Solar Hot Water Systems
We sell, install a range of quality Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water Systems and Flat Panel solar water systems. We have carefully selected systems based on performance, reliability and durability.
Solar hot water systems generally fall into two categories: Evacuated Tube & Flat Panel solar hot water systems
 Evacuated Tube Collectors consist of a series of long glass vaccum sealed cylindrical tubes that contain a copper heat pipe that transfers heat into a manifold at the top of the collector.
Flat Plate Collectors consist of a blackened metal absorber plate within a glazed and insulated metal box (flat-plate collector). Pipes attached to the absorber plate carry liquid that is heated by the sun. In a direct heating system, water is heated as it circulates through the flat, glazed panels. In indirect systems, the sun’s energy heats a glycol fluid that cannot freeze, which, in turn, heats the water in the tank.
For Victoria’s climate EnviroGroup generally recommends Evacuated Tube systems as they have the ability achieve greater solar gain throughout our typically cold and cloudy winter however some installations lend themselves towards flat panel systems especially for homes where a roof mounted tank is more practical.
Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water Systems
 Solar hot water systems in Australia generally fall into two categories: Flat panel systems and Evacuated tube systems.
Each system has it's benefits depending on the situation.
Key benefits of Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water technology
1. More efficient than flat plate systems
Evacuated Tube Systems harvest more of the sun's energy than flat plate systems throughout the day. Even in colder winter months, evacuated tube systems work very efficiently, helping to minimise reliance on gas or electric boosting. Evacuated tube systems have even been proven to work in the extreme conditions of Antarctica.
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The cylindrical shape of the tubes means that more of the surface of the solar collector is facing the sun during the day. Basically, more of an evacuated tube system's surface area is exposed to the sun over the course of a day than a flat panel.
In fact, because the gap between tubes allows them to reflect sunlight into each other the times of highest production are actually an hour or two before and after the sun is right above the system. The best a flat panel system can do comes when the sun is right above it; the rest of the time the flat panels are either approaching that peak or moving away from it.
That means the average flat panel system harvests a touch over 75% of the sunlight that hits the system every year. The high quality Evacuated Tube Systems that Envirogroup installs harvest over 92% of the available light.
Evacuated tube systems are also lighter than their flat panel counterparts, making installation cheaper and easier.
Not much can break a solar hot water system. Of the hazards that can, (like severe hail) evacuated tube systems deal with them better than flat plate systems.
The Evacuated Tube systems we install are designed to deal with extreme forces. They are protected by an inner and outer tube of glass that at 2mm thick is the strongest available on the world market.
The higher durability of evacuated tubes over flat plates isn't the only factor that makes them better when it comes to breakages; in the rare cases where an evacuated tube does break, it's cheaper to replace. A flat panel system is normally made up of two big panels, that cost upwards of $600 to replace if they break. An evacuated tube system is made up of dozens of tubes, that if broken can be replaced for little more than $30 each.
 2. Frost resistent without need for glycols or anti-freeze
Flat panel systems generally require anti-freeze or glycols to stop them from frosting up in winter. Evacuated Tubes are vacuum sealed, meaning the cold can't penetrate into the tube, so frost protection is taken care of without the need for any extra chemicals.
 Evacuated Tube System Configurations
System configurations are defined by what type of backup system they utilise. As a rule, systems that employ a gas fired backup system (either gas storage or instantaneous) will operate more efficiently and cost less to run.
1. Instantaneous Gas Boosted Backup - the most efficient system available.
System Diagram
An evacuated tube solar hot water system with an instantaneous gas backup system is by far the most efficient type of water heating system available on the market today. For those connected to mains gas, this system is EnviroGroup's most highly recommended configuration type.
Instantaneous booster systems only fire up when water is required. When you turn a tap on, the thermal sensors in the instantaneous booster will detect whether the water is of sufficient temperature. If it is not, the system will heat the water up as it passes through the pipes meaning that it only heats the water you use (unlike storage systems that work to maintain the temperature of all the water in the tank whether you're needing to use it or not).
System Diagram
2. Gas Storage Backup - perfect for when gas line upgrades are difficult.
System Diagram
The system operates on a half inch gas feed which means it can replace existing gas storage systems, and combined with the Evacuated Tube solar collector, it eliminates the need for expensive installations or a mains gas upgrade!
System Diagram
3. Electric Storage Backup - suitable for low-demand systems not connected to mains gas.
System Diagram
Our Electric Boosted Hot Water Systems are supplied with either a Vitreous Enamel or Stainless Steel Electric Boosted Tank that will operate the same as a standard non-solar electric hot water system.
It is connected to off-peak electricity or put onto a timer to take it off automatic boosting. The thermostat will read the water temperature once a day to heat your water to 60 degrees C to complement the energy harvested from the sun.
System Diagram
Click here to learn more about how evacuated tube solar hot water systems work
Flat Panel Solar Hot Water Systems
 In situations that require a close-coupled or flat plate solar hot water solution, EnviroGroup recommends and installs Edwards systems.
There’s been a lot of advances in solar technology since Edwards Solar Hot Water commenced manufacturing water heaters in Australia in 1963. Today, an international organisation, Edwards Solar Hot Water has progressed to be a leader in producing hot water systems for both domestic and commercial purposes using solar technology to meet any client requirements.
Generally, where there’s sunshine you’ll find an Edwards stainless steel solar hot water system hard at work – in Asia, the Pacific, in the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East – gaining a world wide reputation for excellent value for money and the latest in engineering design.
With the financial, engineering and technical resources of Edwards Solar Hot Water and a commitment to quality, innovation, after sales service and extensive warranty; Edwards Solar Hot Water has become a major force in solar hot water around the world.
 Edwards Frost Resistant Systems
Designed for areas which experience frost or snow and perhaps have less than reliable water quality, the Edwards LX Series 2 solar hot water system is a great choice for Victorian conditions. It uses the highly efficient heat transferring properties of a special anti-freeze fluid, Glycol to transfer the absorbed energy to heat the water indirectly. With an ‘indirect system’ water does not pass though the collector panels, instead the Glycol mixture is circulated from the collectors through a jacket which is wrapped around the storage tank, transferring the heat into the water.
The benefit of this ‘indirect’ heat exchange process is that the system can be used confidently in frost areas, without risking damage to the system; it offers protection against freeze damage in conditions of up to minus 18 degrees Celsius.
The new modern design of the LX Series 2 solar hot water system was designed and manufactured right here in Australia for our harsh Australian conditions.
Please contact us on 1300 30 58 33 for more information or for a free onsite solar assessment.
To learn more about Edwards visit www.edwards.com.au
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