Cheap Tankless Water Heaters

Solar Water Heating System And Benefits

Solar water heaters have a lifetime of 15 to 40 years. This is normally the case with conventional systems also. But the difference between the two is that solar water heaters, once installed, can be used at zero energy cost. This means essentially you will have free hot water during its lifetime.

However, a Solar water heater system will cost you more than a conventional system. According to a report by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), a residential solar water heatersystems cost between $1,500 and $3,500. This compared to $150 to $450 for electric and gas heaters.

The attraction for a solar water heater is that the savings in electricity or natural gas will return its cost within four to eight years.

There are other advantages also for using solar water heating system. These are in the form of tax credits offered by the government.

In fact, the government began offering homeowners tax credits of up to 30% (or $2,000) of the cost of installing a solar water heater in 2005. The tax credit is available to homeowners and not for swimming pool or hot tub heaters. You need to produce a certificate from the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation to get the tax credit.

According to the US law, installation of a solar hot water heater in an existing house requires a building permit from the Municipality.

The U.S. Department of Energy says that zoning and building codes relating to the installation of solar water heaters usually reside at the local level. Therefore, the consumers should be sure to research the standards for their own communities and hire a certified installer familiar with local requirements.