Solar thermal water heating built for Florida's sun hours.
Water heating is one of the biggest single line items on a Florida electric bill. A solar water heater — active or passive, evacuated-tube or flat-plate — cuts that cost using sun Central Florida has in abundance.
Which system fits your home
Evacuated tube collectors
Higher efficiency in Florida's heat and humidity, with built-in freeze protection — the system type we recommend most often here.
Flat plate collectors
Proven, simpler technology, typically lower installed cost — a solid option depending on roof layout and budget.
Sizing depends on household size and hot-water usage — we size this specifically during your estimate rather than quoting a generic package.
Installation, roof-first
- Roof or ground mount, chosen based on your roof's condition, orientation, and structure.
- Plumbing integration with a backup electric or gas element for cloudy stretches.
- Roof penetrations flashed and waterproofed to the same standard as our roofing work — because it's the same crew.
- Permitting and inspection handled as part of the project.
What actually applies in 2026
Federal residential credit
The federal credit that used to cover solar water heaters expired December 31, 2025 along with the rest of Section 25D — it does not apply to a 2026 purchase.
Florida property & sales tax exemptions
Solar water heating equipment is excluded from added property-tax value and exempt from Florida's state sales tax under current law.
Common questions
Yes — systems include a backup electric or gas element for low-sun stretches, so you always have hot water.
A solar water heater uses roof-mounted collectors and the sun directly; a heat pump unit uses ambient air and electricity more efficiently than a standard tank. We can walk through which fits your home during your estimate.
Yes — that's often the most efficient time to add it, since the roof is already open. See Residential Roofing.