Solar Q And A
How do I pay?
You can pay by a variety of methods. We accept PayPal and credit card (Visa or Mastercard.) Alternatively we accept money/wire transfers in either US $ or Canadian $ currency. We also accept any form of bank payment including bank draft, certified check, or money order (sorry no personal cheques). Once you have selected the parts or system, give us a call and we can process your payment.
What is your warranty?
We feel that being honest is a much better policy to win your trust rather than trying to lure you with nearly impossible statements such as life time warranty. Nothing lasts forever! Our warranty policy is simple; we offer a 3 year warranty on everything we sell and 10 years on our collectors. With this warranty you will get NO hassle next business day replacement (if shipping service and inventory permits). However, as a valued customer you will get technical support through the life time ownership of your product. Our Collector do carry longer warranties 10 years from the manufacture. The warranty cover failures that occur during normal operational conditions or manufactures defects. It does not cover failure due to inappropriate operation such as freezing or over heat. Damage caused by vandalism, storms, floods etc. Your household insurance should be modified to cover the system from such situations.
How do I know I have selected the correct configuration?
Don't worry, we are only a phone call away and would love to talk with you in person should the internet be intimidating. We have tried to make our website very informative to help educate you on our products and solar heating. However sometimes picking up the phone is easier. We are not an internet warehouse, we are a solar solutions provider, we take pride in assisting you with the best advice and support we can provide. Please call us any time or use email if that is more convenient!
Do you have a brochure?
No, not any more. We have made a leap ahead into cyber world, and are now using our website as the most accurate and up to-date information guide. The internet now allows us to provide our customers with a much larger wealth of current information without the associated costs of print media. However, if you do have a question you can call us any time and we most certainly will help. If you are working on a larger project, you can take advantage of our engineering support at no cost.
How do you ship?
For complete solar kits please allow 3-4 weeks delivery. These kits are shipped via our preferred freight forwarder company and where possible we will schedule residential tailgate delivery (curbside). Heaters and accessories are usually in stock unless indicated otherwise. We do have expedited shipping services available for an additional fee. Please call us if you need a rush order. Once your order has been shipped you will be contacted via email and a tracking number will be provided.
Are there any taxes or duty?
No, solar water heaters are duty free products. Therefore US customers pay no sales taxes or duties. 5% GST will be added to Canadian customer's invoices. Manitoba residents will pay both PST 7% and GST 5%.
What is your exchange refund policy?
We want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase, if you are not, ship it back to us in the original packaging condition and we will refund your purhase less a 10% restocking fee, provided the equipment is received in good condition. Refund offer valid for 30 days from receipt of product.
What type of Glycol should I use?
We have in stock Propylene Solar Glycol 50. This is specifically designed for your solar thermal applications. Propylene Solar Glycol 50 has 30% less viscosity at low temperatures and greater thermal stability at high temperatures, when compared to your typical glycols. It comes premixed in 50% water/glycol ration for easy filling. Visit our pricing page to purchase a 5 gallon pre mixed pail.
Can I use my existing hot water tank?
Yes this is our preferred method of heating as it is the most cost effective. You can heat the water by adding a solar pre-heat tank before your existing tank and use your hot water tank to supplement the solar heat (i.e. your existing tank's heater will kick in when the solar cannot fully supply the demand). This is the most efficient way of heating. Alternatively if you have an electric hot water heater you can add a special solar conversion valve to the existing tank's drain allowing you to use this tank in a single configuration without the pre heat tank.
Do you do commercial systems?
Yes we do. In fact in Canada business are entitled to $80,000 in solar grants. We can help you put together a feasibility study and show you the savings.
What is your SDS?
SDS stands for Solar Distribution System. This is the control and distribution guts of a solar system all integrated into one easy to manage appliance. The SDS allows do-it-yourselves to easily build a solar heating system. The SDS contain the fill/drain valve, pressure valve, expansion tank, pump, digital controller, heat exchanger, flow meter, pressure meter, one way valve, vacation bypass. All pre plumbed so there is no need to hire a plumber. Simply plug the solar collectors into one end of the SDS and connect the hot and cold pipes to your water tank. the SDS conveniently mounts to the wall and plugs into an 110 VAC outlet.
What is thermosiphon?
Thermosiphon is the natural convection process that results from hotter fluids rising to the top. You can heat a hot water tank with out the need for a pump. As hotter heated water rises to the top it is replaced by colder water sinking to the bottom or drawn from elsewhere.
What kind of pipe should I use?
For the hot side we recommend copper pipe as it can withstand the high temperatures. 3/4" copper flex pipe is optimal and comes in rolls and is very easy to use. No experience in soldering is needed if you use compression fittings and the flexible tubing can be bent and molded without requiring specials 90 degree and 45 degree fittings. The ends are connected using pressure fittings which are very easy to fasten. We don't recommend regular plastic PEX piping as the temperatures can get very hot at the collector. Time Save Piping (TSP)is a special high Temperature PEX that is used in the boiler industry and can be used on solar installation.
Where do I get a solar Pre- Heat Storage Tank?
Purpose-built "solar hot water tanks" can be very expensive. However, most installations use a residential domestic water heater. An electric version is preferred as it has existing top and bottom heater element ports that can be made into solar ports. For example you can buy a GE water heater at most hardware stores for under $300. By removing the heater elements you can easily adapt the 1" heater port to 1/2" fitting for your solar water hot input and cold draw. For under $5 in parts you can convert any electric hot water tank to a solar pre-heat tank.
Can I heat my house with solar?
Yes you can, solar heating is becoming very popular! However with solar home heating you need to have a secondary heating source such as hot water, forced air electric, etc. You may also need a heat dissipater to off load your excess heat in summer months. Our RESOL DeltaSol Plus controller is used for space heating as it can handle two zones.
What is a heat dissipater?
A heat dissipater is a heat coil that can be used to off load excessive heat. It is basically a radiator. This is normally placed outside the home and helps to remove heat from the hot water system in the summer months. By using a heat dissipater you can add more solar energy to the system for the winter months. The heat dissipater can also be used in home heating. By placing a heat dissipater in the furnace ducts you can use your solar system to heat the home through forced air. A second heat dissipater can be added to by pass the system in the summer and dissipate the heat outdoors.
How can I get a shipping quote?
Visit our pricing page and below you will see all the products we offer, simply choose the products and the quantity. When you are done, submit your quote and we will email you back a firm shipping quote based on the shipping location you specify. There is no obligation to buy and no one will phone you. Please make sure you provide us with a valid email.
For pricing you can visit nlsolarheating.solartubs.com
For pricing you can visit https://nlsolarheating.solartubs.com/
