too low.
The other type is considered a water heater with solar back-up. There is tank that looks like a regular water heater with a small pump that cycles the water through the solar panels.
Each have pros and cons, e.g. the convection type is a lot of weight on the roof, the other type uses electricity to power the pump.
We have a convection type and it works great.
Jerry
The convection type has the tank on the roof, above the solar panels. There is an electric back up in the tank if the water temperature drops too low.
The other type is considered a water heater with solar back-up. There is tank that looks like a regular water heater with a small pump that cycles the water through the solar panels.
Each have pros and cons, e.g. the convection type is a lot of weight on the roof, the other type uses electricity to power the pump.
We have a convection type and it works great.
Jerry