Check out our Frequently Asked Questions in these other SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Topics:

Q: What can SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems be used for?
SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems are used across the United States and around the world for nearly every water heating application imaginable. Whether your application is residential, commercial, industrial, municipal or agricultural, SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors and Flat Plate Solar Collectors are perfect for the job. SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems shine in systems designed for Domestic Hot Water production, Radiant Floor and Space Heating, and Solar Pool and Spa/Hot Tub Heating.

Q: How does Solar Hot Water Differ from PV or Solar Electricity?
PV, or Solar Electric, uses the energy trapped within sunlight to generate an electrical charge. This charge can then be stored and used to power any number of electronic and electric devices. Solar Hot Water, however, is also known as Solar Thermal, and used the tremendous energy trapped within sunlight to generate heat - this heat is then transferred by any number of mechanisms to water. We can use that water for nearly every hot water application - from domestic hot water use to radiant space heating to pool/spa heating. In, fact, Solar Thermal technology is much further advanced that PV technology today - a typical PV panel has an efficiency of 14 - 20% where a Solar Hot Water System has an efficiency of 80% or better - this makes Solar Hot Water Systems one of, if not, the most cost-effective and affordable uses of Solar Energy available today.

Q: How can I use Solar Hot Water at my Home?
There are many great ways that you can use SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems at your own home to save hundreds, or thousands, of dollars every year on your heating and energy bills. Everyone uses hot water - in fact, through showers and cleaning, the average American uses 20 - 30 gallons of hot water every day - SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems can offset between 60 and 80% of your domestic hot water needs. Additionally, a SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System can be designed to provide 60 to 80% of your home heating needs - this can be done through radiant floor heating, baseboard radiator heating, and through forced hot air with an air-over heat exchanger. Lastly, if you have a pool or hot tub/spa, a SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System can be used to dramatically reduce the amount of electricity, propane, gas or heating oil that you use to heat it. Any number of these applications can save you hundreds of dollars, or more, every year.

Q: Can SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems be used at my Office?
Yes, you can use SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems at your office or other business location. In fact, any of the above residential uses can also apply to a commercial solar hot water application.

Q: Will a SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System Work on a Cloudy Day?
Yes, to an extent. SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems to not only work with direct sunlight, but also with Solar Radiation. Even on cloudy days, there is ample solar radiation, which allows SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors to provide significant performance, even in these conditions. However, the performance of the Solar Collector will be less than it is on a bright, sunny day.

Q: Will a SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System Work in the Northeast or Northwest?
Yes. For these climates, we recommend that customers use SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors. During a significant portion of the year in these locations, the sun is at low angles in the sky, the days are extremely short, and the temperatures are often freezing, or barely above. Becuase of their design, SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors are particularly well suited for these conditions - their unique 360 degree collection area makes them very good at capturing sunlight at many angles, increasing the period of optimum absorption, and their incredible freeze protection, coupled with a closed-loop glycol system provide adequate freeze protection for all but the harshest temperatures.

Q: What are the Components in a SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System?
There are a number of significant components that are required to make a SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System operate as efficiently as possible. These components include:

• Solar Collectors
• Solar Hot Water Storage Tank with Internal Heat Exchangers
• Or, an External Heat Exchanger
• Automatic Differential Temperature Controller
• SHW Circulator Pump
• Expansion Tank (on Pressurized Closed Loop Systems)
• Other Balance of the System Components:
  • Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves
  • Automatic Air Bleeders
  • Temperature and Pressure Gauges
  • Copper Piping and/or PEX Tubing
  • Connections and Other Basic Plumbing Hardware