Sun Lizard Climate Control System -- Frequently Asked Questions

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

Performance & Durability

The Sun Lizard is generally installed as a base load heating and cooling system.  It operates most days and stops your building getting too hot or too cold, thereby improving the comfort level.  In an energy efficient home, you may not require another heating or cooling device. If you do have additional heating or cooling, the Sun Lizard will reduce the load by keeping the house at a more comfortable initial temperature.  For instance, in many houses equipped with Sun Lizards, small radiant/convection panel heaters such as Econoheat's 200-425 watt Electric Panel Heaters may be sufficient for your needs.
In the a grid power failure, the Sun Lizard will continue to provide heating or cooling as it requires no mains power.

The building suitability assessment says that my house is not suitable, what simple things can I do to my home that will make the Sun Lizard work more successfully?

If the negative assessment report is due to poor insulation or thermal mass, you should seriously consider adding insulation and sealing up gaps around doors and windows. For more detailed information also see www.yourhome.gov.au

Will it work on cloudy, rainy days?
The Sun Lizard needs some sunlight to work.  On overcast days there is still sunlight coming through the clouds, but it is not as strong.  The Sun Lizard will continue to operate, but the heating or cooling will not be as good as if it was a clear sky.  If it is dark cloud or raining heavily, the Sun Lizard generally will not be operating.

How does it work when there is no sunlight?
At night the solar functions stop working.  The Sun Lizard can’t provide additional heating at night.  However if you have the optional mains backup connected, in summer it can continue to draw heat out of your building.

Can it store the heat collected during the day for use at night?
The Sun Lizard uses your home as a thermal store.  In winter it pumps hot air in during the day and as long as you have adequate insulation and thermal mass, the home will be warm in the evening.  See the Suitability Assessment for more details

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 Suitability Assessment for more details.

How long will it last?
The solar thermal collectors will last in excess of 25 years.  The PV Panel has a 10 year warranty but is likely to be working in 25 years.  The fans and electronics have a 2 year warranty, but typically should last 5-10 years or longer depending on the location and local conditions.

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

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.

Is it cyclone proof?  Will it blow off my roof?
The Sun Lizard is extremely robust. We have seen 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.

Do I need to maintain it?
There are no specific maintenance requirements.  However, from time to time you should check that the fans and batteries are still functional.  The fans can easily be checked because if they fail there will be less air coming out of the Sun Lizard.  Switch from high to low speed to confirm there is a change in air volume (note the noise on low will be a higher pitch than on high).  If you believe there may be a fan problem contact us for more details.  The batteries are likely to last 8-10 years and may continue to function after this.  If however you find that you cannot change from heating to cooling the batteries may need to be changed.  They are attached to the Airflow Control Box and can be replaced easily. 

Functionality and Aesthetics

Is there an off button?
The Sun Lizard is designed to operate every day so there is not an off button.  If you feel the house is the right temperature, switch the fans to low which will continue to provide a small amount of heating or cooling and will maintain the current temperature.

Is there a thermostat?
The current Sun Lizard does not use a thermostat.  In winter it is preferred to allow the Sun Lizard to slightly overheat the building during the day so it is warmer at night when the building starts to cool down.  In summer, ventilation and air movement are essential in keeping you comfortable so the fans continue to operate.

How do I know whether it is in heating or cooling mode?
The Control Panel displays the current mode when you touch the Mode button

How many ducts (inlet and outlet) can I have? How many rooms can it do?
The Sun Lizard uses ducting to transfer air around your home.  However it should be considered as a space heater, able to heat or cool specific areas.  As such we generally recommend having 1-2 ceiling return ducts and a single heating duct into the area to be heated.  It is possible to heat multiple spaces that are joined by a common wall(s) by having openings in the ducting to one or more rooms.

How many settings are on the unit?
The Control Panel has Heating/Cooling and High/Low as standard.

Can I integrate it with my current ducted system?
Generally it is not recommended to integrate it with your existing system.  This 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.  It is usually cheaper and easier to install the Sun Lizard as a stand alone system. If you are looking for an integrated system, read about our solar heat collectors elsewhere on the site.

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 showcase.

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 and cool is bigger than the recommended size, then you can add a second unit (single or dual collector) or other 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.

What about noise?
The new version has virtually eliminated any fan noise due to the acoustic design and additional foam insulation.  If installed as directed, you won't notice any noise at all.  If you place the fan box too close to the ceiling return vent and have no insulation in your ceiling, you may notice a small noise like a computer cooling fan, but a lot quieter than most traditional heating and cooling systems.

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

Air Quality

What about the air quality?  Where does the air come from?  Can I take it from my ceiling cavity?
Unlike some other heating systems that draw air from the ceiling cavity, the Sun Lizard draws air from inside your home, 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.  The Sun Lizard actually draws the air from the room at ceiling level and not from the roof cavity. This is done by having an air vent located on the ceiling which is attached to a duct. This duct passes through the roof cavity carrying the air from the room to the Solar Heat Collector on top of the roof.  No air from the roof cavity is taken in through this duct.  The air drawn from the room at ceiling level is usually warmer and cleaner as warmer air rises to the ceiling and dust particles in the room often sink to floor level.  The air pumped from the sun lizard into the room is internal air taken inside the room. No external air enters the room via the Sun Lizard.  Filters can be placed in the floor or wall registers where the warm air from the Sun Lizard flows back into the house.

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 hot or too cold and providing air movement, it stops the build up of damp or humidity

What about risk of termite treatments or other chemicals in the air if I’m taking air from my sub-floor? What about the smells?
If using the subfloor space in a building, you should make an assessment of the potential for chemical treatments.  If there is adequate ventilation under the building, the air should be clear.  However we highly recommend using appropriate filters on any floor boots that draw in air from the subfloor.  You can get various types that will eliminate smells and other chemicals.

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. 

Cost

What is the cost of the Sun Lizard?
The cost of a single collector Sun Lizard unit is $2,750 and a dual collector Sun Lizard is $3500 plus installation.

How much does it cost to install on my home?
Installation costs 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

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 $60 to around $350 for the single collector and $90 to $450 for the dual collector.

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. 

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.

Installation and Distribution

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.

How can I assess the suitability of the Sun Lizard in my home or building? Can I get someone to do a site inspection?
The Sun Lizard Suitability form will give you a good picture of your home's suitability.  If you are confident the Sun Lizard is going to work and need a quote for installation, check out the distributor list to find someone close to you who may be able to quote or offer some good advice.

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.  As the Sun Lizard doesn’t use mains power, only 12 volt from the PV Panel, you don’t need an electrician to do the wiring.

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. 

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

What if I have no roof space, can I still place one in?
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.

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.

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.

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.

Ordering, Purchasing and Shipping

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.

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.

How much will it cost to ship the order?
A quote for delivery will be given upon placing your order, but in the range of $50-$350

Certification and Warranties

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.

Is there any warranty on the Sun Lizard Unit?
The solar thermal collector has a 25 year warranty
The PV Panel has a 10 year warranty
The electronics and fans have a 2 year warranty

GENERAL HOME ENERGY EFFICENCY QUESTIONS

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/

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.

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.