pRICES OF Solar hEATERS

Prices of solar heaters may vary a lot. They vary with manufacturers and also with the type of system. Solar Thermosyphon Systems are cheaper solutions than Drainback Solar Systems, which are cheaper than Solar Active Systems (systems with pumps, controls, anti-freezing...). Pay also attention to pre-packaged solar kits: they are an opportunity for big savings.

For information on Solar Systems for Electricity Production (Photovoltaic PV systems) and their prices, see Solar PV Photovoltaic systems.

For information on Solar Water Heating Systems, see Types of solar water heating systems.

Prices of Solar Heating Water Systems

In today's USA market the average price of an Active Solar Hot Water System (a system with pumps, antifreezing, controls...) responding to cold climate condition and to the average hot water needs of an American home is around $2,500-$4,000. A typical system produces about 50 to 100 gallons of hot water per day.

Solar Water Heaters without circulating pumps, sensors and controls (for moderate climates) are cheaper: you may find solutions with an initial cost between $1,000 and $2,000.

Pre-Packaged Kits

Pre-packaged solar kits are an opportunity for good deals. Below, we list some references in terms of prices, involving very competitive prices by larger manufacturers in USA.

The prices do not comprise the installation of the solar system, and other related costs. Not pre-packaged systems in less competitive manufacturers and dealers may easily cost you 50% or 100% more...

Prices of Thermosyphon systems

40 gallon Thermosyphon solar hot water pre-packaged systems: $1000
80 gallon Thermosyphon solar hot water pre-packaged systems: $1200

Note: Thermosyphon systems are mostly used on moderate climates.

Prices of Drainback Solar water Retrofits

40-50 gallons of water: around $1700 - $2000
80-120 gallons of water: $2000 - $3000

Prices of Solar Active Systems with Pumps and Controls

Prices of pre-packaged Active Systems with storage tanks for households of 2-6 people, with evacuated-tubes collectors:

40-50 gallons of water: $2500
60-70 gallons of water: $3000
80-80 gallons of water: $3300

Those same systems with flat-plate collectors will cost you around 20% less.

Prices of simple solar space heaters

The simplest solar space heating solutions (solar wall heaters) are relatively inexpensive, say, $700 - $1000 per collector/room. But these systems have a restricted set of uses; they can be good solutions in sunny cold climates, or in moderate climate conditions, as an auxiliary heating room device, and just that.

Other more complex solar space-heating systems demand a more sophisticated design and maintenance than solar water-heating systems, and they are much more costly.

See, for details on these systems and their limitations: Solar air-space heating.