EnerWorks has brought a new level of functionality to solar water heating with the introduction of its new Thermal Energy Controller and Thermal Energy Monitor. The Controller is integrated into the Energy Pack mounted on a solar hot water storage tank as part of an EnerWorks residential solar water heating appliance. It directs and monitors the appliance, ensuring optimized performance. It also controls the pump within the appliance, enabling the future inclusion of secondary applications such as pool or space heating. Included with the residential solar water heating appliance, EnerWorks’s new wireless Thermal Energy Monitor enables the homeowners to see the benefits of solar water heating.

The Monitor communicates directly with the Controller and is portable or can be wall-mounted, enabling homeowners to view system performance from anywhere in their house. Additional Monitors are also available to further enhance convenience. At the touch of a button, the homeowner can scroll through output displays including daily, monthly, annual and lifetime dollar savings, energy produced and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions as solar energy displaces traditional fuel sources. They can also check the current temperature of the appliance and the water it is heating. The Controller is able to run off AC mains power or a 12V DC solar PV panel and features a large display screen with iconic indicators of the system status. According to the company’s press release, displays include the amount of energy produced, money saved and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from displacing traditional fuel sources with solar energy.