Is a Solar Water Heater Worth It?
Homeowners looking to invest in solar energy resources to power their daily activities often find that they have plenty of options. After all, recent technological advancements have made solar resources more efficient than ever before. Nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to solar water heaters. Solar water heating systems appeal to many homeowners due to the large benefit they promise and the fact that they are often more affordable to install than solar panels. However, before making the leap, you may find yourself asking: Is a solar water heater worth it?
You rely on hot water to perform many of your daily routines—showering, washing dishes, doing laundry, and more. So, when updating your water heating system, you need to know you’ll have consistent access to all the hot water you need. After all, no one wants to sit through a tepid shower. Additionally, a solar water heater should offer you considerable monthly savings in order to be worth the investment. Fortunately, solar water heating systems operate both efficiently and reliably, offering homeowners a plethora of benefits. This makes investing in a solar water heater worth it for several reasons.
They’re Good for Your Pocket Book
Oftentimes, homeowners make the switch to a solar water heater due to the attractiveness of saving money on monthly energy bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating usually accounts for 18% of a household’s monthly energy usage. This percentage only increases if you have lots of laundry or enjoy long showers. Consequently, you feel the cost of your hot water usage when it comes time to pay your energy bills. Additionally, during an energy shortage—like the 1970s energy crisis—the price tag associated with your daily shower can skyrocket.
When using a solar water heating system, on the other hand, you can take advantage of three different types of savings:
Immediate Savings
Those investing in solar energy resources have the option of taking advantage of both state and federal incentives to help offset the cost of the system. If you live in a sunny state like Florida, this includes a:- Property tax exemption, which saves you from paying higher property taxes after solar water heater installation
- Sales tax exemption, which keeps you from paying a hefty sales tax on your system
- Federal solar tax credit, which provides you with a discount on your annual taxes equal to a percentage of your solar water heating system costs
Long-Term Savings
While everyone will save money on monthly energy bills after investing in a solar water heater, the precise amount that you’ll save depends on how often you use hot water in your home. Those who will save the most:- Use sizable amounts of hot water while showering, washing dishes, or doing loads of laundry
- Live in areas known for their abundant, year-round sunshine
- Experience high monthly energy costs with conventional fuel sources, like natural gas or electricity
Resale Value
While the primary financial benefits of a solar water heater are enjoyed while you live in your home, you’ll also benefit from an increased resale value should you one day decide to move. Buyers love renewable energy resources, both for the lower carbon footprint and the monthly savings. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), every $1 in annual utility bill savings can increase your home’s resale value by as much as $20. For those who save a great deal of money on their monthly energy bills with a solar water heating system, this comes as exceptionally good news.They’re Good for the Environment
Solar water heaters come with the reputation of being an environmentally friendly source of hot water. In states like Florida—where white sandy beaches, clear turquoise water, and the verdant greenery of the everglades make up just a few treasured parts of the landscape—it’s easy to understand the appeal of protecting the planet for future generations. When you invest in a solar water heating system, you’ll be doing your part to:Generate Less Pollution
The state of Florida is one of the largest producers of electricity in the U.S.A. Most of this comes from natural gas or coal-fired plants, both of which generate air, water, and land pollution. Additionally, during drilling, extraction, transport, and burning, both coal and natural gas produce greenhouse gasses that contribute to global warming and rising sea levels, eroding Floridian coastlines.
Solar water heaters, on the other hand, generate little to no pollution. In fact, the only conventional energy usage comes from circulating heating fluid between solar collectors and a hot water tank, which requires minimal amounts of energy. This allows you to enjoy long, hot showers and wash regular loads of laundry while keeping Florida beautiful for years to come.
Use Renewable Resources
Both the natural gas and coal used in conventional power plants are fossil fuels. These materials are finite, and should we continue to use them in order to generate electricity, they will eventually run out.
Solar energy, on the other hand, is plentiful. When you invest in a solar water heater for your house, you’ll be taking advantage of a renewable resource to power your activities instead of tapping into a dwindling supply of conventional fuel sources.
While many homeowners invest in solar water heating systems due to the tremendous money-saving potential, these home features offer incredible environmental benefits as well. When taking a shower, washing your dishes, or doing your laundry, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that you’re doing your part for the planet and keeping Florida beautiful for generations to come. That’s what we call a win-win.
Would you like to learn more about installing a solar water heater at your Florida residence? Florida Energy Water & Air can help! Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
