Sign up for Heatspring’s Solar Thermal Course

Solar Thermal Course

Solar hot water (thermal) systems have been around for decades, but they have never been as popular as they are today. Bob Ramlow is an ISPQ Emeritus Master Trainer. His book ‘Solar Water Heating’ is recognized as a comprehensive design and installation manual and serves as our guide for preparing participants for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam. This course includes Bob’s book, video lessons, reading assignments, quizzes, discussion, homework problems, and discussion board access to Bob. It’s the most comprehensive course available for building professionals looking to add solar thermal to their skill set.

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“It’s high time someone wrote a comprehensive but accesssible overview of solar heating, which is one of the most cost-effective steps that we can take to wean from fossil fuels. Bob Ramlow is a rare combination of plumber, engineer, and public educator who has learned with his own hands. Whether you wish to do it yourself or simply be an informed consumer, start with Solar Water Heating!” 
-Windy Dankoff, solar industry pioneer and educator since 1975, and founder of Dankoff Solar Products

Bob Ramlow’s Solar Water Heating is a practical solar encyclopedia for anyone interested in installing a solar energy system or in starting a solar energy company. The folksy writing is clear and the numerous diagrams make this book a great resource for everyone from the novice just getting started to the existing solar professional looking to pick up some of Bob Ramlow’s many useful observations from a long career installing and maintaining solar energy systems.
— Don Wichert, Director, Renewable Energy Programs, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation

Solar Water Heating: Book Review

“Solar Water Heating is the first book I’ve seen that focuses solely on solar water heating. It’s a technique that’s been practiced since ancient times, but until now there’s been strangely few resources on the topic for a North American audience. The author, Bob Ramlow, examines state-of-the-art solar heating systems. He covers not only solar water heaters, but also solar water and space house heating systems and solar pool heating systems, including their advantages and disadvantages. Since people often get turned off by the up-front cost, the book focuses especially on the financial aspects of solar water or space heating systems, and shows that such systems can save significant costs in the long run.

A Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series Book 

Heating water with the sun is a practice almost as old as humankind itself. Solar Water Heating, now completely revised and expanded, is the definitive guide to this clean and cost-effective technology.

Beginning with a review of the history of solar water and space heating systems from prehistory to the present, Solar Water Heating presents an introduction to modern solar energy systems, energy conservation and energy economics. Drawing on the authors’ experiences as designers and installers of these systems, the book goes on to cover:
• Types of solar collectors, solar water and space heating systems and solar pool heating systems, including their advantages and disadvantages
• System components, their installation, operation, and maintenance
• System sizing and siting
• Choosing the appropriate system.
This book focuses on the financial aspects of solar water or space heating systems, clearly showing that such systems generate significant savings in the long run. With many diagrams and illustrations to complement the clearly-written text, this book is designed for a wide readership ranging from the curious homeowner to the serious student or professional.

Solar Water Heating Book/Revised and Expanded 

Get an autographed copy

Solar Water Heating Book/Revised and Expanded 

Get an autographed copy