Solar  Thermal  –  Direct  Energy  
Frequently  Asked  Questions  (FAQ)  
 
Why  should  I  spend  my  money  on  this?  
 
The  choice  is  not  about  spending  money.  The  choice  is  only  about  what  you  actually  "get"  for  
your  money.    You  are  spending  money  on  energy  anyway  –  so  –  either  you  invest  in  reducing  
your  energy  costs  while  increasing  home  equity  and  savings,  or  you  give  it  away  to  your  utility  
company  who  keeps  raising  your  rates.    Remember,  you  use  after  tax  dollars  to  essentially  rent  
your  energy  from  the  utility  company,  or  you  can  own  your  own  energy  production  system.    
Would  you  rather  rent  or  own?  
 
CONVENTIONAL  ELECTRIC  or  GAS     SOLAR  THERMAL  –  DIRECT  ENERGY  
Vs.    
WATER  HEATING     HOT  WATER  HEATING  

Pay  on  average  $30-­‐$125  per  month  to   Eliminate  60  to  90%  of  your  water-­‐heating  
Vs.    
heat  your  water!   bill.    Save  Money!  

Utility  bills  are  high…and  rising…and   Lock  in  your  energy  costs.    Constant  savings  
expected  to  rise  even  more!      At  mercy   Vs.   in  non-­‐taxable  income.    Protection  from  
of  Utility  Co.   future  increases.  

No  equity  or  increased  value  in  your  

Increase  in  home  equity  value  and  25%+  
home.    Essentially  throwing  money   Vs  
typical  Return-­‐On-­‐Investment.  
away.  

Typically  the  largest  polluter  in  your   Green  Halo.    An  easy  and  affordable  entre  
home.    30%  of  all  household  emissions.     into  renewable  energy.    Doing  your  part,  
Vs.    
Equivalent  to  12.7  barrels  of  oil   the  power  of  WE!      Eliminate  4-­‐6  tons  of  
annually!   CO2  annually.  

Doubles  the  amount  of  on-­‐hand  hot  water  

 Often  runs  out  of  hot  water.     Vs.    
available.    
   
BOTTOM  LINE!  
Money  Spent   Money  Earned  
Vs.    
Money  Wasted   Money  Invested  
 
 
 
 

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How  much  money  can  I  save?  
 
Most  households  will  save  $25-­‐$100  per  month  at  today’s  energy  rates  (depending  on  usage  
and  local  utility  rates.)      As  energy  costs  continue  to  soar,  so  shall  savings!  
 
 
How  much  energy  do  I  use  heating  water?  
 
For  most  households,  hot  water  heating  is  the  largest  energy  hog,  representing  25-­‐45%  of  
total  energy  usage.    By  harnessing  the  sun’s  free  energy  you  can  reduce  your  hot  water  
energy  consumption  by  60-­‐90%!  
 
 
Are  there  rebates  or  other  financial  incentives  available?  
 
Yes,  absolutely!    Federal,  State  and  Utility  Company  incentives  offset  30-­‐60%  of  the  total  
system  cost!    All  WePOWER  solar  thermal  direct  energy  systems  qualify  for  a  30%  federal  tax  
credit  (that’s  a  full  credit  off  taxes,  not  merely  a  deduction).    State  and  Utility  Company  
incentives  vary,  and  our  powerful  Thermal$ense  Rebate  Finder  can  simplify  the  process  of  
uncovering  available  dollars.    For  more  information  visit:  www.wepower.us/wind-­‐
estimator/thermalsense.htm    
 
How  does  it  work?  
 
Sun  shines  on  a  solar  collector,  heat  is  gathered,  the  heat  is  transferred  to  a  water  supply,  
and  the  heated  water  is  then  stored  until  used.    Your  conventional  water  heater  draws  the  
hot  water  out  of  the  solar  storage  tank  when  there  is  a  demand  for  hot  water.    If  needed,  
your  existing  conventional  water  heater  may  boost  the  temperature  of  the  solar  heated  
water  before  sending  it  throughout  your  home.    These  systems  use  relatively  simple,  time-­‐
tested  technology,  which  is  one  reason  they  are  a  best  bet  in  renewable  energy.  
 
 
What’s  the  Difference  between  Solar  Thermal  Hot  Water  Vs.  Solar  PV?  
 
Solar  thermal  hot  water  uses  the  sun’s  energy  to  heat  liquid  and  is  70%  efficient,  while  
solar  photovoltaic  (PV)  coverts  solar  energy  into  electricity  and  is  15%  efficient.    For  more  
information  visit:  www.wepower.us/products/solar-­‐thermal/versus.html  
 
 
 
 

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Do  I  eliminate  my  existing  water  heater?  
 
No.    A  solar  thermal  system  supplements  your  existing  hot  water  heater.    You  now  have  twice  
as  much  hot  water  available.    Your  existing  system  works  as  a  failsafe  backup  system.    By  using  
the  sun’s  free  energy  you  will  reduce  your  hot  water  energy  consumption  by  60-­‐90%.  
 
 
How  much  value  will  it  add  to  my  home?  
 
The  Appraisal  Institute  in  Chicago  has  stated  that  every  $1  in  annual  energy  savings  adds  
approximately  $20  to  the  value  of  your  home.  It’s  no  secret  that  houses  that  generate  their  
own  energy  become  much  more  desirable.    A  survey  by  the  California  Association  of  Realtors  
found  that  over  60%  of  families  are  more  interested  in  buying  homes  with  renewable  energy  
systems  installed,  it  helps  differentiate  your  home  from  the  competition,  and  overall  they  sell  
faster  too!      
 
 
Are  there  independent  reports  that  verify  that  I  can  save  money?  
 
Yes.    Recently,  a  reporter  from  the  Wall  Street  Journal  completed  an  installation  on  her  home  
with  great  success.    The  article  was  called  “Cheap  Hot  Water?    Just  Add  Sunshine.”    Quoting  
from  the  article:    “…in  the  average  home,  harnessing  the  sun’s  free  energy  for  daily  hot-­‐water  
needs  can  be  a  more  practical  and  affordable  bet.”    The  full  article  along  with  video  and  audio  
podcast  can  be  found  here:  
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703906204575027012258855730.html#  
 
 
Will  it  work  in  the  winter?  
 
Yes.    In  the  Wall  Street  Journal  article  referenced  above  the  reporter  noted  that  even  on  cold  
winter  days  her  solar  thermal  system  achieved  water  temperatures  of  nearly  100  degrees.    This  
is  extremely  notable  as  the  ground  water  during  winter  months  is  very  cold.    Thus,  instead  of  
your  conventional  water  heater  consuming  energy  to  heat  ground  water  from  say  40  degrees  to  
a  usable  120  degrees,  the  preheated  100-­‐degree  water  is  merely  boosted  to  120  degrees.      Even  
in  the  coldest  climates,  solar  thermal  hot  water  systems  save  considerable  energy  for  
homeowners.  
 
 
 
 

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What  are  the  environmental  benefits?  
 
A  typical  household  can  reduce  their  annual  greenhouse  gas  emissions  by  up  to  4-­‐6  tons  of  CO2  
annually.    This  is  equivalent  to  612  gallons  of  gasoline  or  12.7  barrels  of  oil.    Solar  thermal  hot  
water  is  an  easy  and  affordable  entre  into  renewable  energy  and  the  green  movement.    Doing  
your  part  –  the  Power  of  WE.    Reducing  reliance  on  foreign  oil.    Reducing  carbon  footprint.  
 
 
What  is  the  equipment  life  expectancy?  
 
Historically,  major  system  components  have  lasted  20+  years.    Today’s  systems  are  built  even  
better.      
 
 
What  is  the  heat  transfer  fluid?  
 
It’s  called  Glycol.    It’s  biodegradable,  food  grade  and  non-­‐toxic.    It’s  essentially  a  safe  and  
environmentally  friendly  anti-­‐freeze.      
 
 
Globally,  how  popular  are  these  systems?  
 
Extremely!    In  many  places  installation  is  mandated  on  new  construction,  such  as:    Israel,  Spain,  
China,  Australia,  Cypress,  Brazil,  Germany  and  Greece.    Even  in  Hawaii,  it’s  mandated!    The  
Chinese  government  has  installed  millions  of  units,  concluding  it’s  less  expensive  to  install  solar  
thermal  systems  than  produce  conventional  energy  to  heat  water.    Think  about  that.    
 
 
What  maintenance  is  required?  
 
Every  3  years  a  standard  service  should  be  performed  to  maintain  optimal  system  performance,  
including:    replace  glycol,  re-­‐pressurize  system,  replace  tank  anode,  drain  water  tank,  check  all  
valves  and  connections,  inspect  collector,  and  check  pipe  insulation.  

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