No Solar Heated Water

[Zovo]

Re: No Solar Heated Water

Looks like a standard hot-water system to me. Looks to me like they simply designed a lighter-weight panel; which looks suspciously like the solar panles currently used to heat swimming pools.

I'm wondering if the polymer panels can reach the same temperatures as the copper; or if they heat the water part of the way and the electric tank does the rest?

The discussion in this thread indicates you folks are quite knowlegeable about solar water heating.

Have to be; it's my job.

[Nords]

Re: No Solar Heated Water

Skylights of Hawaii has a link to it. Skylights installed our solar fans which we like.

Longtime owner Ron York was getting ready to sell the company (cardiac health). If Skylights installed your solar fans before 2005 then before you buy again you might want to check to see if he's still running the show.

We installed our solar water system from scratch-- used tank, used panels, about $700 of new piping & valves, our free labor. It's (over)built like a brick outhouse and we have more hot water than we can use. For around $2100 FAFCO says they'll give you the materials to make about half of the hot water you need, and I'd be a bit concerned about hurricanes. Meanwhile you can have a local HECO-approved contractor put in a system for about $2000-$3000 after HECO's $1000 rebate. (And then you take the federal & state tax credits on top of that for a total cost under $2000.) The contractor's new materials are probably worth at least $1500 retail.

You might want to contact a half-dozen of the contractors on HECO's list to see how their systems & prices compare to FAFCO.

The discussion in this thread indicates you folks are quite knowlegeable about solar water heating.

Thanks, it's a hobby...

[GeckoGeek]

Re: No Solar Heated Water

Just to tack on a few things....

Tank heaters are not that inefficient. Contrary to "common sense" it doesn't take any power at all to keep hot water hot. It takes power to make up for heat lost though imperfect insulation. Improve the insulation, and that big tank of water is no longer a problem. You can do a lot with just $20 with of stuff to insulate the pipes near the heater.

Now, is the goal to save energy or save $$$$? The answers may not be the same. HECO is giving a $3/month credit to allow them to put a box so they can cut off your heater when they need to react to peak demand. Can't do that with tankless.

Also, HECO is getting ready to switch to a rate structure that charges different prices at different times of the day. A tank heater can heat up at night on cheap power. With a tankless you're stuck with whatever the rates are when you take your shower.

[Nords]

Re: No Solar Heated Water

Also, HECO is getting ready to switch to a rate structure that charges different prices at different times of the day.

Although HECO gave us a digital meter last year to implement time-of-day metering, they've been teasing us with that feature for years.

Has anyone seen anything even remotely resembling an implementation date for time-of-day metering? We're ready to shift to a "dishwashers & clothes dryers only after sundown" routine...

[MixedPlateBroker]

Re: No Solar Heated Water

Wuz wondering. Anyone try those tankless heaters? Are they more economical than trying to heat 80 gallons of water? Your thoughts or experiences. Mahalo...

Tankless water heating bad:
Home destroyed by electrical fire

A malfunction in a tankless electric water heater caused a fire Thursday that destroyed a Niu Valley home, firefighters have determined.

Heat pump water heating good!

Heat pumps have traditionally been used for space conditioning, but are now also being used for electric water heating. They are usually three times more efficient than electric resistance water heaters ...
Because HPWH take heat from the surrounding room air, they cool and dehumidify a space ...
System cost is from $600 to over $2000. Installation cost may be between $300 and $700. Estimated payback is 2 - 5 years ...

Try visiting the Pakalana condominium on Piikoi if you're curious to see a heat pump, albeit a giant one, in action. The underground parking there feels as is it's air conditioned. Very nice if you're spending a Sunday afternoon waxing your ride.

Oh, btw, visit one of the open houses as an excuse as the parking is gated.