You'll Recoup Your Investment
The savings you'll make on your power bills, from the sun's free energy, means that you will recover the cost of your initial investment in a few short years. So, your Solahart Free Heat not only pays for itself, but it provides you with genuine savings year after year. Guaranteed. In a climate like ours, up to 80% of your hot water can be free from the sun. You won't get that with an ordinary gas or electric system.
You'll Do Your Part for the Environment
Your new Free Heat will not only save you money, but you'll be playing your part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere (up to 4.5 tons per annum). Wouldn't it be great if everyone had a Solahart? The world would be a cleaner place.
Solahart Systems Last Longer
With Solahart's 50 years experience, the thermosiphon water heaters have been shown to last up to twice as long as conventional water heaters, which means you'll still be enjoying Hot Water Free From The Sun for years after your neighbors have had to replace their conventional systems.
Every Solahart water heater comes with a factory warranty covering all major components, parts and even labor. So you can relax and enjoy your hot water free from the sun, secure in the knowledge that we're behind our product all the way.
Solahart panels and tank installed by the Plumbing Doctor
How it Works
Solar water heaters make use of two natural phenomena for their operation: black objects absorb heat, and hot water rises. It is a simple system, and the only moving part is water.
The Direct Thermosiphon Principle
Imagine a solar absorber filled with cold water. When the sun warms the collector, the hot water in the collector moves upwards into the tank, displacing cold water, which descends to the bottom of the collector. The sun heats the water, and this “circular” path continues. This is known as the “thermosiphon” effect. The greater the temperature difference, the faster the flow of hot water to the storage tank.
When the sun’s heat is no longer present, the thermosiphon effect stops, and hot water retained in the storage tank stays hot because of the tank’s high density insulation and design.
Hot Water Recovery
If all the hot water in a Solahart solar water heater is used, it only takes a short time to reheat. The time taken depends on whether the sun is shining and the type of boosting used. From a temperature of 20° C (68° F) (feeling cold to touch) an electric booster will take approximately one hour to generate enough hot water to take a hot shower (at 45° C, 113° F). Generally, a gas booster is quicker. Recovery is quicker still during peak solar conditions (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
If hot water is used in the early morning, then there is an opportunity for the sun to reheat the water rather than electric or gas boosting. This is a less costly and more environmentally friendly approach.
Solahart panels and tank installed by the Plumbing Doctor
There are now two ways you get money back when you install a solar water heater on your home. The federal government currently offers an incentive in the form of a tax credit and California just announced that they will be offering a rebate starting in May 2010.
California Rebate
The California rebate is based on your current energy usage. You will be paid for each estimated annual therm or kilowatt-hour (kWh) displaced by your unit. The average rebate in CA for a residential home is estimated to be $1010. Rebates will become available starting in May 2010 and at that time, the program administrators will develop an online calculator that will calculate your expected rebate.
Federal Credit
The amount of the credit is 30% of the cost of the solar unit, including installation.
A tax credit reduces the amount of taxes owed to the government by the exact amount of the credit, so it is, in essence, like a refund. It is different from a tax deduction, which reduces the amount of income that is taxable by the government. A tax credit generally puts a lot more money in your pocket than a tax deduction.
Solahart is the leading international supplier of solar water heaters. The company began in Perth, Australia in 1901 and grew from a small, local plumbing and metal working shop focusing on capturing the sun's energy in the hot, dry climate of Western Australia into a worldwide leader in the industry. The company has continued to grow throughout the decades and has used its long-term experience and expertise to design the most up-to-date, efficient solar water heaters in the world. To learn more about the company visit the Solahart Website
Solahart panels and tank installed by the Plumbing Doctor
Q: How much can solar hot water heating save me?
A: Our Solahart products save up to 80% of the energy your water heater is currently using; in some cases it can be 35%-50% of some month’s bills! Your water heater is usually the most expensive appliance you own and spits out the most greenhouse gases as well.
Q: Will I have enough hot water, even when the sun goes down?
A: Yes, the Solahart tank is like a thermos and with its 80 gallons of storage it gives you over twice the hot water supply you have today. During winter or bad periods of weather the system simply pre-heats your existing water heater thus giving you plenty of piping hot water 24/7, 365 days of the year.
Q: Are there any solar rebates and or solar tax credits available?
A: Yes, there is a Federal Solar Tax Credit for residential installations of 30% of the total cost of the unit and installation. Information can be found at the
Energy Star website
Q: Will the system pay for itself?
A: YES! Your solar system starts to pay for itself the day it is installed. The amount of time it takes to pay for itself depends on how much hot water you currently use, how much it costs for you to heat your water and the climate you live in. In our area it will generally take 8-12 years for the unit to pay for itself. Remember - your standard water heater will never pay for itself.
