5 Benefits Of Solar Water Heating Every Homeowner Should Know

Oct 21
07:16

2011

Anna Woodward

Anna Woodward

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Solar water heating isn't just a solution for the eco-conscious homeowner. People who want to reduce their annual bills, increase their home's value and market appeal, or reduce their dependence on third party companies can all benefit from installation.

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If your electric heater needs to be replaced,5 Benefits Of Solar Water Heating Every Homeowner Should Know Articles as a smart consumer you should choose a solar water heating system. There are numerous benefits including reduction of carbon footprint, greater control over your energy resources, and greater savings. If you're still on the fence, here are five good reasons to ditch your dependency on non-renewable resources and embrace the power of the sun.

1. Energy Saver
Why waste energy when you don't have to? Most people can't make drastic cuts to their lifestyle in order to support the environment such as eliminating their automobiles. However, solar water heating is a very efficient and cost-effective measure that can be just as helpful as cutting out your vehicle usage but without the sacrifice. Estimates vary, but many studies have found that electric heat methods are responsible for up to eight tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere every year. Eliminating this amount of energy usage would likely equal and in some cases exceed harmful auto omissions within the same period.

2. Eco-friendly
Reducing pollutants in the atmosphere is a step towards improving the environment, and that's beneficial for everyone. Solar water heating can cut dependency on electric heaters by more than 50%. If every household installed a system, the impact on our non-renewable resources as well as carbon emissions would be enormous. One household could cut out as much as 2 to 4 tons of CO2 emissions for a year, and that number can greatly increase in sunnier locations.

3. Saves Money
Even if you aren't a green warrior, cutting down on your electricity will reduce your energy bills. For those who are able to greatly decrease their dependency on electric heat, the initial cost of installation can be recouped within 10 years. Most systems will last for up to 30 years (which is longer than most gas and electric counterparts), so the potential for savings is great. In addition to slashing bills, the government offers tax credits and rebates to qualifying customers (and in some states it will be free from sales tax). Installing renewable energy systems can also increase the overall value of your home, as well as be a major selling point.

4. Control
When you rely on gas and electricity to power your home, you are at the mercy of a giant corporation. They adjust the prices and are in charge of your account. Many people also find their practices unethical or morally questionable. If you don't want to contribute to the profit of these large businesses, choosing solar water heating gives you much more independence. And on a practical level, if there is a power outage, you'll have plenty in reserve.

5. Save Resources
Few people can realistically completely switch their lives over to using exclusively renewable resources, which is why every little bit of change helps conserve what little is left at our disposal. For every household that goes a bit greener, that is one more tank of gas that can be saved for future use.