The Solar Experience: Homeowners talk about how solar hot water is working for them

We decided to install a solar hot water heating system after learning about the various ways we could reduce both our environmental footprint and our energy costs through our recent ecoEnergy audit.  We learned that pairing a solar hot water heating system with our recently installed tankless hot water heater optimizes the energy draw.  We researched the various systems (vacuum tube vs. flat panel, seasonal vs. year-round) and suppliers and ultimately chose to go with Tranquility Home Comfort through the Enbridge-sponsored program. 

Solar Neighbourhoods was instrumental in helping us understand the various offers, the available rebates and the pros and cons behind the different systems — their staff are incredibly well versed on the subject of solar hot water heating, very helpful and responsive and were just fantastic to deal with. We're really pleased with the decision to install our solar hot water system and would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to reduce their carbon footprint and their energy bills!

Karla C.

My solar system is terrific. Today was a sunny mid-summer day. The collectors are sitting at 167 degrees F., (75 degrees C) and the tank at 147 (64 C). Overnight, the storage tank in the basement will lose some heat. By morning, it will be around 100 degrees F (38 C). so needs only a slight topping up by the on-demand heater which I have set at 115 degrees (46 C). The collectors are really light sensitive — in the morning, I can watch the temperature rising a tenth of a degree almost by the second as the sun reaches the tubes ... Showering as a solerista is simply wonderful! I cannot express the delight I felt shipping my old water tank out the door, and getting the on-demand, and then adding the solar. It has been wonderful. Try it. You will see!!!

Susan D.

We installed our solar thermal system a couple of years ago and it has been operating problem free ever since. We are totally satisfied with the performance of the system.  It has delivered as promised.  Beyond the saving on our gas bill, we are particularly happy that we have reduced the environmental impact of home.  With the financial incentives offered now, there has never been a better time to go solar.

Jed G.

We decided to install a solar hot water system in 2008 for a number of reasons. We wanted to reduce our impact on the environment, by reducing our consumption of natural gas and the associated climate change emissions.  We also wanted to reduce the operating costs of our house and to also show others that reducing one's impact on the environment can be done in a financially sound and responsible way. Because the federal and provincial grants are so substantial, now really is the best time to purchase a solar hot water system. The system can be safely installed in one or two days and works reliably to pre-heat your hot water. This summer, on many days we haven't had any need to use the backup water heater - we're basically enjoying free hot showers!

Richard B.

CBC News at Six featured this system in a news report on the Solar Neighbourhoods program. Have a look:

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