Frequently Asked Questions - What? When? Where? Who? How?
- Why use a Solar Hot Water Heater?
- Why buy the Sungrabber system?
- Is there enough sun where I live?
- Will it work in a cold climate?
- How does a solar water heater work?
- I have a large family, can I expand the system?
- Does it replace my existing hot water heater?
- What advantage does this drainback system have over a glazed copper glycol, direct or passive system?
- Does the Sungrabber system require maintenance?
- How long will it take a FAFCO dealer to install the system?
- How will well water and possible sediment affect the system?
- Will the polymer panel affect the taste of my water?
- Why are the panels unglazed?
- Will the system have to be removed from my roof when it gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit?
- How do I purchase a system or receive more information?
- What is covered by the warranty?
- What is the expected life of the system?
- Who is FAFCO?
- Where can I find more information about Solar Technology?
- Are HOA communities approved?
Why use a Solar Hot Water Heater?
- A FAFCO solar hot water system can save you over 50 percent on your hot water heating costs.
- Our systems are environmentally friendly, and easy to install.
- A solar hot water system can add value to your home.
Why buy the Sungrabber system?
The FAFCO SunGrabber system has many benefits over other systems:
- Simplest to install. FAFCO system can be installed by your plumber or installer, in half a day without large work crews or cranes to hoist heavy panels on the roof.
- The FAFCO system does not use expensive commodity items such as copper and aluminum. This results in a cheaper system with good performance that offers the most BTU’s for the dollar.
Is there enough sun where I live?
Yes. There is enough sun in most areas of North America. For more specifics on the amount of sun in your area, visit the Solar Radiation Resources Information website and their Solar Radiation Data Manual, which provides information on solar radiation in your area and charts for areas across the US for a 30 year period.
Will it work in a cold climate?
Yes, the FAFCO system can work in a cold climate. Cold climates have colder mains temperatures, because of this; the collectors can add energy to the system on a cold day. In fact, the collector saves almost as much energy in cold climates as it does in warm climates. You can refer to Solar Radiation Resources Information to find out how much energy the FAFCO system can save in your location.
How does a solar water heater work?
There are three main components of the solar system that work together to deliver heat from the sun to your faucets; the Controller, the Collectors (Solar Panels) and the Circulation Module.
The Controller is the brain of the system. It has one sensor on the roof and one sensor on your water tank. When the controller sees that the temperature on the roof is warmer than the temperature in your tank, it sends power to the circulation module.
The Circulation Module is where the heat from solar is transferred to your water heater. It circulates water up to the roof to be warmed by the sun and it circulates water from your water tank. The heat is transferred from the solar water to the useable water via a heat exchanger inside the circulation module.
The Collectors (Solar Panels) are where the energy is collected from the sun. The black plastic on your roof absorbs sunlight in both the visible and the invisible spectrums and turns it into heat. As the water flows through the panel, the heat is transferred to the water and then to the water heater in the heat exchanger.
I have a large family, can I expand the system?
Yes, one way to expand the system is to add a solar storage tank which will make any number of panels perform better. If desired, additional solar panels can also be added. Your FAFCO dealer can asist you in defining the best system for your needs. We will conduct an accurate hot water usesage analysis before we recommend our products.
Does it replace my existing hot water heater?
No. A solar hot water system works in conjunction with your existing gas or electric hot water heater. In most situations, the addition of a Sungrabber solar hot water system will extend the life of your existing system. Your existing Hot Water system also becomes a failsafe source of Hot Water.
What advantage does this drainback system (FAFCO) vs. Glazed Copper Glycol vs. Direct System or Passive System?
Glazed copper Systems have high maintenance because the glycol must be replaced at least every five years. Furthermore, breakdown of glycol can cause acidic conditions and eat through your copper plumbing or your collector. Lastly, glycols systems require costly overheat protection. The FAFCO system has none of these problems.
Direct Systems can freeze and pop when the temperature dips below 40 degrees at night.
Passive Systems can freeze and generally do not perform as well as active systems.
Does the SunGrabber system require maintenance?
You will need to keep an eye on the Drainback tank to make sure that it doe SunGrabber Sungrabber Owner's Manual.
How long will it take a FAFCO dealer to install the system?
The system can be installed in about ½ day with a two-person team.
How will well water and possible sediment affect the system?
Sediment or hard water can cause mineral build up on the heat exchanger. Many off the shelf "de scaling" (Lime-A-Way) products can be used to dissolve this build up if it becomes necessary.
Will the polymer panel affect the taste of my water?
The plastic components of the system are separated from the drinking water by the Stainless Steel and Copper heat exchanger. There is no way that any plastic part could affect the taste of your water.
Why are the panels unglazed?
Glazed collectors have some drawbacks.
- First, glazing cuts down on the amount on sunlight that hits the collector by 10%-20% which reduces the amount of energy that the collector has to heat your water.
- Second, glazed collectors are usually heavy, requiring multiple people or a crane.
- Third, unglazed collectors on the market can be rolled up for shipping.
Will the system have to be removed from my roof when it gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit?
No, the Drainback feature of FAFCO’s system ensures that water is not in the panels when the pump is not running. As long as the Drainback tank is in an area that does not see freezing temperatures, the system should be fine.
How do I purchase a system or receive more information?
Complete our How to Purchase form and we will forward your contact information to the FAFCO dealer nearest you.
What is covered by the warranty?
The SunGrabber warranty provides 10 years peace of mind on the solar panels and a 1 year warranty on SunGrabber parts. For detailed warranty information refer to the FAFCO FULL TEN YEAR WARRANTY.
What is the expected life of the system?
FAFCO is the largest, oldest solar panel company in the country. With 1,500,000 panels installed in the field, FAFCO panels last 20 years and more. Furthermore, FAFCO has sourced the industry leading pumps which last 20 years and more when properly installed.
Who is FAFCO?
Overview of FAFCO Inc, Manufacturer of SunGrabber Products
- Founded in 1969, FAFCO is the world's oldest and largest manufacturer of polymer solar collectors.
- FAFCO manufactures solar pool heaters, for above ground pools and in ground pools, and solar hot water heaters for the heating of domestic hot water
- FAFCO has been manufacturing SunGrabber Solar Pool Heaters since 2004
- All FAFCO products are manufactured in the United States in a custom-built state-of-the-art solar research design and production facility
- FAFCO has produced over 1.5 million solar collectors-with enough solar panel tubing to encircle the earth over 21 times
- FAFCO solar panels have produced to date over 4000 megawatts of power-that's the equivalent of 3 nuclear power plants
- FAFCO holds nearly 30 U.S. and international patents
Where can I find more information about Solar Technology?
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, provides a number of resources by which to learn more about solar energy and solar hot water heating systems for your home.
They also offer the Renewable Resource Data Center which provides numerous resources on solar radiation including an extensive collection of renewable energy resource data, maps, and tools. There is also biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind resource data for locations throughout the United States.
The US Department of Energy Consumer´s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy provides additional information on Solar Hot Water Heaters and Solar Swimming Pool Heaters.
The Database of State Incentives for Renewable's and Efficiency website provides a searchable comprehensive database of state, local and utility based incentives.
The Solar Energy International organization is a nonprofit resource for education and training programs on renewable energy.
Are HOA communities approved?
Yes please view Senate Bill 1254
