Solar Hot Water

Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters—also called solar domestic hot water systems—can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use—sunshine—is free.

How They Work
Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and controls, and passive, which don't.
Most solar water heaters require a well-insulated storage tank. Solar storage tanks have an additional outlet and inlet connected to and from the collector. In two-tank systems, the solar water heater preheats water before it enters the conventional water heater. In one-tank systems, the back-up heater is combined with the solar storage in one tan
Three types of solar collectors are used for residential applications:

· Flat-plate collector
· Glazed flat-plate collectors are insulated, weatherproofed boxes that contain a dark absorber plate under one or more glass or plastic (polymer) covers. Unglazed flat-plate collectors—typically used for solar pool heating—have a dark absorber plate, made of metal or polymer, without a cover or enclosure.

· Integral collector-storage systems
· Also known as ICS or batch systems, they feature one or more black tanks or tubes in an insulated, glazed box. Cold water first passes through the solar collector, which preheats the water. The water then continues on to the conventional backup water heater, providing a reliable source of hot water. They should be installed only in mild-freeze climates because the outdoor pipes could freeze in severe, cold weather.
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· Evacuated-tube solar collectors
· They feature parallel rows of transparent glass tubes. Each tube contains a glass outer tube and metal absorber tube attached to a fin. The fin's coating absorbs solar energy but inhibits radiative heat loss.
There are two types of active solar water heating systems:
· Direct circulation systems
· Pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home. They work well in climates where it rarely freezes.
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· Indirect circulation systems
Pumps circulate a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows into the home. They are popular in climates prone to freezing temperatures.
Passive solar water heating systems are typically less expensive than active systems, but they're usually not as efficient. However, passive systems can be more reliable and may last longer. There are two basic types of passive systems:
· Integral collector-storage passive systems
· These work best in areas where temperatures rarely fall below freezing. They also work well in households with significant daytime and evening hot-water needs.
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· Thermosyphon systems
· Water flows through the system when warm water rises as cooler water sinks. The collector must be installed below the storage tank so that warm water will rise into the tank. These systems are reliable, but contractors must pay careful attention to the roof design because of the heavy storage tank. They are usually more expensive than integral collector-storage passive systems.
Solar water heating systems almost always require a backup system for cloudy days and times of increased demand. Conventional storage water heaters usually provide backup and may already be part of the solar system package. A backup system may also be part of the solar collector, such as rooftop tanks with thermosyphon systems. Since an integral-collector storage system already stores hot water in addition to collecting solar heat, it may be packaged with a demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heater for backup.
Installing and Maintaining the System
The proper installation of solar water heaters depends on many factors. These factors include solar resource, climate, local building code requirements, and safety issues; therefore, it's best to have a qualified, solar thermal systems contractor install your system.
After installation, properly maintaining your system will keep it running smoothly. Passive systems don't require much maintenance. For active systems, discuss the maintenance requirements with your system provider, and consult the system's owner's manual. Plumbing and other conventional water heating components require the same maintenance as conventional systems. Glazing may need to be cleaned in dry climates where rainwater doesn't provide a natural rinse.
Regular maintenance on simple systems can be as infrequent as every 3–5 years, preferably by a solar contractor. Systems with electrical components usually require a replacement part after or two after 10 years.

Muskoka Heating Contractor

No matter what type of HVAC work you need, we can assure you of a first class job at competitive prices. We are fully licensed and insured for your protection. Located in Bracebridge, Ontario in the heart of Muskoka, we specialize in all phases of HVAC contracting. Whether it's a new installation, appliance replacement or just an emergency repair, we have the experience necessary to complete the job in a most efficient manner. Even if you're concerned about the current HVAC system in your home or cottage, we can help. We make it a point to provide expert HVAC services, which are always finished as quickly and carefully as possible.When you have a job that demands a qualified HVAC Contractor contact us at 705-645-5083 for a free estimate. Regardless of the size of the job, if you want the work done right, we are the contractors to call.
Serving Bracebridge and Muskoka area for 9 years.

www.muskokaair.com

Home Energy Tax Credit

How the HRTC Will Work

The 15-per-cent credit may be claimed on the portion of eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000, but not more than $10,000, meaning that the maximum tax credit that can be received is $1,350.
The credit can be claimed on eligible expenditures incurred on one or more of an individual’s eligible dwellings. Properties eligible for the HRTC include houses, cottages and condominium units that are owned for personal use.
Renovation costs for projects such as finishing a basement or re-modelling a kitchen will be eligible for the credit, along with associated expenses such as building permits, professional services, equipment rentals and incidental expenses.
Routine repairs and maintenance will not qualify for the credit. Nor will the cost of purchasing furniture, appliances, audio-visual electronics or construction equipment.



Examples of HRTC Eligible Expenditures

Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
New carpet or hardwood floors
Building an addition, deck, fence or retaining wall
A new furnace or water heater
Painting the interior or exterior of a house
Resurfacing a driveway
Laying new sod

Check out our website at www.muskokaair.com

Muskoka Heating Contractor Home Energy Grants

An Ontario Home Energy Audit will find your energy leaks and showyou how to plug them.

If your home’s older than 10 years, chances are you’re leaking energy. A lot of energy and a lot of money. A Home Energy Audit will examine your home’s energy use – attic to basement – and show you where your home’s energy is being leaked. It will identify upgrades you can make to lower your energy bill. Make the upgrades suggested in your audit and you can take advantage of up to $10,000* in rebates available from the Governments of Ontario and Canada. The Government of Ontario will pay 50% of your home’s audit, up to $150.

Get your Home Energy Audit

Step 1 - Find an auditor and book your Home Energy Audit
Finding a Government of Canada certified Home Energy Auditor is easy. Go to HomeEnergyOntario.ca for a list of certified home evaluation companies in your area and book your Home Energy Audit today.

Step 2 - Your home energy auditor will find your home’s energy leaks
During your Home Energy Audit, an auditor will find your home’s energy leaks and show what you can do to plug them. Your auditor will provide you with a personalized Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report and a plan that can reduce your energy bills.

Step 3 - Plug the leakswith energy-saving upgrades
Need a new furnace or water heater? Caulking around your windows and doors? Make some or all of the upgrades suggested in your Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Step 4 -When yourwork is completed, book your post-retrofit audit
After your first audit, you have 18 months to complete some or all of the upgrades suggested in your audit to qualify for government rebates. After completing your retrofit, book a post-retrofit audit. Your auditor will perform another audit that shows how much your home’s energy efficiency has improved.

Step 5 - Get up to $10,000 in government rebates
After your post-retrofit audit, the Governments of Ontario and Canada will rebate up to $10,000 for your upgrades. The more energy-saving upgrades you make, the more money you’ll get back. You’ll save money and increase your home’s comfort and value.

Example of rebates available
Upgrade Incentive
Install an ENERGY STAR qualified gas furnace $600
Insulate your attic up to $1,200
Insulate your crawl space up to $1,600
Install a solar domestic hot water system $1,000
See a full list of rebates at HomeEnergyOntario.ca
* Represents maximum rebates available from matching grants from the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada’s ecoEnergy program Paid for by the Government of Ontario .

Solar Hot Water Ontario

What Is Solar Water Heating ?

By absorbing the sun's radiant energy and converting it into heat energy, a solar water heater pre-heats cold municipal water before it goes into a home’s hot water tank. Energy conservation and cost savings are realized by using less conventional energy sources to heat the water in a traditional water heating system. In Ontario, depending on a resident’s hot water consumption, solar water heaters provide approximately 50% of annual water heating needs. Most solar water heaters rely on the existing natural gas or electric heater as an auxiliary back-up heater. This ensures that hot water needs are met when it is very cloudy or there are reduced sun hours.

www.solarhotwaterontario.com