Nelson Solar Saver
- Get FREE Hot Water from the sun!
- $1000 OFF a new Solar Hot Water System
- Pay the balance off over 10 years on your rates!
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Solar hot water
- What do the icons mean?
- How does an Evacuated Solar Tube Work?
- Will I run out of hot water?
- How much can I save?
- What subsidies or grants can I get?
- What about cloudy days - does solar still work?
- Is solar water heating a viable alternative to gas or electricity?
- Can Apricus solar collectors be used in cold conditions?
- How do I protect my solar system during subzero temperatures?
- What happens if one of the tubes is broken?
- Can I use a solar collector with my existing hot water system?
- Are the solar collectors noticeable on the roof?
- Can Apricus solar collector be mounted on a flat surface?
- Can the solar collector heat water to a high enough temperature?
- What maintenance of the solar collectors is required?
- Can Apricus solar collectors be used for large scale hot water production?
- Can I heat my swimming pool using an Apricus solar collector?
- Are solar tube collectors more efficient than flat plate collectors?
- Which collector is the best value for money?
- How do I calculate what size collector I require?
- Where can I purchase an Apricus solar collector?
- What is the warranty on an Apricus solar system?
What do the icons mean?
If you hold your mouse cursor over each of the icons you will get an explanation for what that icon means.
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How does an Evacuated Solar Tube Work?
The advanced design incorporates tubes that consist of 2 layers of borosilicate glass with a vacuum layer between them. The vacuum acts like a thermos flask, retaining up to 97% of the thermal energy, resulting in an increased efficiency. The Sun's thermal energy is then transferred to the manifold via the heat pipe located in each tube.
The small amount of evaporative liquid in each tube is super heated by the sun's energy and forms into a gas. The gas rises to the top of each pipe. Heat transfer then occurs between the pipe and water passing through the manifold. The water is then transferred to the tank.
The cylindrical design of the tubes ensures effective collection of the sun's thermal energy throughout the day.
Click image to enlarge
Will I run out of hot water?
No. When you install the right unit with the capacity for your needs, you'll always have hot water. In the case of unexpected heavy usage or periods of low solar gain, the booster will kick in to heat water.
How much can I save?
From an environmental perspective, you could help save the planet! Solar hot water systems produce the lowest greenhouse emissions and pollutant levels of any type of water heater. On average, swapping from to solar hot water will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by 3 - 5 tonnes every year!
Economically, this will depend on where you live, water usage, the system you're replacing, energy tariffs and the model you choose. The Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) estimates the average household will save between $350 - $500 per year on energy bills. Add the EECA Energywise rebates of up to $1000 to that and you can save money upfront as well. Whichever way you look at it, your solar hot water system will recoup its installation costs during its service life.
What subsidies or grants can I get?
EECA are offering a grant of $1000 towards the cost of a system, or a contribution of $1000 towards the cost of a loan to pay for a solar water heating system. Please click here to find out more.
What about cloudy days - does solar still work?
Yes. Although the heat output of the solar collector is reduced on overcast days it will still be able to provide heating. If it is a heavily clouded day or raining, then more gas, pellet boiler or electric boosting may be required to maintain water at the required temperature. This system will be automated so you don't have to worry about running out of hot water on a rainy day.
Is solar water heating a viable alternative to gas or electricity?
Solar should not be seen as a alternative to gas or electricity, but rather a supplement. Solar cannot totally replace the need for a pellet boiler, gas or electric heating as there are sometimes days when there is little sunlight. When averaged over a year, a correctly sized solar system can provide 60%-70% of a household's hot water needs. Providing more than this is unadvisable, as too much heat will be produced in the summer. The hot water system can easily be automated so hot water is guaranteed regardless of sunlight levels.
Can Apricus solar collectors be used in cold conditions?
Yes. Apricus collectors can be used in temperatures as low as -30°C, although performance is greatly reduced in such extreme conditions. Good heat output is still achieved in mild sub-zero conditions.
How do I protect my solar system during subzero temperatures?
If you have a system that is operating in areas with subzero temperatures then freeze protection must be implemented. The easiest means of preventing freezing is to use a controller with a low temperature setting, so when the manifold temperature drops below a certain pre-set temperature (5°C/40°F), the pump will circulate, warming the collector with water from the bottom of the storage tank. The pump will not run continually, just periodically, the frequency of which will depend on the outside temperature. In extremely cold areas, a closed loop using a glycol/water mix may be appropriate
What happens if one of the tubes is broken?
Firstly, tubes are very strong and not easily broken, but if the worst should happen, solar tubes can be replaced very easily. They are inexpensive and available though your local Apricus distributor. The Apricus solar collectors can operate with several broken tubes, but the efficiency will be reduced, so it is recommended that broken tubes be replaced immediately.
Can I use a solar collector with my existing hot water system?
Normally yes. Simple retrofit valves can often be used to allow solar to connect to your existing cold water inlet. If your tank cannot accept the solar input directly an additional storage tank can be installed to pre-heat the cold water prior to entering the existing tank.
Are the solar collectors noticeable on the roof?
If only the collector is mounted on the roof it should blend into the roof design quite well. Apricus solar collectors are very thin and can be flush mounted on a roof. From a distance they look somewhat like a skylight. You may have to check with your local council regarding building restrictions when installing your solar collector. Click here to view examples of Apricus Collectors installed on houses in New Zealand.
Can Apricus solar collector be mounted on a flat surface?
Yes they may be mounted on a flat roof, or on the ground by using a stainless steel Flat Roof Frame. The collector should be installed at a minimum of 20° angle to ensure optimal heat pipe operation
Can the solar collector heat water to a high enough temperature?
Yes, in good weather the Apricus solar collector can bring water to boiling point. Generally this is not necessary and so the system should be designed to provide a daily temperature rise of around 25-30°C in the summer. Sizing a domestic system that can bring the cold water up to 60°C in a single day is not logical, because if hot water is not used for one day, the following day the system will be boiling and dumping hot water via the temperature relief valve. This is both a waste of energy and water! Please size your solar water heating system sensibly to ensure optimal performance and minimal wastage of water.
What maintenance of the solar collectors is required?
Under normal circumstances no maintenance of the system is required. Due to the shape of the tubes regular rainfall and wind should keep the tubes clean. Should a tube ever be broken it should be replaced. This, however, is an inexpensive and easy job. Any "handy" person can install a new tube (while adhering to local health and safety regulations). Apricus solar collectors can operate with several broken tubes, however the efficiency will be reduced slightly
Can Apricus solar collectors be used for large scale hot water production?
Yes. Apricus solar collectors can be connected in series or parallel to provide large scale hot water production for a commercial setting such as a school, hotel or office building. There is really no limit to the size of the system, however collectors must be installed in banks of no more than 150 tubes (in series), otherwise the water may boil.
Can I heat my swimming pool using an Apricus solar collector?
Apricus collectors are high temperature collectors, and are therefore ideal for spas, as the volume of water is small and temperature requirements high. For swimming pools, however, the volume of water is large and the temperature rise required is only several degrees. The cost of heating a pool using solar tube collectors (for domestic purposes) may be prohibitively high. For large scale swimming pools, however, Apricus collectors may be an extremely viable supplement to gas or electricity.
Are solar tube collectors more efficient than flat plate collectors?
When comparing peak efficiency levels it may seem that there is little difference between flat plate and evacuated tubes, in fact flat plate may actually be higher, but this is during minimal heat loss conditions. When averaged over a year evacuated tube collector have a clear advantage. The key points are:
- Due to the cylindrical shape of the evacuated tube, the solar tubes are able to passively track the sun throughout the day. Flat plate collector only provide peak energy output at midday when the sun is perpendicular to the collector's surface.
- Air is evacuated from the solar tube to form a vacuum. This greatly reduces conductive and convective heat loss from the interior of the tube. As a result wind and cold temperatures have less effect on the efficiency of the evacuated tube collector.
- Apricus solar collectors can often be used in subzero temperatures without the system sustaining damage. Flat plate systems often require expensive and complicated "antifreeze" systems to be installed.
- Evacuated tubes are strong, long lasting, and should one be broken, inexpensive and easy to replace. If a flat plate collector panel is damaged the whole panel must be replaced.
- Due to the high efficiency absorption of solar radiation even during overcast conditions, combined with excellent insulative properties of the solar tube, solar tube collectors can heat water all year round (backup from gas and electricity is still required).
- Due to the various advantages of evacuated tube collector over flat plate collectors, a smaller collector can be used to provide the same heating performance. For example, a standard household of 4-5 people would usually require a 250-300L water storage tank. Depending on your location, only 30 evacuated tubes would be required to provide all summer hot water needs and a large percentage in other seasons.
- Flat plate solar collectors can produce similar heat output to evacuated tube collectors, but generally only during hot, sunny conditions. When averaged over an entire year, evacuated tube collector heat output per net m² of absorber area, is between 25% to 40% greater that a flat plate collector.
Which collector is the best value for money?
Rather than looking at just peak efficiency levels when comparing solar collectors, cost per unit of energy produced is much more logical. For example: Although collector A may be 20% more efficient than collector B, if collector A is 30% more expensive, then in fact collector B may be a better choice, as per kWh of energy produced per day it is cheaper. When payback time is of concern, not only price per kWh of the product is important, but also of the end system. In this regard Apricus solar collectors provides a further advantage as Apricus solar collectors are very easy to install, and that can make a huge difference in terms of total install costs.
For more information comparing collector performance please click here.
How do I calculate what size collector I require?
Your local Apricus Dealer will be able to best assess your hot water needs and recommend an appropriately sized system for you. However, as a general rule, generally a home will need one evacuated tube per 10 litres of capacity in the hot water cylinder. For example, if you have a 300 litre hot water cylinder, you will need 30 evacuated tubes. The minimum number of tubes we would generally recommend is 20 tubes (ie 180 litre cylinder would need 20 tubes). Please contact your local dealer for a personalised assessment.
Where can I purchase an Apricus solar collector?
Apricus solar collector are available through an official distribution network.
Click here to find the Apricus agent in your area.
What is the warranty on an Apricus solar system?
Apricus offers an impressive 15 year warranty on the Copper Header Pipe inside the Manifold, and a limited 10 year warranty on on the evacuated tubes. For detailed information on the warranty, please click here.