Residential Solar Thermal Systems
Heating water for bathing, laundry and cleaning can account for up to 70% of an average household’s gas bill. Installing a solar hot water system allows homeowners to significantly reduce their total energy consumption, saving money and reducing pollution of the environment. 
A properly selected, sized and installed system will provide years of ongoing savings and eco-friendly, maintenance-free performance. A solar hot water system is the natural complement to any full photovoltaic system, providing even more energy savings by utilizing the natural, renewable power of the sun, and even alone serves as an important first step to lowering your utility bill and living green.Different System Designs
The last decade has seen enormous strides in the reliability and effectiveness of solar thermal applications for the home. Cost efficient models are now available that utilize cutting edge "drain back" technology, providing a higher level of service at an affordable cost. Arosa Solar has a wide complement of solar thermal systems that are appropriate for the climate and weather patterns found in Jersey and the surrounding areas. These include:
- Drain Back Systems (closed loop, indirect): State-of-the-art, fail-safe freeze protection with thermal limiting (closed loop, indirect): The collector water is kept separate from potable water, draining into a specialized tank to prevent overheating once potable water reaches optimum temperature or freezing where risk of extremely low temperatures exist.
Indirect Heating, Differential or Photovoltaic (PV) Controlled Antifreeze Protection (closed loop, indirect): “Pressured glycol” systems, or “controlled antifreeze protection” are an alternate form of indirect heating. Collector water contains non-toxic antifreeze, and is separate from the potable water. The small electric circulation pump can be powered by a small PV collector.
- Direct Heating, Differential or PV Controlled (open loop, direct): This type of system circulates potable water from the storage tank to the collector when heat is available and required. The collector itself serves as the heat exchanger, eliminating the need for another heat source. The small electric circulation pump can be powered by a small PV collector.
- Integrated Collector Storage “ICS” (open Loop, direct): A roof top unit stores and pre-heats the potable water before delivering it to a conventional water heater. This basic system does not require pumps or temperature controllers as it simply uses regular water pressure to circulate the water.
Each system type has specific advantages and limitations. All our solar hot water systems normally include a conventional back-up electric heating source to ensure a constant supply of hot water, and we can help you choose a system that will meet your needs.
