Hot water heater is off!

[slowrev]

I wonder why no one seems to make a hot water heating system that heats water from attic heat ? Seems that it should work really well in southern climates where freezing is not a problem. And I am sure a drainable version could be designed for middle latitudes as well.

When I lived in FL I had a solar pool heater. Forgot and left it on too long and had 20,000 gallons of 110 degree water

 

[Doc_Bob]

I'd like a system like that but everytime I've priced it out - the cost savings just isn't there. The pay back on the installation cost is so long - that you are then adding in repairs and essentially the darn thing never pays for itself. Maybe I need to try again ..... with the cost of fuel up ... and maybe the cost of solar has come down .....

With rebates and fed tax credits, the $$$ picture is all different. Wisconsin has what are called Focus on Energy (FOE) Rebates. FOE is a group run by the State and Utilities. Combined with the new Fed Tax credits, it made the deal to good to pass up.

Cost of solar going down? I don't see how.
Bob

 

[PineRidge]

Pretty high tech. stuff Bob!

Bob have you actually put a pencil to paper and computed your break even mark? I'de be curious to know if it's a year or years.

I would think that a lot more guys might be interested in solar if there was a way to put the array in back of the house, on the ground rather than on the roof where everyone can see it pulling in the drive. They tried to sell it to me back in the 80s but since I lived off a main road at the time I wasn't keen about changing the looks of the home

 

[slowrev]

One problem with roof mounted solar products is that in many cases the mount points will eventually cause the roof to leak. I do say in many cases, not all.

 

[NewToy]

He was being a funny guy since a hot water heater is silly. Why heat hot water? not to worry, it is much like pouring a cement slab. A good wind will blow your cement away since you really want concrete.

Funny guy.

I had a moment of clarity while in a Zen state weedeating about a 1/2 acre yesterday. Hot water heater = "Cold" water cooler. I got it.
Thanks,
John

 

[Doc_Bob]

More photos about solar water heater.

temperature in tank (stored 80 gallons is now 150 degrees) and incoming water is 170 degrees. You can see the temp on the thermometers (sorry if the pics are not perfect). Also a quick picture of the array on the roof.







Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

Pretty high tech. stuff Bob!

Bob have you actually put a pencil to paper and computed your break even mark? I'de be curious to know if it's a year or years.

I would think that a lot more guys might be interested in solar if there was a way to put the array in back of the house, on the ground rather than on the roof where everyone can see it pulling in the drive. They tried to sell it to me back in the 80s but since I lived off a main road at the time I wasn't keen about changing the looks of the home

Mike, I have not done the "number$$$$". With the federal credit and rebates, I just had to do it. I have wanted to go "solar" for decades, but could never afford it. Now, with all the incentives, I went for it. I can compare next year’s gas bill with the 12 months prior to installation. ROI (return on investment) is important. I just don't have the numbers (yet). My system is way oversized. It will do the hot water for 6 people. I only have 2 in the house, so a 2 person system would have a much higher ROI in a hot water for "faucets" only scenario, since the initial cost would have been much less. Once I get some more data during the winter, I can consider using the excess heat for radiant heating of my living room. But I am in no hurry.

I initially wanted to mount the array on the ground, but the roof works so well and the pipe runs are so much shorter, I went for the roof.

I took a look a a system just like mine done by the same installer 3 years ago and after 3 years, no problems. No leaks, no hassles, no mistakes. So, with three more years of track record, I went for it. Only time will tell
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

When I lived in FL I had a solar pool heater. Forgot and left it on too long and had 20,000 gallons of 110 degree water

Why folks in sunny and warm climates don't automatically go solar hot water is beyond me. I lived in southern California for years and saw gas water heaters everywhere. All that sun and no vision. I hear now that is changing. About time. Florida, Texas, Arizona, new Mexico, Alabama, etc. are perfect for this technology.
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

I'd like a system like that but everytime I've priced it out - the cost savings just isn't there. The pay back on the installation cost is so long - that you are then adding in repairs and essentially the darn thing never pays for itself. Maybe I need to try again ..... with the cost of fuel up ... and maybe the cost of solar has come down .....

I feel the same way about everything. The ceiling fans in my rooms, my asphalt shingle roof, gas water heater, my oven, my toaster, my microwave, etc. all have limited ROI and suffer from the need for repairs. I own all of them.

Just what is the payback period for my gas water heater? I never gave it any thought
Bob

 

[onsight]

Hey Bob - now you can really spoil "The Beast" and give her a nice warm/hot bath.