Save more with solar hot water systems

If you have already made the choice to install a solar hot water system, you can already see the difference on your energy bills. Solar thermal technology is an energy efficient way to provide hot water for all your needs. Saving water is an important element of conservation and helps protect our planet. There are many changes you can make around the house to use less water, which can also reduce your energy bills if you still access backup hot water, or even use an electric well pump to move water inside. If you still use hot water from a backup source, or are looking for ways to conserve hot water, we can help. You can make your system even more efficient with these tips.

Go low-flow when choosing new plumbing fixtures. Low-flow faucets and showerheads use an aerator to mix air and water to keep volume the same while using less water. Regulations for new low-flow showerheads dictate that flow rates cannot exceed 2.5 gallons per minute at a water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch; showerheads made before 1992 may have a flow rate of over 5.5 gallons per minute, more than doubling the flow of today’s low-flow options. Older toilets can be using over 3 gallons of water per flush, while new low-flow models only use around a gallon. Switching to low-flow fixtures will help you conserve 25% to 60% of your current water use!

Fixing leaky plumbing fixtures helps save water as well as energy used by solar hot water systems. If the hot water tap is leaking, you’re not just wasting water; you’re wasting energy, too, if a backup hot water source is in operation. Hot water or not, just one leaking faucet can waste over 1000 gallons of water over the course of a year.

Making these 2 switches around the home will help you save water and energy when using solar hot water systems. For more advice on how you can make your solar hot water systems more efficient, contact Smith Sustainable Design.

Care for solar heat panels through inspection

An important element of owning and maintaining any system in your home, including your solar heat panels, is inspection. Inspecting your solar heat panels regularly can alert you to potential issues needing professional attention, and other problems which may hinder performance or affect the lifespan of your equipment. Inspect your solar heat panels and other system components regularly to ensure peak performance; make sure to include these areas in your inspection.

Shading of your solar heat panels

Shade can cause significant differences in collection. While shading is evaluated before installation of your solar heat panels, vegetation can grow or new structures may have been built which now produce shading. Check to see that your solar heat panels are not shaded during the day. If you find that they are, carefully trim back vegetation if that’s the issue. If the issue is a new structure, call us and we can determine its affects and a plan for relocation if necessary.

Cleanliness of your solar heat panels

Dirt, dust, and other particles can collect on your solar heat panels, which hinders their ability to collect solar energy. If you find that your collectors are dirty, regular cleaning can improve performance.

Glazing and seals on your solar heat panels

Damage to your solar heat panels can affect their performance. You should check your solar heat panels regularly for problems with the glazing and their seals. Cracked glazing and worn out seals should be repaired to keep your solar heat panels in good working condition.

Support structures on your solar heat panels

Inspect your solar heat panels to make sure they are tightly secured to your roof or other structures which support them. Problems with the support structure could lead to major damage of your solar heat panels.

Smith Sustainable Design helps homeowners and business owners maintain their solar heat panels and other components of their solar thermal systems. For inspection or service, please contact us today.

Protect your solar hot water heater system from freezing

Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents know how brutal our winter temperatures can be. Freezing temperatures can also be devastating to your solar hot water heater system if you don’t take precautions to protect it. Solar hot water heater systems that use liquid for heat transfer need special protection from harsh winter temperatures.

Just because your solar hot water heater system has good insulation around the collector and the piping doesn’t mean it has all the protection it needs. This insulation is in place mainly to reduce heat loss during transfer, which increases system performance. It’s not always enough to protect the system from freezing temperatures. You can use approved antifreeze solutions for heat transfer fluid, or drain the collectors and piping when there is a threat of freezing temperatures.

Using an antifreeze solution in your solar hot water heater system allows you to keep using it despite freezing temperatures. Antifreeze solutions degrade, and need to be changed about every three to five years; the solutions are only effective if the level of antifreeze concentration is maintained. Your solar hot water heater system is pressurized, so you’ll need professional help to check the concentration and change the solution.

Draining your solar hot water heater system to protect it from freeze damage means you won’t 

be able to use it during colder months. You’ll need to drain the collector and the system’s piping completely; in integral (“batch”) systems, your collector is your solar hot water heater system’s storage tank. You can place heavy insulation over unglazed collector components to protect it against cold temperatures, but it may still be vulnerable to extended periods of freezing temperatures. Draining your solar hot water heater system to protect against freezing means you’ll have to rely on your backup hot water source during these colder months.

Smith Sustainable Design helps homeowners and business owners protect their solar hot water heater systems against the harsh Pennsylvania and New Jersey winter temperatures. Call us today for antifreeze solution replacement or concentration testing, as well as help draining your solar hot water heater system to protect against freeze damage.

Solar thermal savings

If you’re comparing the costs of installing a solar thermal system versus an electric or gas-fueled tank or tankless water heater, look beyond the equipment and installation costs to see how much each will cost you after they’re in place. Solar thermal systems help many home and business owners save more in the long run compared to gas or electric hot water systems.

Installing a solar thermal system protects you from variances in utility charges. As you’re probably aware, natural gas and electric prices fluctuate. As an electric or natural gas user, you’re also vulnerable to significant price hikes if there’s a fuel shortage, making your operational costs skyrocket. Unlike natural gas and electric energy from your utility company, the sun provides its energy free of charge. Solar thermal systems allow you to reduce or eliminate your need for electric or natural gas fuel to heat hot water, depending on whether or not you have a backup hot water system in place. Solar thermal hot water systems typically drop water heating bills between 50% and 80%, which can be a huge savings depending on your hot water use. Other factors, like system sizing, can also affect your energy savings.

It’s true; solar thermal systems are more expensive to install compared to electric or natural gas water heating systems. The upfront price tag can be a turn off, which is why it’s so important to consider the big picture when it comes to comparing costs. Opting for the lower upfront cost of a natural gas or electric hot water system can haunt you later, and end up costing you significantly more than a solar thermal system.

Don’t let installation quotes deter you from installing a solar thermal system that can save you big money over its lifetime. If fact, there are many financing programs which can help cover the cost of solar thermal installation, including a new mortgage or refinance. Federal tax incentives and rebates from local energy programs can further reduce your installation costs, making the installation price tag on your solar thermal system less.

Smith Sustainable Design installs solar thermal systems which can save you money while providing many years of reliable hot water for your home or business. Call us today to learn more about your installation options, and about the energy savings solar thermal provides.

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.