Hostels and PGs need a large amount of hot water every day. With many students and working professionals living in the same property, hot water demand naturally increases during winter. Traditional heaters can simply add to the overall cost. Also, they may not be practical to use continuously as they consume a lot of electricity or fuel to heat large amounts of water. That’s when a solar water heater becomes an excellent choice for hostels and PG. They not only reduce electricity use, but also provide a consistent hot water supply. However, choosing the right capacity is important for optimal performance, efficient heating and meeting daily hot water needs. If you want to know how to choose the right capacity, then read this post. Here, we will share the best ways to choose the right capacity for hostels and pgs. Let’s dive in…
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Why Should You Choose Solar Water Heaters for Hostels and PGs
Hostels and PGs need hot water every day, and solar water heaters turn out to be the best solution for such places. Since hostels and PGs have more people to use the bathrooms, their hot water demand is naturally higher than that of a home. A right sized solar water heater can help reduce electricity use and monthly heating costs. In addition, it can provide hot water for multiple bathrooms and reduce the use of electric geysers. These benefits make solar water heaters a useful and cost-effective option for hostels and PGs.
Solar Water Heater for Hostels and PGs – Finding the Right Size
Sizing a solar water heater for hostels and PGs may seem like a task, but here are the ways you can make the right choice. Take a look…
Calculate Capacity Based on Occupancy
Finding the right sized solar water heater is crucial for the optimal benefits. First, estimate how much hot water each person needs. A person usually needs around 20–30 litres of hot water per day, depending on bathing habits, season and water temperature. Extra usages like washing and cleaning of course increase the total requirement.
So, in a hostel with approximately 100 people, you may require around 2,000–3,000 litres of hot water per day. Whereas, in a small PG with just 40 people the requirement will be around 800–1200 litres per day. Likewise, you can estimate the usage depending on the number of people in a property. As the number of people increases the requirement for hot water will also go up.
*These are general estimates. Actual requirements can vary based on the number of bathrooms, usage patterns, weather and the temperature of incoming water.
Consider Peak Bathing Hours
Capacity based on occupancy is generally considered a starting point; however, you should also pay attention to the times when hot water is required the most. It is called peak bathing hours. For instance, if a PG has most college or office goers, then the need for hot water will naturally be more during morning hours (between 6 AM and 9 AM). Therefore, it is also crucial to choose a solar water heater with enough storage and collectors so that high demand could be met.
Consider the Number of Bathrooms
Another factor that plays a crucial role in determining the right capacity of solar water heater is the number of bathrooms in the property. A hostel with 75 residents and 25 bathrooms may use hot water differently from a PG with 40 residents and only 5 bathrooms. To find the right capacity, you will need to check:
- Number of bathrooms
- Number of hot showers
- Number of residents using hot water
- Peak bathing hours
- For how long hot water is required in a day
- Whether hot water is required for other purposes as well
Having this information is crucial to choose the right heating system for your property.
Consider Your Location and Weather
Another factor that matters when choosing a solar water heater is the sun exposure in your area. Know that sunlight availability affects solar water heating. Properties with good sunlight are considered ideal for solar water heaters. However, hot water output may be lower during winter or on cloudy days. This is because cold incoming water requires more energy to reach the desired temperature, while less sunlight is available for heating. Therefore, hostels and PGs in colder regions should consider having a larger solar water heating system along with a backup heater for cloudy or rainy days.
What Else?
Plan for Future Occupancy
Hostel or PG owners planning to invest in a high-quality solar water heaters must consider future occupancy as well when sizing the system. Do not size the system based on today’s number; in fact, consider future occupancy, especially if you already expect increase in number.
For example, currently your PG only has 35 people but the capacity is of 50 people and you are already expecting an increase. In such a situation, it is wise to size the solar water heater for around 50 people. This will ensure enough hot water supply as the number of residents grows and avoid the need for additional system.
Putting it all together…
So, this is all about the solar water heater for hostels and PGs. The process of choosing the right solar water heater for a hostel or PG starts with understanding its actual hot water needs. Consider the number of residents, daily water use, number of bathrooms, peak usage, weather conditions, water quality and backup heating needs before you buy a solar-powered water heater. And if it seems like a task, then consider contacting professionals to assess the capacity. Sun Stellar is a renowned name in the industry, providing highest-quality solar water heaters for both residential and commercial purposes. Sun Stellar offers ETC (Evacuated Tube Collector) solar water heaters at competitive prices. ETC systems not only offer an economical solution for larger hot water requirements but also provide efficient heating. They are meant for different weather conditions and are suitable for hostels, PGs and other properties with high hot water demand.