So my family got a solar water heater installed (I know this is sideways. My computer doesn't like to rotate stuff). Now I can be warm in the shower without having to worry about electricity costs. Now if only we got it for home electricity...Anyway...
I'm sure you guys remember the chem and physics side of this. The chemicals in the panels are semi-conductive, the sun hits them, knocking electrons off, generating a flow, which becomes electricity. In this case, the electricity generated heats up our water. The electromagnetic radiation from the sun makes all this possible. Although everything emits radiant energy, the sun emits large amounts which can be utilized for power much like the wind and water generators.
Why is there a little grey box attached to my water heater? It programs the heater so that hot water can only be used at certain times, conserving the energy that is absorbed throughout the day. Because my family only uses hot water at nighttime, the timer makes it so that it only starts operating in the evening, and shuts off at around 10. That means if I were to come home extremely late, I'll have to say hello to shivers and hypothermia instead of warmth and too-hot-water burns.
If we wanted to, we could add more cells to power up the house, but it would require the majority of the roof to be covered with the things, and as much as it would save money, I don't think it would save enough for the cost of things until my siblings and I finally finish school. Which brings me back to why I need good grades: scholarships. Apps fun next year!
Yay for no exams for another 3-4 months! Yay college apps! Wait a minute...
No comments:
Post a Comment