Hot Water Systems
Solar Hot Water
Plumbing & Solar Systems of Maui, LLC can provide you with a comprehensive, money-saving solar hot water solution for your business or home. We also can assist you with service or repairs to most existing solar hot water systems.
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Solar Water Heater systems are generally a much more inexpensive option compared to having an entire solar energy system installed. These systems can provide your home or business with reliable, virtually free hot water all year round.
This being said, a solar water heater is the first alternative energy system many homeowners choose to install. Selecting a solar hot water system doesn’t have to be a daunting decision. Our plumbing technicians can assist you with a comprehensive site survey and help you with planning for a solar hot water installation that best suits your needs and demand.
Allow us to assist you in making an informed decision on a solar water heater system – the ideal natural energy solution for your home or business!
Types of Water Heaters
Before we jump right into commercial and residential solar hot water, it is important to address all the various types of hot water systems that we service, repair and install.
CONVENTIONAL HOT WATER HEATERS: Let's start with the trusty workhorses of the water heating world: conventional hot water heaters. These units use either LP gas or electricity to keep a large tank (typically 50 gallons) of water heated and ready for use. They're a common sight in most homes, and for good reason. Their initial affordability makes them a popular choice, and they offer a respectable lifespan of 10 to 15 years, providing reliable service over time. However, there are several downsides to these systems. Firstly, don't trust the "Estimated Energy Cost" printed on the yellow ENERGYGUIDE label - those costs are for the mainland. In fact, the average annual cost for this type of heater, with MECO rates at $0.4326/kWh, can start at $1,514.10. Additionally, these systems can suffer from standby energy loss, which happens when the heater keeps the water hot during periods when you're not actually using any hot water. The good news? You can mitigate this issue by investing in an insulated blanket or installing an electrical timer. These additions can reduce the amount of lost heat and decrease the time the heater spends heating water when it's not in use, effectively cutting down on energy loss and saving you some money in the long run.
TANKLESS OR ON-DEMAND WATER HEATERS: Up next on our list are the tankless hot water units. Offered in both LP gas and electric models, these units are a revelation. They work on an on-demand principle, meaning they provide hot water instantly, exactly when and where you need it. Known for their durability, these units promise a lifespan of 20 or more years, and only require the occasional maintenance check. They're like the eco-warriors of the heating world, boasting an impressive 90% more efficiency than conventional heaters. But they do have a slight challenge - they can sometimes struggle when the demand for hot water spikes across multiple points at once. But there's an effective solution to this as well. You might want to consider installing more than one unit, ensuring a steady flow of hot water during those high-demand moments.
RECIRCULATING HOT-WATER SYSTEMS: Next, let's look at the innovation and efficiency of recirculating hot water systems. These systems are true game-changers in the world of hot water delivery. They provide hot water swiftly and efficiently, drastically reducing both the wait time and unnecessary water waste. How do they do it? By maintaining a constant circulation of hot water throughout your home, ensuring that hot water is always on standby, ready to use. Not only does this innovative mechanism conserve water, but it also promotes energy efficiency. The savings are pretty impressive too. Did you know that homes equipped with these systems can save over 3,650 gallons of water each year? That's a big win for both your wallet and the environment. These systems are particularly beneficial for large properties, commercial spaces, or scenarios where the water heater is far away from the hot water fixtures. So, no matter where you need hot water in your property, these recirculating systems ensure it's delivered to you as quickly as possible.
HEAT PUMP WATER HEATERS: Shifting gears, let's talk about the hybrid prodigies of the heating world - heat pump water heaters. These units are not your average water heaters and they bring a whole new level of efficiency to the table. Unlike traditional electric resistance heaters that generate heat directly, these savvy systems use electricity to move heat from one place to another, thereby achieving two to three times greater efficiency. Imagine them as reverse refrigerators: instead of expelling heat to cool down, they draw in heat from their surroundings and transfer it into the water tank. In this process, they consume significantly less electricity. Plus, their fans and compressors operate on lower voltages, which translates into additional energy savings. What's more, many modern heat pump water heaters come equipped with cutting-edge features like smart controls and Wi-Fi connectivity. This means you can easily monitor and control your system's performance from the convenience of your smartphone or tablet, ensuring maximum efficiency and comfort at all times. There are also Hawaii Energy credits and federal tax credits available for the installation of these systems too!
SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEMS: Saving the best for last, we have the cutting-edge and environmentally friendly solar hot water systems, or SHW systems. These systems are virtually tailor-made for Hawaii, where the abundant year-round sunshine is more the norm than an exception. Utilizing the radiant energy from the sun, these systems provide an excellent solution for heating your water while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and your reliance on traditional fuel or electricity. By harnessing solar power, these systems can offer substantial savings, potentially reducing your heating costs by as much as 90% compared to conventional electric and gas heaters. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? The benefits, however, don't stop there. These systems are designed for longevity and require very little maintenance, providing you with a virtually free supply of hot water for over two decades. One significant advantage is their versatility. They can be integrated into radiant floor heating and pool heating systems, offering comprehensive heating solutions for your property. And what happens when the sun decides to take a day off? Don't worry - LP gas or electric on-demand systems can serve as effective supplemental backups, ensuring you're never left without hot water. While there’s a higher upfront cost to these systems, numerous attractive rebates and credits are available when you have an SHW system installed. Hawaii Energy offers you $500, and there’s a 30% Federal tax credit, along with a 35% Hawaii tax credit. These incentives help to offset the initial cost of the system, providing you with significant savings.
REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
According to a study by the Solar Energy Industries Association, a single-family home with a solar water heating system installed will reduce its CO2 footprint on average by 28%.
Harness the Sun's Energy
Just as Maui, the revered demi-god from ancient Polynesian lore, invented a way of harnessing the immense power of LÄ€ (THE SUN) to benefit his people, we at PLUMBING & SOLAR SYSTEMS OF MAUI continually draw on inspiration from this enduring legend. While we clearly can not control the sun's journey, as Maui may have, we mindfully, and humbly, channel its abundant, generous energy into efficiently heating water for your daily comfort and use.
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Allow us to assist you with your solar hot water needs.
The Systems We Rely On
When it comes to solar hot water systems, the right equipment and manufacturer are paramount! We place our trust in the advanced technology, outstanding efficiency, robust support, and proven reliability of Sun Earth & Bradford White systems, ensuring long-lasting performance for our premier residential and commercial clientele.
New Installation
SITE SURVEY — Initially, we meet with you to evaluate the specific hot water needs of your home or business. This consultation allows us to discuss your budget, requirements, and expectations. It's also an opportunity for you to ask any questions, inform us of your specific needs, and for us to provide further information about the solar hot water (SHW) systems available here in Maui. SYSTEM DESIGN, SELECTION & PERMITS — Understanding that no two properties are alike, we strive to tailor your SHW system to meet your specific demands and exceed your expectations for years to come. From a basic residential setup to even more complex special complicated systems and beyond! We can cater to most any requirements from modest and premier residences to large scale commercial and even industrial. We ensure the chosen system is the best fit for your budget and aligns with the unique needs. Additionally, we take care of all permit procedures and paperwork, ensuring a smooth, worry-free transition from start to finish! INSTALLATION, WORKMANSHIP & TESTING — Our installation process is meticulous, efficient, and designed to cause minimal disruption. We take great pride in delivering superior workmanship from start to finish. While on site, we respect your property and its occupants. We ensure that your new SHW system is fully operational, rigorously tested, and delivering maximum performance from the outset. WARRANTY, SERVICE & MAINTENANCE — We stand by our work and the products we recommend, and uphold the manufacturer's warranty. Furthermore, we offer additional service and maintenance options to keep your system running optimally, thereby ensuring its longevity and efficiency.
Existing Systems
REPAIRS — Our team can diagnose, repair, and service most pre-existing solar hot water (SHW) systems for both commercial and residential properties. From tank replacement, re-insulation, leak repairs, solar collector replacement and and everything under the sun! Our focus is to restore your system to peak operation as swiftly and effectively as possible. UPGRADES & EXPANSION — If you find that your current SHW system is not meeting your requirements, we're here to provide expert assistance. Our approach involves conducting a comprehensive evaluation of your current setup, suggesting practical solutions based on our findings, and promptly implementing any necessary system enhancements. These enhancements could include options like adding more collectors to boost capacity, integrating pool heating for extended utility, installing recirculating pumps to improve efficiency, exploring additional hot water backup options for reliability, among many other possible improvements! SYSTEM INSPECTIONS — While solar thermal water heaters typically boast impressively low maintenance needs, it's still absolutely critical to diligently schedule an annual inspection each year. These regular, all-important checks, conducted by our experts, serve to help ensure that all system components remain in consistently excellent condition, thereby facilitating and consistently maintaining optimal system performance all year round. SYSTEM MAINTENANCE — Our team is well-versed in all aspects of maintaining your existing residential or commercial system. Factors such as corrosion, scaling, high winds, salt, heat, prolonged sun exposure, dust, and other harsh conditions highlight the need for professional maintenance. Regular system upkeep not only ensures superior performance but also extends the life of your system.
TAX CREDIT FOR NEW INSTALLATIONS
Take advantage of the 30% Federal and 35% State income tax deductions that are available for new residential SHW installations.
