Solar Hot Water FAQ
IS SOLAR HOT WATER A GOOD INVESTMENT?
Your potential savings depend on how you currently heat your water and how many people are using hot water in your home. If you're heating water for two or more people with electric or gas, then Solar Water Heating would be a very attractive investment. First, the Fuel is free! Once you recover the initial cost of your Solar Water Heating System through utility savings, it will continue to pay dividends long after. Typically a properly sized and installed Solar Water Heater will return 14% to 18% (Non Taxable) on your money. That figure gets more attractive as electric rates continue to rise.
DOES THE GOVERNMENT OFFER ANY FINANCIAL INCENTIVES?
The renewable Energy Tax Credit within the Wall Street Bailout still offers a 30% Tax Credit with an 8 year extension.
The previous $2000 cap on residential Solar has been lifted. Currently the State of Florida offers a $500. rebate for the installation of
Solar Hot Water. Progress Energy provides a $450 up front credit for qualified homes.
Additionally Progress energy provides it's customers a $450 up front credit to offset the cost of your new Solar Water Heating System.
Does a tankless water heater make more sense than a solar water heater?
We don’t think so. The water you use still has to be heated: The amount of energy required to heat a gallon of water to a certain temperature does not change just because it is being heated at a faster rate. The tankless water heater only eliminates energy costs for maintaining the temperature of water that has been heated and is sitting in the storage tank awaiting use. So a tankless water heater is only about 15 to 20 percent less expensive to operate than a conventional electric or gas water heater.
And tankless water heaters do have drawbacks. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “Sometimes … even the largest, gas-fired model cannot supply enough hot water for simultaneous, multiple uses … taking a shower and running the dishwasher at the same time can stretch a (tankless) water heater to its limit.”
Or you can install a solar water heater. Solar water heating systems can provide all the benefits of tankless water heaters but eliminate up to 90 percent of your water heating costs.
What about cloudy weather?
Good question. Actually, a solar water heating system will typically collect about half the solar energy of a clear, sunny day on an overcast day. If you have ever had the experience of going to the beach on an overcast day and still getting sunburn, you will understand this phenomenon. Clouds block many of the visible wavelengths of sunlight, but much of the heat energy still gets through.
I’ve heard that “evacuated tube” solar collectors are much more efficient than flat plate collectors. Are evacuated tubes better for solar water heating?
We do not recommend evacuated tube solar collector systems for high wind zones such as Florida. While these systems can be more efficient than flat plate solar collectors during overcast weather conditions, an evacuated tube collector system resembles a bank of flourescant light bulbs on your roof. Naturally, an evacuated tube cylinder will have minimal wind resistance, which is good. But it will have very poor impact resistance if struck by a flying object, which is bad. Modern flat plate collectors have tempered glass cover plates that can sustain direct strikes by such wind-driven objects as, for example, a piece of 2x4 lumber.
Evacuated tube collectors are very popular in Europe, where their high efficiency offsets more frequent overcast weather conditions and lower average air temperatures than Florida. On the other hand, Europe does not experience hurricanes.
Can you use my existing water heater as the solar storage tank?
Usually, no. Solar water heating systems are designed to heat and store 24 hours worth of hot water during the daylight hours, so the tank has to be large enough to store 24 hours’ worth of hot water. Most conventional electric water heaters in Florida homes have a capacity of about 52 gallons. Standard solar storage tank sizes are typically 80, 100 and 120 gallons, with 80 gallons being appropriate for most three- to four-person households. Also, solar storage tanks typically have better insulation than conventional electric water heaters, to minimize overnight heat loss.
Will my water be hot enough?
Yes. Solar heated water is often hotter than the thermostat setting on your water heater. In fact, for safety reasons our systems include mixing valves to make sure the hot water going into your house isn’t too hot. On the other hand, sometimes we may have extended periods of very cloudy and rainy weather. During these periods, a backup electric heating element in your water heater / storage tank will automatically heat water to the water heater’s thermostat setting.
Will I have hot water during cold weather?
Yes. Solar water heating collectors typically deliver excellent performance in Florida during cold weather because the sky is very clear during winter high pressure waves. The glass cover plate and insulation inside the collector prevent collected heat from escaping to the outside air.
HOW MUCH DOES A SOLAR WATER HEATER COST?
In Florida, an installed solar water heating system can cost anywhere from $4000 to $7,500. Why the large range?
System cost depends upon certain variables, such as the following:
- Size of family to be served
- Size and Type of solar System
- Type of financing Available
- Type of Roof on which the Collector is Installed
- Amount of possible rebates and incentives
- Building Code Requirements
- Professional or Do it yourself installation.
This post first appeared on Solar Heating Tampa Bay Florida | Solar Heat Syste, please read the originial post: here
