F A Q
FAQ
* What are eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
* How do eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures work?
* How do eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures impact the architecture of the building?
* How much hot water can be produced by an eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
* What is the recommended size of an eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
* Can eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures be used with an existing hot water system?
* Can eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures be used for pool heating and radiant floor heating?
* Can eliosolar thermal shade structures be used for cooling?
* How long is the payback for an investment in eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
* Have eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures been certified?
* What are the maintenance requirements of an eliosolar Thermal Shade Structure?
* Can eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures be used in cold climate?
* What about hurricane or hail resistance?
* Can eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures overheat?
* Can eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures be a fire hazard?
* What is eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures warranty?
* How available are eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
* Are there any tax incentives available for eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
* What are eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
Thermal Shade Structures, designed, patented and manufactured by eliosolar, are architectural sun-control devices such as sunshades, facade sun-shields, trellis or canopies, which contain an integrated solar collector. Thermal Shade Structures offer the dual advantages of a simultaneous passive and active solar system: while providing shade to cool the building, the structures harness the sun's energy to generate hot water for the building's usage.
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* How do eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures work?
eliosolar Thermal shades structures have a cooling effect on interior temperatures by shading outer shell of building, lowering needs on cooling system and saving energy.
The thermal collector inside the structure is an active system which harvests the sun's energy by absorbing the heat into water, or a non toxic antifreeze protected through a heat exchanger, that is pumped into a solar storage tank system.
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* How do eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures impact the architecture of the building?
eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures modern and clean design will enhance the appearance of any building. Structures design can also be customized to any specification to match the architecture of the buildings where they will be installed.
As far as the energy system is concerned, solar collectors are completely concealed from view within the structures, making it a non issue.
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* How much hot water can be produced by an eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
Large scale installations on schools, commercial sites or manufacturing buildings can produce thousands of gallons of hot water each day. Residential installations provide substantial amounts of hot water when engineered to maximize the systems performance with respect to the solar and weather conditions found in each area.
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* What is the recommended size of an eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
For commercial applications, the size of Thermal Shade Structures is determined by the hot water needs of the building and the Structures design. Length, spacing, color and finish of aluminum tubings used for fabrication, quantity of linear feet of pex in the thermal collector and the location and orientation of the structures will affect the total size calculation.
For residential installation, in warm climates, an average of 200 square feet surface area (the size of a small patio cover) is appropriate for domestic hot water heating in a single family home (80 gallons water heater). For a 100 gallons water heater which can handle radiant heat, 250 square feet is recommended. In colder climates, plan for a 50 to 60% increase in surface.
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* Can eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures be used with an existing hot water system?
In case of retrofit and renovation, Thermal Shade Structures can easily be insatlled and connected to any existing plumbing and hot water system.
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* Can eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures be used for pool heating and radiant floor heating?
Yes.
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* Can eliosolar thermal shade structures be used for cooling?
Besides the obvious cooling effect of the shades during day time on glazed surfaces, the system can also provide radiant cooling in certain application by operating the system during cool night temperatures.
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* How long will it take to pay for my investment?
Payback time depend on many variables, mainly the surface of the structures, the type and size of the building and the sun exposure but also whether your current hot water system is powered by natural gas, electricity, or propane.
A detailed analysis of each project is necessary to determine the pay back period which can be from a few years to more.
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* Have eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures been certified?
Both the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) are in the process of certifying eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures.
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* What are the maintenance requirements of an eliosolar Thermal Shade Structure?
Since the solar collector components of the system are fully encased within the aluminum structure, they are permanently protected from the weather and harmful UV exposure. With no moving parts within the structure, maintenance is minimal. In case of leaks, the structure can be easily open and the pipes replaced by an HVAC technician or a plumber.
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* Can eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures be used in cold climate?
Yes. We recommend using closed loop glycol systems in extremely cold environments.
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* What about hurricane or hail resistance?
eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures collectors are completely protected from the elements and impervious to hurricane force winds or hail. The structures themselves (such as facade sun shields) made of solid extruded aluminum will actually provide added protection to building's glazing.
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* Can eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures overheat?
No. Eliosolar thermal structures collectors generates low temperature heated water ideal for domestic hot water,radiant heat system, pool heating and other low temperature heat distribution systems. Collectors include a water circulation system which will automatically regulate water temperatures depending on the external weather conditions.
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* Can eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures be a fire hazard?
No, the thermal collector components are all non-flammable. Even when the system is not circulating heat transfer fluid (water or glycol) and the structures are producing heat, the system is always non-combustible.
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* What is eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures warranty?
Eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures collectors carries a 25 year warranty. The useful life of the system is predicted to be 50 years or more.
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* How available are eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures are available generally 4-8 weeks from the date of order, depending on the design or customization required.
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* Are there any tax incentives available for eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures?
Residential and commercial installations of Eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures are eligible for tax rebates and incentives provided under the Federal Energy Bill. Residential and commercial installations may be eligible for additional rebates or incentives, depending upon state and local provisions that vary widely from state to state. More.
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