Solar Heating Tube Assessment: Will Solar Heating Tubes Significantly Cut Your Heating Costs?

An array of solar heating tubes can be one of the most cost efficient upgrades you can add to your building. Solar heating tubes are up to 80% energy efficient, meaning 80% of the energy of the sun is directly captured as heat energy. In contrast, solar PV and other forms of clean energy, while still a great value, are typically 20% efficient.

Solar heating tubes work year round, regardless of the outside temperature, to convert sunlight to heat. Fluids inside the tubes can reach temperatures exceeding 180 F., and transfer that heat energy into your hot water systems. With government incentives, rebates and tax credits, many landlords can recoup their entire investment in just 2-3 years, with free energy in years to follow.

Solar Heating & Your Roof

Solar heating tubes are generally installed on the roof of your building. Southern exposure delivers optimum levels of sunlight. Because of the unique designs of the tubes, tremendous amounts of energy are captured morning, noon and evening.

The tubes are installed in "panels" containing a number of tubes per panel (varies by model). The layout of your roof, other structures on the roof and other considerations will dictate the placement and number of panels you can install. Based on this, we can calculate the amount of energy you can produce - and the costs you can save from solar heating tubes

Solar Heating Tax Credits & Incentives

Solar heating systems are relatively inexpensive and return value quickly because of their high levels of efficiency. Additionally, tax incentives, tax credits, accelerated depreciation, rebates and other cost savings programs are in place to lower the cost of the system. As a source of clean energy, the federal government currently pays 30% of the cost of your solar heating system as tax credits, with no cap on the amount of credits you can receive. Add in state and utility programs (which fluctuate regularly) and you will save even more. Under the current laws, even the Internal Revenue Code grants accelerated depreciation of solar heating tube systems over five-years, saving you even more.

By adding clean energy, such as solar heating tube systems, to your industrial, commercial, retail or apartments, the incentives available allow you to recoup your cost quickly - generally within 2-5 years. Beyond that, the energy you produce is virtually free.

Reduce Your Heating Costs with Solar Heating Tubes

In addition to the tax credits and accelerated depreciation benefits, you will of course save money on your utility bills. Heat is particularly expensive, with oil prices fluctuating year after year. By investing in alternative energy today, such as a solar heating tube system, you can greatly reduce the monthly utility bills by lowering your demand for heating oil.

Clean Energy Entices Tenants

Oil heat is extremely dirty to produce. Soot, CO2 and other pollutants flow steadily as you burn heating oil to heat your buldings. Solar heating tubes, on the other hand, are completely clean. The sun heats the fluids in the tubes, which transfer heat energy into your hot water systems. There is zero pollution produced from these systems. Tenants, whether motivated by environmental reasons or health concerns, prefer renting in clean space. By offering a building that burns 50-80% less oil, producing just a fraction of the pollution coming from other buildings, you set yourself apart and have a distinct advantage in attracting new tenats.

Solar heating tubes may save you thousands of dollars in heating costs, but how much can they return in increased rents? One additional tenant may pay be worth ten times that amount. Regardless of whether the tenant is motivated for health reasons, environmental concerns or political grounds, "going green" opens the door to many more tenants who specifically search for these features.

With lower equipment costs, massive tax credits and an opportunity to attract tenants in a down market, shouldn't you consider adding solar heating tubes to your buildings?