☀️ Solar Water Heater Calculator
Size your solar collector area and storage tank for optimal hot water performance
| Household | People | Flat-Plate (m²) | Flat-Plate (ft²) | Evacuated Tube (m²) | Tank Size (L) | Tank Size (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Couple | 1–2 | 2–3 | 22–32 | 1.5–2.5 | 150–200 | 40–53 |
| Small Family | 3 | 3–4 | 32–43 | 2.5–3.5 | 200–250 | 53–66 |
| Medium Family | 4 | 4–5 | 43–54 | 3–4 | 250–300 | 66–79 |
| Larger Family | 5–6 | 5–7 | 54–75 | 4–5.5 | 300–400 | 79–106 |
| Large Family | 7–8 | 7–9 | 75–97 | 5.5–7 | 400–500 | 106–132 |
| Small Business | 10+ | 10–15 | 108–161 | 8–12 | 500–800 | 132–211 |
| Climate Zone | Example Locations | Peak Sun Hrs/Day | Annual kWh/m² | Sizing Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical / Desert | Phoenix, Dubai, N. Africa | 6.0–7.5 | 2100–2600 | –10% (smaller system) |
| Subtropical | Miami, Sydney, S. Spain | 5.0–6.5 | 1800–2200 | Standard sizing |
| Temperate | Denver, Rome, Shanghai | 4.0–5.5 | 1500–1900 | +10% buffer |
| Maritime / Cloudy | London, Seattle, Dublin | 2.5–4.0 | 1000–1500 | +20% buffer |
| Cold / Northern | Oslo, Canada, Alaska | 2.0–3.5 | 800–1300 | +25% buffer |
| People | Daily Use (gal) | Daily Use (L) | ΔT = 50°F (28°C) | ΔT = 65°F (36°C) | ΔT = 80°F (44°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | 76 | 3.9 kWh | 5.0 kWh | 6.2 kWh |
| 2 | 40 | 151 | 7.8 kWh | 10.1 kWh | 12.4 kWh |
| 3 | 60 | 227 | 11.7 kWh | 15.1 kWh | 18.6 kWh |
| 4 | 80 | 303 | 15.6 kWh | 20.2 kWh | 24.8 kWh |
| 5 | 100 | 378 | 19.5 kWh | 25.2 kWh | 31.0 kWh |
| 6 | 120 | 454 | 23.4 kWh | 30.3 kWh | 37.2 kWh |
| Daily Hot Water (gal) | Daily Hot Water (L) | Min Tank (gal) | Recommended Tank (gal) | Min Tank (L) | Recommended Tank (L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 76 | 30 | 40 | 113 | 150 |
| 40 | 151 | 50 | 60 | 189 | 227 |
| 60 | 227 | 60 | 80 | 227 | 303 |
| 80 | 303 | 80 | 100 | 303 | 378 |
| 100 | 378 | 100 | 130 | 378 | 492 |
| 120 | 454 | 120 | 160 | 454 | 606 |
Solar water heaters are simple devices that use sunshine to warm water. This is an eco-friendly way to heat water while camping. They differ from solar electrical generators like solar panels.
Rather than make electricity, these systems collect solar heat for prepare water needed in homes, offices and alike businesses. Using sun for heat water allow you to use free heat energy. This spares a lot of electricity that otherwise uses electrical heaters.
Solar Water Heaters: Use the Sun to Heat Water
Are various kinds of systems. You can classify solar water heaters as flat plates or evacuated tubes. Collectors of evacuated tube-type are thermosyphon and do not require a pump.
Systems with kept collector, also called ICS or alike, store one or several black tanks or tubes in separate glass box. In them cold water first passes through the collector to preheat it. Later it goes to usual water heater to ensure reliable hot water.
Solar thermal systems answer for domestic usage, pools or floor heating.
The Sunbank 40 gallon solar water heater is a complete passive solar water heating system. It works affordably and easily install. Because it operates by means of municipal pressure, the Sunbank does not have pumps, glycol nor moving parts.
That gives it very low upkeep. It is thermally efficient because absorb around 92% until 96% from the sun radiation that it receives. This system has many uses of domestic accommodation inwardly or outside until commercial needs about warm water.
Standard solar water heaters come with all parts for install the system on house or shed. They connect directly to already existing water heater and do not interfere with the usual heat source whether gaseous or electrical. Sun power from panels on roof provide hot water to the house rather than traditional heaters that depends of electricity.
Rheem offers specturm of solar water heaters for effectively warm water home in low energy costs.
