A solar panel (containing energy collectors) and connecting tank are both mounted on a north facing roof to daytime sunlight and heat. As heat rises naturally,circulation and transfer of heat occurs automatically between collectors and the hot water tank. Cooler water in the panels heat up and rises to the tank, while cold water in the tank gets displaced to the collectors to be heated, and the cycle continues. Gravity sends heated water down to the household, often requiring no pump. These systems use just 30% the energy required for most pre-existing systems.  view more

A hot water tank is installed beside the house, usually where hot water is needed most (eg. bathroom, kitchen or laundry), while solar collectors (panels) are mounted alone to a north facing roof. The collectors heat up conductive fluid and send it to the water tank to transfer thermal energy. Cool water from the tank will be pumped up to the collectors to be heated. The system is often regulated by thermal sensors so overheating won’t be an issue and the pump won’t use up energy unnecessarily. view more

Instead of using solar panels, the pump will use specialised fluids to extract heat energy from the airt to heat up water in a tank. The fluid will circulate continuously in the heat transfer cycle between air and water. Special fluids can allow heat transfer even at -26˚C, and all heat pumps are equipped with gas boosters providing hot water year round using approximately one third the energy of a conventional electric water heater.