As fuel costs climb and interest in green continues to rise, Rheem Water Heating now offers solar water heating systems under the Rheem Solaraide brand. Combining a storage tank with one or two collector panels, these “passive” systems operate without pumps or controllers, relying instead on the natural process of convection – also called indirect thermosiphoning – to circulate the heattransfer fluid.

Made especially for Rheem by its Australian subsidiary, Solahart, Rheem Solaraide systems use a specially developed, freeze-proof heat transfer fluid to absorb and deliver heat energy even on cold and overcast days. The fluid also circulates in a “closed loop” environment, which further protects against freezing, allowing these systems to be used year-round, even in cold-weather locales. Rheem Solaraide systems are an excellent option wherever solar cannot meet 100% of a household’s domestic hot water needs. In these applications, the Solaraide unit can supplement a conventional hot-water system by pre-warming the water, so that the water heater or boiler uses less gas or electricity, reveals the company’s press release.

Rheem Solaraide solar water heaters are offered in two configurations, each carrying a five-year warranty. The 47-Gallon system (RS47-21BP), measuring 97.5 inches long and 58.5 inches wide, includes a single collector panel and is designed to provide approximately 45% of the annual hot water requirements of a home with 1.5 baths. The 80-Gallon system (RS80-42BP), measuring 97.5 inches long and 91 inches wide, incorporates two collector panels to meet approximately 58% of the annual hot-water requirements of a home with two or three bathrooms. Both models have been tested and certified for durability, performance, and efficiency by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC), with the 47-gallon model having received a Solar Energy Factor (SEF) of 1.3; the 80-gallon model, a 1.5 SEF.