Solar Water Heater vs Heat Pump: Which one should you choose?

If you are looking for a renewable energy source for fulfilling your hot water needs, you have two best options in India. They are solar water heaters and heat pumps.

But between these two, which one would be more suitable for you. In his bog, we will compare heat pump water heater vs solar water heater. We will discuss the pros and cons of each.

Solar vs heat pump water heater: How they work?

Solar Water Heater

A solar water heater produces hot water by using energy from the sun.

The Sun’s rays fall on the collector panel. There is a black absorbing surface inside the collectors. It absorbs the solar radiation and transfers the heat energy to water in the tank.

Heated water is collected in a tank which is insulated to prevent heat loss. Circulation of water from the tank through the collectors and back to the tank continues automatically due to thermo siphon system.

Heat Pump Water Heater

Unlike a solar water heater, a heat pump uses ambient heat from the surrounding to produce hot water.

The refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air, compresses it, and transfers the heat to the storage tank, where water is stored. This is how a heat pump works. It does not depend on sunlight, but the heat in the surrounding air.

Solar vs heat pump water heater: Heat Generating Duration

Solar Water Heater

A solar water heater takes 6 hours to produce hot water. As it cannot heat water during the night, due to lack of sunlight, it only gets the daytime to heat water. That is why is takes 6 hours to heat water. It can produce hot water only once a day.

Heat Pump Water Heater

A heat pump can produce hot water anytime of the day. During daytime, when there is sunlight, heat pump takes 3 hours to heat water. The efficiency of heat pump decreases during the evening and nighttime, but it can still produce hot water. During the evening, it takes 4 hours to heat water, and during nighttime, a heat pump takes 5 hours to produce hot water.

A heat pump is regenerative.

Solar vs heat pump water heater: Price

Solar Water Heater

The upfront cost of solar water heater is lower than a heat pump. So, if you are looking for something that is cheaper, solar water heater would be your choice.

Heat Pump Water Heater

A heat pump costs 1.5 times more than a solar water heater. This is because a heat pump is regenerative. It will give you hot water as many times as you want in a day.

Difference between Solar Hot Water and Heat Pump

	Solar Water Heater	Heat Pump
Working Principle	Uses sunlight. Absorbs solar radiation, which is used to produce hot water.	Uses heat from the surrounding air. The refrigerant absorbs the heat, compresses it, and transfers it to the water in the storage tank.
Duration	It takes 6 hours to heat water. It can produce hot water only once a day. As it uses sunlight, and it not available during nighttime.	It takes only 3 hours to produce hot water. It can heat water, any time of the day. During the evening and night, the efficiency decreases.
Price	The upfront cost is lower.	It costs 1.5 time more than a solar water heater.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a water heater for your home, which can save energy, both heat pump and solar water heater serve the purpose. Which one to choose depends on your preference and requirements.

A heat pump will give hot water any time of the day. But it costs higher. On the other hand, a solar water heater takes 6 hours to produce hot water. But the upfront cost is lower.

Both is an energy-saving choice for heating water. Both will save you bucks on your monthly electricity bills. In comparison to other traditional water heaters, like a geyser, they are much cheaper in the long run. Not just that, both will reduce carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.

Now you will have to make a Choice!

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