Most of us associate Solar Power with a tidy array of blue panels fixed neatly to the roof of a house, happily paying our electricity bill for us. But Solar Electricity is not the only way we can harness the power of the sun in our homes.
A good quality array of electricity generating panels can cost a small fortune without significant government rebates or grants, and are well beyond the reach of most people. However, another very effective way to save money is to have a solar hot water unit installed.
There are significant benefits do getting such a system installed. The first and most obvious one is a reduction in your energy bill. Whether your current water heater operates on gas, oil or electricity you will use far less with a solar system in your home. The savings you will experience will be ongoing as solar water units have a very long lifespan.
Less immediate benefits include having a more positive impact on the environment by harnessing a Renewable Energy Source, and making your home more valuable. Solar water heaters work effectively in virtually any climate and latitude. It is very likely that you will be able to get a grant or rebate on the cost of the unit and installation, which should make it very affordable. There are plenty of reasons to go solar for hot water and none against it.
There are a range of different unit types available, and you'll need to determine which is the most suitable for your home and budget. Active systems pump water through the panels and may be able to use your existing tank. Passive systems rely on the fact that cold water is denser than hot water, so they do not need a pump. They do need the tank to be mounted above the panels, which may not always be possible.
If you're living in a cold climate prone to frost you'll need a system that has a heat exchanger built in. This is because the panels will have a kind of anti-freeze running through them rather than water. Such a unit may cost more than others.
To get the best deal available, you'll need to shop around. The range of prices, warranties and unit types will vary greatly. Since most installers are happy to come to your home to give you a quote, you should be able to get a good idea of what is best for your home and the costs involved. It's best to get at least three quotes, more if you can be motivated to do so. The more quotes, the better a deal you will end up with.
Find out more about solar hot water in the solar home heating section of Roger Vanderlely's website, www.green-planet-solar-energy.com. You may also like to look at tips on finding cheap solar panels for electricity production.
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