Solar water heating systems can been used for a multitude of purposes including domestic hot water, pool heating, space heating using radiant floor technology and commercial water heating for businesses that consume a great deal of hot water such as Laundromats.
The basic technology behind solar hot water is actually very simple, consisting of copper piping sandwiched between a highly reflective backing and a pane of glass. Water mixed with antifreeze is continuously passed through the copper piping and heated directly by the sun’s rays. This water is then fed to a home’s water heater where the radiant energy is transferred through a heat exchanger.
Radiant floor heating systems actually pump warm water into piping throughout a home and indirectly transfer the heat through the floor. This is a unique way of reducing energy bills by cutting down on energy used to heat a home with a gas furnace or electric heat pump.