Solar Hot Water Heating

Solar water heating in the Keys is easy and effective because it never freezes. Because of that we don't have to worry about freezing pipes. We start with a panel on the roof. These are not photovoltaic, rather have copper tubing in a panel covered with glass with a UV absorbent film.

As the UV rays from the sun enters this well insulated panel, they heat the water in the copper tubing within the panel, which is circulated between the panel and the storage tank with a circulation pump (which also maintains water pressure). The tank which is used is larger than normal tanks, usually 150 gallons and is triple insulated.

Storage is important so that your solar heated water from the suns hours will stay hot well after the sun goes down. Add to this a backup thermostat which kicks on and uses electricity if the stored water cools off at night or on a super cold & cloudy day. These systems run about $5,000 to $8,000 installed depending on your specific needs.

They'll pay for themselves in 4 to 5 years and make you a green energy user. Here’s how;

About 20 to 30 percent of our electric usage is to heat hot water for our kitchens and baths. An average home uses about $ 1500 per year to heat water electrically. DSIRE government incentives give you a 30% tax deduction up to $2,000 and the state has a cash back program. How can anyone not afford to have this system?

There is also a Solar water preheater, which feeds into your existing gas or electric water heater bringing the initial water temperature way up, so your water heater doesn’t have to work as hard. These systems run around $3,000.

GO GREEN! GO SOLAR: USE THE SUN TO HEAT YOUR WATER FOR FREE!

Call Southernmost Solar for a free consultation (305)797-1301