Types of Solar HWS: Open or closed loop systems
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Solar hot water systems are either closed-loop or open-loop systems. What's the difference and benefits of each?
Open-Loop Active Systems
The water that's used in the household is circulated through the collectors. This choice is efficient and lowers operating costs but can't be used in certain areas where water is acidic or hard - corrosion and limescale will eventually cause the system to break.
Open-loop active systems are popular in regions that do not experience subzero temperatures because no anti-freeze needs to be added to the liquid.
Open-loop systems are generally cheaper.
Closed-Loop Active Systems
Instead of household water, heat transfer fluids are used to circulate through the collectors and then, once heated, moves into the tank and heats the household water in the tank in the same way as an electrical element would. This means that water doesn't get contaminated in any way, and closed-loop systems are popular in areas where freezing occurs as you can add antifreeze to the heat transfer fluids and prevent issues.
Closed-loop systems are generally more expensive.
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