| Should I Install A Solar Hot Water System In My Home? |
| Written by Roger Vanderlely | |
| Friday, 08 October 2010 | |
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When we think of solar power and our homes we imagine a fancy array of blue panels perched neatly on the roof paying off our electricity bill. However solar electricity is not the only type of solar energy you can get working on your home.
When we think of solar power and our homes we imagine a fancy array of blue panels perched neatly on the roof paying off our electricity bill. However solar electricity is not the only type of solar energy you can get working on your home. While those panels can cost an arm and a leg without extensive government rebates, an equally important path to saving money is to install a solar hot water heater. 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. There are other benefits too. By reducing your energy usage you are having less of an impact on the environment, and the solar unit will marginally improve the value of your home. Also, these systems work effectively in virtually any climate and latitude. Add to this the fact that it's very likely you'll be able to secure a rebate or grant to help with the installation cost and we can see there are lots of reasons to go solar for your hot water supply and none against. 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 live in a frost prone area you'll need to go for a system that uses some type of anti-freeze in the collector tubes. These systems require a heat exchange unit as well so they may cost a little more. Be prepared to shop around to get the best deal. Most installers are willing to come to your home to give you an accurate quote and will also let you know what system is best for you. By getting several such quotes you will be able to determine what you should be paying and what system you want. The more quotes you get the better a deal you will end up with. The Article Author: Get more facts about solar hot water in the solar home heating section of www.green-planet-solar-energy.com, Roger Vanderlely's website. You can also find out about cheap solar panels for electricity production. |
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