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Enerworks Solar Hot Water

How It Works: Enerworks is a flat panel solar collector system that absorbs heat from the sun to heat the domestic hot water (dishes, washing machine, showers) in your house. The system does not cycle water through the solar collectors, it cycles through a food grade propylene glycol and distilled water solution to prevent freezing in colder climates.

The water and glycol solution absorbs the heat from the sun when it is pumped through copper tubing inside the solar collector. The water and glycol solution is pumped through the system using a small AC pump that plugs into a standard electrical outlet. The pump is controller with temperature sensors that are located at the solar storage tank and the solar collector. The pump automatically turns on when the solar collector reaches a higher temperature than the water entering the system.

Enerworks is a closed loop system, meaning it never comes in contact with the hot water you use in your house. The water and glycol solution heats the water through a heat exchanger that is mounted on the side of a storage tank. The cold water that usually goes into your hot water tank is diverted to the solar storage tank. This is where the cold water passes through the heat exchanger and heats up. The water is then stored in the solar storage tank until it is needed in the house. Now your hot water tank draws warm water from the solar storage tank instead of heating cold water from a well or city source. Below is a diagram showing how the system works.

Collector Location: The Enerworks solar collectors can be installed on a roof, outside wall or even a ground mount. The system will perform better if the panels are facing South at a 45-60 degree angle. The panels cannot be installed flat on a flat roof for two reasons. One reason is the overheating protection device will not work and two the snow will not melt and slide off the collectors.

Estimated System Size & Cost: The chart below recommends number of collectors and solar storage tank size depending on hot water use and how many people live in the house. Estimated system cost for a one collector system is $6500 taxes included and installed, a two collector system is $8500 taxes included and installed. Prices change depending on location of the solar collectors and labour.

Warranty: Collectors 10 years, non electric components 5 years, electrical components 2 years.