Solar Hot Water Systems

A common use of solar energy in Pennsylvania is to heat water. Thousands of solar water heaters have been installed across the state. Solar water heating systems are an excellent application of solar energy because hot water is needed year round, including the summer when we receive a lot of sunlight.

Water heating is usually the second highest energy need, after space heating, in homes. For a family of four, water heating is approximately one-quarter of the family’s energy consumption. Solar Pro can help you greatly reduce the expense of hot water heating with the installation of a Solar Hot Water system.

There are two types of active solar water heating systems:

Direct circulation systems:
Pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home. They work well in climates where it rarely freezes.

Indirect circulation systems:
Pumps circulate a non-freezing, Heat Transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows into the home. They are popular in climates prone to freezing temperatures.

Solar Pro offers several solar water heating solutions to fit your particular needs, and will provide the guidance and evaluation needed to make the best system choice. We install Heliodyne and Heliocol sytems.

Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems

Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. The tanks have an additional outlet and inlet connected to and from the collector. In two-tank systems, the solar water heater preheats water before it enters the conventional water heater. In one-tank systems, the back-up heater is combined with the solar storage in one tank.

Three types of solar collectors are used for residential applications:

Flat-plate Collector
Glazed flat-plate collectors are insulated, weatherproofed boxes that contain a dark absorber plate under one or more glass or plastic covers. Unglazed flat-plate collectors—typically used for Solar Pool Heating — have a dark absorber plate, made of metal or polymer, without a cover or enclosure.

Integral Collector-Storage Systems
Also known as ICS or batch systems, these feature one or more black tanks or tubes in an insulated, glazed box. Cold water first passes through the solar collector, which preheats the water. The water then continues on to the conventional backup water heater, providing a reliable source of hot water. They should be installed only in mild-freeze climates because the outdoor pipes could freeze in severe, cold weather.

Evacuated-Tube Solar Collectors
These collectors feature parallel rows of transparent glass tubes. Each tube contains a glass outer tube and metal absorber tube attached to a fin. The fin's coating absorbs solar energy but inhibits radiative heat loss. These collectors are used more frequently for U.S. commercial applications.

Before you purchase and install a solar water heating system, Let Solar Pro do the following for you:
• Show the economics of a solar water heating system
• Evaluate your site’s Solar Resource
• Determine the correct system size
• Determine the systems energy efficiency
• Estimate installation cost and rebate programs
• Investigate Local codes, covenants and regulations

For more information, or to schedule a free solar site evaluation, contact Solar Pro at 610-268-5592, or by email info@SolarProPa.com.

Pool Heating

Heating a swimming pool consumes a lot of energy and add up to high heating bills. Solar Pro can help you improve your swimming pool's heating and energy efficiency by installing a Solar Pool Heating system.
With a solar pool heater, you can significantly reduce swimming pool heating and annual maintenance costs. In fact, solar pool heating is the most cost-effective use of solar energy in many climates.

Most solar pool heating systems include the following:

Solar collector: the device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun
Filter: removes debris before water is pumped through the collector
Pump: circulates water through the filter and collector and back to the pool
Flow control valve: automatic or manual device that diverts pool water through the solar collector.

Example of a solar pool heating system.
Pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the solar collector(s), where it is heated before it is returned to the pool.

Example of how a solar collector works.
A solar pool heating system usually costs between $7,000 and $9,000 to buy and install. This provides a payback of between 1.5 and 7 years, depending on your local fuel costs. They also typically last longer than gas and heat pump pool heaters. Your actual cost and payback depend on many factors. Therefore, before you decide to purchase, let Solar Pro:
• Evaluate your site’s solar Resource
• Determine the correct system size
• Determine the systems efficiency
• Provide a Free Estimate

After installation, properly maintaining your system will keep it running smoothly for 10–20 years. Your collector should require little maintenance if the pool's chemical balance and filtering system are checked regularly.

To schedule your consultation or to learn more about the benefits of solar water heating, contact us at 610-268-5592, or by email info@SolarProPa.com.

Solar Pro provides 12 Months Same-As-Cash to our customers. Please call (610) 268-5592 or email info@SolarProPa.com for additonal details. *Loans provided by Enerbank USA (1245 E. Brickyard Rd., Suite 640, Salt Lake City, UT 84106) on approved credit, for a limited time. Repayment terms vary from 24 to 132 months. 17.97% fixed APR subject to change. Interest waived if repaid in 12 months.