The History of Solar Water Heating Systems
Posted by Lisa Carey
Have you every wanted to know more about Solar Heating Systems? Find out the history and so much more with this really “hot” series on solar heating.
In the 1890s inventor Clarence Kemp introduced California to the Climax, the first commercial solar water heater. This simple solar water heater system combined collection and storage into one box. The Climax cost around $25.00 a year and would save owners around $9.00 in coal heating costs.
On again
In the 1920s William Bailey introduced the first “thermosyphon” systems with a roof tank and collector below. These Day and Night systems were marketed for some time in both California and Florida but not elsewhere as any thermosyphon systems couldn’t survive freezes. Also, the with the discovery of natural gas in California, which was cheap and highly marketed, the solar water heating industry in California took a chill.
From the 1930s to the 1970s, solar water heaters were being sold and shipped to the Caribbean. During World War II production stopped as copper was reserved for the military. Soon after though most Florida homes, especially new homes, had solar water heaters installed.
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However, in the 1950s when electricity became so inexpensive, Florida utility companies gave away electric water heaters and now solar water heating took another chill in Florida.
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Fast forward to the 1970s and there were only two remaining solar water heater companies in the United States but the oil embargo and soaring gas prices brought renewed interest to solar water heaters. The federal government began offering grants for domestic solar water heaters and 40% tax rebates and the solar water heater boom was on again. These were mostly domestic solar water heaters meant to be used for showers, dishwashers, clothes washers and even swimming pools and hot tubs.
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In 1986 the solar water heater industry went into a full-fledged freeze. First off, although many argued for a tapered off tax credit, Ronald Reagan ended the tax credit abruptly and completely on January 1, 1986. Then in February of 1986 oil prices dropped and gas prices went to less than a dollar a gallon.
The solar water heating industry was hit by a combination of factors.
1) The public believed the energy crisis was over.
2) There were too many stories of bad businessmen gauging the public with badly designed solar water heaters to take advantage of tax credit scams.
3) Many solar water systems had many design flaws including freeze damage and overheating.
4) There was a lack of qualified service and repair people to work on solar water heaters.
5) The systems often cost more to operate than they saved.
6) Improperly installed roof systems caused roof leafs.
On again and the future is bright.
Rob Harlan, a general and solar contractor in California with 25 years of experience with solar water heating systems says,
“Today’s manufacturers of solar water heating systems and components have benefited from the lessons learned long ago. Things are back to a steady pace, with a variety of manufactured system types. Most offer good reliability, are warranted, and generally follow time-tested designs.”
Look for a series of upcoming articles on the future of solar water heaters and 7 solar water heater designs.
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[...] A closed system obviously has added parts so why would some choose a close system? One answer is freezing, which has been one of the challenges in the history of solar water heating systems. [...]