Do I need any experience in electricity to install a solar water heater?
avwFm87mDz2011-04-04T17:11:35+00:00No, you do not. In fact, if you purchase a pre-packaged kit from Sunmaxx, the pump station (which is has the controller and pump built in) simply has a 3-prong plug that you insert right into a 110v wall outlet. The only thing that you would need to do is to insert the sensor wire into the appropriate location on the controller. Luckily the sensor wire is non-polar so you can't mess it up (knock on wood).
How do I know if my system is performing the way it should be?
avwFm87mDz2011-04-04T16:39:49+00:00First of all, your system performance will be measured by BTU'S produced, NOT by temperature achieved. The simplest way to accomplish this is by following this method:
1- Record your solar tank temperature first thing in the morning, before the solar pump turns on.
2- be sure that no one uses hot water during this day.
3-Record your solar tank temperature at the end of the "solar" day
4-Perform this calculation to determine total btu's produced
Change in tank temp Deg F x Total gallons in tank x 8.3 = total btu prod/day
5-View the SRCC certificate for estimated performance or call you SunMaxx sales rep to get an expected performance number
What is NABCEP and why is it important?
avwFm87mDz2011-04-04T15:47:25+00:00The North American Board of Certified energy Practitioners is a standard of excellence for Solar Installers. Anyone who meets the criteria for NABCEP certification meets the most rigorous demands for competency in the US. Being NABCEP certified allow you to gain eligibility to a broader market through incentive based-programs that require NABCEP certification. It will also allow you mobility to move from state to state. Please view the following link to learn about NABCEP certification.
How do I decide between Flat plate and Evacuated tube?
avwFm87mDz2011-04-04T13:31:13+00:00This will be a debate well in to the future. For an more in-depth review please watch this Click here to watch this 1/2 hour webinar. Your decision should be based primarily on the following considerations:
- 1- Temperature demand- What is you existing application? EVT's will outperform FP's at higher temp load.
- 2- Climate location- In a general sense, flat plates have more value than evacuated tubes in warmer climates and EVT's will do better in cold, cloudy climates.
- 3-Aesthetics appeal- This is where there is no "right" answer. Instead, each person has their own personal view. We recommend that you go with it. If they prefer flat plates for that reason then you install flat plates and if they prefer evacuated tubes for their aesthetic appeal, then by all means, you should install Evacuated tubes.
How do I size a solar hot water system for my household?
avwFm87mDz2011-04-04T13:10:34+00:00Typically, an american average consumption of 20 gallons of hot water per day per person can be used to size systems. There are some variations in that however so we need to be careful about just using rules of thumb. For most of the Sunmaxx TitanPower Flat plates and Thermopower Evacuated tubes will yield about 2 gallons of hot water per FT2 of collector. Therefore, we can say that for a family of 3, we would recommend about 30 ft of collector. This estimate will vary depending on the part of the world you are from. If you live in the northern climates, this system example would replace existing fuel by over 50%. In mid-latitudes, you could expect a 60-70 % reduction and in southern climates, as much as 85% reduction
Will i need to make any changes to my existing system for a Solar Thermal upgrade?
avwFm87mDz2011-04-01T15:25:32+00:00No- there are no required changes to your existing system. However, if you have a backflow preventer installed in your house then you will need an expansion tank in the dhw loop. Without this installed, the solar loop will be rasing the temperature of your existing tank and subesquently raise the pressure. Typically this pressure is absorbed by the line pressure from the municipal supply or well pressure but with a backflow preventer this cannot happen so you will need an expansion tank.