Schuco Flat plate hot water collectors Typical hot water installation Tank with controls
Complete Schuco Package
WESTERN SOLAR'S SPRING HOT WATER
SPECIAL
SCHUCO SOLAR HOT WATER PACKAGE
FOR ABOUT $8,785
INSTALLED - click here for
details
How does it work?
Hot water heating typically accounts for 15 to 30% of residential
energy costs. Solar hot water heaters can supply a large proportion of your
domestic hot water needs. Collectors (usually roof-mounted) are used to concentrate solar
energy and heat water. There are generally two types of collectors.
Flat plate collectors are simple, proven, and cost effective. Evacuated tube
collectors are more efficient in other regions of the country, but the cost per heat produced is higher than the
flat plate collectors in the Northwest's temperate climate
(see "Collector Comparison"). In the Pacific Northwest, with
only occasional freezing
temperatures, the circulating water typically contains food grade glycol as an antifreeze.
A small pump circulates the heated fluid, usually in a closed-loop, through a
heat exchanger which transfers the heat to a domestic hot water storage tank.
The circulation pump can be powered by a small solar electric panel. When
there is not enough solar heat, the tank is heated using
electric or gas heat. Solar hot water can also be used with on-demand
water heaters and can be linked to radiant space heating systems (see "Solar
Space Heating" section). Western Solar's Flat Plate Schuco systems do
not require "draining" the systems when it gets cold, and they do not require
covering them when it gets to hot due to an included heat expansion tank.
What does it cost?
Installed costs for a typical two panel system are generally about $11-12,000,
but systems are usually eligible
for a 30% Federal Tax Credit. For radiant space heating additional panels
and heat exchangers are required and costs increase accordingly. To
qualify for the Federal Tax Credit, the system must produce 50% or more of the
hot water needed by the residence and must use collectors certified by the Solar
Rating and Certification Corporation. Payback
periods for solar hot water systems are generally about 8-10 years.
Get a Quotation -
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More Information
U.S. Department of Energy
- solar hot water heating
Solar Hot Water Basics
