When you’re looking for sustainable solutions to your home’s needs, there are many options you can look into. Hot water is needed in almost all homes and is one of the easiest appliances made eco-friendly.
Solar hot water systems utilize solar energy. Solar energy has become one of the easiest ways to be sustainable and is a great way to lessen your carbon footprint. Are you wondering why solar hot water? Here are some factors to consider when switching your hot water system.
Your Home’s Hot Water Requirements
When you’re on the hunt for the perfect solar hot water system for your home, you need to keep in mind the realistic requirements of your home. Depending on where you live and the climate, you might use more hot water during specific months than others.
If you’re unsure about your hot water usage, it’s best to get expert advice from a local plumber near you. They will be able to accurately estimate your hot water usage so you can look for an appropriately sized water heater.
Your Budget
The budget you set out for buying your solar hot water system is also important. There are various types of solar water heaters, and depending on how much you’re willing to spend, you can find one that is highly efficient and fast.
When you’re thinking of getting a solar water heater, the common goal is to reduce your reliance on coal, gas, or electricity. However, if you don’t have much of a budget to work with, you might end up getting a solar water heater that still requires a little bit of electricity.
Type of Solar Hot Water System
There are two main kinds of solar water heaters: Active and Passive. An active system requires some equipment like a circulating pump and other components. An active system also requires electricity to run the pump, so you might not be as carbon-efficient as you were hoping to be. However, you will have access to continual hot water without any hassles.
A passive water heater system uses the principle that warm water will rise as cool water will sink. While this is extremely eco-friendly, you may find that it doesn’t provide as much hot water as you were expecting unless you’re getting a bigger model.
Warranty and Installation Costs
Many people who don’t own solar hot water systems wonder, why solar hot water? The answer is simple, it’s eco-friendly, and you can be eligible for tax rebates as well. When you’re looking to save some money on your next water heater purchase, getting a solar variant can be easy on your wallet.
You can find that most solar water heaters have at least five to ten years of warranty. When it comes to how much installation will cost, there are a lot of other factors involved with installing a solar water heater that can also affect the prices like:
- Where you’re planning on installing it.
- The size of the heater.
- How accessible your installation area is.
- Your neighborhood.
To get an accurate estimation, it’s always best to consult your plumber beforehand, so you’re not in for a rude surprise when it comes to installing your new solar water heater.
Ensure that you’re getting periodic maintenance on your heater to keep it running for as long as possible without any hassles.