The first LivingHome in Santa Monica features solar water heating with a hot water distribution system.  Placed at the roof deck, the system heats the home’s hot water and radiant floors.  A radiant heat floor heats only occupied areas, and doesn’t release contaminants into the air the way conventional forced-air systems do.  Ours was designed and installed by Jacob Gooze of Acme Environmental.  Solar hot water is an option in all LivingHomes.

Heating water with the sun saves gas and power bills.  Consistent with LivingHomes’ Z6 goals, a solar water heater helps reach “Zero Energy”.

Not only do conventional heaters use energy, they pollute.  In a typical home, 30% of CO2 emissions result from hot water heating.  A solar hot water system can reduce the CO2 footprint of a home as much as planting 200 trees!  So, adding a solar water heater also contributes to LivingHomes’ “Zero Carbon” goal.

Here’s how we heat a LivingHome with a solar hot water heater. A solar collector absorbs thermal energy from the sun and converts it into usable heat.  Heat pipes conduct the thermal energy up to the header.  Water in the header absorbs this heat and is used for the home’s hot water and radiant floor heating.

The Apricus Solar Collector features reliable, efficient twin-glass evacuated tubes, copper heat pipes, simple installation and maintenance, a stainless steel frame and aluminum casing.  There are a few other terms you should know about solar water collectors.

Twin-glass evacuated tubes. Evacuated tubes absorb thermal energy into the collector. The “twin-glass” tube is reliable, high performance, and cost-effective.

Heat pipe. A heat pipe within the evacuated tubes absorbs the heat.  Liquid inside the pipe turns to vapor and rises to the top, where heat transfer occurs.  The condensed liquid there then falls back to the bottom of the pipe, where the cycle repeats.

Insolation. Insolation is the amount of sunlight falling on the earth in a particular location.  Your regional insolation and energy requirements determine the proper size collector for your home.  The higher your local insolation, the smaller system necessary.  Determine your local insolation.

Finally, if you’re considering including a solar water heater in your new home or upcoming renovation, you may qualify for federal tax credits covering 30% of the heater’s cost.  EnergyStar.gov hosts a list of all Energy Star certified solar water heaters. Visit here for information on federal tax credits for energy efficiency home improvements. And don’t forget to add a solar water heater in the HVAC category when you customize your LivingHome on our online configurator.

Sources: Apricus