Q&A

Q: For those SEA’s storage tanks, are all four water connections on top of the tank? Cold Water - Hot Water - Solar collection panel Supply and Return.

A: The four connecting holes are on the side of the tank, instead of on top of the tank, the T/P valve hole is on the tank top, as well as the Meg-rod.

Q: The tank description says something about an optional backup heating function. Please clarify what this option might be.

A: There is reserved access (1” NPT) at the lower part of the tank that could be used to place a backup electrical heater. If the storage tank comes without the electrical heaters, users could buy a similar electrical heater element and install it into the 1” access.

Q: My address is Lake Placid, NY 12946. What would the shipping cost be? Also, what are the following electrical specifications: voltage, and amperage (of each of the lower and the upper heating elements) for a storage tank?

A: Truck carriers need a detailed address to get a quote, usually a residential address will be a little more expensive than a commercial address where a forklift is available;
The heating element for the storage tank, if there is one, is at the middle of the tank not top or bottom;
The heating backup element or the heater’s Voltage is 220V, power is 1500W to 2500W for most of the storage tank; a customer needs to indicate which size of the storage tank is needed because the size and weight are different from each other.

Q: I have several questions. First of all, what would shipping be to Montana zip 59865? What is the shipping time roughly? Also, I see that this unit is often used to heat a pool. However, is it set up to heat domestic water as well? In other words, will it handle domestic water pressure for example, and also, what is the mechanism for heat? It sounded like water does not run through the tubes. Is water heated at the top of the unit? Anyway, those are my questions for now.

A: Shipping cost will be quoted by carriers with product details, and destination address, if a customer provides only a zip code, then the freight quote is given for the product to be shipped to the zip code closest carrier’s local terminal, and customer has to go there pick up the shipped product.
This system can heat domestic water nicely, with four seasons of hot water as soon as the sun is shining.
In these pressurized collectors, water does not run through tubes, only through manifold as you know.
The SEA system needs a controller, pump, storage tank, and collector to form a complete solar water heater system, with SEA's US patent, you can retrofit any existing water heater into a solar water heater.
Please go to the SEA web page: sea-groups to see more information and contact us directly for further questions.

Q: Is this a normal water heater plugged into power and connected to cold water? 

A: This is a storage tank for a solar water heater system, the normal heating method uses solar heating energy, and the tank has a solar loop circulating the inlet and the outlet with solar thermal collectors.
If you would use it as an electrical water heater, then you need to close that inlet/outlet for the solar loop and connect the electrical heater element (designed for solar water heater backup) to a power, the electrical heater uses 220V.

Q: SEA's tank is best for solar heating; second, it could be used as an electrical water heater?

A: Two ways:
1) Purchase SEA’s solar collectors that work anywhere in the US even in a cold area like NY, as soon as the sun comes out, the solar collectors will start working in 20 minutes no matter how cold the day is; then use the electrical heater or a gas water heater as a backup. Solar water heater will save 80% above the hot water heating energy by using free, clean solar energy.

2) Use the electrical element in SEA’s storage tank as the heating method, which uses 220V, use it as an electrical water heater (although most electrical water heaters use 110V and they have two heating elements).

Q: How does the unpressurized solar water heater work?

A: This is an unpressurized solar water heater, suitable for remote areas, where there might be no electricity or pressurized water supplier. The unit has to be placed on a high platform or a roof because the hot water is coming down to the usage points with the water's gravity.

Please contact SEA Groups’ customer service for more information. If your customer purchased this unit, SEA would provide a manual as well as consultation for installation.

Q: I have a 500sf pool, 20,000 gallons at 26 degrees N latitude. (Mexico). I can handle shipping across the border. How many panels do I need for year-round 80-degree use?

A: The precise system sizing will involve a complicated calculation with several input data, as well as environmental conditions. There is an easy way to estimate your pool collector numbers, which uses half of your pool’s surface area divided by the collector solar absorbing area. In your case, half of the pool surface area is 250/33 (24 tube collector’s absorbing area) eques 7.5, you could select 8 that kind of collector (24 tubes) for year-round usage. You need to cover the pool with good insulation materials to prevent heat loss in the winter season.

You are looking at the "Unpressurized Collector" which requires you to build the system return line placed above the pool water surface to prevent pressure from building up inside the system.

You need a controller for all SEA solar heating systems;

If you choose to use "The Pressurized Collector", your system return line could be underwater, just like your existing pool pipes built-up; while a Pressurized Collector does not have water inside the tube (only in the Manifolds), the pressurized collectors are little expensive.

Q: Could I get a quote for shipping to xx Leon Ct NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144? Thank you!

A: If your destination address is a business location with your own forklift, then the freight to your destination is the same as to the local carrier's terminal. If your destination address is a residential address, then will suggest you go to the carrier’s local terminal picking up your pallet, because the freight will be significant higher.

Shipping to NC is a long distance, would recommend adding few tubes in your order in case there is any tube broken during the shipping (not happened all times, but did happen with few shipments). we have 8 or 10 tubes in one box, for your 24 tube collector, we usually ship three 8 tubes boxes, if you add 6 tubes, we will ship you three 10 tubes boxes. Please let us know so we can change the order accordingly.

Q: I have an 18' x 36' pool, with deep and shallow end. First, will two of these units make a significant difference in spring and fall water temperatures? It will be full sun throughout the day. I live in Sharpsburg, GA 30277, and am looking to extend our pool time in May and October (These are a stretch now).

A: You have a fairly large swimming pool, two collectors will give you a certain temperature increase, but might not to a desirable level, but you could always try and add later if you needed. While you need to consider shipping, because ship two and ship four, the freight usually not have big difference.

You looked at the collector is un-pressurized collector, which you need to place the return pipe above water level; usually you need a controller to make SEA's system work (not like black mats that runs water constantly).

Q: I would buy 3units of the passive water heater. can I get discount?

 A: The price selling online is the lowest possible, basically on the manufacturing costs (SEA is the manufacturer), there is really no room for discount.

Q: I have a question. I am off the grid in California. During the winter it gets very cold, sometimes below freezing. Does this mean I need an active unit? Isn’t that the difference between passive and active passive is for climates where freezing doesn’t occur？

A: Both SEA’s passive and active system can handle freezing temperature or work in a cold environment, and SEA Systme is the only solar water heating system that can work 4 seasons anywhere in US and Canada.

Depends on your location situation: with city water or no city living on wells, would like to use small amount electricity from your own power system, or you totally do not want the solar water heater to use any electricity, etc. specific consideration, you could choose what fit you the best. If you are not mind of using little your own electrical power, then we suggest using Active or Pressurized system, if you just use your Well water and the cold-water tank is placed higher, then you could use this passive water heater which can work on no electricity at all.

Q: Good day, I am looking for the best option for a roof mount solar water heater. Not sure if this would be the best and if a roof mounting kit is available. I currently have a 30g 240v electric heater.

Q: The product you looked at is an unpressurized solar water heater, suitable for remote areas, where might be no electricity or pressurized water supplier. Basically, the hot water is coming down to the usage points with the water's gravity, so the unit has to place on a high platform or on roof. The Passive water heater include collector, tank, frame, stainless steel nuts and bolts.

If you have an existing electrical water heater, then using a pressurized collector will be easier to tie into your existing electrical water heater. You could select two ways to do: 1) just add one small solar collector, using your existing tank as the storage tank, your 240V electrical heater as backup, this way, your capacity is still 30G which is not big enough for large usage (one or two people might be good), also, this method will save your cost for paying for another storage tank; 2) you add one large collector with a 50G storage tank, you could keep your existing electrical water heater which will use electrical heater as backup in case few days no sun, you can also just use the solar storage tank (that could have an electrical backup), if your existing 30G tank is in old/no good condition. With this method, you will have an all-new solar water heater system, while you need to purchase both collector and storage tank. You will also need a controller and circulating pump for both methods.

Q: Thanks for your reply. Your response helps me in terms of realizing that I may have not worded my question as effectively as I wanted to address issues with freezing. Obviously, the inlet on the cold side to the water heater is the site that will be most susceptible to freezing, which your answer in terms of the inlet/outlet sites helped in terms of that part. I was just wondering in terms of the evacuated tubes themselves and whether there is any issue with regards to temperatures that can drop as low as -10 or -15F at night. I ask just because I am wondering whether I would need to drain the heater for part of the wintertime.

A: Your description is correct: the only area you need to worry about is the inlets/outlets connecting to the tank. The tube is no issue handle the freeze temperature. For really cold environments, suggest using an electrical heating belt for the pipes connected, while be well insulated avoiding electric shortage.

Q: What is the total shipping cost for your “SEA Solar Water Heater System One Collector With 12 Heat Pipe Vacuum Tube”? My address: 300 Clark Road Rocky Mount, VA 24151

A: Checked with carriers, the cheapest freight is $349.26.
Not sure you just want one collector? Because one or two collectors will have not much difference in freight, and one collector is only heating a very small quantity of water.
Because of one collector only comes with 2 boxes, placed on a very small pallet that is easy to be broken tubes. Just for your information.

Q: Will this work to be connected to city water? What is difference between pressurized vs unpressurized tank? Also, how much is shipping to Truth or Consequences, NM 87901?

A: If you do have City Water, we suggest you use pressurized tank, which will be much easy for your installation, and use it just like normal water heater and no or very little maintenance.
If you chose to use Pressurized System, you could have gas or electrical power as backup in case there is no sun for few days. Based on your availability, we will give guidance how to connect so you will have a 100% satisfied system while 90% running on solar energy. The smallest pressurized system is with 50G storage tank, and we have 80G, 106G, and 136G system in stock.

Q: I'm about ready to make this water heater purchase in the next month or so. If I am placing this unpressurized water heater on the roof it will work with city water going up to the roof, right? This would not work well if it was on the ground? Is that what I'm understanding about unpressurized? Why can't this system be tied into electrical water tank for extra water storage?

A: If you do have city water, unpressurized is not good fit because you could not build pressure in the tank, which requires one outlet on the tank to be opened to Atmospheric pressure to maintain "no pressure". While city water system is closed with Pressure. That being said, you do could use this unpressurized solar water heater with your city water, you also could run the pressurized city water up to roof where the water tank placed, while the storage tank on roof is unpressurized, so the hot water will run to your usage points with gravity (not water pressure), and you need to use controller to control the city water filling the solar water heater storage tank making sure it not over flow. When the storage tank hot water has been used, city water needs to be filled in with control.

Q: How Well water work with the solar water heater?

A: If your well water used to similarly as city water which means that you pump water into a pressurized tank, you have regular pipe plumbing in the house, you still need to use Pressurized System, unless you would like to use this solar unpressurized water heater with a well water tank located on higher place, and you would use gravity push down hot water to the usage point, which we have customer use this configuration for years.

Q: I'm looking to purchase one of these (106 gallon) to install in my home in FL. Do you happen to have a pdf with installation instructions to check the amps for the backup heaters?

A: Yes, you can install this solar storage tank at home with or without connecting with solar collectors. The best of application is connecting with SEA's solar collectors which will use solar energy to heat the water most of time; if not connecting with SEA's solar collector, the tank is used as an electrical water heater, the electrical heating element is a 220V with 2500W power, while the Amp is 2500/220 around 11.36 A. The installation manual will be provided with customers who purchased SEA's product.

Q: Interested in solar water heater, any additional websites to find out more information?
Like where is it shipping from, what are the tubes made of? Also interested in the un-pressurized tank version. Does this model require electricity?

A: Please look online to find SEA Groups Ltd web page for all the information. Will ship from Las Vegas. Vacuum tube made of special glass, a mutual technology for more than 40 years. Online will have all the information for unpressurized tank, we also have unpressurized large tank that suitable for picking up. Most situations need electrical for running controller and pump, but for unpressurized solar water heater, it can be working at remote area where there is no electricity.

Q: The 100W stainless pump SEA selling is using the 3/4 flanges, would this fit a 1 inch galvanize flange?  I have a Grundfos 15 right now which I am trying to replace with this stainless pump.

A: The 1” pipe flange will fit for SEA’s stainless 100W pump, because the sizes are designed to be used for both 1 and 3/4 inch flange. While this is the stainless-steel body pump, if you use iron flange that will lose the stainless function that is useable for domestic water. If you do not care about the liquid you are pumping, then you could do so.

Q: What would shipping cost to a 50677 for 4 units? We have a forklift to unload. Are there any specs on these collectors as far as heat output? I was thinking of using these for floor heat/and or a swimming pool.

A: What you are looking at or you are asking the collectors are the Unpressurized Collector, which is different from those Pressurized Collectors, if you would like to use these Unpressurized collectors for your floor heating (radiant heating), you need to have an Unpressurized storage tank where there is no pressure built up so the collector can circulating accumulated solar thermal energy into the tank, within that Unpressurized storage tank, you need to have an heat exchange coil which is pressurized to connect with your Radiant floor heating system, with second loop;
For your pool heating, if you are going to use these Unpressurized Collectors, you need to have a dedicated pipe (return line from the collectors) which is unpressurized or leave the pipe end above the water surface (to not build up pressure), while your feeding line (feed pool water to the collectors) could be under water surface using the existing pool pump.
Another fact is that Unpressurized collectors do have water in all the tubes.
Pressurized collectors are more expensive but can be easily connected to your existing pressurized systems both floor heating and pool heating (tied into your existing pool system).
Let us know what you think of using or what type of collectors you are planning to use, so we can quote with carriers for shipping to IA. If you would like to have more information, please look at SEA's web page by searching SEA Groups Ltd.

Q: I am interested in one of these systems for the roof of my house and possibly resell it. Would like to know if I need a tank? How do I know the required capacity using your system?

For a 50G storage tank, usually need 24 heat pipe tubes collector, the one you are looking at is 12 tubes collector, for better performance, we will recommend two 18 tubes collectors.
For a complete system, it will have collectors, storage tank, one controller and one pump. Also, copper pipes, fittings, valves, insulation, etc. parts.
If you would like to sell SEA's solar thermal solution/system in your local territory, we would provide all the technical supports.

Q: How much to ship to IL

A: you are looking at the 12 heat-pipe tube collector, which is too small for shipping through a carrier to a far long distance place, because the collector will form a very small pallet, which could be so easy to drop or broke the tubes during the shipping transaction, so for purchasing collector, customer has to purchase at least two sets to have the pallet big enough for shipping.
Please let us know what do you would like to consider ship to your location? Also, this is only collector, no storage tank attached.  

Q: I intend to install Solar Water Heater at my mobile home being 3 bedrooms; 2 bathes, please advise on the solar water heater.

A: Unless your home located in a remote area, we recommend using Pressurized Solar Water Heater, this Unpressurized Solar Water Heater has the tank on roof/or higher platform and need to keep the tank with one inlet/outlet open to the air to remain atmosphere pressure.
A 50G storage capacity pressurized solar water heater system cost close to the unpressurized system, while you keep storage tank inside the house or build a shad attaching the house, which is more convenient, easy to install and no maintenance, etc. benefits.

Q: Hello - does this water heater provide Active Closed Loop system? If so where are the specs on the heat exchanger and the balance of the parts list for installation?

A: Yes, this tank is specially designed to store solar heated water heater, it works for "Active System", SEA provides both storage tanks with heat exchanger or without heat exchanger, if you use SEA's collectors, you do not need heat exchanger for your system, but if you use the collector shown on your picture, you do need heat exchanger. If you purchase a system of SEA solar water heater system, which will come with a complete parts list providing all parts needed for SEA solar water heater.

 Q: Do you sell any of these 50-gallon tanks without insulation? I need one to replace my batch heater tank. Also, I need to know where the inlets are on the tank. Any info would help.

A: The tank insulation is within the tank as you see as all tanks are.
These are solar water heater storage tank, with total 6 in/outlets: 2 for circulating with the collector loop, 1 cold water in, 1 hot water out, that 4 in/outlets are on the side of the tank; 1 for T/P valve installation that is on the top of the tank, 1 for drain valve install, that is at the bottom side of the tank. If you purchase 50G capacity, they are all 3/4" female threads,

Q: Hello, I have a question, I have seen in other water heaters, people that have solar heating, they have antifreeze running through water heater to heat the water up and doesn’t mix with potable water in the tank, does this tank do that way?

A: We are solar storage tank manufacturer, we provide both tanks with heat exchanger or without, the storage tank without heat exchanger does not need anti-freezer, which is more efficient and there is no anti-freezer involved in domestic usage. SEA has its proprietary technology that resolved issues with solar water heaters working in a very cold environment without anti-freezer.

Q: Hi, I'm interested in the 50-gallon solar water heater storage tank. I need to know if it has inlet and outlets at the top and does it have a temperature sensor installed? My current unit has a circulation pump wired to a sensor in the tank. Also, how much is shipping to Florida 34683?

A: The 50-gallon tank does have inlet and outlet for circulating with the solar collector loop, while they are located at the side of the tank, not on the top. The tank has two sensors sets where temperature sensors could be placed inside of the tank. The two sensors get the tank top and bottom temperatures that are used for the Controller to turn on or off the circulating pump. The shipping to a Zip code depends on the product weight, and destination types (residential or commercial).

Q: For a Passive Solar water heater, can I also install AC power in case there is not sunlight？

A: Yes, the electrically powered backup could be installed at the bottom of the tank; but we suggest using AC backup at the hot water usage side where no need to pull electrical wire all the way to the solar water heater that installed on roof or on a high platform outside, this is easy way to do and safer.
This kind of solar water heater is the Unpressurized and most cost efficient and effective low-cost system, most user use the water heater where there is great sun shining, even it can add AC powered backup.

Q: The pool water is treated by chlorine; do I need a heat exchanger?

A: You could use heat exchanger with pressurized system, or you could use SEA solar heating systems without heat exchanger using both pressurized collector (pool water running through the collector manifold, not in tubes) and unpressurized collector (pool water running through the collector manifold and the tubes). There are advantages and disadvantages for both usages, basically, adding a heat exchanger increase the overall cost but low maintenance solid system, while without heat exchanger reduce the initial system cost.  Heating effectiveness is similar.

Q: Hello, I am looking for a complete off grade solar hot water system for my farm. I need complete system. please give me more detail. i am not connected to any city. I have sup pump submersible pump. that will pump water to this system for heating. Thanks, please let me know. what is the weight of the entire system.

A: The system you are looking at is the Unpressurized solar water heater that can work at a complete off grade environment. To be able to achieve that, you need to place the solar water heater on a certain high platform, or on the roof of a building, which enables the hop water stored in the tank to be forced down to your hot water usage points by the Gravity; Second, you need to be able to pump the cold into the storage tank where the water to be heated by the day time solar energy, and you need some methods to prevent the cold water over flowing out the tank, because the tank is working “unpressurized” that is with one outlet to be open to the atmosphere.  You could place a hold cold water tank on a top level where the cold water just fill up to the storage tank, or you could use mechanical method to stop the cold water feeding when it is full (something like the mechanism used in toilet water control. Or if you have any electronic power (generated by PV or wind), you can use a controller that will control all the functions of the solar system nicely.

Since you have a submersible pump, your water is pressurized, so you can also select the traditional pressurized solar water heater, which is using the electric power (off grid power system) run the controller and circulating pump.  Because you are using the submersible pump, so assuming you have an off-grid power in place.