Consider changing your behaviour to use more hot water in the evenings – in showers, baths and washing-up. This is when water will be hottest, as it's had most time to heat up.

Estimate the size of the heater needed: The size of your solar water heater depends on the number of people in your household and your location. Depending on how much sun you get, a 20-square-foot collector plate is recommended for two people, with an additional 8 to 14 square feet per person. The water tank should be 1.5 to 2 gallons per square foot of collector plate. A solar hot water system is a renewable energy technology that harnesses the power of the sun to provide heat for domestic hot water purposes, much like traditional solar panels . The basic principle behind solar hot water heating is the conversion of sunlight into heat energy. Active solar water heating systems come in direct or indirect circulating systems. Read over each active system below. Remember, you need to weigh up the cost of installation against the potential savings that a solar water heating system could deliver. The Energy Saving Trust gives the below figures as an estimation but specifies that savings will vary from user to user. Existing Heating SystemThat your roof faces the south. Or be sure that you select the best location in your house to fit the solar collectors, which will guarantee their maximum efficiency. If this is not possible, consider buying a thermodynamic panel which can be placed on any side of the house. Savings with a solar water heating system are fairly moderate. How much you can save depends on the type of water heating system you are replacing. Bear in mind that the system should be able to provide most of your hot water in summer, but much less in winter.

Pool heaters are used to mildly increase the heat of your pool water, so you can get more use from it as the ambient temperature drops. How important is capacity when it comes to buying a solar water heater? Active solar water heaters use a pump to circulate the heated liquid and can be divided into two types: direct and indirect circulating systems. Active solar water heating systems are generally more expensive, but are the common type installed in the US, according to the EPA. Versatility: Solar-powered heaters can be used in various commercial and domestic applications like heating swimming pools, domestic purposes, and several industrial processes. A portable solar heater can be installed just about anywhere.Cooking: Solar ovens use the heat from the sun to cook food, eliminating the need for electricity or gas. Even the most efficient solar water heaters will not heat water as fast as a gas or electric heater, so having more capacity, and therefore larger reserves of hot water, is always a good idea.