SMART SAVINGS

An investment in a solar water heating system will outperform the stock market or your 401k. Initial return on your investment is at least 15% and will increase as electricity prices continue to increase.

Water heating is the third-largest expense in the home (after air conditioning and major appliances) and accounts for 14% to 25% of a home’s operating costs. The more hot water you use, the greater the savings from a solar hot water heater.

If you borrow to install a solar system your savings will offset your payments. All solar savings are in non-taxable income, so a dollar saved on your water heating expense is equivalent to $1.30 or more of your taxable income.

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

In residential homes, 30% of your home’s carbon emission is from hot water heating. Any time you use solar energy to offset burning fossil fuels you contribute to everyone’s health and welfare. Operating one solar water heater instead of an electric water heater saves the equivalent of nine barrels of oil every year and reduces carbon dioxide emissions (a greenhouse gas) by 1600 pounds and sulfur dioxide (contributes to acid rain) emissions by 12 pounds. Multiply those emissions per household by all the homes in your neighborhood, town, county, or state, and the benefits become very clear.

Upgrading your windows, adding insulation and upgrading an existing hot water heater or furnace are all excellent ideas, but these investments do not produce the reduction in carbon output or cost savings that heating your water with the sun provides. By installing a solar hot water system, you not only reduce your carbon footprint, but you realize savings on your monthly bills.