Reduce Water Heating Costs Up To 90%
Posted: 4:56 pm EDT March 20, 2009
Why Solar?
Everyday Savings.
Whether an owner of a new or existing home, you will reduce water heating costs 50-90% when you install a solar water heater. In a new home you profit from the day you move in if you roll the system cost into your home mortgage- since the monthly utility savings are greater than the mortgage payment increase. But in either case, when you consider that water heating is the second biggest user of energy in your home, your savings will be significant.
But That’s Not the Only Benefit.
Through 2016, installing a solar water heater can provide you with an even greater financial return - in the form of an energy tax credit. It doesn’t matter whether the system is installed in a new or existing home either. The credit, 30% of the installed system cost, can be deducted directly from the taxes you owe. You claim the credit when you file your tax return for the year the
system is installed. In Florida, the state offers a $500 rebate for the purchase and installation of
a solar water heater. Be sure to check with your local utility since some offer additional solar rebates as well.
The Environment Also Benefits.
Replacing an electric or gas water heater with a solar system also has a positive impact on the environment.1 Since solar doesn’t require the mining, transporting or burning of fossil fuels, you reduce the emission of harmful pollutants into our air and water. The Florida Legislature was so convinced that it was good for Florida, they created a sales tax exemption for solar energy equipment as well as a property tax exemption.
How It Works.
Quite simply, as sunlight strikes the roof mounted collector, water inside heats up and flows into a storage tank inside the home. If you use an “active” system, a controller turns on a pump when water in the collector is hotter than the water in the tank. The pump moves cool water from the bottom of the tank to the collector for sun warming. The heated water circulates from the collector back to the tank. When the water in the tank is warmer than the collector water, the controller switches off the pump. An Integral Collector Storage “passive” System (ICS) combines storage and a collector in one unit, with additional storage in the home. Sunlight heats water in
the roof-mounted ICS throughout the day. When hot water is used in the home, it is delivered directly from the storage tank then replaced by solar heated water from the ICS. This system requires no pumps or controls for operation. In both active and passive systems, a conventional gas or electric water heater provides backup during periods of prolonged cloudy weather or excessive demand. This assures the seamless supply of household hot water.
Florida Solar Energy Research & Education Foundation
1-800-59-SOLAR • www.askaboutsolar.com
Article courtesy of FlaSEREF.
Copyright 2009 by wftv.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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