:: Specific Design Brief

CAT 4: Solar Water Heating

PRODUCT DESIGN UK

GENERIC DESIGN CONTEXT
The potential for using solar water heating systems in Britain is enormous, with 40,000+ already in use in homes. Design and make a solar water heating system for a context of your choice.

SPECIFIC DESIGN BRIEF
A: Design and make or model a solar water heating system suitable for use in a home similar to your own.

B: Design and make or model a solar water heating system for use when camping.

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
• The energy source used to heat most hot water used in Britain is a fossil fuel. Burning fossil fuels adds to climate change and air pollution. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution has stated that “The government should now adopt a strategy which puts the UK on a path to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by some 60per cent from current levels by about 2050”.
• Heating water accounts for about 22 per cent of energy used in homes in Britain (not including central heating).
• On average commercial solar water heating systems produce about 50 per cent of the hot water needs of a home over the course of a year.

FURTHER INFORMATION
KEY QUESTIONS
ISSUES & RESOURCES

If you decide to work on this design brief, don't forget to consider the issues of sustainability in the different phases of your designing and making.
Click here to access Sustain-a-balls