Utah has the sun — put it to work
Utah gets more than 200 sunny days a year, and solar thermal turns that sunshine directly into heat. Roof-mounted solar collectors warm a fluid that transfers its heat to your domestic hot water and hydronic heating system, reducing how much your boiler has to run. It's a clean, proven technology that quietly shaves your fuel costs every sunny day — and it integrates beautifully with the hydronic systems we design.
Solar thermal is different from solar electric (PV) panels. Instead of making electricity, it captures heat directly, which makes it remarkably efficient for exactly the job a hydronic home needs: hot water and space heating. Phillips Hydronics designs and installs solar thermal as part of complete hydronic systems across Utah.
Lower fuel bills
Free solar heat means your boiler runs less, trimming gas costs year-round.
Clean & renewable
Captures heat directly from the sun with no on-site combustion.
Great for hot water
Excellent at pre-heating domestic hot water, a load your home runs every single day.
Integrates with hydronics
Works alongside your boiler and radiant system as one coordinated design.
How it supplements your system
Solar thermal works best as a partner to your boiler, not a replacement. On sunny days the collectors do much of the heavy lifting — pre-heating water that flows into your hydronic system and domestic hot water tank — so the boiler only needs to top it up. On cloudy days and at night, the boiler carries the load as usual. The two work together seamlessly, and because we design the whole system, the controls hand off between solar and boiler automatically for maximum savings.
Best paired with radiant and storage
Solar thermal shines when it's matched with a system that can use moderate-temperature heat and store it — exactly what a hydronic home with a buffer tank provides. Pre-heated water can be banked and drawn on through the evening. For homeowners already investing in radiant floors or a new boiler, adding solar thermal at the same time is the most cost-effective moment to do it, since the system is already being engineered and piped.
Honest advice on whether it fits
Solar thermal isn't right for every home — roof orientation, shading, and how you use hot water all matter. We'll assess your site honestly and tell you what kind of return to expect before you commit. Where it fits, it's a smart, durable addition that keeps paying you back in lower bills for decades.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between solar thermal and solar panels?
Solar panels (PV) make electricity; solar thermal captures heat directly to warm water and your hydronic system. For a hydronic home that needs hot water and space heat, solar thermal is a very efficient match.
Will solar thermal replace my boiler?
No — it supplements it. On sunny days solar does much of the heating and pre-heats your water so the boiler runs less; at night and on cloudy days the boiler carries the load. They work together automatically.
Does solar thermal work in Utah winters?
Yes. Utah's high number of sunny days, including clear cold winter days, makes solar thermal productive much of the year. It reduces boiler runtime whenever the sun is out, and your boiler handles the rest.
Is solar thermal worth it for my home?
It depends on roof orientation, shading, and hot-water use. We assess your site honestly and tell you the expected return before you commit. Where conditions are right, it pays back through lower fuel bills for decades.