by Joe Brooks

Created on: June 27, 2009   Last Updated: July 07, 2009

A solar water heating system can save you money, that is for sure. How much it can save you depends on where you are, what kind of system you contemplate installing, what you intend to do with the water, and more. Your local climate conditions will dictate how much back up you need from a conventional system. Your solar contractor, along with your conventional plumbing contractor, can help you work out the details.

Your hard work and diligent research will lead you to the knowledge that there are many variation on the solar water system. The passive type is the simplest, and might be best for sunny Southern California, while the more complex systems, with good backup, will still give good results in the rainy or freezing climate areas. As you would expect, complexity costs more, both to purchase and to install.

We have some pretty good incentives coming on, from government and from utility companies in some areas. That can be a factor in whether solar water heating is an economically sound choice for you. You might get a nice break in a refinance and remodel situation. If you are considering new construction, with a mortgage to plan, the solar option can be a strong contender in your energy-efficiency considerations. If the future, it is likely that these incentives, both from government and private sources, will make solar heat an ever more appealing choice.

When it comes to estimating the stack of dollars it will take to pay for a solar water heating system, you will first need to decide what kind and how much of a system you need. Then a reputable consultant from a local contractor will be able to give you a fair bid. A major system is likely to cost several thousand dollars. How much of it you get back, and how fast you get it back, is dependent on the system and the situation. Some systems require a pump, powered by either conventional or a combination of solar cells and conventional power. It can get a little complex to calculate. There is a lot of helpful material available online, and the effort will pay off in savings.

Anywhere, solar heating is going to help. Not only is it going to reduce conventional energy bills, you'll get the conscience boost of knowing you are doing a good thing by saving energy. In a consistently sunny area, you might get nearly all your hot water heated by the sun and reduce your water heating bill by eighty percent or even more. In a good solar area, and over the life of the system, the solar hot water system is likely to pay for itself.

So, at best, a solar hot water heating system is a great idea. It can provide all or nearly all of your hot water, if you are in a location for a solar application. At least, a solar hot water system is a great idea. It will help with water heating costs, and will save energy and help protect the environment. In addition, even while your are planning your solar system installation, you can talk to your regular plumber about improving the efficiency of your conventional system. A qualified plumbing contractor can do a lot to help you save money and help save the environment as well.

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