Consider Installing a Solar Water Heater in Your Home
You know how expensive energy can be, and it ‘s not getting any cheaper . Piling up bills are one of the reasons why people are looking for solar energy solutions in their homes, but when people think about solar energy, they tend to focus solely on generating electricity and disconnecting from the local grid. And while traditional solar panels are a great idea and can have a huge impact on your utility bills, there’s another option you shouldn’t sleep on: solar water heaters.
Solar water heaters are exactly what they sound like: water heaters that use solar energy. If you’ve ever left a drink in the sun, you know that it heats up liquids very well, and installing a solar water heater in your home is a simple and straightforward way to reduce your energy bills . As an added bonus, using a solar water heater also has a positive impact on the environment since you won’t be using traditional energy sources.
How solar water heaters work
Solar water heaters consist of two parts : a collector and a circulation system. The collector is mounted on the roof and stores and heats the water, and the circulation system supplies the water to your taps. The circulation system can be active, using pumps, or passive, relying on gravity or convection to move water from one place to another.
Solar water heaters will work in any climate , but the type of collector and circulation system used is determined by the climate conditions of your region. For example, solar water heaters that use a vacuum tube collector, which surrounds the water with a vacuum to prevent heat loss, can maintain water temperature even in very cold climates, but are usually the most expensive system to install. The amount of sun your roof receives, the likelihood of freezing, and other factors influence which collector and circulation system is the best choice.
Advantages
Installing a solar water heater will cost you between $3,000 and $8,000 , depending on your location and the type of system being installed. It’s not cheap, but as with solar panels, the upfront cost is an investment that will pay off over time in three main ways:
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Accounts. About 18% of the energy you use in your home goes to heating water . A traditional electric water heater costs about $438 per year to operate, while a gas water heater averages about $224 per year. Switching to solar energy reduces these costs to approximately zero.
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Tax benefits. Solar water heaters are eligible for a 30% tax credit , so your installation cost will be significantly reduced.
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Environmental issues. Whether your traditional water heater is gas or electric, it uses some fossil fuels and other sources of pollution to heat the water. A solar water heater removes about 4,000 pounds of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.
If you live in an area that gets plenty of sunshine and are considering going solar or already have solar panels, a solar water heater is a great idea. Even if electricity and gas are relatively cheap where you are, this isn’t always the case, and a solar water heater will save you some money in the long run, no matter what. You can research models and available rebates in your area and other information using the government’s Energy Star website .