nuSun, inc. sells complete solar evacuated tube type water heater collectors.  But we also sell the various individual components that go to make up a complete system, including a really nice Solar Water Heater Controller.  While the solar evacuated tubes are very efficient, they are pretty expensive and require some care and feeding.  So I […]

Solar hot water heaters require periodic maintenance, no matter flat plate or evacuated tube types. That is why I would not advise putting the collector on the roof, unless you have a safe and convenient way of accessing the collector. I am not too familar with the flat plate collectors as nuSun, inc. […]

I installed my own evacuated tube solar hot water heater system. It was and still is a learning experience. One thing I learned is that you must take serious precautions against collector overheating. An overheated collector can leave you with evacuated tubes that are no longer running at 100% efficiency.
Now when […]

Good control of your solar water heating circulating pump with appropriate set points can make a big difference in the efficiency of the solar water heater.  On my system I set the turn ON point for the pump when the temperature of the collector rises 6 degrees C above the temperature in the bottom of […]

We have been having some pretty cloudy weather lately, and that has been a challenge for those of us who depend on our solar hot water systems. But I have noticed that even on days when there is cloud cover all day we still make some hot water. I read where the evacuated […]

Today, here in the mountains, was overcast and light rain on and off all day. But the solar evacuated tubes out back made hot water off and on all day. Sure enough the water was not scalding hot but the collectors made water that was warmer than what was in the bottom of […]

The evacuated tube as solar heat collector is an amazing piece of technology.  It is said that the evacuated tube for solar heating was invented in Germany and then sold to a Chinese company some 30 years ago.   The tubes are relatively more efficient than flat plate collectors, but they do have some weaknesses.  There […]

The EM 2500 SP Energy Monitor is one neat power tracking device. It features (1) twice the voltage range (220 volts) of the el cheapo versions. (2.) has clamp on current sensors, so no need to disconnect wires and thread them into a toroidal core, (3.) a bright display and all the standard features […]

For installing solar hot water heaters, it is hard to beat the convenience of those new fangled Gator Bites from Lowes Hardware or the Shark Bites from Home Depot. Yes those plumbing couplers are very expensive, but for the convenience, speed of assembly and pleasing cosmetic appearance ; I know of nothing better.
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I hear it said that there is an oil bubble in the market place and I think the contrarians are correct. The speculators are running the show now just as they did when the mortgage bubble burst. Soon the faltering economy in the USA and it’s subsequent down draft that will be felt […]