Solar - Solar Hot Water - FAQ
1) What are some of the benefits of solar hot water?
Residential solar hot water systems are mostly used as a pre-heat system to offset the primary fuel sources used for water heating or space heating in a customer's home. Solar energy gained reduces the amount of money you would otherwise pay for your water heating bills. Other benefits of solar hot water systems include supporting trade persons in your local economy and reducing your home’s environmental footprint. Solar hot water systems also increase the level of equity in your home.
2) Does a solar hot water system generate electricity or just heat?
A solar hot water system generates heat, which is also known as thermal energy. It does not produce electricity for your home.
3) I am interested in having a solar hot water system installed at my home. How much does it cost and how do I get it installed?
The cost of your system will depend on how much water you need to heat, which in turn impacts the size of your system (e.g. number of solar collectors, size of your solar hot water tank). Typical systems range between $6000-$10,000 installed.
4) Are there any rebates available that make solar hot water systems more affordable?
Yes. For solar hot water systems there is a federal 30% tax rebate, a property value tax exemption of the system cost and Utility Rebate Programs.
5) Are all customers suitable for solar hot water systems?
Before a customer considers installing a solar hot water system, they should have first looked at all “heat leaks” in their home. These leaks could end up wasting the valuable solar energy used to heat your hot water. Your home's suitability for solar hot water also depends on a number of other factors including your hot water demands and locational factors including shading issues (e.g. overhanging trees, buildings) and your roof's orientation/pitch.
6) Will a solar hot water system generate enough thermal energy to provide all the hot water needs for my home?
A typical all-season solar hot water system is designed to provide 100% of your hot water needs during the summer months. Over the course of a full year, a properly-sized system should provide savings of at least 65-95% on your domestic hot water heating needs.
7) If I have solar panels installed on my roof, can they damage the shingles or cause roof leaking?
Before installing a solar hot water system, it is important to ensure that your roofing materials are in good shape. If shingles are in need of replacement, it is a wise investment to do so before installing any solar system. When running piping through the roof, all gaps must be sealed to ensure that the installation is leak-proof. Pipe flashings or pipe boots with adequate sealants are used to secure and seal the roof to prevent leaks.
8) How much money would I save if I installed a solar hot water system for my home?
The amount of money you save depends on a number of factors including your home’s current level of energy efficiency upgrades, the amount of water you need to heat, and factors specific to your location which can be assessed using Green Power Labs’ SolarRatingOnline software.
9) What types of solar hot water equipment are available?
There are generally two types of domestic solar hot water collectors on the marketplace today: flat-plate panels and evacuated tubes. Both system types typically include a solar hot water tank, a heat exchanger, a circulating pump, piping & pipe insulation, and a solar transfer fluid. For more information how a solar hot water system works, check out our system tutorial.
10) If I generate enough power from my solar hot water panels, can I sell the power back to the power company?
Solar hot water panels do not generate electricity; their function is to provide thermal energy which is used to heat the domestic hot water within your home. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are an alternate solar technology used to generate electricity.
- How a Solar Hot Water System Works
- Is My Home Suitable for Solar Hot Water?
- Frequently Asked Questions
1) What are some of the benefits of solar hot water?
Residential solar hot water systems are mostly used as a pre-heat system to offset the primary fuel sources used for water heating or space heating in a customer's home. Solar energy gained reduces the amount of money you would otherwise pay for your water heating bills. Other benefits of solar hot water systems include supporting trade persons in your local economy and reducing your home’s environmental footprint. Solar hot water systems also increase the level of equity in your home.
2) Does a solar hot water system generate electricity or just heat?
A solar hot water system generates heat, which is also known as thermal energy. It does not produce electricity for your home.
3) I am interested in having a solar hot water system installed at my home. How much does it cost and how do I get it installed?
The cost of your system will depend on how much water you need to heat, which in turn impacts the size of your system (e.g. number of solar collectors, size of your solar hot water tank). Typical systems range between $6000-$10,000 installed.
4) Are there any rebates available that make solar hot water systems more affordable?
Yes. For solar hot water systems there is a federal 30% tax rebate, a property value tax exemption of the system cost and Utility Rebate Programs.
5) Are all customers suitable for solar hot water systems?
Before a customer considers installing a solar hot water system, they should have first looked at all “heat leaks” in their home. These leaks could end up wasting the valuable solar energy used to heat your hot water. Your home's suitability for solar hot water also depends on a number of other factors including your hot water demands and locational factors including shading issues (e.g. overhanging trees, buildings) and your roof's orientation/pitch.
6) Will a solar hot water system generate enough thermal energy to provide all the hot water needs for my home?
A typical all-season solar hot water system is designed to provide 100% of your hot water needs during the summer months. Over the course of a full year, a properly-sized system should provide savings of at least 65-95% on your domestic hot water heating needs.
7) If I have solar panels installed on my roof, can they damage the shingles or cause roof leaking?
Before installing a solar hot water system, it is important to ensure that your roofing materials are in good shape. If shingles are in need of replacement, it is a wise investment to do so before installing any solar system. When running piping through the roof, all gaps must be sealed to ensure that the installation is leak-proof. Pipe flashings or pipe boots with adequate sealants are used to secure and seal the roof to prevent leaks.
8) How much money would I save if I installed a solar hot water system for my home?
The amount of money you save depends on a number of factors including your home’s current level of energy efficiency upgrades, the amount of water you need to heat, and factors specific to your location which can be assessed using Green Power Labs’ SolarRatingOnline software.
9) What types of solar hot water equipment are available?
There are generally two types of domestic solar hot water collectors on the marketplace today: flat-plate panels and evacuated tubes. Both system types typically include a solar hot water tank, a heat exchanger, a circulating pump, piping & pipe insulation, and a solar transfer fluid. For more information how a solar hot water system works, check out our system tutorial.
10) If I generate enough power from my solar hot water panels, can I sell the power back to the power company?
Solar hot water panels do not generate electricity; their function is to provide thermal energy which is used to heat the domestic hot water within your home. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are an alternate solar technology used to generate electricity.