The NESHW Secusol system pictured above is one of 20 different systems across Massachusetts upon which the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has installed energy monitoring equipment. This Secusol system cost $7200 and has the highest performance of all the monitored systems. The next closest competitor had over 20% less output, and cost the homeowner $1640 more.

How it Works

A NESHW SECUSOL appliance provides environmentally friendly heat for household hot water. Although the system initially costs more than conventional water heaters, the fuel it uses—sunshine—is free.

The main components are: the solar collectors, an integrated tank, pump system, and controller package, and an insulated line set that runs between the collectors and the storage tank. In most cases, your existing hot water heater will serve as back-up for when there is no sun or very high household demand. If your old hot water heater is in need of replacement anyway, then the SECUSOL appliance can both store the hot water from your solar collectors as well as heat the back-up hot water with it’s own electrical immersion element.

Bright sunshine is not necessary for your system to work. On cloudy days and in hazy conditions there is usually sufficient solar energy for the system to provide the required amount of heat. Moreover, our Wagner solar collectors work extremely well in New England and will still provide hot water on the coldest winter day (yes, the Wagner flat plates outperform evacuated tube style solar collectors in the winter).

On some occasions such as prolonged overcast periods or when your hot water demand is very high, the back-up heater will kick in and ensure that you always have hot water. In most homes, the solar collectors will provide about 70 to 90% of your hot water year round with the ’back-up’ providing the rest.