Sun Lizard Solar Heat Collector -- Frequently Asked Questions

Performance & Durability
Functionality & Aesthetics
Air Quality
Cost
Installation & Distribution
Seeing One, Testimonials
Ordering, Purchasing and Shipping
Certification & Warranty Questions
General Home Energy Efficiency

PERFORMANCE & DURABILITY

1. Will it work on cloudy, rainy days or when there is no sunlight?
The Sun Lizard needs some sunlight to work. Make sure that your custom system allows to bring in the air from the collectors when there is a level of heat in the collectors. Otherwise, drawing air through the collectors for heating when there is no sunlight will reverse the effect and cool the incoming air.

2. Can it store the heat collected during the day for use at night?
No. The Sun Lizard uses your building as a thermal store but cannot store the heat for night use.

3. What if I don’t have that much sun on my roof?
The Sun Lizard needs to get a minimum amount of sunlight to work, generally at least 4-5 hours on average a day. If you don’t get this minimum amount, then the Sun Lizard may not work for you.
See the Quick Suitability Assessment for more details

4. How long will it last?
The solar thermal collectors will last in excess of 25 years. See our Sun Lizard Australia Warranty for more details

5. Does it heat water or air?
The Sun Lizard products are designed to heat and cool air only. They are extremely efficient at this, but will not work with water. Solar Hot Water systems are available from different manufacturers

6. Will it rust if I live near salty water?
All metals will eventually deteriorate in salty conditions. We have used materials that are resistant to seaside installations, but you should check with your builder or a local plumber to ensure that it will survive your local conditions.

7. Is it cyclone proof? Will it blow off my roof?
The Sun Lizard is extremely robust and we have had cars drive over them with no damage. But they need to be securely fixed to the roof structure in areas that are prone to severe weather conditions. This is the responsibility of the installer.

8. Do I need to maintain it?
There are no specific maintenance requirements. However, from time to time you should check that the glass is cleaned of any severe dirt or dust.

FUNCTIONALITY & AESTHETICS

9. Can I integrate it with my current ducted system?
Yes you can integrate it. However you will need to plan your integration carefully. It is because the collectors are on the roof and at night, unless you have a system of gates to stop hot air from your existing heating system going out to the collectors, you will end up losing heat through them. Some form of smart temperature sensors and controls needs to be linked to motorised gates to make the system work effectively. Otherwise we recommend you have the heat collectors setup as a standalone system.

10. Will it look too obtrusive on my roof?
In most cases you will not see the Sun Lizard on your roof. However if you need to use a frame or if your home is down a hill and the roof can be seen, then the Sun Lizard will be seen on your roof. But the Sun Lizard is a low profile box and is unobtrusive on most roofs. Click here for showcases.

11. What if my building is bigger than what the unit can do? Can I put more units in, hook them up in series?
If you have worked through the Suitability Assessment and the space you want to heat is bigger than the recommended size, then you can add any number of combinations. It is also possible to create custom systems if you have a specific application such as a large community building or school. The Sun Lizards can be hooked up in arrays of parallel or in series units to achieve higher temperatures or airflow volumes.

12. What about noise?
The solar heat collectors do not have any fans so do not make any noise. You will need to add your own fans and controls so can choose these for low noise..

13. Can I install it on a wall instead of my roof?
Yes it is possible to install on a north facing wall.

AIR QUALITY

14. What about the air quality? Where does the air come from? Can I take it from my ceiling cavity?
In designing your solar heating system you need to make this assessment. Generally we suggest that unlike some other heating systems that draw air from the ceiling cavity you draw air from inside your building or from outside, where it is reasonably clean. The air in the ceiling cavity of many homes is very dusty and may have contaminants from birds, rodents and fibreglass or asbestos. We don’t recommend using air from this space for those reasons.

15. Does the Sun Lizard affect humidity?
The Sun Lizard does not change the humidity in the building. However, by keeping the building temperature at a comfortable level, not too cold and providing air movement, it stops the build up of damp or humidity.

16. Are there any health benefits in exposing the air to high heat and UV?
While no scientific study has been done on the Sun Lizard in regard to this, it is known that exposure to UV and high temperatures will reduce the build up of bacteria, virus, mould and fungi. Ventilation and air movement are also important in reducing damp areas that allow the growth of mould and fungi in buildings.

INSTALLATION & DISTRIBUTION

17. What if I can’t find a distributor in the area that I live? What if I can’t find someone to install the Sun Lizard for me?
It is quite easy to install and we provide an installation guide on our website. If you choose to engage a local plumber we do provide all the installation components. We would also be happy to work with your local plumber and offer step by step instructions on how to install a Sun Lizard.

18. How can I assess the suitability of the Sun Lizard in my home or building? Can I get someone to do a site inspection?
You can fill in the Suitability Self Assessment Test and this will give you a good picture of your homes suitability. If you are confident the Sun Lizard is going to work and need a quote for installation, we can try to help you find an installer. Also check out the distributor list to find someone close to you who may be able to offer some good advice. Note however, that for custom systems, you should consult with a number of people (engineers and heating specialists) to ensure your design will work and is effective as well as being safely installed on your building.

19. Can I do it myself or get my friend to install the Sun Lizard on to my roof?
We recommend using a qualified tradesman to do the installation so it is done professionally. However it is a relatively simple installation and can be done by yourself. Please check any local requirements or laws that need a qualified tradesman.

20. If I have a cathedral ceiling or a flat roof or deck roof will it still work in my home or building?
While it is a little more difficult with this type of roof, it only requires a little planning to make it work just as effectively. To avoid having long lengths of pipe or ducting on the roof, you need to locate the inlet and outlet ducts close to the point the ducting is going to go inside the building. Any ducting on the roof needs to be weatherproof and insulated to avoid heat loss. See the installation guide for more details.

21. What if I have no cavity in my walls, can it still be ducted?
Yes you can run box duct on the outside of the wall, or ducting inside a cupboard or wardrobe. It is just a personal preference regarding aesthetics and location, but almost always there is a place to run ducting.

22. What if I have no roof space, can I still use one?
The Sun Lizard is designed to sit on the roof. However, it is possible to place the Sun Lizard on a wall or even on the ground if no other suitable location can be found. There are minor issues with other alternatives, but they can work.

23. I want to become a distributor or installer, how do I get involved?
We are always looking for enthusiastic distributors and qualified tradespeople who are keen to promote sustainable products. Contact us with your interest and experience. We provide product information and installation training sessions around Australia so will advise you when one will occur in your area.

24. What if I can’t see a working display of a Sun Lizard in the area that I live in? Where can I find working displays ?
See our showcase page for examples of installed Sun Lizards.
Most of our installations are invisible from the ground so are not suitable for viewing. We also respect the privacy of our customers and unless volunteered, we do not approach existing customers asking for them to talk to prospective customers. However, if you tell us which area you are in, we will try to find the location of a display unit or installed unit that that the customer is happy to show off to you.

25. What do other people think about your product? What are some of the best things about the Sun Lizard people comment on? Why would I want to by a Sun Lizard?
The most common thing people say is “What a fantastic idea” and “Why hasn’t it been done before?” Existing customers say they feel much more comfortable and their energy bills have gone down. Many customers buy a Sun Lizard because they want to reduce their energy consumption and bills, but also to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

COST, ORDERING, PURCHASING & SHIPPING QUESTIONS

26. What is the cost of the Sun Lizard Solar heat Collector?
The cost of a single collector Sun Lizard unit is $950.

27. How much does it cost to install on my home?
Installation costs can’t be predicted for a custom designed system, but for our other products such as the Climate Control System it can range from about $200 to $1200 depending on the structure of the house and whether you choose to install it yourself or arrange for an installer or plumber to make the installation

28. How much is the cost of delivering a Sun Lizard to my home or building?
Depending on where you are in Australia it will vary from $40 to around $250 per collector.

29. Are there any rebates or subsidies available for the Sun Lizard?
Currently there are no rebates or other subsidies. From time to time various government agencies have grants for installing energy efficient products and the Sun Lizard qualifies for these. We are presently working through the process of getting rebates and would appreciate your support. Please click here to sign your name to a petition to get rebates for solar heating products.

30. What is the payback period?
Payback on the Sun Lizard depends on a number of factors. These include your existing heating and cooling system (gas/electric/reverse cycle) and your home (how energy efficient is it). It also depends on whether you are retrofitting and have therefore already paid for your existing heating and cooling system or are putting in a new system, in which case you can design and integrate the Sun Lizard and another much smaller system much better into your home. In this case you save money immediately on your up front costs. Typically payback is around 3-10 years. Please see our Comparison Tables for further information.

31. How do I order?
Fill out the Quick Suitability Form to assess the best product for your needs. Then click on the Order link to take you to our order page.

32. How long will it take for the order to arrive?
Once you have placed an order, we confirm payment and delivery details are correct and then ship with a few days. Generally you can expect your Sun Lizard to arrive within 5-7 days from payment.

CERTIFICATION & WARRANTIES

33. Does the Sun Lizard have any certification, rating or is under BASIX?
The Sun Lizard is a new generation product and is unique in the world. As such we are breaking new ground with standards, certification and ratings. We are actively working with various government and other agencies to deliver the best possible products to you. As we receive various awards or certification, we will publish these on our web site and on product specifications.

34. Is there any warranty on the Sun Lizard Unit?
The solar thermal collector has a 25 year warranty

GENERAL HOME ENERGY EFFICENCY QUESTIONS

35. I want to make my home or building as green as possible, who else can I talk to for more advice?
Depending on which area you live in, you could contact your state environment department who can give you good, independent advice.
Federal contact www.environment.gov.au/ or www.yourhome.gov.au
VIC contact Sustainability Victoria www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
NSW contact Department of Water and Energy www.deus.nsw.gov.au/index.asp
QLD contact Climate Smart QLD www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/
ACT contact Office of Sustainability www.tams.act.gov.au/live/sustainability
SA contact Sustainable Living SA www.environment.sa.gov.au/sustainability/
WA contact Sustainability www.sustainability.dpc.wa.gov.au/
TAS contact Environment Division www.environment.tas.gov.au/

36. Architects & Recommendations
While most architects and building designers are trying to incorporate energy efficiency and low impact into their designs, we highly recommend doing your own research before signing off on your building design. There are many good web sites such as www.yourhome.gov.au which can make sure you have a great home that is also energy efficient.

37. More information:
If you need more information please mail or email us your question and your contact details. We will reply as quickly as possible.