Like all alternative sources of heat and electricity, a solar water heater has many pros and cons. First, and perhaps the most important for environmentally friendly folks is that a solar water-heater can cut the CO2 emissions produced by a standard residential water heater in half.
Along with the significant drop in emissions comes a drop in your water-heating cost. However, the exact figures depend on the climate where you’d like to install the solar heater. Locations where the sunlight is limited won’t experience the 90% water-heating bill decrease claimed by those who have optimal sun exposer. Nevertheless anyone who installs a water heater is making the world a better place by using renewable resources as opposed to nonrenewable fuels.
Don’t Rely on Nonrenewable Fuels
Because these systems don’t rely on nonrenewable fuels like traditional water heaters many countries around the world offer incentives to those who install solar water-heaters. Also most suppliers offer some form of financing opportunities, which can decrease the initial investment, required. A majority of manufactures say that the average system has a payback period of 5-years; this means you will be producing free hot water after the system has paid for itself.
Those who have had these types of heating systems installed for more than a few years will tell you that compared to standard water-heaters, the maintenance costs is much lower. And unlike standard water-heaters, solar water heating systems can be built on your own given enough time and patience.
Many people often mistake solar panels for solar water-heating systems or visa versa. It is important to know that solar water-heaters do not produce any electricity for you to use. Its only job is to provide you with hot water on demand.
Disadvantages to a Solar Water Heater
Like all things, solar water-heating systems have their fair share of disadvantages. By now you’ve probably come to realize that they have a relatively high up front cost, usually upwards of a few thousand dollars.
Another drawback is that during the winter, an electrical or gas powered booster may be required in colder regions. This can be a turn off for some, especially people living in colder climates. Even in climates where it doesn’t get particularly cold extra precautions must be taken to ensure that the water inside of the system doesn’t get too cold.
Despite these setbacks solar water heaters are a great way to lower the CO2 footprint of your home. According to manufactures some systems are capable of offsetting your carbon emissions by 50 tons a year, or about 5,000 tons over the life of the system. As technical innovations improve, many of the drawbacks which make solar water heating unfeasible for some, will vanish. This will eventually make solar water-heating systems the main way to heat water across the globe.
Instead of burning fossil fuels such as oil or coal, your family can use the limitless sun as free energy to heat your water. With a solar water heater you wont contribute in environmental destruction, instead you’d be creating hot water in a system, which creates zero-emission, zero-waste and is sure to last for many years. Visit http://www.insulationreviewed.com/solar-water-heater/ for more information on solar heaters.
