Save on CO2 Emissions and Save $$

Many people associate Solar Hot Water with domestic applications and often overlook the benefits available for commercial installations. Using solar energy to pre-heat commercial gas and electric boosted hot water systems allows lower energy costs, less operating stress on the water heater as well as significantly reducing the CO2 footprint. These factors, in combination with government incentives (where available) make solar pre-heating a valuable investment.

Introducing... Rinnai Solar Pre-heat

The Rinnai Solar Pre-heat is a solar thermal water heater designed to pre-heat the incoming cold water that supplies a booster hot water system. This consequently reduces the booster energy required to heat the water, reducing the running costs as well as helping the environment.

Commercial hot water installations require a booster system to ensure hot water availability during peak demand periods, winter and when full solar contribution is not available.

Rinnai Solar Pre-heat systems are installed in conjunction with a Rinnai Demand Duo or Manifold Pack system, combining the energy from the sun with high efficiency gas water heating – the best of both worlds!

Rinnai high-efficiency solar collectors are installed on a roof aligned to face the sun and pitched at around the same angle as the latitude in order to maximise the solar energy collected. These solar collectors in conjunction with low heat loss storage tanks, provides for an overall high performance solar pre-heat system. This is reflected in the high Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) available.

How much can be saved?

Each Rinnai Solar System is independently tested to determine its solar contribution. The Australian Greenhouse Office awards Renewable Energy Certificates more commonly known as RECs according to how much energy each system saves compared to a conventional electric tank water heater. As an example, a system with 7 tanks and 21 panels with a daily load of 3000 litres is awarded 287 RECs in Zone 3. As at 8th January 2009 the RECs Rebate for this system is $12, 915. Common practise is to select a Solar Pre-Heat system to contribute around 50% of the annual energy required to heat an average day’s hot water. This is close to 100% solar contribution in summer (depending on solar zone).

Commercial Solar Calculator

Rinnai offers a service whereby they can design a Solar Pre-heat system to suit any particular installation. Contact Rinnai Commercial on 1300 555 545 and by answering a few simple questions, they can provide detailed sizing information. All these factors in combination with government incentives (where available) make solar pre-heating a valuable and responsible investment.