Hot Water Heating Technologies and Applications: Text Version of the Diagram
The diagram shows seven different renewable heating and cooling technologies and their utility for hot water heating. The diagram is arranged by “working temperature” range, so that users can see which technologies align well with hot water heating. Each technology and application will link to a page with more information. All temperature ranges are approximate and not necessarily applicable to heating hot water. The diagram above shows technologies and the application of hot water heating in terms of their working temperature, which is the required temperature of the water or heat transfer fluid within the renewable heating system. The working temperature is not necessarily the same as the final temperature of the end product (the air or water that is ultimately being heated). For example, some commercial space heating systems require a working temperature of 100-200 degrees Fahrenheit, even if they are only heating the building to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The diagram includes the following seven technologies with approximate temperature ranges:
- Concentrating solar collectors: approximately 32 to more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Evacuated tube solar collectors: approximately 32 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Flat-plate solar collectors: approximately 32 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit
- Deep geothermal energy: approximately 175 to 380 degrees Fahrenheit
- Direct use geothermal: approximately 32 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit
- Geothermal heat pump: approximately 32 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit
- Woody biomass: approximately 32 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
The diagram includes one end-use application with an approximate temperature range:
- Hot water heating: approximately 115 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit