Free Energy

A Consumer’s Guide

Heat Your W with theSun ater

Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable

Contents
Background
What is solar heating? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 What are the basic components of a solar thermal system? . . . . . 2 How have solar systems improved? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 5

Investing in solar thermal technologies
Why should I invest in a solar thermal system? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 How much will your solar heating system help the environment? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Is my home a good place for a solar heating system? . . . . . . . . . . 6 How big should my solar thermal system be, andwhich features should I look for? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 How much money will my solar thermal system save, and how much will it cost? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 How can I finance the cost of my solar thermal system? Are there incentives? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 What are themaintenance issues and repair costs for a solar thermal system? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Selecting a solar heating contractor
Who sells and installs solar thermal systems? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 How do I choose among solar thermal system providers? . . . . . 13 How do I choose among bids? Is the least expensive the best deal? . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Before you put solar heating to work
Do I need a conventional system as a backup? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will I need any permits or inspections? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What about insurance? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will I need warranties? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will I need a maintenance agreement? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 16 16 16 16

Getting help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Cover photo: The people living in this house enjoy hot water that is heated with a solar thermal system. (Courtesy of Industrial Solar Technology/PIX12964) Photoopposite: Flat-plate solar collectors heat this pool in Oregon. The unglazed polymer collectors sit on top of a flat roof and provide shade to the patio below.
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Heat Your W with the Sun ater
Would you like to learn more about how the sun can help meet your home’s heating needs without straining your budget? Today’s solar heating systems not only keep swimming pools warm— they can also heat muchof your home’s water and interior space. Their popularity is increasing, for several reasons. Solar heating systems are reliable, adaptable, and pollution-free because they use renewable energy from the sun. Many systems include sleek, attractive, low-relief collectors that people often mistake for skylights. Did you know that solar heating systems work well in many different climates? Someapplications, such as pool heating, are widely costeffective today. The cost-effectiveness of other applications depends on specific circumstances, such as the type and cost of your usual source of energy. Today, special financing is available to help you purchase the system that’s right for your home. If you’d like to find out more about solar heating for your home or pool, this booklet is a goodplace to start. Here, you’ll learn how solar heating systems work, how they’re used, their benefits, and how to purchase one yourself. Please note, however, that this booklet isn’t a technical guide to designing and installing a system. For that, you’ll need to consult an experienced solar heating contractor; see “Getting help” in this booklet for more information. A solar heating system is a...