Solar Water Heaters = Energy Savings!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
If you're looking to reduce your energy bills and reduce your environmental impact on the planet, you might want to consider a solar water heater. Not only can it save you from high utility bills, it can cut down on your personal greenhouse gas emissions and can improve the value of your home.
A solar water heater works just like you'd think it would. It harnesses energy from the sun to heat the water. Throughout the day, the sun warms water stored in a tank with a heating element that is solar powered.
There are two different kinds of solar water heaters: passive and active. The passive system does not require pumps to move water - the only forces needed are provided by the water supply from the city or the simple engineering of water temperature changes! The active system uses a pump to move water to the storage tanks or the collector to be heated. Both systems usually keep the energy source off during the day for better efficiency.
Another advantage to solar water heaters -- there may be a tax rebate available to reduce your costs further. These solar systems usually cost more upfront to purchase and install but, because of reduced energy costs, they usually pay for themselves after only a few years.
Here's a graph from Solar Direct that further illustrates the advantages of investing in a solar water heating system. If you need to find a Water Heater Installer, use our service for free to receive several bids from local companies.
A solar water heater works just like you'd think it would. It harnesses energy from the sun to heat the water. Throughout the day, the sun warms water stored in a tank with a heating element that is solar powered.
There are two different kinds of solar water heaters: passive and active. The passive system does not require pumps to move water - the only forces needed are provided by the water supply from the city or the simple engineering of water temperature changes! The active system uses a pump to move water to the storage tanks or the collector to be heated. Both systems usually keep the energy source off during the day for better efficiency.
Another advantage to solar water heaters -- there may be a tax rebate available to reduce your costs further. These solar systems usually cost more upfront to purchase and install but, because of reduced energy costs, they usually pay for themselves after only a few years.
Here's a graph from Solar Direct that further illustrates the advantages of investing in a solar water heating system. If you need to find a Water Heater Installer, use our service for free to receive several bids from local companies.
| SOLAR WATER HEATER FREE energy from the Sun | STANDARD WATER HEATER COSTLY gas or electric |
| Annual operating cost: $50 | Annual operating cost: $500+ |
| Storage Capacity: 80-120 gal | Storage Capacity: 40-50 gal |
| Life expectancy: 15-30 years | Life expectancy: 8-12 years |
| Lifetime operating cost: $1,000 | Lifetime operating cost: $10,000 |
| Does NOT pollute environment | Depletes fossil fuels |
| Increases equity in your home | No added value to your home |
| 25% return on your investment | No return on utility payments |
| Protection from future increases | At mercy of utilities/government |
| BONUS: | COLD showers, laundry,dishes? |
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Labels: Home Improvement, Saving Money, Tankless Water Heaters, Water Heaters
