It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Typically, up to 30% of a home's energy consumption is used just to heat water for bathing, laundry, and cleaning. By installing a solar hot water system, homeowners can shave 200 to 500 kilowatt-hours off their electric bill per month, saving money and reducing pollution. Installing a solar hot water system is typically the first and most cost-effective step when turning to the sun for energy. Even if a photovoltaic system is your primary interest, a solar (thermal) hot water system along with a PV system will provide the best economics and space-efficiency on your roof.

Drain backs work best

The best solar water heating system for your home will be determined largely by your climate, as freezing temperatures may damage components. Great innovations in solar thermal technology over the past decade have resulted in unprecedented cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and reliability. A "drain back" hot water system is a state-of-the-art design that can be used in any climate, and is now the system of choice for most residential and commercial applications.

What if I run out?

For cloudy days or periods of high demand for hot water, our systems include electric or gas back-up heating to ensure that you are never without hot water. A professional site survey, performed by a Solair Systems dealer, is the first step to getting a properly sized and installed solar hot water system. There are different types of systems, and each one requires proper sizing (based on total usage, peak demand, and geography). Proper sizing is critical to the performance and durability of your hot water system.