Solar Hot Water

[bsobel]

Finally getting solar hot water installed at the house to compliment the solar PV we installed when we moved in. One more solar project to go (solar pool heating once we start the pool next year).

🙂

 

[IronWing]

Copperheart?

 

[ViviTheMage]

neat!

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Copperheart?

http://sunkingsolar.com/domestichot.html

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: ironwing
Copperheart?

http://sunkingsolar.com/domestichot.html

Interesting. Be sure to post an update in a few months to let us know how it works out. We looked at direct solar water heating but bailed on the idea because we have very hard water and didn't want to spend a bunch of money on a system that was going to scale up in a couple of years. This might be a way around that problem.

 

[Jumpem]

That would work great when my roof has a few feet of snow on it for months at a time.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: ironwing
Copperheart?

http://sunkingsolar.com/domestichot.html

Interesting. Be sure to post an update in a few months to let us know how it works out. We looked at direct solar water heating but bailed on the idea because we have very hard water and didn't want to spend a bunch of money on a system that was going to scale up in a couple of years. This might be a way around that problem.

We are on well water here, so also very hard, thats why we went with the close loop system so this may well work for you. Happy to post updates once we have some usage data (system should be up on Tuesday)

 

[Jumpem]

What are the costs of all that solar panel gear? Don't the costs far outweigh any savings?

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
What are the costs of all that solar panel gear? Don't the costs far outweigh any savings?

Our payback on the solar PV presuming no power costs increases from the utilities was about 10 years. Our power costs were about $1200 per month (large water pumping costs plus the house itself). When we bought the house we did the analysis and we could pay SDG&E $1200 a month (and presume it goes up over time) or pay an extra $1200 in mortgage payments and be ahead in 10 years so we went that route. Realistically I think over the next few years with power costs our payback will turn into about 7 years (we've been here a bit over 2).

As for the solar hot water, it should have about a 3 year payback.

 

[smack Down]

How much pot are you growing to get a 1200 per month electric bill?

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: smack Down
How much pot are you growing to get a 1200 per month electric bill?

Avocados not pot 🙂

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: smack Down
How much pot are you growing to get a 1200 per month electric bill?

Avocados not pot 🙂

Indoors?

 

[bsobel]

Indoors?

No, we are on 16 acres, about 2 acres around the house have a about 200 avocado trees which act as our fire break and are just delicious 😉 The power costs come from the fact that we are on a well (we have city water too but dont use it). So the power costs are from water pumping and then there is my collection of work equipment (air conditioned rack in the garage) and the dozen or so machines around the place.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Indoors?

No, we are on 16 acres, about 2 acres around the house have a about 200 avocado trees which act as our fire break and are just delicious 😉

Damn, when is the ATOT meet at your place, I love avocados!

😉

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Indoors?

No, we are on 16 acres, about 2 acres around the house have a about 200 avocado trees which act as our fire break and are just delicious 😉 The power costs come from the fact that we are on a well (we have city water too but dont use it). So the power costs are from water pumping and then there is my collection of work equipment (air conditioned rack in the garage) and the dozen or so machines around the place.

Ok, that makes sense....

 

[DrPizza]

:thumbsup: Very smart decision, the way you analyzed it.
I was going to do a home-brew solar hot water project this summer, but never had a chance. I still have close to 1000 feet of tubing for it though; maybe I'll get around to it next spring.