How Do Solar Heating Systems Work During Winter Season?

July 31, 2020

A lot of people believe that solar-powered equipment and devices will only work when they are always in contact with sunlight. One example of equipment that can be powered by the sun is heating systems. You see, solar heating systems would operate effectively and efficiently whenever they receive an adequate amount of sunlight. However, the notion that these systems do not and will not work during the winter season is somehow misleading and incorrect.

The Principles behind Solar Heating Systems

Solar heating systems obtain sufficient thermal energy from the sun and utilise all the accumulated heat for heating a space and its domestic water. These systems may operate by either passive solar or active solar heating. Passive solar heating systems heavily rely on the design, construction, and building of the property. They would obtain thermal energy from the building, which can be in the form of a tilt or a roof orientation. Active solar heating systems, on the other hand, maximise heat pumps that transfer the heat collected by the solar collectors. They typically depend on thermal solar panels in capturing solar energy and convert it into heat needed that will regulate space and water temperatures.

Solar Heating Systems During Winter Seasons

Now, even if solar heating systems solely rely on solar energy, they are still capable of working during winter seasons because of numerous reasons. For one, solar heating systems that have great insulation can still capture, store, and process sun energy even if the outside temperature is close or even below freezing point. The radiation energy from the sun can still come through any enclosures without losing too much heat. However, you must still be aware that diffused sunlight during the winter season can still affect and reduce the heating capacity of these systems.

Another reason why most solar heating systems still work during the winter season is that they are made to withstand the freezing effects of the season. Most solar heating systems have freeze protection that will just balance the temperature of the solar collectors. Some of them also have radiator fluid technology that will warm up a liquid catalyst or radiator fluid through the sun’s energy. The heated liquid catalyst or radiator fluid is then transferred to the heat exchange tank for the heating of space and water.

Maintaining Solar Heating System Operations

To maintain solar heating system operations during the winter season, you must ensure that the insulation of the system can still effectively retain the sunlight. The use of mirrors can also be done to divert the sunlight towards the direction of solar panels and collectors. If you want, you can also adjust the positioning of your solar panels and collectors so that they can still catch the needed sun energy. Anti-freeze additives can also be used to lower the freezing point and increase the boiling point of the liquid.

Solar heating systems truly work during the winter season, especially if they are maintained regularly. If you want to know more about solar heating systems and their functionality during the winter season, then feel free to contact us at Abundant Hot Water.

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