Solar water heaters savings can range from $20-$80 a month for a family of 4 with a solar pool heating system, two adults and two kids. So you should expect an average monthly savings of $45-$65 depending on hot water usage and habits.
The solar hot water panel must face a south exposure for maximum performance, but it doesn't mean it should go on the south roof. If no south roof is available, we have a variety of mounting kits that allow us to mount our panels on any roof virtually, designed to keep your panel facing south and to give it the best look possible should looks becomes a concern.
Yes, there will always be hot water available for use. Conventional water heater tanks have two elements that heat the water constantly. Solar water heater tanks, on the other hand, have only one electric element to heat a portion of the water in the tank. It is called backup or reserve hot water. Our solar hot water systems are designed to work in conjunction with the electric section of the tank. If a cloudy or rainy day is present, the tank automatically will switch to electric backup.
On a basic system consisting of an 80-gallon tank with a 40-square-foot panel, you should expect roughly 80-120 gallons per day of about 140-160F water.
A well and reliable installed solar hot water system should last up to 30 years. Our solar collectors are designed for Florida's weather, and the solar tanks are built with about three times the strength of conventional water heater tanks. The payback on savings should be expected anywhere from 4-12 years, depending on family and system size, hot water use, and local and federal solar incentives.