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Frequently Asked Questions

Is solar water heating a viable alternative to oil, gas or electric heating?

Solar should be seen as a supplement to oil, gas or electric heating, not as an alternative.  Solar cannot totally replace the need for conventional heat sources since there are times when there is very little sunlight.  However, over the course of a year, a correctly sized solar system can provide 60-80% of your household hot water needs. 

Will water be heated on a cloudy day?

Yes.   Although the output of the collector may be reduced on cloudy days, it is still able to provide a significant amount of heating.  The cloudier the day, the more that your backup heater will be used to maintain the proper temperature in your hot water.  This type of automated system ensures that you never run out of hot water, regardless of your weather conditions.

Can solar collectors heat water to a high enough temperature?

Absolutely!  Solar collectors can bring water to a boiling point.  However, this is not the goal of a properly sized system.  The system should be designed to raise water temperature 75-80 degrees.  If your system provides too much heat, it will actually have to dump the excess heat. It's very important that your system be properly sized.

What maintenance is required for Solar Collectors?

Due to the unique design of evacuated tube solar collectors, rain and wind should keep them relatively clean and free of debris so under normal circumstances, no maintenance is required to keep them clean.  The fluid in the system should be changed every 3-4 years.  

What happens if one of my evacuated tubes is broken?

Evacuated tubes are actually very tough and are not easily broken.  However, if one should break, it can be easily   replaced.  Your solar collector can actually continue to operate with several broken or missing tubes, however the efficiency would be reduced.

Are solar collectors noticeable on my roof?

Yes, but due to their design, evacuated tube collectors look somewhat like a skylight on your roof.

Will the solar collector be a fire hazard during hot/dry weather?

No.  All components of the solar collectors are high-temperature rated and non-flammable, so even during periods of strong sunlight with the pumps off, the system will not catch fire or even give off sparks.  The majority of the components are stainless steel, aluminum, or glass. 

Are evacuated tube collectors more efficient than flat plate collectors?

Evacuated tube collectors are more efficient and cost-effective in northern, cool climates.  Their 360 degree collector design allows them to gather much more sunlight in low-light conditions.  They can also gather more sunlight when the sun is at angles which can't be utilized by flat plate collectors.

Can solar collectors be used for large scale hot water production?

Yes.  Solar collectors can be connected in series or parallel to provide additional water heating capacity as needed.  This is particularly effective for schools, apartments, resorts, hotels, offices, and other large buildings.  There is actually no limit to the amount of hot water that solar collectors can produce - simply increase the number of collectors as the hot water demand increases.