Solar hot water systems are becoming a popular method for homeowners to harness the sun’s energy for use inside their homes. They are environmentally friendly and offer a clean energy option for your home’s hot water needs. Every home system has its advantages and disadvantages, so below we’ll take a look at those for solar hot water systems.



Advantages of solar hot water systems include:

• They generate free energy for use to heat water.
  
• They allow you to use a renewable energy source: the Sun.
  
• They are very cost effective in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
  
• Many incentives are available for homeowners who wish to install solar hot water systems.
  
• The payback period for the system is pretty low, at only about 5 years.
  
• The systems have low maintenance needs and costs.
  
• Lease options for solar hot water systems may be available to decrease installation costs.
  

Disadvantages of solar hot water systems include:

• The cost of installation is more than a conventional water heater.
  
• Some electricity or gas will be needed to fuel a backup system during winter months.
  
• The payback period isn't definite, it varies based on conditions in your area and the system’s exposure to sunlight.
  
• They offer a relatively low efficiency of the passive solar water heating systems available.
  
• They will need protection to prevent freezing as well as overheating.
  

Get the big picture about solar hot water systems before you make your purchase. The professionals at Smith Sustainable Design can answer any questions you may have, as well as provide more details regarding the advantages and disadvantages of installing a new solar hot water heater system for your home.

The sun’s energy is useful for generating electricity for your home. It’s also useful for heating and cooling, but not through the use of solar panel collectors. Geothermal heating and cooling systems also make use of the sun’s free energy using different collection methods. Ground loop components actually absorb heat caused by the sun from within the earth to heat your home, and deposit heat back into the earth for cooling.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems offer the highest level of energy savings compared to any home system. With geothermal, you can save as much as 70 percent on heating and cooling costs. This savings is made possible through the use of the sun’s energy stored within the earth, rather than fossil fuels.

Even when temperatures outside fluctuate, geothermal provides steady heating and cooling. It doesn’t matter what the outside temperature is, because the temperature below ground always remains at a constant level. Usually, this temperature is between 50 and 55 degrees year round.

For heating purposes, geothermal heating and cooling systems offer the best return on your heating dollars. They are able to produce about 5 dollars’ worth of heat for every dollar spent for electricity. Even the most high efficiency furnace can’t do that. In fact, the best a high efficiency furnace can do is give you back about 98 cents’ worth of heating for every dollar spent on heating fuels; not much of a payback, is it?

For cooling, central air conditioners and air source heat pumps drop in efficiency as outdoor temperatures climb, which is typically when you want and need cooling the most. A geothermal heating and cooling system is much more efficient. Typically, they more than double the efficiency you’ll find with air source heat pumps and central air conditioners.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems don’t have exposed outdoor components. Everything you need is either below ground or housed within your home. Central air conditioners and air source heat pumps have outdoor components, leaving them vulnerable to damage, vandalism, and theft.

Winter is coming, and that typically means snow for residents of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It also means shorter days, which can decrease solar production because of less sunlight exposure. Don’t let snow build up and further hinder the production of your solar photovoltaic panels.

To remove snow from your solar photovoltaic panels easily, use a long, soft-edged tool to reach up onto the roof. Be sure the tool you use is not metal or another hard material which might hurt the panels For example, these sorts of tools would work perfectly and not cause damage to your panels:

• Brooms with soft bristles
  
• Squeegees

Snow isn't a danger to your solar panels. In fact, if you leave it alone, the sunlight we do get will melt it right off. If you find that the snow isn't moving off the panels on a sunny day, you can clear a small portion of the panel to allow sunlight to be absorbed to start generating power which will then cause the snow to loosen.

Removing a small portion of snow from the bottom of the solar photovoltaic panels will allow sunlight and gravity to do the rest of the work for you. Once the panels begin to warm up, the snow should slide right off. You may want to use that tool to clear any snow buildup from your gutters or equipment and walkways on the ground below.

If you have questions about winter care for your home’s solar photovoltaic panels, give us a call! The experts at Smith Sustainable Design are happy to advise you on the proper way to clear snow and keep your panels safe all winter long.

Don’t be discouraged from using solar hot water systems because of misinformation floating around. Make sure you have the facts, not fiction. Below are ten solar hot water myths and the truth about them

1. They don’t work when it’s cloudy
Even when it’s cloudy, there is solar energy available, and enough to use a solar hot water heater system.

2. They aren't cost effective
Solar hot water heater systems have the best payback period of solar energy options. They also have a very long lifespan when properly maintained.

3. The home will have less hot water
Your solar hot water heater system can be designed to meet the hot water needs of your home, and you won’t have to sacrifice the amount of hot water you can access just to go solar. Many solar thermal systems are installed to use with another hot water system, like a conventional tank or tankless hot water heater, so you’ll always have the hot water you need.

4. They only work in the daytime
Just because the sun doesn’t shine at night doesn’t mean your solar hot water heater system won’t work at night. The work they do during the day allows the equipment to maintain water temperatures for use at night.

5. They won’t work in the winter
The outdoor temperature has nothing to do with the system’s ability to collect solar energy; the sun still shines in wintertime.

6. They’re cost prohibitive
Solar hot water heater systems aren’t as expensive as you may expect. They cost much less than a solar photovoltaic installation, plus installing one can qualify you to receive a 30 percent federal tax credit which can help you offset the cost of installing the system.

7. They don’t make much of a difference to the environment
Below heating and cooling, hot water heating is the second largest consumer of energy in most homes. Solar hot water heater systems allow you to reduce energy use and eliminate the carbon emissions which are created by burning fossil fuels for energy.

8. They’re ugly
Solar thermal panels can be flush-mounted to your roof and don’t look much different than a skylight. They don’t stick out like some may think, and are even considered a status symbol as energy efficiency is in the forefront of our nation’s news.

9. They take up too much space
With the right designer, your solar hot water heater system doesn’t have to use a lot of space. They can be installed using just a little more space than a conventional system.

10. They take a long time to install
Depending on the type of system you choose and your installation team, it will only take a few working days to complete.

Many people know that geothermal heat systems use the earth’s heat to provide heating for the home, but may be unsure of how this is achieved. The answer is simple: a heat pump. The system utilizes a ground source heat pump to move heat from within the earth into your home.

A geothermal heating system doesn't use combustible materials to heat your home like a gas or propane furnace does. Instead, it uses refrigerant to carry heat from one system component to the next. The compressor within the heat pump moves the refrigerant throughout the entire system.

In winter, the earth’s heat is absorbed by the ground loop and carried to the coaxial coil.  The inner coil contains the water from the ground loop, and the outer tube of the coil houses cold refrigerant. Through the walls of the coil, the heat from the ground loop’s water is passed to the refrigerant. Then, the refrigerant moves the heat to the compressor where it is pressurized. The pressure makes the refrigerant extremely hot.

Once the refrigerant is good and hot, it’s pumped through the air coil’s pipes and fins. When air is forced across the now-hot coil, heat is transferred into that air. A blower then moves the heated air through your duct system and into your home to heat the space.

Next, the refrigerant is moved to the expansion valve, where the pressure is low. The low pressure cools the refrigerant so it’s ready to move back to the coaxial coil. Once refrigerant returns to the coaxial coil, it is again ready to absorb the heat from water carried through the ground loop.

For cooling your home, the ground source heat pump simply works in reverse. Refrigerant will flow in the opposite direction and excess heat will be pulled from inside your home to be deposited back into the ground. This excess heat can also be used to heat water for your home.

There are many components which make up your solar power installation. Choosing quality components which will help you maximize the power generated by your solar modules will be a great benefit to your home. Inverters are a crucial component which convert the direct current generated by the panels into alternating current which you can use for electrical power inside your home. There are a few types of inverters available, but a good choice for your residential solar modules is a microinverter.

Choosing microinverters can help you achieve a good return on your solar investment. They offer very high efficiency to help you generate the most power from your solar modules. They also offer an excellent warranty term of 10 years (or more depending on the manufacturer and model). Below are some of the benefits of choosing microinverters for use with your system:

• Microinverters offer greater energy production over other types of inverters used in residential systems. They offer 5 to 25 percent more power generation than string inverters.
  
• Microinverters are installed directly on each panel, rather than one per series of panels.
  
• With microinverters, your solar modules will be less affected by factors that can hinder solar power generation, such as shade, temperature, and dirt.
  
• Microinverters help protect against the hazards created by direct current electricity. They operate at lower voltages and reduce the risk of shock and fires.
  
• Microinverters require less maintenance than other inverter types.
  
• Microinverters are able to operate in more extreme temperature ranges than other inverter types.
  
• A system with microinverters uses multiple inverters instead of just one. Therefore, if one is malfunctioning, it’s much cheaper to replace one microinverter versus a string inverter.
  
• Using microinverters offers more flexibility in solar module system design, as they can be used with nearly all panels.
  

Microinverters truly are a good choice for your solar module system. If you have questions about microinverters or any of the components used in a solar module installation, feel free to call the experts at Smith Sustainable Design for answers.

If you’re thinking about installing a solar thermal system to heat water for your home, one of your first steps will be to obtain a quote. A quote will be your best tool in determining the price of equipment and installation. There are some variables that go into determining your quote; below are some of the factors that determine the final price of installing the system.

Your home’s hot water needs

Your solar thermal system will need to be sized properly to meet your household’s hot water demands. The size of the storage tank you’ll need will play a role in pricing.

• A 50 gallon tank and 1 collector is ideal for a 1 or 2 bedroom household
  
• A 80 gallon tank and 2 collectors is ideal for a 3 to 4 bedroom household
  
• A 120 gallon tank and 3 collectors is ideal for a 5 to 6 bedroom household
  

Depending on the weather conditions where you live, a solar thermal system may not be able to provide for all your hot water needs. In this case, you’ll need to have an electric or gas booster system to provide hot water during the periods where solar power isn't sufficient. The cost of this booster hot water heater may be included in your quote if your existing systems need replacement or aren't suitable.

The specifications of your home

Certain aspects of your home will determine how and where the solar thermal system can be installed, which can also affect price. Non-standard roofing materials or unstable areas of the roof may make your roof an unsuitable location for installing solar thermal panels. In this case, alternatives will be determined which can affect price. Also, if the design of your roof doesn't provide the ideal pitch or space, special mounting frames may need to be used, which will also be quoted.

Don’t rely on online estimates to price a solar thermal system, because many homes have special considerations, like those mentioned above, which will need to be evaluated when determining your quote. For a free quote, contact Smith Sustainable Design.

Are you planning to build a new home in the future? If so, one of the decisions you’ll have to make is how to heat and cool your home. Geothermal heating systems are efficient and environmentally friendly. New home construction is an ideal time to install a geothermal heating system.

Constructing a new home is the perfect time to install a geothermal system because of the ground loop that will need placed. While your building site is empty, it’s easy to lay the piping needed for the ground loop. When installing a geothermal heating system at an existing home, there are obstacles that must be worked around, such as the house itself, and landscaping that may have to be disturbed. With an unfinished site, the necessary components for the geothermal heating system can be placed before structures and landscaping are finished.

Choosing a geothermal heating system will provide you with great energy savings, above and beyond what can be achieved with high efficiency forced air heating and cooling equipment. The energy savings you’ll earn over the lifetime of your system can be reinvested into other items for your home, like upgraded fixtures and the other “wish list” items you’ve been wanting in a new home.

Installing a geothermal heating system will cost you more initially versus conventional oil or gas heating and cooling options. Don’t be put off by the price tag, as the energy savings this system will produce will allow it to pay for itself. Plus, your geothermal heating system installation will qualify you to receive a 30 percent tax credit, thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. When you look at it that way, almost a third of the initial cost will be covered, which can take away some of the sticker shock for homeowners.

A key element of a photovoltaic solar system is the inverter. The purpose of the inverter is to take the direct current generated by the panels and change it into usable alternating current for your home. There are different types of inverters available, so below, we’ll take a look at the options available.

Micro Inverters

A micro inverter may also be referred to as a module inverter, so don’t be confused if you hear this term instead. Individual micro inverters usually attach directly to photovoltaic solar modules, and they work to extract the power from each panel. This is a very reliable inverter option which can enhance design flexibility. Micro inverters are particularly relevant for residential systems and rooftops with complex, shaded situations.  Micro inverters are exceptionally reliable and typically come with 15 year warranty. The potential downside is their expense, and they can add cost to the overall photovoltaic solar installation.

String Inverters

The panels in grid-tied photovoltaic solar systems are wired together, creating a string of panels. This is done to increase voltage while keeping current low, simplifying wiring needs and the size of the wire needed. String inverters can be wired into several strings of panels. A string is made up of 7 to 14 panels. String inverters are widely used and usually include a warranty period of 10 years to 20 years.

Central Inverters

A central inverter is a kind of string inverter, but it is best suited for use with larger photovoltaic solar installations. In these applications, a central inverter is a better choice because they can simplify installation and offer higher efficiency versus string inverters in large application scenarios. Using string inverters in a large application can drive up installation costs, whereas using central inverters can keep costs in check. 

When purchasing a solar hot water system, it’s important to do your research and know the facts. There are a lot of factors which you must consider that will help you make the best investment for your home. Keep these factors in mind when investing in solar hot water.

1. Choosing cheap

Choosing the cheapest option isn’t always the wisest move. Cheap initially doesn’t always mean cheap in the long run, either. As with many other things, sometimes cheap is the opposite of quality. Choosing the cheapest option for installation can save you money in the beginning, but you may experience frequent repair needs, and the bills that go along with it. With extra expenses that add up well after installation, choosing a cheap solar hot water heater system can end up being much more expensive over time.

2. Consider your investment

Installing a solar hot water heater system is a significant investment for your household, and you’ll want to make the most of it. When evaluating equipment options, consider maintenance needs as well as the warranty you’ll receive. What is the expected life span of the equipment you’ve chosen? Is the warranty long enough to cover most of its operating life, or will you be left without protection after a few short years? That warranty can really make a difference, and protect you against expensive replacement component needs.

3. Protection                         

How will you protect your solar hot water heater system, and your investment? How does the system work to protect itself? Because of our cold winter months, homeowners in New Jersey and Pennsylvania should look for systems that are frost-protected and built for functioning even in low temperatures.

When choosing a new solar hot water heater system, you should consult a professional who can help you figure out what you need. Smith Sustainable Design’s team of solar thermal designers and installers are available to help you navigate the available options.