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Do-It-Yourself Solar Hot Water System

February 14, 2007 | 7 Comments

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FAFCO, Inc. announces the release of the Hot2o, a lightweight, all-polymer, do-it-yourself solar hot water system designed to reduce water heating bills by up to 50%.

Hot2o is designed to work with any conventional residential hot water tank. The entire system fits in a single box and weighs less than 62 pounds. The system can be safely deployed on a roof by a single person using typical household tools. Self-locking connectors and flexible polymer tubing avoids sweated fittings and reduces installation time, difficulty, and leak risk. Hot2o pays for itself in less than five years, as compared to ten to twenty years with traditional glazed copper solar hot water systems. Homeowners who purchase Hot2o are eligible for federal solar energy tax credits under the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, which was extended through 2008. Hot2o is available worldwide. For more information about distributors, visit the website linked below.

For system layout and sizing recommendations, see the data sheet linked below.

Additional Information

Solar Energy

7 Reader Comments

Comment
1 of 7

john-miggins-13391

February 15, 2007

this system is not rugged enough for most areas of the country, I have seen Fafco's pool heaters and fixed many of them. Traditional solar water heaters have a 5 year or less payback not 20.

this is better than nothing but I would want the real deal not a plastic appliance.

shop around

Comment
2 of 7

thomas-isaac-61588

February 15, 2007

To use a pool collector instead of a glazed panel with a selective coating on a copper absorber and claim that it "pays for itself in less than five years, as compared to ten to twenty years with a traditional glazed copper solar hot water system" is greatly exaggerated. The primary difference between this system and a regular drain back system is the collector. When one calculates the difference in total system cost and the big difference in performance this system does not have a payback comparison as suggested.

Also note that the solar tax credit dictates that the solar system must reduce 50% or more of the energy required for the home's hot water heater.

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3 of 7

MirasolFAFCOSolar

February 22, 2007

The time has come for an affordable solar water heater. I would rather see 90% of the homes with solar systems that save 50% of their hot water than 10% of the homes that save 90% of their hot water. The FAFCO system meets all of the requirements for federal and state incentives and can be used anywhere in the world. Copper or Plastic? Which one uses our resources more effectively?

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4 of 7

david-measor-57432

February 23, 2007

I would want to know how the complete the supplied package is & what water pressure it is subject to or capable of. Their website explanation & lack of details scare me away.

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5 of 7

chad-boylan-60324

March 2, 2007

D-I-Y systems generally don't qualify for rebates or tax credits. Additionally, how many square feet are necessary to heat an 80 gallon tank? John you are right, traditional DHW systems are some of the most cost effective investments around for household appliances (5 years or less is common). This is not something that a homeowner should attempt nor should it be marketed that way.

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6 of 7

sigitas-cemeska-49568

March 5, 2007

Situation is such that great markets of developed countries, located in "high-sunny" and "normal-sunny" geographical zones, are well-stocked with wide range of Thermo Solar products and such sphere technical services for residential, institutional and commercial customers. In such conditions the best choice to cut down one's water heating expenses with Thermo Solar system is to find proper firm for design and installation. Demand factor of products (kits) â€ždo-it-yourself" in mentioned conditions is not high.
Contraversely , described Hot2o kit product â€ždo-it-yourself" is real discovery for located in East Europe â€žnormal-sunny" Baltic states countries with wildly growing economics , residential energy expensions and perception that Solar energy is touchable point.

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para-dox-41810

March 16, 2007

5 years payback - sounds way too much to me.
I know a guy who used to heat his swimming pool by simply painting the roof black, and running a black garden hose around it ....

..... Paradox

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