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Must copper tubing be used in the installation?
The pipe running through the top of the solar collector is copper. However you can
use copper or CPVC for your pipe running to and from the tank, as CPVC can be joined
to copper. There are many debates about which type is best. Copper pipe has been
used for many years and has been the standard for clean plumping installations and
durability. CPVC has a lower price and ease of installation advantage. Many people
choose to install the solar panel on the roof and have a plumber run the pipe, if
so discuss the options with them to get their opinion for your home.
What is needed for the installation?
As far as materials go - this may change depending on the placement of the equipment
but here is a list of things you will need in most cases. You will need: pipe, insulation
for the pipe, plumbing supplies for joining the pieces of pipe together, lag bolts
for fastening the solar collector frame to the roof, caulking for the roof, a 4x4
for bracing, electrical wire, electrical supplies such as wire nuts, junction boxes
and conduit.
Tools will also change depending on the amount of work you are going to do vs. having
a professional. General tools such as electric screwdriver, pliers, wrench, wire
strippers/cutters, saw, a speed square, caulking gun. Some other needs may be blowtorch,
copper tube cutter, wire cutters and other hand tools.
Can I use my existing gas or electric water tank?
Yes, in cases where you do not have risk of freezing pipes you can just turn off
your tank and use its thermal properties to hold your solar heated water. However,
if you live in a region which regularly experiences temperatures below freezing,
you will need to purchase a solar water heater tank. This tank, purchased separately,
should use an anti-freeze (Glycol) filled system. This system runs the Glycol mix
through a closed system that includes the pipe that goes to the roof and then the
heated Glycol back down through the tank in a coil. The water in the tank that you
utilize in your house never touches the Glycol, it is heated through heat transfer
by the heated Glycol in the coil that runs through the tank.
What if the water coming into the household is too hot?
WDBDistributing.com offers an optional water mixer, which will mix cold water with
hot water from the tank. If the water coming into the household is too hot, the
optional water mixer will add cold water until it is the preset temperature. The
mixing valve is an expansion valve - the hot water causes the valve to expand and
let cold water in to mix. The amount of cold water allowed to mix is controlled
by the heat of the incoming water. The hotter the water, the more the valve will
expand and the more cold water that will be allowed to flow in.
How does the panel set up attach to the roof?
The panel connects to your roof easily using our bracket assembly, which is included
in every kit.
What considerations need to be made for special roof tiles (clay tiles, stucco tiles,
etc)?
You should consult a roofing company familiar with your style roof. Although we
know it can be done and have had customers use it on these types of roofs in the
past, there are so many variations of styles, materials and factors to consider
that we must defer to the experts on your particular roof.
Once the panel is attached to the roofing, is it able to withstand hurricane force
winds?
First of all, a solar panel is only as strong as the roof it is mounted on. When
installing a solar system, we recommend that you assess the overall strength of
the roof itself, especially on older homes. Our product is tested certified according
to the most rigorous of standards with regard to mounting method, tube durability,
weather resistance, performance and other safety considerations. The tubes are tested
to stand up to quarter size hail and the round tubes make it less susceptible to
updrafts. However in regards to hurricanes our system is the best choice for a completely
different reason. In a matter of minutes the glass tubes can be removed from the
roof and stored in a safe location. Also the frame is collapsible so it can lay
flat against the roof. When you have a pending hurricane, instead of hoping for
the best like with flat panels which act as sails, simply spend a few minutes of
preparation and know that your solar tubes are safe and secure by removing them.
What are the different codes for roofing, plumbing, etc?
Roofing and plumbing codes will vary from state to state, and in different counties.
Information concerning your local county codes can in most cases be found easily
online.
Why not use flat panels?
Evacuated tubes collect more sun than flat panels. All sides of the tube act as
a solar collector. As the sun moves through the sky the impact direction changes
however with round tubes it is still collected. Flat panels lose potential collection
when sun is hitting the solar arrays from an angle. Evacuated tubes are designed
so that convection and heat loss do not occur, as opposed to Flat-plate solar panels
which contain air gaps between the absorber and cover plate, which allows heat loss.
Finally, evacuated tube systems are lightweight, easy to install, require minimal
maintenance and can be replaced in components if damaged. Where as flat-plate systems
are difficult to install and maintain, and if one part breaks or malfunctions, the
entire system must be replaced. Also flat collectors act as a sail and put massive
amount of pressure on your roof in the case of an updraft.
How is the panel shipped?
The whole system ships from our warehouse in sunny Odessa, Florida. We carefully
palletize your system and ship it via freight truck to your home. The freight company
will be contacting you to set up a delivery time window before coming to deliver.
Be sure during checkout to provide a phone number that you can easily be reached
on and also it is good to have a helper at home with you to help unload the pieces
of the system from the pallet.
Is it possible to order replacement parts if one tube breaks?
Yes, and this is one of the biggest selling points of a vacuum tube solar system
rather than a panel. Even if the smallest thing happens to a panel goes you have
no option but full replacement. With a solar water system that uses tubes, it is
easy to buy and replace any broken part. Simply go to WBDDistributing.com, select
the part you need to replace, and in no time you can have your solar water system
back to 100%. Plus in the mean time it will just be short a tube and will still
be functioning - just without the full heating effect of all the tubes.
What is included in product warranty?
The solar system from Gulf Stream comes with a 10 year solar warranty / 1
year electrical warranty. The solar tubes are warranted for hail up to the size
of a quarter. The solar tubes are also guaranteed to produce solar heat for the
entirety of the 10 year warranty.
How durable are the tubes that make up the panel?
The solar collector tubes are very durable and have been proven to hold up extremely
well against the elements. They are made of high endurance glass and are warranted
to hold up under quarter size hail.
How much energy does the tank-less water heater use?
Tank-less water heaters provide hot water only as it is needed. The sun heats the
water through the solar collectors and the hot water is stored in the tank which
has extremely heavy insulation to retain the heat. Only when the water is flowing
into the house does it enter the instant heater and only if the water flowing through
the heater is at a lower temperature does the instant heater turn on. Even at that
it is usually only raising it a few degrees instead of heating it from a cold state
which does not use much energy at all.
When an instant water heater is in use on a home without a solar water heating system
they generally use $2 of energy for every hour they are running. But that is heating
water from cold and using full energy. Over 85% of the time it will not turn on
at all because the water will already be hot enough. And the rest of the time it
will be using about 15% of the energy needed to heat the water from cold to hot.
So the tank-less water heater will cost about $.30 per hour of operation and operation
would be less than 15% of the time you are using hot water.
How much does the installation itself cost?
There are many factors to consider. Our product is essentially do-it-yourself. Some
of our customers choose to install and mount the solar panels themselves and do
all of the plumbing too. In this case with all the materials needed the cost is
usually about $350 if you are using your existing water tank. Others look for a
local contractor to do parts of the install like the plumbing or the full installation
of our product. The price will vary depending on the area you live in.
Is it possible to use glycol if the water is freezing?
Yes, it is. However, to do so you must have a solar storage tank. A water and glycol
mixture circulates from the collectors through a coil of pipe in the solar tank,
and then is pumped back through the collectors. (In most climates, a 50/50 propylene
glycol and water mixture will keep collectors from freezing.) The potable water
is warmed by heat transfer through contact with the pipe.
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