Phoenix, Arizona

Solar water heating.
For Arizona.

Hot Water Project Foundation works to make reliable hot water more accessible. Explore solar water heating for your home, apply for sponsor-funded assistance, or help a household in need.One mission. Three ways to get involved.

Request a QuoteSponsor a ProjectApply for Help
Rooftop solar install at golden hour — illustration
• Transparent Options • Paid Quotes • Sponsored Help • Project Funding •• Transparent Options • Paid Quotes • Sponsored Help • Project Funding •• Transparent Options • Paid Quotes • Sponsored Help • Project Funding •• Transparent Options • Paid Quotes • Sponsored Help • Project Funding •• Transparent Options • Paid Quotes • Sponsored Help • Project Funding •• Transparent Options • Paid Quotes • Sponsored Help • Project Funding •

The Reality

Solar hot water makes sense.

Energy Burden

Heating water is a significant portion of household energy costs. Using the sun to heat water helps reduce reliance on electric grids or gas lines.

Assistance Gap

Many families who struggle to cover high energy bills don't qualify for traditional short-term utility assistance programs or the funds run out too quickly.

Reliable Tech

A thermosiphon solar water heater relies on basic thermodynamics and natural circulation to deliver hot water, providing a resilient solution.

Why Arizona

An ideal climate for solar thermal.

Arizona's abundant sunshine makes it an ideal location for solar water heating. Unlike solar PV which generates electricity, solar thermal technology uses the sun's heat directly to warm water. It's a highly efficient way to reduce the energy needed for water heating.

The systems we install include a standard electric backup heating element, so you still have hot water on cloudy days or when usage is unusually high. Remember that every installation requires a proper site evaluation to confirm roof structure, plumbing access, and to obtain the necessary local permits.

Solar Thermal vs. PV

Solar thermal collectors are designed specifically to transfer the sun's heat directly to domestic water. They are simpler and often more space-efficient for water heating than using standard photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to power an electric water heater.

Arizona sun over a Phoenix home with a rooftop solar water heater
Sun-heated water — hot water for Arizona families
Where we work

Phoenix · Glendale · Mesa · Tempe · Chandler · Scottsdale · Peoria

+ Tribal communities statewide

The Equipment

Solar thermal systems. Simple, direct heating.

We install reliable thermosiphon solar water heaters. They use the Arizona sun to heat water directly. This is solar thermal technology—different from solar PV panels that generate electricity.

  • Capacity & BackupA 200 L (53 gal) tank generally serves a typical household. The system includes an electric backup heating element that kicks on automatically for cloudy days or high-demand periods.
  • Installation RequirementsEvery home requires a customized site evaluation. We verify roof structural integrity, plumbing routing, and manage required local municipal permits before any installation begins.
  • Quality StandardsThe systems we install meet industry quality and manufacturing standards to provide reliable hot water for years.
Solar Thermal System
Solar Collector Detail
Thermosiphon Tank Detail
Phoenix Warehouse Stock

The Stock

Ready for installation.

Solar systems are ready in our Phoenix warehouse, prepared for local deployment.

Every project sponsorship helps put a system on the roof of an eligible Arizona family, providing a long-term solution to daily water heating needs while reducing their reliance on traditional utilities.

Sponsor a ProjectRequest a Quote

Who Qualifies

Sponsored assistance for eligible families.

We use the same income line Arizona's own energy-assistance programs use in 2026. If your household earns at or below the guide, you may apply. If anyone in your home receives SNAP or TANF, mention that when we review your eligibility. Participation does not automatically approve an installation.

Please note: Families approved for fully sponsored help pay no installation charge, subject to available funding, site evaluation, and eligibility. A submitted application does not guarantee a free system.

Household size2026 income guide*
1 person$31,920 / year
2 people$43,280 / year
3 people$54,640 / year
4 people$66,000 / year
5 people$77,360 / year
6 people$88,720 / year

*Gross household income. This is 200% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines.

Apply for Assistance
An Arizona family at home
Application Documents
  • —Photo ID
  • —A current utility bill
  • —Last 30 days of pay stubs — or benefit letters — for everyone 18+
Housing Types

Renters — with your landlord's written OK.
Manufactured homes — eligible depending on site evaluation.

Faith and community leaders gathered with neighbors in Phoenix
Install day — a crew fitting a solar water heater
Who picks the homes?

You refer, we verify eligibility and assess the site. The neediest verified family with a viable installation site goes next based on funding.

Faith & Community Partners

Refer a family in need.

Mosques, churches, temples, food banks, caseworkers — this is how we find the right families. Referring a family costs your organization nothing. Some partners also choose to sponsor projects themselves, but it is never required.

1

You refer

Your congregation or caseworkers know exactly who is struggling. Send us their name with their permission.

2

We verify

We review every referral against our income guide and conduct a site evaluation to confirm feasibility.

3

We install

Once approved and funded, our crew completes the installation. The family pays zero for a sponsored system.

Refer a Family

The button opens an email to freehotwateraz@gmail.com

Elias Manavis

The Tradesman

Elias Manavis

Elias brings tradesman experience to providing solar water heating solutions.

We focus on putting reliable solar thermal systems on Arizona roofs. All paid inquiries are reviewed for a written scope and clear contracting arrangements.

Legal Entity

Hot Water Project Foundation, Inc.

Arizona nonprofit corporation, ACC #25086570. Formed June 2026. Federal 501(c)(3) recognition has not been obtained. We do not promise tax deductibility.

Paid installation

Request an installation quote

Tell us about your Arizona property and we will follow up about a paid installation.

A site assessment, current availability, and a written scope are required before we can prepare a quote.

This is not a purchase or donation. Submitting this request does not commit you to buy. We serve Arizona only.

Get Started

Apply for Sponsored Assistance

Submit an application to be considered for a fully sponsored solar water heater. If approved, we handle assessment and installation with no charge to you, subject to available funding, site evaluation, and eligibility. Not everyone is guaranteed a free system.

Who qualifies?

  • Nonprofits & religious institutions serving the community (churches, mosques, temples)
  • Low-income residential homes
  • Tribal community chapters
  • Must own the property and have unshaded roof space

Honest Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a paid quote and sponsored assistance?+
We offer paid solar water heating installations for homeowners looking to purchase a system, as well as a fully sponsored assistance program for eligible households. Paid quotes are standard commercial inquiries. Sponsored assistance is funded by donors to provide free installations for those who qualify.
How much does a fully sponsored recipient pay?+
Families approved for fully sponsored help pay no installation charge, subject to available funding, site evaluation, and eligibility. Not everyone is guaranteed a free system.
Are donations or sponsorships tax-deductible?+
Not at this time. Hot Water Project Foundation, Inc. is an Arizona nonprofit corporation. Federal 501(c)(3) recognition has not been obtained. We cannot promise tax deductibility. You can learn more about IRS exemption requirements here.
Does purchasing a paid system fund a free one?+
No. Paid installations and sponsored assistance are separate. We do not describe paid purchases as donations, and proceeds from paid installations do not directly finance free installations without confirmed accounting.
How does solar thermal differ from solar PV?+
Solar thermal systems use the sun's heat directly to warm water, whereas solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate electricity. Our solar water heaters include a standard electric backup heating element, which automatically kicks on if the water temperature drops on a cloudy day. Learn more about solar water heaters from the Department of Energy.
What is involved in the installation process?+
Every installation requires a site evaluation and proper permits. Costs and specific site requirements vary. We review all paid inquiries for a written scope and contracting arrangements.
Can I install a solar water heater on a mobile home?+
Yes, provided you own the home or have explicit written permission from the park management or landlord, and the structure passes our site assessment.
My water heater just broke, can you replace it today?+
We do not promise emergency replacement. While we prioritize households without hot water, site assessments, permits, and funding availability mean the process takes time. For immediate emergencies, please dial 2-1-1 (Arizona's free helpline).