Frequently Asked Questions
What does Apricus mean?
Apricus is a latin word which means “attracting” or “loving” the sun. A rather appropriate name for a solar thermal company!
Basic Solar FAQs
Is solar water heating a viable alternative to gas or electricity?
Solar should not be seen as a alternative to gas or electricity, but rather a supplement. Solar cannot totally replace the need for gas or electric heating as sometimes there are days when there is little sunlight.
When averaged over a year, a correctly sized solar system can provide 60%-80% of a household’s hot water needs. Providing more than this is unadvisable, as too much heat will be produced in the summer. The hot water system can easily be automated so hot water is guaranteed regardless of sunlight levels.
How much energy will I save using an Apricus Solar Hot Water System?
The amount of energy you will save will vary based on your location, water use demands, what type of system you install and the cost of fuel in your area.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), what are they?
A Renewable Energy Certificate is a measurement tool to define how much energy you displace or avoid using by installing a renewable energy system. Each REC represents the equivalent of one megawatt hour of electricity generation from an accredited renewable energy source. Each Apricus system has been assigned a REC value based on intense efficiency testing. The REC values assigned to Apricus systems represents the displacement of solar energy of one megawatt hour of electricity generation. REC’s have a monetary value which changes weekly based on the renewable energy industry.
How do I trade my RECs?
When you purchase an Apricus solar hot water system you can trade either trade the REC’s and recoop the financial benefit with an accredited trader or ask your Apricus agent to trade them for you and receive the value as a discount of your system. Apricus Australia trades REC’s with Greenbank Environmental. All the forms necessary to trade REC’s can be found on their website at www.green-bank.com.au
What is my payback period?
The time it takes the system to pay for itself will vary depending on your location, water use demands and the cost of energy in your area. Given the generous rebates and the fantastic energy savings you can expect to recover your initial investment in 3-5 years. Saving money on your energy bills means you can begin to recover your investment right away.
How do I choose the right Apricus solar hot water system?
Apricus produces a variety of different solar hot water systems that cater to variety of hot needs. The sizing of your system depends on the following key factors:
- How many people live your household.
- The area where you live.
- Your household water demands.
- The water quality in your area.
Your local Apricus agent is more than happy to help you choose the best system for your household. Our Apricus agents are educated on the system and can support To choose the best water heater for your family, call your local Apricus expert who will help you pick the right unit for your current and future circumstances.
Can I use a solar collector with my existing hot water system?
Normally yes. Simple retrofit valves can often be used to allow solar to connect to your existing cold water inlet. If your tank cannot accept the solar input directly an additional storage tank can be installed to pre-heat the cold water prior to entering the existing tank.
Can the Apricus solar collector heat water to a high enough temperature?
Yes, in good weather the Apricus solar collector can even bring water to boiling point. Generally this is not necessary and so the system should be designed to provide a daily temperature rise of around 25-30oC (45-54oF) in the summer. Sized in this manner will result in savings of 60-80% on hot water heating costs depending upon your location.
Are Apricus collectors more efficient than flat plate collectors?
When comparing peak efficiency levels it may seem that there is little difference between flat plate and evacuated tubes. In fact, flat plate may actually be higher, but this is during minimal heat loss conditions. When averaged over a year evacuated tube collector have a clear advantage. The key points are:
1. Due to the cylindrical shape of the evacuated tube, the solar tubes are able to passively track the sun throughout the day. Flat plate collector only provide peak energy output at midday when the sun is perpendicular to the collector’s surface.
2. Air is evacuated from the tube to form a vacuum. This greatly reduces conductive and convective heat loss from the interior of the tube. As a result, wind and cold temperatures have less effect on the efficiency of the evacuated tube collector.
3. Apricus solar collectors can be used in cold temperatures when flat plate collector have limited or no heat output.
4. Evacuated tubes are strong, long lasting, and should one be broken, inexpensive and easy to replace. If a flat plate collector panel is damaged the whole panel must be replaced.
5. Due to the high efficiency absorption of solar radiation even during overcast conditions, combined with excellent insulative properties of the solar tube, solar tube collectors can heat water all year round (backup from gas and electricity is still required).
6. Due to the various advantages of evacuated tube collector over flat plate collectors, a smaller collector can be used to provide the same heating performance. For example, a standard household of 4-5 people would usually require a 250L / 66gallon water storage tank. Depending on your location, only 30 evacuated tubes would be required to provide all summer hot water needs and a large percentage in other seasons.
7. Flat plate solar collectors can produce similar heat output to evacuated tube collectors, but generally only during hot, sunny conditions. When averaged over an entire year, evacuated tube collector heat output per net m2 of absorber area, is between 25% to 40% greater that a flat plate collector.
Evacuated Tube Related FAQs
Does my roof need strengthening to accommodate the Apricus hot water system?
No!! Unlike flat plate systems, the Apricus is a split system. The light weight collector weighing 96 kgs dry goes on your roof while your tank is placed on the ground.
Are evacuated tubes strong?
Yes, evacuated tubes are very strong. Tube strength is important when considering wind loading and also snow loading. The video below shows static loading testing of the evacuated tubes until failure.
What is hydronic heating?
Hydronic heating uses hot water to provide whole home heating. If used wisely, it can be an
economical and highly effective form of central heating. In most hydronic systems, the water is
heated in a boiler, and then pumped through piping to panel radiators or convectors positioned in each
room. Heat is transferred directly from these to the room air. In-slab (‘floor coil’) systems are also available.
Installation Related FAQs
Can Apricus Solar Collectors be used to heat a spa or hot-tub?
Yes, Apricus solar collectors are perfect for heating a spa or hot-tub. In fact, one Apricus 30 tube collector is normally enough to keep a medium sized spa or hot-tub hot all through the summer and contribute a large amount of the heat required for the rest of the year.
Can Apricus Solar Collectors be used to heat swimming pools?
Due to the enormous amount of energy required to heat a swimming pool, normally the answer is no, as there is not normally enough space to put the number of collector required to contribute significantly to the pool heating.
That being said, if you have the space and money to devote to a solar thermal heating system for your pool, then sure.
Can Apricus Collectors be installed horizontally?
No. The heat pipes will not transfer heat when oriented horizontally.
There is no equator pointing roof space?
If the house does not have North/South facing roof space, you can mount on the peak of the roof, or on a suitably facing wall. Another option is a pole mount, in which case you can point the collector in any direction. Visit the photo gallery for photos of different installation formats.
Climate & Weather Related FAQs
Can Apricus Solar Collectors be used in Cold Climates?
Yes, Apricus solar collectors can operate effectively even in freezing conditions. Many Apricus solar collectors are installed in cold regions such as Canada, North Eastern USA and Northern Europe.
The key to performance in cold regions is the insulation properties of the evacuated tubes.
Can Apricus collectors withstand hail?
Apricus evacuated tubes have been independently tested and shown to withstand impact from a 25mm / 1″ ice ball at 25m/s / 90km/h / 55mph. If you are in a region with extreme hail (much larger than 25mm / 1″) then the solar collectors should be installed at an angle of 45o or greater, which greatly increases impact strength.
The beauty of the Apricus solar collector design, is that if a freak storm should cause damage to one or more evacuated tubes, the system will still operate normally (just with reduced output), and the tubes can be easily replaced.
In November of 2008 freak storms hit Brisbane with hail stones up to 60mm / 2″ in size. Roof tiles were smashed, roofs of cars dented and flate plates solar collectors destroyed. To much surprise and delight many of the evacuated tubes survived, and many systems were still operating providing hot water the following day when the sun came out. The replacement of the tubes only took about 30 minutes, and the for an installer, and the systems were back to full operation.
Will there be heat output on overcast days?
The Apricus solar collector is a SOLAR collector, meaning that is absorbs energy from the sun. In particularly overcast weather the amount of solar radiation reaching the collector is greatly reduced and therefore heat output will be reduced.
Your solar water heating system would have backup from a traditional energy source to ensure hot water regardless of the weather conditions.
It is certainly a false claim to state that the solar collector will provide your with hot water all year round, it is however correct to say that the solar hot water system (which includes gas/electric backup) will provide hot water all year round.
