Solar thermal systems are becoming a popular method for heating hot water for homes and businesses around the world. Like with any equipment choice, there are advantages and disadvantages to using them. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of solar thermal systems below.




Solar thermal advantages

• Solar thermal utilizes a free and renewable energy source- the Sun. 
  
• Using a solar thermal system reduces your dependence on fossil fuels as well as expensive foreign oil.
  
• In sunny, Pennsylvania and New Jersey climate, solar thermal systems can be very cost effective.
  
• There are some beneficial incentives available for those who choose to install solar thermal systems at home.
  
• Solar thermal systems have relatively short payback periods compared to other renewable energy systems like solar photovoltaic and geothermal systems.
• Depending on what’s available where you live, you may have the option to lease solar thermal technology, reducing the installation costs of the system.

Solar thermal disadvantages

• Solar thermal systems typically have higher upfront installation costs compared to conventional hot water heater systems.
  
• In many areas, it may still be necessary to have a backup hot water heater in place, which will use gas or electricity.
  
• Your payback period will vary based on the regional sunlight exposure you experience.
  
• Solar thermal systems have lower efficiencies compared to other renewable energy systems like photovoltaic solar and geothermal systems.
  
• Solar thermal systems will need protection to withstand overheating and extreme cold temperatures.
  

When you’re investing in new heating and cooling equipment for your home, one of the deciding factors will probably be cost. The cost of installation and energy is a top concern for many homeowners. Before choosing a ground source heat pump, you’ll want to know all the costs associated with installation and operation.

The cost of installing a ground source heat pump will vary from site to site. Different homes have different needs, varying heating and cooling loads, and type of earth loop available to the site, which will all factor into the final price. The heating and cooling loads can be effected by the size of the house and how well it is insulated. The yard size will determine  whether a horizontal or vertical earth loop can be installed. An open loop earth loop will new special township or county approval.

The federal government as well as many state and local programs offer incentives which can cut down the cost of installing a ground source heat pump for homeowners. With the federal tax credit alone, you may be eligible to receive up to 30 percent of the cost of installation back. Don’t count on these incentives unless you meet the qualifications. It’s best to call and verify your installation will be eligible before installing to avoid any surprises later.

Homeowners can also estimate how much it will cost to operate their new ground source heat pump ahead of time. Consider your home’s heating and cooling demand, and the efficiency of the ground source heat pump you’ll be installing. If you need help determining operation costs or your payback period, or to learn more about installing a ground source heat pump for your home, contact Smith Sustainable Design today.

A solar installation is a big investment for any home or business. Before you buy, you need to be certain that a solar installation is right for you and will fit your power needs. Ask these questions before you invest in solar energy.

Is your site appropriate?

You’ll need to assess your site to make sure it’s ideal for solar installation. A trained solar installer can help you determine that your site has the qualities needed for generating solar power. Not only will the site and landscape need assessed, your roof will also need evaluated. In homes and businesses with aging roofs, it may be a good idea to invest in a new roof before having the solar installation started.

You should also consider the future of your site. If expansion is in the future, you’ll need to make sure your future plans won’t disrupt the functioning of the solar installation. If you anticipate using solar energy to power the expansion, you should also consider how to integrate the solar installation with the new addition now.

What size system do you need?

Oversizing or undersizing your new solar installation won’t help you use your funds efficiently. You’ll need to evaluate your home’s current electricity needs as well as account for changing needs in the future. If you’re not ready to switch completely to solar energy, size the system to accurately supplement your home or business’s electric utility usage. A skilled solar installer can be a huge help, and can work with you to determine the proper size for your solar installation.

Can you afford the cost?

Solar installations are expensive. Luckily, there are many programs which can help you cut that cost. Federal tax credits are available for homeowners who install solar systems at home, which can be good for up to 30 percent of the installation costs. Many states and utility companies offer programs which give rebates or credits which can further lower the cost to you. You may be eligible to receive a loan to help you pay upfront costs. Solar leases are another option that may be chosen which can eliminate upfront costs.

Solar water heating can be used in a number of applications, not just to produce hot water for use inside your home. In fact, the majority of solar heat systems installed in the United States are used for pool and spa heating. Solar heaters for pools are often the most cost effective way to heat these amenities.

Solar heat systems for pools and spas are composed of simple technology that requires very little maintenance for homeowners. Solar heat systems for pools really help homeowners cut back on energy use, limit their demand for fossil fuels, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

There are other steps homeowners can take to enhance the efficiency of solar heat systems. Insulated pool covers can prevent heat loss, and retain more of the heat produced by the pool’s solar heat system. Bubble covers are less expensive, but can allow more heat to be lost.

When designing a solar heat system for a home’s pool or spa, a number of factors must be considered to ensure the system provides appropriately. Collectors must be sized appropriately to ensure the system can adequately heat the water. Below are some of the factors a solar heat system installer should evaluate when designing a new pool heating system:

• The size of the pool
  
• The amount of months the pool will be in use each year
  
• The temperature preferences of pool users
  
• The amount of sunlight the home site receives
  

Homeowners interested in exploring solar heat system options for pools and spas should contact Smith Sustainable Design. Our skilled experts are available to answer questions about solar heat systems and pool and spa installation applications.

Geothermal heat pump systems are ideal for use in most homes due to their extreme efficiency and use of natural energy to heat and cool living spaces. When choosing a geothermal heat pump for your home, there are two different options which may be suitable for your application. Residential geothermal heat pump systems can be either water-to-water or water-to air heat pumps.

Water-to-water geothermal heat pump systems

A water-to-water geothermal heat pump system is used for radiant heating and cooling; domestic hot water; pool conditioning; ice and snow melt. They can be used in place of gas or oil furnaces which may be used in the home for heating water and indoor living spaces. These heat pumps work at their highest efficiency when the temperature variance between the ground and the heat sink inside the home is minimal.

A water-to-water geothermal heat pump can also be used to heat your home’s hot water. Many new geothermal heat pumps are equipped with desuperheaters, which allows excess heat from the compressor to be transferred to the domestic water heater. Using a geothermal heat pump is an effective, efficient way to provide for all your home’s heating needs.

Water-to-air geothermal heat pump systems

A water-to-air geothermal heat pump system is used for forced air heating and cooling a home and domestic hot water. These heat pumps use water as a heat sink, or the location where heat is rejected from inside the house. The air is then distributed in the home through the duct system. They function in the same manner as the water-to-water heat pumps.

To make your home’s geothermal heat pump system more efficient, you can take a few simple steps. Start by cutting your home’s heating and cooling requirements. This can be done through insulation as well as using windows for solar heat gain during colder months.

If you’re considering a geothermal heat pump system for your home, consult the professionals at Smith Sustainable Design. We can help you by designing an appropriate system to meet your home’s requirements.

Communities around the country are beginning to take advantage of solar photovoltaic power. Some communities utilize a solar garden, where solar photovoltaic panels are installed in a location other than the homes of those who use the power. Subscribers can sign up to co-own or lease a portion of the solar photovoltaic setup to receive its benefits. Solar gardens and net metering make it possible for homeowners to use solar power even if their home sites are less than ideal for installation.

In a solar photovoltaic system owned by the homeowner, net metering allows the homeowner to sell unused energy back to the utility gird. In a shared system, virtual net metering allows these energy credits to be shared between all the parties subscribed to the system. Unfortunately, solar garden subscribers aren't always eligible to receive these credits because the solar photovoltaic equipment isn't directly attached to their homes or buildings.

The growth of solar garden installation is creating new challenges for solar experts as well as legislators. These issues weren't a problem when systems were owned by single owners. With more communally-owned solar photovoltaic systems being developed each day, changes to the virtual net metering system are needed to allow members to receive the same benefits as single owners.

Luckily, some legislators are starting to realize this flaw of the virtual net metering system. New legislation is being passed in many states to allow solar garden subscribers to also receive the benefits of net metering.

To learn more about solar gardens and virtual net metering, call the solar photovoltaic experts at Smith Sustainable Design.

The average household in the United States spends about 11 percent of its energy budget on hot water heating. Investigating energy efficient water heating options can help homeowners decrease their energy spending by making better use of the energy they consume. Solar hot water heaters are a valuable option which can help homeowners decrease or even eliminate their hot water energy expenses.

Solar hot water heaters also benefit the environment. By not burning fossil fuels, they reduce the amount of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions produced by one’s home. Making the move towards energy efficiency by installing a solar hot water heater system not only saves you money, but will help save the planet.

A household can use solar hot water heater systems for all their hot water needs. Heat water for showers as well as other household needs. The dishwasher, kitchen sink, and washing machine all use hot water, which can be produced by the home’s solar hot water heater system instead of a conventional hot water heater system.

Homeowners can further improve the efficiency of these systems in a number of ways. Reducing the home’s hot water demand is one way to use less energy. Energy saved in one way can then be used to power other necessities around the home.

When installing a solar hot water system, take a few steps to help conserve the hot water that will be produced. Installing low-flow fixtures throughout the home can cut a household’s hot water use. Also, setting the hot water thermostat to 120 degrees can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat water while still keeping water at a comfortable temperature. Insulating the hot water storage tank can prevent heat loss and save more of the energy produced by the solar hot water heater system.

Heat pumps have been around for decades, and the technology has been improving ever since. Geothermal heating systems are considered one of the most effective and efficient methods for heating and cooling homes and businesses. With efficiencies of over 500% in some models, they can reduce home energy consumption by up to 75 percent while cutting carbon emissions by 70 percent or more.

Despite all the advantages they offer, geothermal heating systems aren’t as widely used as conventional heating and cooling methods. The reasons behind this concern upfront costs, lack of knowledge about the systems, and inconsistent incentive initiatives. In the last few years, the federal government has been pushing tax credits for homeowners installing geothermal heating systems, which have allowed many more homeowners to take advantage of this efficient heating and cooling technology in their homes.

Geothermal heating systems perform better than air source heat pumps. While the air outside fluctuates in temperature, the ground below us remains at a steady temperature all year long. The lack of temperature variation in the heat source used by geothermal heating systems makes them more than twice as efficient compared to air source heat pumps.

Yes, geothermal heating systems are more expensive to install. They don’t just consist of the equipment you see in your home or outside like conventional forced air heating and cooling systems have. There is also the ground loop component which is comprised of hundreds of feet of pipes buried underground. The ground loop works with the heat pump to absorb and circulate heat from the earth up into your home.

The performance of your home’s geothermal heating system will depend on a few factors. First, the climate will play a role in determining your home’s heating demand. Second, the heating fuels you geothermal heating system is replacing will also play a role, as some fuels and heating equipment are more efficient than others, and more expensive. Replacing expensive heating fuels with a geothermal heating system will result in greater energy and monetary savings versus lower cost fuels.

If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, you know there are regulations which dictate what you can and cannot do on your property. Some homeowners associations are making it harder for homeowners to install solar panels for homes. While this may seem unreasonable to homeowners, a few of the reasons why homeowners associations are against solar panels for homes are listed below.

Solar panels for homes aren't aesthetically pleasing

Today’s solar panels for homes don’t look anything like the big, bulky units that first came out decades ago. Unfortunately, many homeowners associations are living in the past, and still view solar panels as ugly. Today’s solar panels for homes have come a long way and manufacturers have made great improvements to the look of home solar panels, so this should really be a non-issue for a homeowners association.

Some homeowners associations don’t like change

Some homeowners associations are reluctant to chance their policies. This may be because the board members don’t want the change. Whether it’s solar panels for homes or another change being pushed through, some people just aren't agreeable to change.

Homeowners associations are uneducated about solar panels for homes

Since this technology has really been gaining popularity in the last decade, not everyone is educated about the advantages and benefits solar panels for homes offer. To some who aren't aware of how the systems work, it may just seem like homeowners are wanting to switch utility providers, rather than give themselves the power to generate their own electricity. There are also many misconceptions about electric solar energy that can be a turn-off to those making the rules, such as the expense and the capabilities of solar technology. If board members don’t have all the facts about solar panels for homes, they are less likely to change the rules for homeowners wanting to install them.

If you’re considering purchasing a solar hot water system for use in your home, keep these tips in mind as you go through the purchasing process.

Determine if your home site is suitable for installation

Most solar collectors which work with solar hot water systems will be mounted on the roof of a home. Ideally, your roof should have the following qualities:

• Your roof should have direct exposure to sunlight between 10 am and 3 pm
  
• Your roof should face South
  
• Your roof and roofing materials should be in good condition
  

Determine which system type is best to meet your needs

Consult a solar contractor for help navigating the available options and determining which is best suited for meeting your needs.

• Research how solar hot water systems work so you can ask your installer questions about the different collector types and circulation systems available to you
  
• Consider your area’s climate to determine if some systems are better than others in freezing temperatures
  
• Estimate the size needed to provide for your home’s hot water needs
  

Learn about rebates and tax credits

There are programs which may be available to you that can help offset the cost of installing a solar hot water system.

• Research federal tax credits, which can equal up to 30 percent of the installation cost
  
• Find out if your state or local government, or utility provider offers tax incentives or rebates for installing high efficiency solar hot water systems

Learn more about ongoing maintenance needs

Your new solar hot water system will need some maintenance to ensure peak performance and equipment longevity.

• Ask your solar installer how frequently maintenance should be performed and what steps you can routinely take to protect your equipment