solar panel hot water heater
How much should solar hot water and radiant heat cost in Maryland, USA?
I’m getting quotes for a replacement for our hot water heater. So far I’ve gotten 22K for materials and installation of a solar hot water heater (3-4 collector panels) with heat rejection and single zone open direct radiant heating to one floor (accessible through drop ceiling underneath). Both quotes include a backup hot water heating system; the expensive one would involve installing a new backup high efficiency heater by converting our propane tank to use for heating. This would be either the Polaris or 2 Takagi Jrs, one for the solar hot water and another to power the radiant heat.
Another quote is for 12K for only the solar hot water and heat rejection using the Velux system.
Are these really high? I’ve already contacted 3 companies but it doesn’t look like too many people are installing them in Maryland yet. I’m still waiting on a quote from one final company. Thanks!
Without information of how big the footprint of the house is, and how many people the domestic hot water (DHW) is for, it is hard to say.
You said you got a quote for 3 -4 collectors, so I’m going to make some assumptions based on that. Four 4′x8′ collectors = 128 sq ft of collector. A general rule of thumb for space heating with solar is 1 sq ft of collector for every 5 -10 sq ft of house footprint (depends on heat storage, heat loss in the house, climate, etc). So, if we say 1200 sq ft house, 1200 / 10 = 120; 128 sq ft of collectors could work (again, depending on above variables). Depending on the brand, each flat plate collector could cost about $1000, so $4000 for the four collectors (evacuated tubes cost more). You then need a controller, storage tank, pumps, heat exchanger, plus all of the copper pipes and fixtures. Then a couple of days for a plumber to install. $12,000 installed seems about right without the backup heater. Here’s a heating system that costs that just for the equipment http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Water-Heaters/Climate-freezes-Closed-Loop-Systems/Combined-Solar-Hot-Water-Space-Heating/Heliodyne-Solar-Hot-Water-Space-Heat-1500-sqft/p6731/.
Note, gas on-demand water heaters like the Bosch Aquastar make great backup heaters for solar http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/HeatingProducts/WaterHeating/AquaStar1/aquastar1600psmain.asp. I don’t know what size you’d need.
Solar Hot Water Heater Installation – Corbett Kroehler
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