Solar Water Heater
Q: Why is the Fafco Solar Hot Water Heater the only system to consider?
A: There are several good answers to this question. Certainly, the FAFCO solar hot water system can save you up to 100% on your hot water heating costs. It is environmentally friendly, easy to install, and it adds value to your home. But until you understand how it is different from other products, you don’t have the full story.
Other systems place hundreds of pounds of weight on your roof because they store hot water ON THE ROOF. The Revolution on the other hand is a low-profile system that never puts more than about 50 pounds of weight on your roof.
Further separating it from other systems is the fact that the Revolution doesn’t use copper pipes and metal joints. Why is this important? Because it allows the Revolution to stay leak and crack-free while other systems’ joints are failing during large swings in the temperature.
Q: Is there enough sun where I live?
A: Yes. There is enough sun in most areas of North America.
Q: I have a large family, can I expand the system?
A: Yes, one way to expand the system is to add a solar storage tank which will make any number of panels perform better. If it makes sense, additional solar panels can also be added. We can assist you in defining the best system for your needs.
Q: Does it replace my existing hot water heater?
A: No. A solar hot water system works in conjunction with your existing gas or electric hot water heater. In most situations, the addition of a Revolution solar hot water system will extend the life of your existing system.
Q: What advantage does this drainback system have over a glazed copper glycol, direct or passive system?
A: Glazed copper systems require high maintenance because the glycol must be replaced at least every five years. Furthermore, breakdown of glycol can cause acidic conditions and eat through your copper plumbing or your collector. Lastly, glycols systems require costly overheat protection. The FAFCO system has none of these problems.
Direct systems can freeze and pop when the temperature dips below 40 degrees at night. Passive systems can freeze and generally do not perform as well as active systems.
Q: Does the Revolution system require maintenance?
A: Almost none. You will need to keep an eye on the Drainback tank to make sure that it doesn’t run dry of water when the system is running. This should be checked monthly.
Q: How long will it take to install the system?
A: Our team can install the system in about ½ day.
Q: How will well water and possible sediment affect the system?
A: This is an easy problem to solve. Sediment or hard water can occasionally cause mineral build up on the heat exchanger. Many off the shelf “descaling” products can be used to dissolve this build up if it becomes necessary.
Q: Will the polymer panel affect the taste of my water?
A: No. The plastic components of the system are separated from the drinking water by the Stainless Steel and Copper heat exchanger. There is no way that any plastic part could affect the taste of your water.
Q: Will the system have to be removed from my roof if it gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit?
A: No, the Drainback feature of FAFCO’s system ensures that water is not in the panels when the pump is not running. As long as the Drainback tank is in an area that does not see freezing temperatures, the system will be fine.
Q: How do I purchase a system or receive more information?
A: Contact us, and we will be glad to help you.
Q: What is covered by the warranty?
A: The Revolution warranty provides a 10 years peace of mind on the solar panels and a 1 year warranty on Revolution parts.
Q: What is the expected life of the system?
A: FAFCO is the largest, oldest solar panel company in the country. With 1,500,000 panels installed in the field, most panels have proven to last at least 20 years. Furthermore, FAFCO has sourced the industry leading pumps which can easily last 20 years when properly installed.
Aeroseal Duct Sealing System
Q: What size of holes can be sealed using the Aeroseal air duct sealing process?
A: Holes and cracks up to 5/8th of an inch wide can be completely sealed.
Q: How do I know if my ducts are leaking?
A: You may already know that a room or two in your house doesn’t get good air circulation because you can feel it. Or, you may know because you energy bill is higher than you think it should be.
If your ducts had no leaks, you would be a rare exception to the norm. Many people are surprised to learn that homes typically leak 30 to 40% or more of their air through air duct leaks.
Q: What are the estimated savings?
A: Some homeowners have saved up to 40% on their energy bill. Naturally, exact savings are difficult to precisely estimate since they depend on a multitude of variables such as the weather, your house condition and design, your heating and air conditioning system, system usage, as well as other factors like energy prices. To give you an approximate idea of what is normal, we can provide typical case study examples.
Q: Does the air duct sealing material become brittle over time?
A: The vinyl sealing material remains rubbery, never cracking.
Q: How long will the air duct sealing material last?
A: The sealing material has been found in rigorous testing to last over 10 years without failure.
Q: Do air ducts need to be cleaned before air duct sealing?
A: It’s likely that the holes and cracks in the ductwork have allowed dust and other particulate matter to enter the system. If you are experiencing extensive levels of household dust, this might be the reason. We can advise whether it will be necessary to clean your ductwork prior to sealing.
Q: Does the sealant coat the inside of the ductwork?
A: The sealant only sticks to the holes in the air duct without coating the rest of the duct.
Q: Is the sealing material used by the Aeroseal air duct sealing system safe?
A: Yes. The vinyl polymer is safe. It actually uses the same base material that is used in chewing gum and is UL tested and approved.
Q: Does the sealant leave an odor?
A: No. The Aeroseal air duct sealing process leaves no lingering odor, and since the material does not put off gas over time, there will be no odor for the life of the product.
Q: If the rooms of my home have inconsistent temperatures, can Aeroseal improve the performance of my heating and A/C system(s)?
A: Yes. The Aeroseal sealing system can help improve the comfort of your home by reducing the difference in temperature levels throughout your home.
Q: Can the Aeroseal air duct sealing system help reduce my utility bills?
A: Yes. Some homeowners have saved up to 40% of their energy bills after having the Aeroseal air duct sealing system seal their central air duct system.
Q: Can the Aeroseal air duct sealing system reduce the noise made by the return and supply grilles in my home?
A: This noise is usually the result of two conditions. One is created when the ductwork is undersized and air is rushing through your air duct system. The other condition is caused when a limited amount of air is allowed to flow through the indoor coil of your heating and cooling system. Both problems can be identified during the diagnosis process of the Aeroseal sealing system process. Once the exact problem has been identified, we can provide the best solution for noise reduction.
Q: Can the Aeroseal air duct sealing system reduce the amount of dust in my home?
A: Yes. Ductwork runs through attics, crawlspaces, basements, garages, and walls. Leaking return air ducts pull in dust and other indoor air pollutants and sends them to the central heating and cooling system. From there, they go to the living areas of your home. The Aeroseal air duct sealing system can reduce the amount of leakage by as much as 90%, reducing dust and other indoor air pollutants from the conditioned air in your home.
Q: Is the sealing guaranteed or can I get my money back? What if it doesn’t work?
A: Aeroseal provides a 10-year warranty on the seals created with the process. We have enormous confidence in the quality of our seals since they are based on Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory research and a patent through the University of California. The EPA has endorsed Aeroseal, as have numerous local energy utilities. Note: the warranty is for on-site seal failures and does not cover additional damage (e.g. an electrician that steps on a duct while running wiring), wear or tear (i.e. the shelf life of a plastic duct is passed, rodents eat into a duct, or a duct rusts out), and subsequent replacement of failed ducting. We have yet to receive any warranty claims.