Temperature Drop in a Solar Water Heater After a Shower

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Temperature Drop in a Solar Water Heater After a Shower

This graph from the SWH LIVE project shows real-world data on how much a solar water heater’s temperature decreases during a typical shower. The outdoor temperature is also displayed, providing context on weather conditions (e.g., frost or heat) during the recording.

Graph showing solar water heater temperature drop during a shower
The image illustrates the temperature decrease in a solar water heater during a standard shower.

Key Observations:

  1. Daytime Shower

    • Occurs while the solar heater is actively heating water (and at a good rate).

    • Minimal impact on stored hot water temperature.

  2. Morning Shower (After Overnight Cooling)

    • Takes place after hours of gradual temperature decline.

    • Shows a more noticeable drop in water temperature.

Findings:

  • In both cases, a 160-liter solar water heater loses about 5°C during a shower, matching theoretical estimates (see detailed analysis).

  • The data reflects moderate water temperatures (~50°C), likely due to cloudy conditions (visible in light sensor fluctuations).

  • During sunny days, showers cause negligible temperature changes in the system.

Read also :  Performance of solar water heater during frost period

This real-world example confirms that well-sized solar water heaters maintain stable temperatures despite daily use.

Thomas Karaferis
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