Solar Water Heating Systems

AET offers pre-designed completed systems for both residential and commercial applications. Our residential systems are marketed under the EagleSun System brand and the commercial systems are marketed under the EagleSun Pro Line.

AET Solar water heating solutions can be designed effectively to provide for 70%-90% of commercial water heating needs. These commercial systems provide hot water for domestic use, space heating and pre-heats to boilers. All our systems come with back up heating capabilities. Solar Water Heating Systems are very effective in facilities such as hospitals, dorms, hotels and nursing facilities where they experience constant hot water demands. In addition, schools, commercial offices and restaurants with intermittent water heating loads reap substantial benefits.

AET’s extensive experience in the solar thermal market has proven that the Drainback systems are the lowest maintenance and highest performing design. As such, AET promotes this type of design whenever applicable. However, understanding that all applications will not accommodate a Drainback system AET offers the following EagleSun System designs.

	Open Loop / Direct Systems Benefits: Most efficient and Least Expensive Active Solar System according to FSEC Requires Only One Pump Requires Low Head Pump Due to Pressurized System Design Can Use 12/24 Volt Pump with PV Module for Hot Water Without and Electricity Considerations: Contains Problematic Components Prone to Failure; Specifically Freeze Valve, Air Vent, Pressure Relief Valve, Check Valve Not Always Reliable Due to Overheating and/or Freezing System Failures Require Professional Service Call Shouldn't be Installed Anywhere it Freezes Prone to Scaling & Corrosion Due to High Temperature Potable Water Running Through Collectors (Do not use in areas with aggressive/hard water. Water test should be "0" on LSI Calculator for safe installation.) Direct Pressurized Design


	Indirect Glycol Systems Benefits: Requires Only ne Tank and One Pump System is Suited For Situations Where Proper Slope is Not Available Protects from Freezing Requires Low Head Pump Due to Pressurized System Design Can use 12/24 Volt Pump with PV Module for Hot Water Without any Electricity Considerations: Contains Propylene Glycol Which Must Be Tested Every Year and Replace as Necessary Propylene Glycol Can Overheat and Become Acidic and Corrode the Panels and Copper Tubing Requireing a Professional Service Call Problematic Components Prone to Failure; Specifically: Expansion Tank; Air Vent; Pressure Relief Valve; Check Valve Least Efficient System (However, Local Codes Sometimes Require Double Wall) Not Always Reliable Due to Overheating Indirect Pressurized Glycol Design


	Drainback Systems Benefits: Maintenance Free Requires Only One Pump Protects From Overheating Protects from Freezing Protects from Aggressive Potable Water Which Allows for Extended Life of System Fewer System Components. Includes Pump and Control in the Solar Loop Non-Pressurized 316L Stainless Steel Storage Tank w/ Durable Plastic Jacket ( 10 year warranty) Stainless Drainback Reservoir Stainless Steel Single-Wall Heat Exchanger Considerations: All Collectors and Pipe Runs Must Be Sloped to Drain Requires High Head Pump (1.4 Amp) Due to Non-Pressurized System Design DBS – Drainback Design


	DX Drainback Systems Benefits: Maintenance Free Two-Pump Design for Active Heat Exchange Protects from Overheating Protects from Freezing Protects From Aggressive Potable Water Which Allows for Extended Life of System Fewer System Components. Includes Pump and Control in the Solar Loop Non-Pressurized Glass-Lined Solar Storage Tank (6 year warranty w/ 12 year upgrade available) Stainless Steel Drainback Reservoir Single Wall (Submerged) Finned Copper Coil Heat Exchanger Most Efficient Indirect System on the Market Considerations: All Collector and Pipe Runs Must Be Sloped to Drain Requires High Head Pump (1.4 Amp) Due to Non-Pressurized System Design DX – Drainback Design



	DB Drainback Systems Benefits: Maintenance Free Requires Only One Pump Protects From Overheating Protects from Freezing Protects from Aggressive Potable Water Which Allows for Extended Life of System Fewer System Components. Includes Pump and Control in the Solar Loop Non-Pressurized Glass-Lined Solar Storage Tank (6 year warranty) Stainless Steel Drainback Reservoir Considerations: All Collectors and Pipe Runs Must Be Sloped to Drain Requires High Head Pump (1.4 Amp) Due to Non-Pressurized System Design Double Wall/Wrap Around Heat Exchanger DB – Drainback Design


	Thermosiphon Systems Benefits: No pumps Simple to install Considerations: Minimal freeze protection High static roof loading Thermosiphon / Free Flow Design