Residential Solar Water Heaters

Residential solar powered water heaters are a popular choice for home owners looking to get there feet wet with solar energy. Often this is the first step in realizing the enormous potential and saving solar energy provides. All residential solar water heaters qualify for a tax credit as long as your system is in service before Dec. 31, 2016.

Most solar water heating systems are installed on the roof but any area on that receives direct sunlight between 10 am and 4pm year round is suitable. Once you determine the site you will need to decide on the capacity. Generally the capacity of your existing water heater is a good starting point but it is also important to take into consideration future needs.

Solar water heaters come in a wide variety of designs, all including a collector and storage tank, and all using the sun’s thermal energy to heat water. It is important to understand the design differences especially if you live in a cold climate. Three collector types are currently in use; Batch, Flatplate and Evacuated tube.  Batch collectors are generally not recommended for cold climates. Flat plate collectors are typically sized to contain 40 gallons of water (roughly half of the hot water needed to serve a family of four). Evacuated tube collectors can work well in overcast conditions and operate in temperatures as low as -40°F. Evacuated tube collectors can also cost twice as much per square foot as flat plate collectors. In the end these systems pay for themselves over time. There is question adding a solar water heater to your home will save you money. Free energy from the sun combined with tax credit incentives will make these system more popular moving forward. In my opinion solar water heaters are among the best residential solar appliances available.

Contact a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certified Solar Contractor or Manufacturer. Installing a solar water heater on an existing home requires careful installation, which often includes running pipes through walls. Always request cost estimates in writing, ask for references. If you plan to take the job on yourself make sure you obtain a local permit if necessary and abide by any residential building codes and other regulations.