Archive for the ‘Solar Water Heating’ Category

California Adopts Greenest Building Code In the Country

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

The California Building Standards Commission has voted unanimously to implement the most stringent green building codes in the U.S. The Code, dubbed Calgreen, will take effect in January of 2011.  Solar water heating will play a part in Calgreen as it specifies that “Solar water heating may be used to assist in meeting the energy efficiency requirements” of the code.

SunWater Solar is pleased to see that Solar water heating is recognized as a key part in continuing California’s push toward a greener future.

SunWater Solar Chosen To Test New Grundfos Pump Line

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

SunWater Solar has been chosen to test a new 3-speed solar pump being developed by Grundfos. The “XL” Superbrute is a good solution for many commercial solar thermal systems and SunWater Solar is proud to be chosen to perform pilot tests. The first pumps will be installed on a new solar domestic hot water (SDHW) system for a multifamily complex currently being built by SunWater Solar in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The XL Superbrute provides greater flows at higher head than the current Superbrute circulators. It will fill a gap between the very successful Superbrute and Versaflo pump lines.

Justin Weil Featured In SolarPro Magazine

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Justin Weil, President of SunWater Solar, offers his advice on streamlining solar thermal project planning and installation in the February/March 2010 issue of SolarPro Magazine.   The article also features pictures of the SunWater Solar team installing a solar thermal system.

Replacing Solar Hot Water Collectors

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Old CollectorsDuring the late 1970′s and early 1980′s thousands of solar water heating systems were installed all across the US.   This boom was brought on by generous tax credits and the energy crisis of the 1970′s.   Many solar water heating systems that were installed in this period are now needing to be replaced.  Solar collectors typically have a 25 to 30 year life span although many of the systems that were professionally installed with high-quality materials and components are still working well today.

SunWater Solar gets many calls from businesses and building owners who need to replace their existing solar water heating systems that were installed in the 1970′s and 1980′s.   By replacing the old solar collectors and components with new ones and refurbishing the system, the water used in the building can continue to be heated by solar energy.   After a lifetime of providing renewable energy the collector can continue to be green because many of the materials in the collectors such as copper can be recycled!

Multifamily Affordable Housing, Title 24, and Solar Water Heating

Monday, December 14th, 2009

IMG_7316Solar Water Heating is expected to play a larger role in helping buildings exceed California’s Title 24 regulations in 2010.  SunWater Solar is assisting developers exceed Title 24 standards by installing solar hot water systems on multifamily affordable housing projects around the Bay Area, including developments in Palo Alto for Bridge Housing and San Leandro for Eden Housing.

Title 24, the energy efficiency standards that were adopted by the state of California in 1978 for residential and nonresidential buildings, is being updated and new Title 24 regulations will be implemented on January 1, 2010.  Many of the energy efficiency measures that helped building owners exceed the Title 24 code in the past will now become standard.

Many property developers, especially in multifamily developments, rely on incentives provided by programs such as the CMFNH and to qualify these buildings must exceed the Title 24 standards by at least 15%.  Green Point Rated buildings also require Title 24 to be exceeded by 15%.  Solar water heating will be key for many of these developments to exceed Title 24 beginning in 2010 and SunWater solar will continue playing an active role in installing these solar water heating systems.

Solar Water Heating For Hotels

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

There are a growing number of hotels across the US that are going green and doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint.  One of the best ways for hotels and other places of lodging to go green is by using the renewable energy of the sun to heat their water.   Because hotels typically use a  large amount of hot water, solar water heating systems are a perfect match for their needs and the number of hotels moving to solar water heating systems is growing everyday all across the country.

SunWater Solar specializes in commercial solar water heating systems and can work with hotels, motels, and inns across California to go solar to heat their water.   As energy prices increase,  rebates and tax credits grow more common, and financing programs come on line, we expect to see many more hotel guests enjoying hot water provided by the sun.

Solar Water Heating and Life Cycle Costing

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Hayes 1When considering the purchase of a solar water heating system, it is important to consider Life Cycle Costing as opposed to just the simple payback of a system.   Solar water heating systems are designed to last for many years and if you just look at the time it takes to recover your initial investment through your energy savings you miss out on the long term financial benefits of the system.

It is true that a solar water heating system will cost more than a traditional water heating system when it is first purchased.   But have you considered the cost of the energy that will go into operating the traditional hot water heating system over its operating years?  If you take that cost into account plus the inflation of energy prices, a traditional water heating system looks very costly compared to a solar water heating system that will pay for itself and bring you energy savings for years to come.

Bob Ramlow, a noted expert on solar water heating, gives an excellent summary of life cycle costing as well as his take on how you can go solar for free hot water.   And don’t forget that a homes value increases by $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills according to The Appraisal Journal.  So a solar hot water system that saves $200 per year would add $4,000 to the value of the home.

So instead of paying the utility company for the energy to heat your water, why not invest that same money in a solar water heating system from SunWater Solar that can bring you excellent financial returns? And you can feel good about your investment because you are cutting down your carbon footprint and doing your part to save the environment.

Solar Water Heating In Scientific American

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Hayes 2 Blog 1A blog about Solar Water Heating on the Scientific American website helps explain solar water heating technology.  It also points out near the end of the article that “some companies that used to install thermal systems, such as Borrego Solar, no longer do. Chris Anderson, Borrego’s chief technology officer, says that thermal and PV systems require contractors with different skills and juggling the two would be tricky.”

SunWater Solar agrees with that assessment which is why we specialize in solar water heating and solar thermal technology.   We don’t install PV systems and our team is focused exclusively on designing and installing solar thermal systems which sets us apart from other companies.