How to pay nothing for hot water by Elizabeth H. Casey

Date:

5 Feb 2009

Yes, Margaret, you can buy a solar system, but it’s not the kind you think. The solar system, to which this article refers, is not in deep space. It’s a solar hot water system. And, it’s an affordable, clean, eco-friendly, easy-to-install technology that helps people save money on their electricity bills.

Bob Ramlow of Mother Earth News states, “A typical residential solar water heater will offset greenhouse gas emissions by about 1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. That’s equal to the amount of CO2 released by an average vehicle every 1,685 miles (based on 19.6 pounds of CO2 per gallon at 22 mpg)” So, solar hot water systems are nice to the environment and your wallet.

According to Joe Provey of Popular Mechanics magazine, a solar hot water system could “save the United States several billion barrels of oil every year and cut the average family’s energy costs by 20 – 40 percent”. This means that for the average family of four, the system (which typically costs, between two and five thousand) would pay for itself in as little as three years, depending on usage. After the system pays for itself, you literally pay nothing to heat the water in your home for the next 40 years, which is the general lifespan of a solar system. A solar hot water system has very low (to zero) operating costs.

One great result of purchasing a solar system is that you gain almost instant equity in your home. And, consumers can qualify for a 30% federal tax credit (up to two thousand dollars) on a purchase. People can also feel pride knowing that they’re getting their home’s hot water in a clean, renewable, and earth-friendly manner.

Residential and commercial systems are available, but all solar hot water systems operate in the same way. They essentially gather heat in a solar collector—such as photovoltaic panels installed on a roof—and transfer the heat (directly or indirectly) to the water; the water is then stored in a tank until it’s needed.

Two types of solar hot water systems are available—active and passive. Active systems contain circulating pumps and controls; passive systems don’t have the pumps and controls. Active systems are more costly but offer some benefits over passive systems. Principally, they work well in areas that experience freezing temperatures because the systems contain a non-freezing heat transfer liquid that keeps the pipe temperatures regulated. Passive systems are less expensive and require less maintenance that the active systems, but are generally less efficient.

The differences between the two types of solar hot water systems and their applications make it vital to do a little homework before purchasing. Also, be sure to get a qualified, knowledgeable installer to help, if you aren’t a “do-it-yourselfer”.

Humboldt County has a wealth of highly qualified businesses who install solar hot water systems for homes and businesses. A brief list includes: Solar Hot Water at http://solarh2ot.biz/index.htm, Trinidad Electric at http://www.trinidadelectric.com/, Barry Smith Construction at http://www.barrysmithconstruction.com/Welcome.html, Craig’s Construction, and Six Rivers Solar, among others.

Buying a solar hot water system is one of the easiest ways to save money on your utility bills and make less of an impact on the environment. After an initial investment, the systems provide on-demand hot water for very little maintenance and cost. Consumers can gain tax credits and equity in their homes with the purchase of a system. There are residential and commercial units available and solar hot water units are sturdy, dependable, low-maintenance, and last for about 40 years. That should give everyone in this solar system plenty of time to applaud their choice of an eco-friendly, clean, and money-saving technology.

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Liz Casey of ButterFat Writing Services, Inc. (www.butterfatwriting.com) provides robust copy and technical writing for clients who want their written collateral to effectively communicate and make them money. She is a member of the Redwood Technology Consortium.

Web Sites Cited and Referenced

Povey, Joe. Solar Hot Water Heating Systems Roundup: Help your country and your wallet-install a solar hot water heater. Popular Mechanics Magazine. February 2006

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/home_improvement/2270791.html?page=2

Ramlow, Bob. Go Solar for Free Hot Water. Mother Earth News. February/March 2007.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/2007-02-01/Go-Solar-for-Free-Hot-Water.aspx

The Solar Hot Water Web site at http://solarh2ot.biz/index.htm.