Collector Mounting and Racking
We mount the solar collectors on your roof or a ground rack, flash the penetrations, and seal them against Colorado hail and snow. The rack is engineered to hold the panels at the right tilt for Littleton's latitude.
Licensed plumbers for solar water heating systems across Arapahoe County
Solar Water Heater Installation Littleton CO Done Right the First Time
Solar Water Heater Installation Littleton CO means pairing solar collectors with a storage tank or backup system so your home runs on free Colorado sun. We handle the whole job for homeowners in Littleton, Ken Caryl, Roxborough, and Bow Mar: roof or ground mounts, tank swaps, freeze protection, and code-correct plumbing. If your old tank is leaking or your energy bill keeps climbing, we can get you switched over.
Careful work. Honest options.
About this service
Solar Water Heater Installation Littleton CO Explained
Solar Water Heater Installation Littleton CO is a plumbing service that mounts solar collectors on your roof or ground rack, ties them into a storage tank or tankless backup, and circulates water or glycol through the loop to heat your domestic hot water. We install both active closed-loop systems and drain-back setups, sized to your household's daily hot water use. A typical family of four needs a 60 to 80 gallon solar storage tank plus 40 to 80 square feet of collector area. We solder copper, pressure-test to 100 psi, and wire the controller so the pump only runs when the collector is hotter than the tank.
Littleton homes deal with hard water, hailstorms, and winter nights that drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, so freeze protection and scale control matter more here than in most of the country. If you have been searching for solar water heater installation near me Littleton CO and want a system that survives a Front Range February, we build it that way. We also replace failed solar tanks, swap out corroded anode rods, and re-commission systems that previous installers abandoned.
- ✓ Lower Monthly Utility Bills
- ✓ 20-Year Equipment Lifespan
- ✓ Freeze Protection for Colorado
- ✓ Federal and Utility Incentives
What's included
What Our Solar Water Heater Installation Includes
Every solar water heater install we do includes the full mechanical and plumbing scope: collectors, mounting, storage tank, piping, controller, glycol fill, and commissioning. We also pull the permits and handle the inspection. Add-ons like roof reinforcement or electrical panel upgrades are quoted separately if your home needs them.
Storage Tank and Piping
We set a new solar storage tank, run insulated supply and return lines, and solder copper connections with a tube cutter and soldering torch. Every joint is pressure-tested at 100 psi before we move on.
Controller and Pump Wiring
We wire the differential controller and circulation pump, set the temperature thresholds, and verify the pump only runs when the collector is hotter than the tank. The circuit is protected per NEC requirements.
Glycol Fill and Freeze Protection
For closed-loop systems, we fill with a 50/50 propylene glycol mix rated to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. That protects your collectors through the coldest Littleton nights without cracking the absorber plates.
Permits and Inspection
We pull the plumbing permit from Arapahoe County and any required electrical permit. We meet the inspector on site and correct anything they flag, so you get a clean final sign-off.
Commissioning and Walkthrough
We commission the system, verify the temperature rise, and walk you through the controller, the maintenance schedule, and the warranty. You get all the paperwork for your federal tax credit.
How it works
Our Solar Water Heater Install Process
We walk your roof, check shade from nearby trees, and measure your existing tank and piping. We test incoming water pressure with a pressure gauge and check the electrical panel for the backup element circuit. This visit takes 45 to 60 minutes, and you get a written proposal within 24 hours.
We size the collector array and storage tank to your household, then choose between a closed-loop glycol system and a drain-back setup. You see the layout, the equipment list, and the total price before we order anything. We spec Rheem, A.O. Smith, or Bradford White tanks depending on your budget and fuel type.
We pull the plumbing permit from Arapahoe County and, if needed, the electrical permit for the controller and pump. Most permits clear in three to five business days. We schedule the install for a day that works for you, usually a two-day window for a full system swap.
Our crew mounts the collectors, runs insulated supply and return lines, sets the new storage tank, and wires the controller. We use a tube cutter and soldering torch on the copper, and we pressure-test the loop at 100 psi for 30 minutes. Most installs wrap in one to two days, and we clean up before we leave.
We fill the loop, set the differential controller, and verify the pump kicks on when the collector is 15 degrees hotter than the tank. You get a walkthrough of the system, the warranty paperwork, and a maintenance schedule. We also register the equipment so your tax credit documentation is ready.
STEP 01Site Assessment
We walk your roof, check shade from nearby trees, and measure your existing tank and piping. We test incoming water pressure with a pressure gauge and check the electrical panel for the backup element circuit. This visit takes 45 to 60 minutes, and you get a written proposal within 24 hours.
Tools & methods
Tools and Methods We Use
Soldering torch and tube cutter
Used to cut and solder copper supply and return lines on the solar loop. Clean joints and proper flux are what keep the system leak-free for decades.
Pressure gauge
We pressure-test the solar loop at 100 psi for 30 minutes before we fill it. If the gauge drops, we find the leak and fix it before commissioning.
Multimeter
Used to test the controller, pump, and temperature sensors. We verify voltage and continuity so the system cycles correctly.
Anode rod socket
Lets us pull and replace the anode rod without damaging the tank fitting. We check the rod on every install and swap it if it is more than half consumed.
Descaling pump
Circulates descaling solution through the tank and heat exchanger to remove scale buildup. Essential for Littleton's hard water.
Inspection camera
We drop it into the tank to check for corrosion and sediment before we recommend a repair or replacement.
Real results
Before and after.
Solar Water Heater Installation
Failed Solar Tank Replaced in Ken Caryl
A Ken Caryl homeowner had a 15-year-old solar tank leaking from the base. The collectors were still in good shape, but the tank was rusted through and the anode rod was completely gone. They were running on the electric backup element only.
After: We replaced the tank with a new 80-gallon solar storage unit, flushed the loop, and installed a fresh anode rod and pressure relief valve. The system now covers about 70 percent of their hot water load, and their electric bill dropped by $42 a month.
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Solar Water Heater Installation
Frozen Collector Loop Restored in Roxborough
A Roxborough homeowner had a drain-back system that was not draining properly. The loop froze during a cold snap and cracked two absorber plates. Glycol was leaking onto the roof, and the system was completely offline.
After: We replaced the cracked collectors, repaired the drain-back valve, and re-commissioned the system with a proper glycol mix. The system now cycles correctly, and the homeowner is back to solar hot water with no freeze risk.
Book this service → Solar Water Heater Installation
New Solar Install in Sterling Ranch
A new homeowner in Sterling Ranch had a standard 50-gallon gas tank and wanted to cut their utility bill. The roof was south-facing with no shade, and the electrical panel had room for the controller circuit.
After: We installed a closed-loop glycol system with 64 square feet of collectors and an 80-gallon solar storage tank. The system covers 75 percent of their hot water load from March through October, and they qualified for the 30 percent federal tax credit.
Book this service → Problems we solve
Solar Water Heater Problems We Solve in Littleton
Solar thermal systems are simple, but they still fail in predictable ways. Here are the issues we see most often in Littleton and how we fix them.
Ask a pro →Solar tank leaking from the base
We isolate the tank, drain it, and install a new solar storage tank. We also check the anode rod and pressure relief valve while we are in there. Most swaps finish in a single day.
Collector loop froze and cracked
We drain the loop, replace the cracked collector, and refill with a properly mixed propylene glycol solution rated to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. We also test the controller to make sure the pump is cycling correctly.
Controller not turning on the pump
We test the controller with a multimeter, check the temperature sensors, and replace the failed component. We also verify the pump is not seized and that the differential setpoint is correct.
Scale buildup in the tank and loop
We flush the tank and loop with a descaling pump, clear the sediment, and restore proper heat transfer. We also recommend an annual flush to keep the system running at peak output.
Proof you can check
Licensed, Certified, and Reviewed
- Colorado Master Plumber License · State of Colorado
- EPA Lead-Safe Certified · U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- NATE Certified · North American Technician Excellence
- Backflow Prevention Certification · State of Colorado
- OSHA 10 · Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Most solar water heater installs in Littleton run $5,500 to $9,500 before incentives in 2026. A basic closed-loop system with a 60-gallon tank lands near the low end, while a larger array with a 120-gallon tank and freeze protection pushes toward the top. After the 30 percent federal tax credit, your net cost drops to roughly $3,850 to $6,650. We give you a firm written number after the site visit.
Yes, if you plan to stay in your home five years or more. Littleton gets about 245 sunny days a year, which is well above the national average, so a solar thermal system can cover 50 to 80 percent of your hot water load. With a $40 monthly gas bill for water heating, you are looking at $240 to $380 saved per year, plus the 30 percent federal tax credit up front.
Littleton Plumbing Solutions installs and services solar water heating systems across Arapahoe County. We are a licensed plumbing contractor, not a solar sales company, so the same crew that installs your collectors also handles the tank, piping, controller, and any repairs down the road. Call us at +1 303-879-0886 to schedule a site assessment.
A full solar water heater install takes one to two days on site. Day one covers collector mounting, line runs, and the new storage tank. Day two handles controller wiring, glycol fill, pressure testing, and commissioning. If we are swapping an existing solar tank and reusing the collectors, the job often finishes in a single day.
Ready when you are
Get Your Solar Water Heater Installation Littleton CO Quote
We give you a firm written price after a 45-minute site visit, and we pull the permits in our name. Call +1 303-879-0886 to schedule your assessment and find out how much of your hot water bill solar can cover.
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Request an appointment
Contact Littleton Plumbing Solutions
Call us at +1 303-879-0886 or send an email to info@littletonplumbingsolutions.com. We answer the phone 24/7 for emergencies and book regular service Monday through Friday. Most calls get a same-day slot, and we will give you a real arrival window, not a four-hour block.
Call anytime+13038790886Email the officeinfo@waterheaterrepairlittleton.com
Office hoursOpen 24 hours · 7 days a week