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You can use the sun's free energy to heat water and lower your energy bills. Whether you heat water with electricity, oil, natural gas or propane, water heating is a typical household's second-highest energy cost. On Long Island, a solar water heater can save you hundreds of dollars each year. Will you run out of hot water on a cloudy day? No problem - solar hot water systems tie into existing conventional water heating systems for backup.
What is the Difference between Solar Electricity (PV) and Solar Hot Water Heating?
Solar hot water heating is specific to heating and cooling the water system and does not interfere with the electricity in your home or office. Solar electricity can completely replace or replace only a portion of your electricity system but cannot interfere with water heating and cooling.
Is Solar Hot Water for You?
If you have an unshaded, preferably south-facing location (a roof, for instance) on your property, you can install a solar water heater; flat roofs work the best in order to position the solar panel in the desired direction. Most homes require 2 or more panels, depending on the number of occupants, each panel about 4 feet wide and 8 to 10 feet long. A sizable roof is necessary. It is best if you live in a more open area in a generally sunny location with no surrounding towers for interference. Solar hot water heating needs no special maintenance once installed and is due to last over 20 years without malfunction. Millions of Americans have installed solar water heaters in their homes and businesses and most of them consider it a good investment.
Why Are Solar Systems Good for the Environment?
Conventional water heating, whether it uses electricity or fossil fuels like oil and gas, causes substantial air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar water heaters avoid these harmful emissions. Over 20 years, one solar water heater eliminates over 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
How Does It Work?
Most solar hot water systems have two parts: a solar collector and a storage tank. The collector is usually mounted on the roof and carries the fluid - water or an antifreeze solution - to be heated. The tubes attach to an absorber plate, which is painted black to absorb heat. As heat builds up in the collector, it heats the fluid passing through the tubes. The storage tank then holds the hot liquid. Storage tanks can be just a modified water heater, but are usually larger and very well insulated. Systems that use fluids other than water usually heat the water by passing it through a coil of tubing in the tank, which is full of hot fluid.These systems can either be active or passive, active meaning that pumps are installed in order to get the water flowing from the collectors to the carriers and passive meaning that the water flow depend on gravity and natural water circulation due to heat.*
What are some Different Types of Hot Water Systems?
There are several different ways to use solar energy for hot water systems. Most systems use your existing water heating system as a back-up while others will heat the transfer fluid in collectors. For more information on the different types of systems please visit Department of Energy: Solar Hot Water and Space Heating & Cooling
For more information on solar hot water heating visit http://www.nrel.gov/clean_energy/solarhotwater.html
What Does a System Cost? How Long Will It Last?Prices for solar hot water systems vary by the type and size of the system and conditions at your home. On Long Island, installed systems typically cost less than $6,000. Most solar hot water systems will pay for themselves in 5-10 years and will provide hot water for another 20 years.
What Should You Look for In a Solar Hot Water System?
The manufacturer of the system should be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC), a non-profit organization that has developed national standards for solar water heating. The installer should be a reputable company with a valid contractor's license, listed with NYSEIA. Many of the PV contractors listed on our www.LIshines.org pages also install solar hot water systems. Here are a few solar hot water system installers:
ETM Solar Works
Mike De Shay or Francine V. Notte
533 Woodford Ave.
Endicott, NY 13760
Tel: 607-785-6499
Email: info@etmsolar.com
Web: www.etmsolar.com
Go Solar
Gary Minnick
63 Laurel Ave
Riverhead, NY 11901
Tel: 631-727-2224
Email: gary@gosolar.com
Web: www.GoSolar.com
Long Island Home Innovations
Anthony Felske
14 South 17th Street
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Tel: 631-672-3198
Cell: 516-437-7820
Email: Solarh2o@optonline.net
Web: longislandsolar.net
Prime Energy Technologies, Inc.
Mark D. Smith
Long Island Location:
20 Nicholas Ave.
Lake Grove, NY 11755
Upstate Location:
3530 Route 34-B
Scipio Center, NY 13147
Tel: 866-893-5606
Fax: 315-364-6770
Email: mdsmith@prime-nrg.com or build@prime-nrg.com
Web: www.prime-nrg.com
Solymar
Chris Castro
1 First Ave.
Brentwood, NY 11717
Tel: 516-994-5897
Email: pasion36@aol.com
Sunshine Plus
Kevin Creamer
15 Fourth Avenue
Smithtown, NY 11787
Tel: 631-265-1273
Email: sunsfree@optonline.net
The Solar Center, Inc.
Dennis Wilson
223 Wall Street
Huntington, NY 11743
Tel: 631-385-4312
Email: dennis@thesolarcenter.com
Web: www.thesolarcenter.com
How to Shop For a System That Works Best for You?
First make sure that you are dealing with a licensed solar energy contractor, ask for a copy of the certified solar test rates. Know exactly how they will be installing the collector on your roof, maybe it will be elevated in order to allow for proper drainage. Then get a specific drawing or sketch of where the panel will be installed and how many are needed, along with schematic diagrams showing the plumbing and control plans. Make sure to get a warranty on the equipment that you buy and make sure the control has an Underwriters lab (UL) label. The contractor should specify the manufacturer, model, model number and size of the solar panels and collectors. The collectors also should have a current approval of the city/county or an IAPMO approval. Be specific on the date that the installation should be complete and make sure someone is responsible for cleaning up afterwards. Specify the dates of the progress payments and the final payment. Finally, make sure to end up with written instructions on how to operate the system.
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