Solar water heating, positive cash flow from day one!

1. Solar Water Heating FAQ
1. Can a solar water heating system be used in place of a traditional gas or electric heating
system?
Not completely. Conventional electric or gas water heating systems are still necessary as a backup to the solar water heating
system, largely because the sun might not shine in a particular area for several days at a time. However, because solar water
heaters are designed to provide hot water directly to the tank of a gas or electric water heater, they reduce the need for the
water heater to run on conventional fuels. And this in turn reduces your gas or electric bill. Depending on where you live, solar
water heaters can provide up to 80% of your home's annual water-heating needs.
2. Do solar systems produce hot water in the winter?
Yes. Solar water heating technology is effective regardless of the outside temperature. In colder climates, more energy is
required to heat cold incoming water, so using solar energy in such conditions could dramatically lower a consumer's utility bills.
3. Do solar systems produce hot water on a cloudy/overcast day?
Solar systems will provide hot water during cloudy or overcast days, but may require the use of conventional gas or electric
water heater to produce required temperatures.
4. Aren't solar water heaters bulky and unattractive?
In the 1970s, solar water heating technology was being developed and installed quite rapidly in response to that decade's energy
crises. At that time, efficiency and ease of installation were the priorities, often at the expense of appearance. Many people
thought that roof-mounted solar collectors were unsightly, even though they helped to reduce the amount of unsightly smoke
billowing from coal-fired power plants! Recent design attention to aesthetics has resulted in the "skylight" look of many of
today's solar collectors.
5. Can I use a solar collector with my existing hot water system?
In many instances, solar collectors can be used with an existing system by utilizing a solar conversion valve that connects to your
existing water tank.
6. What is the payback/ROI of the system?
Depending on factors including geographic location of the system, insolation levels (amount of solar radiation) in that area and
annual usage of the system, an average household of 4 can expect to recover the cost of a solar system within 4 to 6 years. With
electric water heating, the savings are greater than the costs, resulting in a positive cash flow from day one.
7. What is the life of the solar collector systems?
Solar systems have a life expectancy of greater than 20 years with a manufacturer's warranty of 10 years.
IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS CALL JODY SOLELL
Office: 703-425-9712 Cell: 571-217-5362
E-Mail: SolarElectrics@msn.com
Web: www.SolarElectricsVA.com

2. How does a solar water heater operate?
As you can see below, the roof mounted solar collector is connected to a storage tank that holds 80 gallons.
The solar collector heats a fluid (food grade antifreeze used in some processed foods) that is pumped through a heat exchanger
in the solar tank whenever the tank temperature is below that of the fluid. Cold city water entering the solar tank is heated by
the heat exchanger. The heated water (which at times is at a higher temperature than the existing customer tank, electric or gas)
then flows to the customer tank and to the where it is needed. Since the water entering the customer tank is at a higher
temperature than cold city water, less energy is required to bring it up to the needed temperature; in fact, many times the solar
heated water is at a higher temperature than the customer tank. To prevent scalding, an anti scalding valve is installed at the
output of the customer tank.
IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS CALL JODY SOLELL
Office: 703-425-9712 Cell: 571-217-5362
E-Mail: SolarElectrics@msn.com
Web: www.SolarElectricsVA.com