Free consumer calculator

Estimate a solar hot water system for your household.

Get collector and storage estimates immediately. Then see how the system could look on your house with a roof specific layout from a participating professional.

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Your project

Change any input and calculate again.

How a solar hot water system worksSystem concept
House cutaway with a roof mounted flat plate solar thermal collector connected to a storage tank, pump station, controller, expansion tank, shower, and faucet
A roof collector heats the closed loop. The pump station transfers that heat into storage, with backup heat available before hot water reaches the home.
Result

Your estimate will appear here.

Enter three quick household details to see the system estimate. No contact information is required for the result.

How this estimate works

Useful for planning, clear about its limits.

This planning estimate uses household size, daily hot water use, and ZIP code. Central and South Florida households of up to five people start with one 40 square foot collector and an 80 gallon tank. Elsewhere, collector area follows national residential guidance and the result identifies the appropriate starting point for freeze protection.

The result is not a final system design. A professional should verify actual water use, FSEC or SRCC product ratings, tilt, orientation, shading, storage, backup equipment, local design temperature, water chemistry, freeze protection, and code. See the FSEC Florida field example and the U.S. Department of Energy sizing guide.