Save fuel money with solar space HEATING

Please note: Not all buildings are appropriate for solar heating. Solar heating DOES NOT work with hot water baseboard heating systems (the water doesn't get hot enough especially in winter). Existing buildings can only be partially. There are however solar air heating systems that work independently of your existing heating system. These might be an appropriate option ask us when you call.

solar heated which means backup heat is required. See Requirements Below.

Please Note: We are local installers to central New York State with zip codes beginning with 13 or area codes 607 and 315. If you are outside our area your inquiry may have to be ignored due to heavy demand. We are not an equipment manufacturer.

	Heat your home or business
	Heat hot water
	Heat swimming pools
	Heat all or some of the above with the same system.

Following is an example of a diagram of a combined solar space / hot water/ pool heating system:

E-Mail us Solar source heat pump system.

• Heats indoor pool with solar energy and moves heat from air conditioning of the house to the pool. Uses a solar source heat pump for heating the house and pool in the winter. The solar heat collectors heat the pool and domestic hot water directly in the summer, fall and spring. The solar electric panels run the solar collection pump so it collects solar heat even during utility power outages.

Some frequently asked questions about

Solar Energy:

"But we don't have enough sun here"

In our experience system owners who have experience with a solar system are not the ones saying this.

How can solar work when it is so cold out in winter?

People seem to equate cold weather with cloudy weather. The fact is that the coldest days in the winter are due to a clear sky. Clear skies cause

 a phenomenon called radiational cooling where the heat in the lower atmosphere is radiated to space. Clouds trap heat near the ground so it is

often warmer on cloudy days than it is on sunny days in winter. Solar actually works better during the coldest parts of winter because there

are fewer clouds then.|

I have been often asked if we could connect solar heating directly to existing hot water baseboard heating systems?

 Generally the answer is NO.

The reason is that baseboard convectors are designed to work with very hot water in excess of 150 degrees F. Solar heated water using flat plate

collectors will generally be in the 80 to 120 degree F range. This temperature range is perfect for in floor radiant heating. Another method of heat distribution suitable for use with solar heated water is a fan coil system. A fan coil consists of finned copper tubing like base board convectors have, but it is bundled into a coil and a fan is provided to force air across it. Fan coils come in a variety of models, shapes and sizes. There are wall mount units in a decorative cabinet that can replace baseboard convectors. There are also larger units available that are designed to fit in a duct plenum and have the air circulated over it using a furnace blower.

There is another type of solar collector that can make hotter water. It is an evacuated tube collector and could make water hot enough to be used with baseboard converctors.

Can I get all of my heat from the sun?

Generally in retrofit situations in existing buildings solar heating should not be expected to provide all of the heat. It might be possible to do so given enough space for solar collectors and a large enough thermal storage tank, but it is generally more expensive than is worthwhile doing. Instead a much more reasonable goal might be to supplement the existing heating system to reduce the costs of heating the building.

If you want all of your heat from an alternative source you might consider a geothermal heat pump heating/ cooling system Geothermal Heat Pumps .

If you are building new, other opportunities exist. It is possible to design homes and small buildings to be nearly completely heated by the sun. This can be done in a cost effective manner by designing the well insulated building itself to become a solar collector. Thermal storage media such as stone, sand or water containers must be incorporated into the design in such a way as to 1) prevent the building from overheating on sunny days in winter and 2) store enough heat from one sunny day to meet the heating needs for up to a week of sunless days. This is indeed possible and in fact several houses in the cold cloudy North east have accomplished this goal. If you are planning to build and are still in the planning stage give me a call to discuss the possibilities 607-847-6366 and ask for Dave Austin.

Download solar space heating flyer here.

Why not contact Great Brook Renewable Energy to help you with your heating project. We'll design a custom system just for your needs. Please be patient, we are currently experiencing extreme demand. Please allow at least 6 months to realize you solar heating project. Careful planning is required to make solar heating successful. Be persistent in contacting us. Those that express the most interest are given priority.

REQUIREMENTS for solar heating to work: Heat distribution system must be one of the following: 1) Radiant in floor heating or

wall mounted radiant heaters.

2) Fan coils Either individual room units or central with ductwork. NOTE: Generally Hot water baseboard convector systems and

Electric heating are not compatible with solar heating. If you have either of these, modification of the existing system or a new heat

distribution system must be installed.

If you have electric heat you might consider either geothermal heating or solar electric (PV). Note that installation of a new heat

distribution system in existing homes may require removal of finished ceilings and/ or walls.

SOLAR SPACE HEATING PRICES:

Are extremely site specific and require a detailed analysis of your home to determine the price. However, you can expect a solar space heating system to range between $10,000 and $30,000. Homes in excess of 3,000 square feet may cost more. Poorly insulated homes will cost more to solar heat. Please insulate and weatherize first before contacting us.

Contact us

We have been solar heating since 1980 at our own place.

See a diagram of a simple drainback type solar water heating system.

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