F.A.Q.

Bellow is a list of frequently asked questions. For more in depth information please refer to the, Solar Water Heating Systems: A Buyer´s Guide.

1. What are the benefits of solar water heating?

2. Will we always have hot water?

3. Is our house suitable for a solar water heater?

4. What will a solar water heater do to the appearance of our house?

5. Where should the solar water heater be installed?

6. What maintenance should we do?

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1. Solar water heaters provide you with several benefits over conventional water heaters. You will reduce your hot water heating costs. You will also be directly reducing greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, CO2, released into the atmosphere), thereby contributing to a healthier environment.

The energy you can expect to save by switching to a solar water heater depends on several factors such as the size of the collectors and storage tank, appliance efficiency, amount of sunlight in your region and, very importantly, the amount of water you use. A typical solar hot water system will reduce annual energy costs by 40 to 50 percent. You can expect that a solar water heater will provide you with 1500 to 3000 kWh of energy per year, depending on your hot water usage and regional climate.

Domestic water heating contributes approximately 6 million tonnes of CO2 each year toward Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. By installing a solar water heater, you can make a difference. In fact, a solar water heater will eliminate up to 2 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, in proportion to your energy savings.

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2. Modern solar water heaters are well suited for the north american climate because they produce energy when the outside temperature is well below freezing. They also have mechanisms that protect them from freezing in the winter and from overheating on hot sunny days. Nearly all systems use the existing water heater as a backup energy supply to ensure that there is always a supply of hot water.

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3. Most solar water heaters can easily be retrofitted to your existing water heater. Inside your home, you will need a small space adjacent to your existing water heater for the solar-heated water storage tank and the heat transfer unit that is connected to the collectors. Having a storage tank for your solar-heated system will reduce the likelihood that you will run out of hot water in your home. However, most small systems, for example systems with 3 m2 of collectors, do not come with a storage tank.

The best location for the collectors is on an unshaded, southfacing roof or wall. For excellent performance, solar collectors should face due south and be set at an angle of 18°– 50°from the horizontal plane. Collectors can also be mounted on a sturdy frame near your home, or can be integrated into the roof of a storage shed. The solar collectors typically require a flat mounting area of about 3 m2 for each collector. Most installations require one to two solar collectors.

A small path is required for the piping which connects the solar collectors to the storage unit. The piping usually can be installed through closets, cold air returns, wall cavities, and along the outside wall of the home.

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4. Components for solar water heaters are located outside and inside your home. Properly installed solar water heaters will not detract from your home’s appearance or disrupt your normal household routines.

Taking a small amount of time to examine the different possible locations for the solar collector array can make a large difference on the visual appeal of the final installation. On the outside of your home, the largest visible component is the solar collector array. Solar collectors look similar to low-profile skylights. Modern solar collectors are usually finished in an attractive aluminum casing with a glass cover. Collectors are 10 to 15 cm in thickness and require a flat area of about 3 m2 each.

Special frames to raise the collector off the roof are usually not desirable and, in most cases, the improved performance of the system may not justify the additional cost. On the other hand, installing the solar collector at a shallow angle may compromise winter performance and will not assist in snow removal. Mounting the collector flush with the roof contributes to a neat installation and ensures the collector will not contribute to additional wind or snow loading.

The only other part of a solar water heater that may be visible on the outside of your house is the insulated piping connecting the solar collectors with the solar storage unit. A good installation will pass this tubing through a special roof flashing in an unobtrusive place. Sometimes cathedral ceilings or special wall construction require that the piping be run along the outside of the house to a more convenient entry point. In this case, a downspout can be installed to hide the piping, to avoid any negative impact on the appearance of the house.

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5. Your solar water heater dealer will have the expertise to provide you with proper site and installation recommendations. However, before making your final decision, look at your options. Take into account the appearance of the collectors in each possible location.

Ideally, the mounting location should remain unshaded for at least 80 percent of the time between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. during the winter and summer. For seasonal units, only the summer period is critical. Shading can come from your own house, from trees or shrubs on your property, and from neighbouring buildings and trees. If the solar water heater is to be used during the winter months, take into account that the shadows are longer during the winter months, because of the lower position of the sun. At noontime during the winter months, a six metre high tree or building can produce a shadow of ten metres or more, which can significantly shade a collector mounted on the ground or a wall. It is also important to note that in most Canadian municipalities there are no laws that prevent a neighbour from building or planting something that could shade your collectors.

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6. Routine checks and maintenance will ensure your savings are consistent.

Once your solar water heater is producing hot water, a monthly check-up is recommended. There are three easy ways to verify that your system is running well:

1. Look to see that the pump is operating when it is sunny.
2. Check carefully that the pipes are warm.
3. Review your energy bills to confirm your savings.

To ensure the water heater is collecting solar energy when the checks are made, complete the checks on a sunny day just after you use some hot water. Be careful, the pipes can be very hot! Maintenance of a solar water heater should be carried out according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Your solar water heater is an appliance. It should be maintained on a regular basis, like your other heating and cooling systems. If you have an antifreeze system, the antifreeze should also be checked every 1 to 2 years according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. As well, if you carry out your own maintenance, ensure that the manufacturer’s maintenance practices are followed, and that you use only recommended antifreeze for topping up or replacement.

You should ask your dealer for procedures to follow when you will not be using your solar water heater for extended periods of time. If you suspect a malfunction, contact your solar water heater dealer immediately.

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