Go Solar with Solar Heat Systems

Solar panels are becoming more and more recognizable, and the general population’s interest in using solar energy at home is rising. Homeowners are often concerned with the price of installing a solar power system. Solar heat systems are available to heat hot water, which differ from the solar photovoltaic systems which produce electricity for your home. For the average homeowner, solar heat is an affordable way to go solar and efficiently heat hot water for use in the home.

There are many reasons why a solar heat system is a smart and affordable choice for homeowners. When considering upgrading your current hot water heater, or replacing an old model, “high-efficiency” gas or electric water heaters can still cost in the thousands of dollars with equipment and installation, and they don’t offer the yearly energy savings as a solar heat system. For many homeowners, the energy savings offered by a solar heat system is worth paying more initially for its installation, versus an electric or gas water heater. Plus, certain solar heat systems qualify for federal tax credits and even state or local incentives, which can further reduce your costs.

A solar heat system uses approximately 80 percent less energy than a traditional gas or electric water heater. That significant reduction in energy consumption translates to over $500 per year for the average home. When you add savings from tax credits and other programs and your yearly reduction in energy costs, many homeowners find that a solar heat system can pay for itself in about 5 to 7 years.

If you’re interested in a solar heat system for your home, don’t let cost stand in the way. Smith Sustainable Design works with our customers to find the right solar heat system for their needs and their budgets. Contact us today to explore your solar water heating options.

The Residential OG-300 Solar Hot Water Heater System

 When choosing a solar hot water heater system for your home, it’s important to look for the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) seal. For residential systems, an OG-300 rated system is a great, reliable choice for your new solar thermal system.  The OG-300 System is a complete package; solar thermal kits with this rating include solar collectors, storage tanks, and other components needed for safe installation.

An OG-300 SRCC seal tells consumers that the solar hot water heater system has undergone thorough product testing, and meets safety requirements, operates effectively, and can provide a specified amount of solar energy, given ideal conditions. Compare ratings between OG-300 systems to determine the best choice for you, or evaluate the benefits of choosing a rated system over an unrated solar thermal kit.

Purchasing an OG-300 System may qualify you for rebates or tax credits. The federal government offers incentives for homeowners who choose to install OG-300 Systems; there is a federal tax credit of 30 percent of your costs, with no high limit. This tax credit is applicable for existing homes, or new construction, as well as primary and secondary residences (but not rental homes). This tax credit is set to expire at the end of 2016, so make plans to purchase and install your new OG-300 solar hot water heater system sooner than later.

The state of New Jersey has a Clean Energy Program which offers financial incentives for purchasing qualifying OG-300 systems. Your utility company may offer rebates or credits for installing these systems, which you would not receive if purchasing and installing a non-rated system. Many cheaper solar hot water heater systems made overseas are not rated by the SRCC, which can disqualify you from receiving these added benefits.

Smith Sustainable Design installs OG-300 Systems in homes across New Jersey and the surrounding states. Contact us today to discuss our selection of available OG-300 solar hot water heater systems and learn the benefits of choosing a system bearing this designation.

Rating Solar Thermal Equipment and Systems

Living in the U.S., you’ve probably heard a great deal about ratings such as ENERGY STAR when purchasing new appliances, central heating and air systems, water heaters, and more. When it comes to solar thermal equipment and solar hot water heater systems, look to the Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (SRCC). The SRCC rating is a certification for solar collectors, and the organization also has a program for complete solar water heating systems.

When products bear the SRCC certification seal, you can see how it rated for operating guidelines, product testing, and product standards. The program was designed for manufacturers to rate and test the efficiency of the solar thermal equipment they produced. This rating gives homeowners a credible rating system to use when evaluating various models of solar thermal equipment. SRCC has been rating solar thermal systems since 1980, and is relied upon by the United States’ government for reliable product information to determine tax credit qualifications.

Just as the ENERGY STAR program does, the SRCC rating program provides valuable information to guide consumers when making purchasing decisions. When comparing solar thermal products for your home, use the SRCC rating to measure product performance and provide a side-by-side comparison of products. The SRCC certification and rating system is nationally recognized as a standardized method to compare solar thermal products. Using these ratings can help you determine the best buy for your needs.

There are many collectors and solar thermal systems available bearing the SRCC seal. Over 1,000 collectors and 2,000 systems have completed the SRCC’s certification and have been rated. Smith Sustainable Design offers a variety of SRCC rated solar thermal collectors and systems which can be used in your home. For more information on what the SRCC rating means to you, and how to use it, please contact us.

Solar hot water systems for your pool

Want to heat your outdoor pool, but think it will cost a fortune? Think again! Solar hot water systems are an excellent choice for low-cost, efficient heat for your pool. Keep your pool at a consistent temperature, using natural energy to keep your water warm.

A solar hot water system for your pool will include a solar collector, a filter, a pump, and a flow control valve. Water from your pool is pumped through the filter and sent through the solar collector to be heated before reentering the pool. In hot climates, the same process can be used to cool pool water, by operating during nighttime hours.

Sizing the solar hot water system for use with your pool will depend on a number of factors. The size of the pool, desired water temperature and length of swimming season, your pool cover, and average temperatures in your area must be considered. This information will help determine the size of your solar collector and pump.

With a traditional gas or electric pool heater, the costs may be prohibitive. The U.S. Department of Energy states that the cost to heat the average residential pool using these methods is around $2,000.00 per year. While the installation costs may be more affordable initially, they’ll cost you year after year.

After installation, these solar hot water systems have low annual operating costs, allowing you to recoup installation costs in just a few years. Heating your pool using solar energy will allow you to enjoy your pool without worrying about operation costs.

Smith Sustainable Design can design and install a solar hot water system to heat your pool. Enjoy comfortable temperatures and a drastic reduction in operating costs by using the sun’s natural energy instead of your current gas or electric pool heater. Planning to install a pool soon? We can help you harness solar energy to heat your pool from the first day forward. Contact us today to discuss your needs.