Go Solar Power For Homes

A solar hot water heater could well be the best and most cost effective sustainable living option for your home or business.

If you are looking to Go Green, Get Greener, or simply looking to learn more about Solar options for your home or business then you will want to read further. The most cost effective option to incorporate solar into your home or office is to add a Solar Hot Water Heater System. Many people in the U.S. can produce more than half their domestic hot water needs with a Solar Hot Water Heater. In Arizona and other southern regions of the US this can be more than 80% savings.

Solar Hot Water Heater systems can be either active or passive. Most Solar Water Heater systems use a pump to move fluid through one or two collectors. Thermosiphon systems, suitable for simple domestic hot water systems in frost-free climates, rely on natural convection to move water.

Panels or collectors are mounted on the roof which are heated by the sun and then heat the fluid which then heats the water in your storage tank. This takes the load off of the water tanks electric or gas heating element because the water is already hot enough which saves you money every month.

A Solar Hot Water system is cheaper than a solar space heating system but still costs more than a than conventional water heater, typically between $7,000 and $8,000. However, after rebates and tax incentives the cost to the client is typically around $2,000 AND includes a new conventional water heater.

The major difference between the two being that the solar hot water heater is paying for itself while you will always to continue to pay for the conventional water heater. Solar hot water heaters typically pay for themselves with the savings generated in a few years and then continue to make you money. Homeowners may want to budget for routine maintenance with some solar hot water systems to include periodic checks on the pH of some system’s glycol solution.

A gas water heater should never be used as the only tank in a solar hot water heater system. Electric water heaters do not require an additional tank but you may want to add one for additional hot water storage. In a solar storage tank, water stratifies by temperature; cool water from the bottom of the tank is pulled up to the collectors to be heated and is returned to the top of the tank. The colder the incoming water, the higher the solar collector’s efficiency. In a single tank system, the electric element or gas flame keeps the stored water hot, leaving no cold water available to send to the solar collectors.

In most cases, credits or rebates can defray some of the cost of installing a solar water heater and are available from local utilities or state and federal governments. Solar power systems offer stability and predictability when it comes to energy costs and supply. That’s not something that any system running on fossil fuels can match.

Please join us in the movement to Go Green and decrease our carbon footprint on our planet. We are here to educate the public and offer sustainable living solutions to assist you on your journey.

Please contact us for additional information and a free estimate on Solar Hot Water Heaters and Solar Electric.

Jim Holt is a Builder, Solar Contractor and Construction Consultant by trade. To find additional information on Jim and his company’s, please view his blog http://jimiholt.com/blog and the company website http://erusbuilders.com We are here to offer free assistance with building and construction related issues. Our background covers all aspects of commercial and residential construction to include: home improvement, new custom homes, commercial building, land development, remodels, additions, updating, tenant improvement, building maintenance, condo, apartment, hospitality, medical, industrial, site work and utilities, and more. You can find additional free information and videos from Jim by searching for him on the web.

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