Domestic hot water is one of the largest year-round energy demands for a home. Solar domestic hot water systems are small and simple, and can be tied into any existing water
heater. The solar is designed as a preheat, so that when the sunshine is good, your existing water heater doesn’t operate as much (or at all). These systems tend to offer the fastest return on investment because the output efficiency of solar thermal collectors is higher than solar electric panels. However, the value of these system is limited to the hot water demand. High-demand equals high-value. There are rebates and financing available from Efficiency Nova Scotia for solar hot water installations.
Solar thermal collectors can also be used for in-floor and radiant heating. There are stand-alone systems, which simply transfer or dump solar heat when it’s available. And there are integrated systems, with controls and auxiliary heaters to maintain consistent or comfortable temperatures.
Solar hot air panels are the simplest and most affordable to install. These panels are mounted on an exterior wall, and blow hot air into the room on the other side. There are rebates and financing available from Efficiency Nova Scotia for solar hot air installations.
Pool heating is another good application for solar thermal collectors. You can get more use out of your pool, with more comfortable temperatures. There are simple open loop systems for seasonal outdoor pools, and there are also closed loop systems for indoor pools.
