| Solar energy systems are becoming a very popular | | | | hot water it produces will be used to fill your |
| thing for people to want to have. But the fact is most | | | | conventional water heater tank or another storage |
| people only want them but don't have them. One of | | | | tank. When the sun isn't producing enough hot water |
| the main reasons most people don't switch to solar is | | | | your conventional water heater will kick in and pick up |
| because of the high cost of solar equipment. | | | | the slack. |
| When people think of solar energy they typically think | | | | Of course solar doesn't work when the sun is not |
| of photovoltaic solar panels. These are the solar | | | | shining. The percentage of hot water that your system |
| panels that convert sunlight into electricity and they can | | | | will produce from solar will partly depend on your |
| be expensive for the amount of electricity they create. | | | | climate, latitude and sun exposure. The estimate for |
| What a lot of people don't realize is generating | | | | someone living in the state of Vermont is that a typical |
| electricity is not the only way to utilize solar energy. | | | | solar water heating system will save them 60-70% off |
| Solar water systems can heat water very efficiently | | | | their water bill. |
| and cost a fraction of what solar electric systems | | | | The amount of hot water you can produce will also |
| cost. Heating water is a simple process that use low | | | | depend on the size of your solar water heater and it's |
| cost components. If you pour cool water into a dark | | | | surface area. If you need more just get more surface |
| container and leave it outside in the sun it's going to get | | | | area. |
| warmer. Some containers are better at absorbing and | | | | Solar hot water heater systems can cost anywhere |
| holding heat better than others but this is how simple | | | | from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. They |
| solar water heaters can be. | | | | are also simple to build from low cost materials. If you |
| A good solar hot water system will integrate into your | | | | are considering going solar heating water is one of the |
| existing hot water system. When the sun is shining the | | | | lowest cost ways to go. |