Solar Water Heating FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SunGrabber Solar Hot Water Heaters
Why use a Solar Hot Water Heater?
Why buy the SunGrabber system?
Will it work in a cold climate?
How does a solar water heater work?
I have a large family, can I expand the system?
Does it replace my existing hot water heater?
Does the SunGrabber system require maintenance?
How long will it take to install the system?
How will well water and possible sediment affect the system?
Will the polymer panel affect the taste of my water?
Will the system have to be removed from my roof when it gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit?
What is covered by the warranty?
What is the expected life of the system?
Why use a Solar Hot Water Heater?
A FAFCO solar hot water system can save you as much as 50 percent on your hot water heating costs, and our SunGrabber system is environmentally friendly. A solar hot water system can also add value to your home. [Top]
Why buy the SunGrabber system?
The FAFCO SunGrabber system has many benefits over other systems:
- Simplest to install. FAFCO system can be installed by your plumber or installer, in half a day without large work crews or cranes to hoist heavy panels on the roof.
- The FAFCO system does not use expensive commodity items such as copper and aluminum. This results in a cheaper system with good performance that offers the most BTU’s for the dollar. [Top]
Will it work in the winter?
Yes, the FAFCO system can work in a cold climate. Cold climates have colder mains temperatures, because of this; the collectors can add energy to the system on a cold day. In fact, the collector saves almost as much energy in cold climates as it does in warm climates. You can refer to Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) documentation to find out how much energy the FAFCO system can save in your location. [Top]
How does a solar water heater work?
There are three main components of the solar system that works together to deliver heat from the sun to your faucet; the controller, the collectors and the circulation module.
The controller is the brain of the system. It has one sensor on the roof and one sensor on your water tank. When the controller sees that the temperature on the roof is warmer than the temperature in your tank, it sends power to the circulation module.
The circulation module is where the heat from solar is transferred to your water heater. It circulates water up to the roof to be warmed by the sun and it circulates water from your water tank. The heat is transferred from the solar water to the useable water via a heat exchanger inside the circulation module.
The solar panels are where the energy is collected from the sun. The black plastic on your roof absorbs sunlight in both the visible and the invisible spectrums and turns it into heat. As the water flows through the panel, the heat is transferred to the water and then to the water heater in the heat exchanger. [Top]
I have a large family, can the SunGrabber system accommodate?
Yes, there are two ways to accommodate a large family. One way to increase the capacity of the system is to add a solar storage tank which will make any number of panels perform better. A second option, is to add additional solar panels. Your installer can provide recommendations on the best system configuration for your needs.[Top]
Does it replace my existing hot water heater?
No. A solar hot water system works in conjunction with your existing gas or electric hot water heater. In most situations, the addition of a SunGrabber solar hot water system will extend the life of your existing system. [Top]
What advantage does this drainback system have over a glazed copper glycol, direct or passive system?
Glazed copper systems have high maintenance because the glycol must be replaced at least every five years. Furthermore, breakdown of glycol can cause acidic conditions and eat through your copper plumbing or your collector. Lastly, glycols systems require costly overheat protection. The Fafco system has none of these problems.
Direct systems can freeze and pop when the temperature dips below 40 degrees at night.
Passive systems can freeze and generally do not perform as well as active systems. [Top]
Does the SunGrabber system require maintenance?
You will need to keep an eye on the Drainback tank to make sure that it does’t run dry of water when the system is running. This should be checked monthly. See also your SunGrabber Owner's Manual. [Top]
How long will it take to install the system?
The system can be installed in about ½ day with a two-person installation team. [Top]
How will well water and possible sediment affect the system?
Sediment or hard water can cause mineral build up on the heat exchanger. Many off the shelf "descaling" products can be used to dissolve this build up if it becomes necessary. [Top]
Will the polymer panel affect the taste of my water?
The plastic components of the system are separated from the drinking water by the Stainless Steel and Copper heat exchanger. There is no way that any plastic part could affect the taste of your water. [Top]
Why are the panels unglazed?
Glazed collectors have some drawbacks. First, glazing cuts down on the amount on sunlight that hits the collector by 10%-20% which reduces the amount of energy that the collector has to heat your water. Second, glazed collectors are usually heavy, requiring multiple people or a crane. Third, unglazed collectors on the market can be rolled up for shipping. [Top]
Will the system have to be removed from my roof when it gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit?
No, the Drainback feature of FAFCO’s system ensures that water is not in the panels when the pump is not running. As long as the Drainback tank is in an area that does not see freezing temperatures, the system should be fine. [Top]
What is covered by the warranty?
The SunGrabber warranty provides 10 years peace of mind on the solar panels and a 1 year warranty on SunGrabber parts. For detailed warranty information, including how to submit a claim, Contact Us section. [Top]
What is the expected life of the system?
FAFCO is the largest, oldest solar panel company in the country. With 1,500,000 panels installed in the field, we have seen that most panels last at least 20 years. Furthermore, FAFCO has sourced the industry leading heat pumps which can easily last 20 years when properly installed. [Top]
