| Author |
Message |
    
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Momof4peepers
Post Number: 136
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 8:35 pm: | 
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We're intrigued by the whole solar-heat idea (and will be even more intrigued after we get our first oil bill this winter!). Given that our heating system is near the end of its life, we're begining to investigate our alternatives. Anyone already looked into this that can point me in the right direction? |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8601
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 8:43 pm: |
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I know this doesn't help, but I'm getting a kick that you are asking this when it's done pretty much nothing but rain all summer. 
Seriously, don't you need a certain amount of sun for it to work? |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Momof4peepers
Post Number: 137
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 8:56 pm: |
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I was just on some website (thesolarcenter.com) that says you can even generate energy on a cloudy day. And it hasn't rained THAT much! (but a rain barrel attached to all of my downspouts and a rain garden are NEXT on my to-do list.) |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4618
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 9:04 pm: |
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If you are serious, I can provide you a lot of advise based on actual use. When I was in Califorina I converted my entire house to solar heat and hot water heat, and swimming pool heat.
It worked well, you do not need sunny days. I had a few problems as well and learned a lot.
So where do you want to start? |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1852
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 9:09 pm: |
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I'd be very curious about this... I have a somewhat 'tall' house, which means roof-mounted panels wouldn't be all that obtrusive.
I do wonder at the start-up costs, though. |
Bailey
Citizen
Username: Baileymac
Post Number: 378
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 9:24 pm: |
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If you're going to do the research, I've heard there are significant rebates and incentives (up to 75 percent) when you install solar energy panels, but those are designed to make electricity, not just heat.
My daughter and her husband are thinking seriously about doing this, payback time is about 10 years.
I've heard somedays you can generate enough electricity to reverse your meter, and the utility company has to buy back your power. Kinda cool sounding.
I just watched that type of system be installed on a home near my office near Freehold. |
John
Citizen
Username: Jdm
Post Number: 85
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 10:35 pm: |
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Yes, NJ is a good state to do this in, in terms of rebates and incentives. |
moving soon
Citizen
Username: Movingsoon
Post Number: 132
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 8:10 am: |
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I'm interested in learning more about solar. (With oil/gas prices soaring, all of us already paying thousands/year in heating bills, many of us having seen An Inconvenient Truth, I imagine many of us are interested.)
So I'd welcome any postings that help us look into what's involved in this. Where do we start? |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Momof4peepers
Post Number: 138
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 8:19 am: |
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Part of what prompted this was my dear hubby was at Home Depot yesterday and they had a display set up to install solar heat. I'm not so sure, given HD's reputation for lousy kitchen installation, that I would want HD to actually install such a system, but if pricing has come down that much to even make it a viable retail product, maybe we should be looking into it a bit more.
But other than knowing that it's a possibility, I don't really even know where to start. |
dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 1902
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 9:10 am: |
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I think Libertarian, who I believe is banned from this board, runs solar during the day and goes on-grid at night (at least in the winter). Don't know if anyone knows how to contact him, though. |
Window_doctor
Supporter
Username: Window_doctor
Post Number: 53
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 5:57 pm: |
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I too am investigating solar panels, the one thing I have not found is someone that will install it properly through my roof when they attach it. Please pl. me any reccomendations on companies also if you find any. |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4619
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 6:03 pm: |
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Yikes, I'm getting tons of Email on this.
I do not install nor sell solar.
Answering some of the questions:
Start up costs are high.
You need a plan for your projects. Are you looking to heat or generate electric?
If you are heating, what? Hot water, home heating, Pool/spa heat. All the systems are different. |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4620
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 7:48 pm: |
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Was it worth it?
In my Opinion, yes!
I had all the hot water my family of 4 ever needed, heated a pool and kept a spa at 103 degrees.
How long do they last?
You have to split this into systems.
The unit that I installed that created the hot water for the house was a very high end system. The panels had a 20 year warranty and the pumps and controllers had a 3 year warranty. I spoke with the current owner last year and all was working well. He had to replace a pump but that was it. (11 years later.)
The unit that I installed to heat the pool and spa were on a 5 year warranty. The problem here was the volume of the water moving thru the system and the lack of control over the chemistry of the water. Bad water chemistry will eat the panels out.
Start up costs are high, figure on $20K before rebates.
Rebates, this is a trick. I found that the IRS and the State of California were very picky on what you could discount off your taxes. I had to prove the model numbers and internal components of the pumps installed in the system. I am anal and I won that war. I did my homework up front. Do yours, build to meet your needs, yet make sure you cover the tax rebate laws.
For High Temp hot water, I found systems out of Israel to be the best. They cost more but lasted longer, had high thermal gain per loop figures and were built to last.
High Temp = Systems that will loop to 200 degrees or better. Used to create house hot water, mixed down to 145 degrees.
Low temp stuff, heats houses and pools. Large water volume to themps in the 70 degree range.
Would I do it again?
Yes, given the updates in technology I would do it if my spouse agreed to the cost of the investment.
Her concern is will it work in NJ.
In California, my high temp system would pull down 90 degree water on winter cloudy rain days. Even with that I fed it to a hot water heater and only heated it to 145, rather that starting from scratch.
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Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 838
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 8:07 pm: |
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Yes, Libertarian--was banned??--said that it was very economical. My understanding is that it's not just heat--anything electric.
Look into solar shingles--you'll probably find panels are "out" in a couple of years... |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Momof4peepers
Post Number: 140
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 10:26 pm: |
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So then to ask another question - w/should I only do this if I'm considering replacing the roof? (obviously yes for the shingles) |
J L Bryant
Citizen
Username: Jeffbryant
Post Number: 19
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 12:00 pm: |
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Elizabeth - For my two-cents, if you are replacing your roof, replace the roof. Tackle what you can when you can. At the very least, don't hold off a re-roofing project just to accommodate/wait-for info & prices of solar systems to meet some budget or thoughts, because ultimately your house/structure might undergo more damage if you wait. If you CAN combine the projects, sure.... great way to go!! But to 'go solar' can always happen- over new roofing or old roofing. Y'know, there's also stand-alone panels in the yard (if you're not opposed to losing yard space...). But you need to define what you want the 'solar' to do for you. So again, tackle what you can as you know it.
~ regarding Shanabana's understanding - 'solar' can capture electrical energy (photovoltaics > electrical power generation) or simply heat water (thermal energy > warming of circulated water). Many MANY systems are proven, reliable, minimal-to-zero maintenance, and effective products. "Expensive".... yes. Beneficial... obviously. Rebate assisted... to a degree. Championed by conventional plumbers, fuel companies, roofers, building industry-at-large??? Uhhh, not really.... but it'll get stronger with traditional energy prices going like they are. |
Yoette
Citizen
Username: Yoette
Post Number: 12
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 11:09 pm: |
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http://www.trinityheatingandair.com/
These guys do solar and are out of Freehold. They did our AC install and we were very pleased. I know nothing about solar but thought I would pass this along... |
tourne
Citizen
Username: Tourne
Post Number: 465
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 12:31 am: |
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Solar hot water/heating is not going to work if you have a steam heat system. If you have a hot water baseboard system, solar hot water systems can supplement them if you switch from a conventional boiler to say a Polaris type of hot water heater. Solar hot water space heating systems work best using hydronic in-the-floor heating. Regardless of the type of heating system you have, a solar hot water system can be used to supplement your domestic hot water heater. There is a 30%/$2000 tax credit for solar hot water.
Solar electric systems will help defray the cost of electricity. There is the same tax credit plus a $4.35 per installed watt State rebate. However, the rebates are being reduced and there is a rather long waiting list for them now. I work with a company that installs solar electric systems and I sell equipment for the do-it-yourselfer--so email if you want more info.
However, before you invest in alternative energy, do what you can to conserve first. This is the cheapest way to lower your bills. Install more insulation, switch to energy efficient appliances, air conditioners, heating systems, install CFL lights/fixtures, upgrade windows with storm windows or new windows, start driving a smaller car. Then you will get the biggest bang for your alternative energy dollar. |
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