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Solar water heaters are popular and essential household appliances in today's life. Using a solar water heater helps save energy and contributes to environmental protection. So, which type of solar water heater is the best in 2023? How do they work and operate? Let's explore with Mytour Blog in the following article!
What Is a Solar Water Heater?
A solar water heater is a device that utilizes energy from the sun to generate heat and warm water for daily life. The key advantage that a solar water heater offers is that it requires no electricity, so in case of power outage or unstable electricity supply, it won't affect your household activities.
What Is a Solar Water Heater? (Source: Internet)Operating Principle
The operation principle of a solar water heater follows the principle of convection, converting solar energy into thermal energy. Firstly, the heat-absorbing tubes or panels will absorb sunlight, and then this heat is transferred to the water pipes, heating the water in the storage tank. This process continues until the temperature inside the tank equals the temperature of the water at the heat-absorbing device.
Operating Principle of Solar Water Heater (Source: Internet)8 Criteria for Choosing the Best Solar Water Heater
Storage Tank Capacity
When considering a storage tank capacity for installing a solar water heater:
- For families with fewer than 4 members: Storage tank capacity of about 120 – 160 liters.
- For families with 5 – 8 members: Storage tank capacity of about 160 – 200 liters.
- For families with over 8 members: Storage tank capacity of about 200 – 300 liters.
- For places with higher occupancy such as hotels, guesthouses: Storage tank capacity of over 300 liters.
Storage Tank Capacity of Solar Water Heater (Source: Internet)Antibacterial Capability
The antibacterial capability of solar water heaters is also a criterion worth considering. Nowadays, manufacturers have applied antibacterial technology using Nano Ag+ to purify water and ensure safety for users.
Insulation Tank Material and Base
Insulation Tank is the outer protective layer of solar water heaters, requiring good quality, high durability, and resistance to oxidation. Therefore, the material used to make the insulation tank shell should also be considered. You should choose products made of aluminum alloy with electrostatic paint coating or high-grade 304 stainless steel.
Solar Water Heater Base is extremely essential as it helps the heater maintain stability and solidity during usage. Since the base is always exposed to outdoor elements such as weather impacts, rain, sunshine, and storms, it must be made of strong stainless steel material with a super durable structure.
Insulation Tank Material and Solar Water Heater Base (Source: Internet)Collector Tube Diameter
The efficiency of solar water heaters in heat absorption, whether strong or weak, depends on the heat absorption tubes. Therefore, the heat absorption tubes with higher heat absorption efficiency correspond to increased durability and longevity of the heater.
Currently, there are two common types of heat absorption tubes in the market: Oil-filled tubes and titanium-filled tubes. However, titanium-filled tubes are still preferred due to their high quality and cost-effectiveness.
Furthermore, you should pay attention to the diameter of the heat absorption tubes, prioritizing models with larger diameters to ensure optimal heat absorption capacity.
Diameter of Heat Absorption Tubes for Solar Water Heaters (Source: Internet)Insulation Layer
The insulation layer plays a crucial role; if made of poor-quality material or too thin, it won't maintain water temperature above 60 degrees for 72 hours.
Support and Consultation Services
Currently, the support and consultation services provided by some solar energy manufacturers and installation units are excellent. They offer phone consultations and home visits, calculating costs and installation plans for specific cases.
Installation Location and Climate Conditions
When installing solar water heaters, ensure that the roof location receives uninterrupted sunlight. Places with less sunny and cooler climates are not suitable for solar water heaters. Moreover, in coastal areas with salty air, equipment corrosion occurs more rapidly, so choose units made of stainless steel 316 for better durability.
Installation Location and Climate Conditions for Solar Water Heaters (Source: Internet)Warranty Services and Warranty Period
Warranty Services and Warranty Period for solar water heaters demonstrate the manufacturer's confidence in their products. Consequently, consumers fully trust the quality and durability of the units they offer.
Most solar water heaters come with a warranty period averaging from 5 to 10 years, with some premium brands offering warranties of up to 20 years.
Types of Water Heaters
Are vacuum tube solar water heaters?
| Ưu điểm | Nhược điểm |
| – Khả năng hấp thụ nhiệt độ cao, cung cấp nước nóng nhanh chóng. – Giá thành rẻ. – Lắp đặt đơn giản và vận hành khi sử dụng. | – Ống thủy tinh dễ bị bám nhiều cặn, mọc rêu sau một thời gian sử dụng. – Hoạt động tốt khi có nguồn nước sạch. |
Vacuum tube solar water heater (Source: Internet)Oil-filled vacuum tube solar water heater
Overall, the oil-filled vacuum tube solar water heater shares many similarities with the vacuum tube type. However, it offers superior and more modern features:
| Ưu điểm | Nhược điểm |
| – Máy hoạt động kể cả những ngày không có ánh nắng mặt trời. – Khả năng tạo nước nóng nhanh. hơn loại máy ống thủy tinh chân không. – Tuổi thọ cao hơn. – Không bị bám rêu hay cặn bã. | Giá thành cao hơn hệ thống ống thủy tinh chân không. |
Oil-filled vacuum tube solar water heater (Source: Internet)Flat-plate solar water heater
| Ưu điểm | Nhược điểm |
| – Thuận tiện lắp đặt ở bất kỳ vị trí nào trên mái nhà. – Không lo bị bám rêu hay các cặn bã. – Tốc độ tạo nước nóng nhanh chóng. – Hoạt động được trong những ngày thời tiết mát mẻ. | – Giá thành cao. – Còn hoạt động vào nguồn điện nên khi mất điện không có nước nóng để sử dụng. |
Flat-plate solar water heater (Source: Internet)Top 11 best solar water heater brands
Sơn Hà solar water heater
Which type of solar water heater is good? The Sơn Hà solar water heater brand is renowned for its excellent quality. It boasts state-of-the-art technology and advanced equipment at a reasonable price.
Advantages:
- Diverse designs provide consumers with a wide selection and trustworthy options.
- High quality and durability, ensuring efficiency in usage.
Disadvantages:
- Installation can be challenging for houses with corrugated iron and tile designs.
Price: 6 million - 16 million VND.
Sơn Hà Solar Water Heater (Source: Internet)Tân Á Solar Water Heater
Cutting-edge technology and outstanding features: All Tan A solar water heater products are equipped with state-of-the-art European-standard technology. Especially, Tan A - Dai Thanh boasts the most modern production line today.
Advantages:
- As a reputable brand with a nationwide distribution network.
- Comes with long-term warranty policies and benefits for consumers.
- Warranty period extends to 5-10 years.
Disadvantages:
- Tan A water heaters are still relatively high-priced.
- The product design lacks diversity.
Price: From 5.5 million VND to 23.3 million VND.
Tan A solar water heater (Source: Internet)Ariston solar water heater
Ariston solar water heater is highly praised for its quality, especially being widely used in luxury condominiums, hotels, and resorts.
Advantages:
- The water heater features electric booster rods, ensuring quick hot water supply regardless of the weather.
- Additionally, this line of products also comes with the smart control panel PC-3-E to adjust water level, monitor water level, water temperature, and refill time, ensuring absolute safety for users.
Disadvantages:
- The high price and high-density insulation components are additional purchases based on your needs.
Price: From 6.9 million VND to 14.5 million VND.
Solar water heater Ariston (Source: Internet)Kangaroo solar water heater
Kangaroo solar water heater features antibacterial technology Nano Ag+, combined with a Water softener bar system for cleaner and safer water output.
Advantages:
- Beautiful design, sturdy base.
- With silver plating technology on the steel surface (Draw Bench Silver Steel), the outer insulation shell of the tank has high durability, corrosion and rust resistance.
- 5-year warranty period.
Disadvantages:
- You need to equip additional heat support or shock protection devices.
Price: from 5.2 to 27 million VND.
Solar water heater Kangaroo (Source: Internet)Solar water heater Ferroli
Ferroli solar water heater is always the top choice for many consumers nowadays. Outstanding European-standard technology and features, continuously innovating to meet user needs.
Advantages:
- Depending on the product line, the price is quite reasonable for a high-quality product with a warranty of up to 7 years.
Disadvantages:
- Not supported like domestic brands.
Price: from 7.3 to 19.5 million VND.
Solar water heater Ferroli (Source: Internet)Solar water heater Megasun
Megasun is a leading brand in research and production of solar energy products with outstanding and modern features.
Advantages:
- High quality and durability with long warranty periods.
Disadvantages:
- There is a lack of reasonable distribution, with Megasun products mainly available in the Southern market.
Price: from 7,100,000 VND to 15,600,000 VND.
Solar water heater Megasun (Source: Internet)Solar water heater Osaka
Osaka Solar Water Heater incorporates Japanese technology, offering a variety of products and designs.
Advantages
- The products are highly rated for their impeccable finishing.
- Good customer care service. Warranty lasts for 6-10 years.
- Reasonable pricing.
Disadvantages
- Products distributed and developed in the Northern region.
Pricing
- Price range from 5 to 35 million dong depending on the product line.
Osaka Solar Water Heater (Source: Internet)SolarBK Solar Water Heater
SolarBK Solar Water Heater is considered the pioneering product for the water heater brand in Vietnam.
Advantages:
- Equipped with many advanced European technologies, making them very modern and luxurious.
Downsides:
- Higher prices compared to the market and other domestic brands with only a 5-year warranty period.
Price: from 7 million to 17 million VND.
SolarBK Solar Water Heater (Source: Internet)Seilar Solar Water Heater
Seilar Solar Water Heater is manufactured based on a closed-loop technology and undergoes thorough testing to meet safety and quality standards based on New Zealand and Australia's standards.
Advantages:
- The insulated tank with an outer shell made of DBSS (Draw Bench Silver Steel - Silver plating technology on steel surface) withstands corrosion from harsh environmental conditions to the maximum extent.
- Elegant, modern design with useful technology and features.
Drawback:
- Relatively high price compared to domestic brands.
Price: from 16 million to 60 million VND.
Solar Water Heater Seilar (Source: Internet)Solar Water Heater Đại Thành
Solar Water Heater Đại Thành is manufactured according to European standards with electrostatic spraying technology, capable of withstanding harsh climates. The insulated tank is made of super durable SUS 304 stainless steel, ensuring quality and safety for the family.
Advantages:
- Manufactured according to European standards with modern, safe, and durable technology, while the price is very reasonable.
Drawbacks:
- Short warranty period of about 5 years, less than other brands.
Price: ranging from 5 million to 18 million VND depending on each product.
Solar Water Heater Đại Thành (Source: Internet)Solar Water Heater Toàn Mỹ
What type of solar water heater is good? This is one of the earliest established stainless steel household brands in Vietnam. Solar Water Heater Toàn Mỹ has 2 main and popular product lines: inox 304 and Elite.
Advantages
- Good quality, reasonable price.
- There are many product options, good company care services.
- 5-year warranty.
Drawbacks
- Mostly distributed in the Southern market.
Price:
- The Elite type ranges from 5.8 to 7.4 million VND.
- The I304 type ranges from 6.1 to 12.8 million VND.
Solar water heater Toan My (Source: Internet)Tips for Choosing a Solar Water Heater
Selecting the most reasonable genuine solar water heater is not an easy task. You should opt for well-established brands with years of operation for convenient communication regarding repairs, replacements, and warranties in the future. Additionally, pay attention to the criteria mentioned above, such as manufacturing materials, insulated tank layers, installation location, storage tank, heat collector material, etc. Depending on your usage needs and financial conditions, decide which solar water heater product best suits your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solar Water Heating Good for Heating Water?
Solar water heaters not only help protect the environment but are also very safe, helping to save electricity consumption for households. The heat collector of solar water heaters supports rapid heating of water from sunlight (can reach up to 96 - 98 degrees Celsius). At the same time, the heaters have tightly sealed heat-absorbing tubes, minimizing the accumulation of dirt or algae inside the tubes, ensuring food safety and consumer health.
Is Solar Water Heating Good for Heating Water? (Source: Internet)Can Solar Water Heaters Be Used in Winter?
During winter, the ability of solar water heaters to heat water may decrease due to the irregular supply of solar energy. However, with the thermal insulation layer wrapped around the outside of the solar water heater tank, it can help overcome the shortage of hot water by retaining heat for an extended period.
Therefore, families can still use solar water heaters and store hot water during winter days with mild sunlight.
Can Solar Water Heaters Be Used in Winter? (Source: Internet)Should I Buy a Solar Water Heater or an Electric Water Heater?
Which type of solar water heater is good? Regions with ample sunlight can effectively use solar water heaters. In cases where there is no space for installing a solar water heater or water tank, an electric water heater would be an ideal choice.
For areas with less sunlight and cold winters, using an electric water heater is recommended because during winter, cold and rainy weather cannot heat water quickly, while the demand for hot water remains high.
Should I buy a solar water heater or an electric water heater? (Source: Internet)Here is a compilation of all useful information to answer the question 'Which type of solar water heater is good'. Hopefully, with this sharing from Mytour Blog, you have gained more useful insights to make the best choice for yourself. Moreover, if you're looking to purchase the latest models of appliances, don't forget to check out Mytour for a wide range of high-quality products at great prices!
