Solar Water Heating

Solar water heating (SWH) systems have been available commercially in the United States since 1891. They are popular and highly effective in Maine where electricity, oil, or propane are used for water heating. These systems also provide an effective supplement for wood and pellet boilers by minimizing the need to burn fuel during the nonheating season.

SWH systems are cost effective solutions for homes and businesses with moderate to high water heating loads. In residential applications, these systems are designed to offset 60-70% of the energy required for annual water heating. With an auxiliary source of heat, such as oil, propane, or electricity, owners always have the comfort of hot water without the typical energy costs.

High commercial hot water consumers such as hotels, car washes, laundromats, breweries, and dairy farms can also benefit significantly from this technology. By utilizing our design expertise and attention to detail, Maine companies can distinguish themselves by making a solid long-term investment that demonstrates their leadership and commitment to value.

Design, Installation, and Service

The proper integration of solar water heating with auxiliary heating sources such as electricity, oil, propane, and wood ensures an ample supply of hot water regardless of demand and available sun. Because Maine homes and businesses use a wide variety of appliances for water heating, each project requires careful consideration.

Our staff has nationally-recognized expertise related to solar water heating design, installation, and service. If you are seeking to utilize solar heating technologies at your home or business, Insource Renewables will work with you to identify opportunities, develop an effective design best suited for your application, and install a robust system that minimizes service and maintenance costs.

We also service solar water heating systems that have been installed by other contractors.

Contact Us Today To Learn More About Solar Heating.

(207) 659-1054





  • Vaughan has professionally bridged the gap between being a contractor and being an advocate for Maine homeowners in their mission to save energy. He is not a ‘one size fits all’ in terms of efficiency and many times he has recommended our services over his own when looking at the types of challenges homeowners face when decreasing their carbon footprint.

    Bo Jespersen
    Owner / The Breathable Home

  • Working with the Insource Renewables team was for me not only a satisfying experience but also encouraging about the renewable energy industry itself. These people were well-informed and articulate in their advice and planning on my project.

    They brought the fruits of both long experience with solar design and deep conviction about the importance of renewable energy in today’s world. In follow-up, they have been generous and good-natured in answering questions.

    Phoebe Phelps
    Orland, Maine

  • We contracted Insource Renewables to install a solar heater for our swimming pool and a cluster of home energy improvements. We were very pleased with the expertise, integrity, and work ethic of Vaughan Woodruff and his fine team.

    We were consistently informed of and/or consulted on scheduled activities and events throughout. At every juncture, Vaughan and his team were obviously guided by the principle of doing what is right for the customer.

    We have recommended to our friends and continue to unreservedly recommend Insource Renewables for any energy-related projects.

    Michael Leblanc & Rosalie Williams
    Pittsfield, Maine

  • We are very happy with our new solar panels from Insource Renewables. It’s great that, now, our house is a power generation factory! Vaughan and the rest of the team are excellent, knowledgeable, friendly, proactive. Within 2 days of the start of the project, our meter was running backwards! It’s satisfying to make a small but real change in the severe climate issues that our planet is facing. I’m also really thankful that Vaughan connected us with the Greater Bangor Solarize program, which saved us over $2,000 on our installation! Vaughan provided us with many different options and answered so many questions that we had, until we found the solar project that was right for our family.

    Julie Gosse
    Orono, Maine

  • We discovered Insource Renewables (and Backyard Buildings in Unity) this Spring and were immediately taken with the concept of the “solar shed.” We knew we needed to build or buy a shed for some extra outdoor storage, and I’d always wanted to go solar at our house, so this made perfect sense!

    Matt, Vaughan, and the whole team at Insource were excellent to work with, answered all our questions, and made sure everything came together on this project. We are excited to be building out the inside of our shed while knowing we are making power every day just by having this system in our back yard.

    Great job all!

    Bruce Fitzgerald
    South China, Maine
  • When our heat pump had electrical issues, there are a couple of ways that this event could have gone. Insource could have blamed the manufacturer, basically come back and continued to tweak the unit, or – worse yet – not been terribly responsive overall. I can’t tell you how good and stress free it has felt to know that you guys have put the customer first and have done your absolute best in the matter.
    We are very grateful.
    Steve Podgajny
    Brunswick, Maine