FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q.- What is a VELUX solar water heater?
A VELUX solar water
heater uses the sun's energy as a source of heat to produce hot water for
domestic household use. A solar water heater can typically generate from 50% to
80% of your annual water heating needs. Your remaining hot water needs can be
supplied by either an electric or gas auxiliary water heater or boiler. Unlike
other solar water heating systems, the VELUX solar system includes low profile
“roof integrated” solar panels for an aesthetically pleasing look on your roof,
just like our skylights. The solar panels and flashing are all that you see on
your roof – there are no exposed pipes or mounting brackets on the roof.
Q.- Are there different kinds of solar
water heaters?
Solar water heaters are divided into two kinds
of systems: active or passive. Active solar systems rely upon moving mechanical
parts in order to transport heat, while passive units simply use the sun to
accomplish this action. The bulk of systems installed in the
Q.- How much does a VELUX solar water
heater cost?
The installed system
cost will vary, but will typically range from approximately $9,500 to $12,500, and will depend largely upon the following variables:
Overall system costs may be considerably less depending upon
geography. The federal government currently offers a solar rebate of 30% of the
system installed cost up to $2000 and many state and local rebates and
incentives may also be available.
Q.- How much do I save?
How much you will save depends upon the size of the system,
site conditions (shading, roof pitch, and orientation) and the hot water usage
patterns of your family. Typically, you will save between 50% and 80% compared
to a traditional tank type water heating system.
Q.- How long does it take for a solar
water heater to pay for itself?
In areas that have both federal and state rebates and
incentives payback for installation in an existing home payback can vary from
three to six years; in other areas payback could be up to 10 years or more.
However, if your solar water heater is included in the construction of a new
home, you will save much more on your monthly energy bills than the increase in
your house payment – the solar system provides a positive cash flow from the
day you move in effectively giving you an immediate payback.
Q.- How can I finance a solar water
heating system?
The best way to finance a solar energy system is
to include it as part of your home mortgage. In longterm loans of 20 years or
more, the monthly solar savings will normally be greater than the portion of
your monthly mortgage payments for the solar system. In new construction you
will save much more on your monthly energy bills than the increase in the house
payment. It provides a positive cash flow from the day you move in.
Q.- How competitive is solar water
heating, cost wise, against conventional water heaters?
It depends on several
factors such as initial system cost, local fuel costs, and local rebates and
incentives. Although solar has a higher initial cost than most other water
heating systems, it can be very competitive over the long term. The cost of
operation is considerably less than traditional tank type water heating systems
– typically, you will save between 50% and 80% compared to a traditional tank
type water heating system.
Q.- Will a solar hot water system replace
my current water heater?
There are two basic
sizes of VELUX solar water heaters – a two collector/80 gallon system or a
three collector/120 gallon system. The two collector/80 gallon system would
typically replace a conventional 40 to 50 gallon residential tank water heater;
the three collector/120 gallon system would typically replace a 75 to 80 gallon
residential tank water heater. VELUX solar systems can also work with, or in
addition to, a conventional tank water heater to provide addition hot water
capacity.
Q.- How much space does a solar water
heating system take?
A residential solar water heating system uses two or three
solar collectors on the roof. They are approximately 4.5' x 6' each. The
storage tank will fit inside a 30 inch pan under an 8 foot ceiling. The
collectors are best placed on a southfacing roof. The storage tank is best
located near and under the collectors, but can be located up to 60 feet from
the collectors.
Q.- Are VELUX solar water heating systems
reliable?
Yes, VELUX solar water heating systems, proven for years in
To ensure optimal
performance and service life VELUX solar water heaters must be installed by a
VELUX authorized solar water heating dealer/installer. In addition, normal
maintenance consisting of: cleaning collectors, checking pump operation and
system pressure, checking pH of propylene glycol solution, and tank flushing
are required for optimal performance and service life. The latter is also
recommended for conventional water heating systems, as is periodic replacement
of the water heater sacrificial anode rod.
Many VELUX dealer/installers will provide yearly
maintenance checkups of their solar systems
similar to annual airconditioning system
maintenance programs. These can be beneficial in
extending the life of
the system and ensuring optimum performance.
Q.- Will having a VELUX solar water heater affect how much hot water I
will have? Will I have to change my bathing and cleaning routine?