I'm looking for some advice on reintroducing solar technology after a recent roofing project on my 1930s home in the San Francisco Bay Area. I previously had a reliable closed-loop solar heat collector system for domestic hot water, which worked wonders back in the 70s and 80s. My plan was to reuse the existing heat collector panels and add solar PV to the roof, aiming to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the installers suggest I replace the solar hot water system with all PV panels and switch to a heat pump water heater. I'm concerned about wasting money, the durability of the existing system, and the reliability of heat pumps, as well as the environmental impact of disposing of something that still works well. I also find it tough to locate anyone who services solar hot water systems nowadays. What are your thoughts and experiences?
3 Answers
Solar hot water seems to have fallen out of favor in North America, but it's still widely used in many other regions. You might want to check out some options if you're open to it, like specific brands that specialize in solar water heating kits. However, you'll likely need to find a specialized installer since they're hard to come by these days.
There’s no denying that heat pumps are gaining popularity, but if you're already set up with solar hot water and it’s performing well, I'd stick with that. You can always use solar heat to preheat water for your heater to improve efficiency, but be aware it's a more complex system. Ain't broke, don't fix it!
The heat pump technology has been evolving, and while the concept is old, it's worth considering that you might not find replacement parts for older units. You could end up needing a whole new system instead of being able to repair your current one. If you like your existing solar hot water setup, there's merit in sticking with it—it's been working fine for years!