Solar Hot Water
The most efficient and affordable way to harvest the sun's energy.
About Solar Hot Water
Heating water is the second largest energy load in homes today. In Western Washington, solar hot water can provide about 60-70% of your annual hot water needs. The solar hot water system acts as a pre heater for your traditional water heating system. It can be matched with electric, gas, and on demand water heating. So if there isn’t enough sun to heat the water, the traditional source can make up the difference. During the summer, the opposite can happen. The summer sun can heat the water so high that the traditional water heater has to actually mix in cold water before it can safely go to the tap. Solar hot water systems are low maintenance, they need to be cleaned off about once a year, and the fluid needs to be checked about every five years.
Our Goal is to educate you, giving you the tools you need to decide if solar is right for you. If you have any other questions about solar hot water, or suggestions about additions or improvements to this page, please let us know.
How it Works
(1) When there is heat from the collectors, a controller activates pumps.
(2) Heated solar fluid is then circulated from the collector,
(3) through a heat exchanger where its heat is transferred to
(4) water in the storage tank.
(5) The solar fluid is then pumped back to the collector to once again be reheated.
During times when there is little or no sun, a standard gas, electric, or on demand heater will heat water.
Evacuated Tubes vs Flat Panels
At South Sound Solar, we offer quality made in the U.S. systems that are proven to last 30 plus years. Evacuated tubes are usually made in China, and are not as high of quality as the flat plate collectors. Also, studies have shown that flat plate panels just work better in our climate.
It is for these reasons we only offer Made in the U.S. Flat Plate Solar Hot Water Panels.
Cost
Family of 1-3
Starting at $8000
Federal Tax Credit -$2400
Cost after 1st year $5600*
Includes: 1 collector, solar heat exchanger, 65 gallon tank, and all design and installation costs.
Family of 3-5
Starting at $9000
Federal Tax Credit -$2700
Cost after 1st year $6300*
Includes: 2 collectors, solar heat exchanger, 80 gallon tank, and all design and installation costs.
*does not include sales tax
Site Survey $95
To find out exact cost for your family or business, schedule a Solar Site Survey.
Fee is refunded with purchase of a solar system.
Incentives
In addition to the saved water heating costs there is a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of the system.
Other Resources
Our Products
We take great pride in offering quality made in the US solar systems, that are proven to work in the Northwest.
Customer Testimonial
August, 2nd, 2011 — Ron S. Olympia, WashingtonJust a note to thank you again for doing business with me on the solar hardware. My system has been up since the beginning of the month – no hardware issues whatsoever. We made about 30 KwH today, and the best system peak performance has been just shy of 6000 watts. I’m quite pleased with it, and look forward to better production as the year progresses.