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Smith Sustainable Design

The advantages and disadvantages of solar hot water systems

11/29/2013

15 Comments

 
The advantages and disadvantages of solar hot water systems

Solar hot water systems are becoming a popular method for homeowners to harness the sun’s energy for use inside their homes. They are environmentally friendly and offer a clean energy option for your home’s hot water needs. Every home system has its advantages and disadvantages, so below we’ll take a look at those for solar hot water systems.



Advantages of solar hot water systems include:
  • They generate free energy for use to heat water.
  • They allow you to use a renewable energy source: the Sun.
  • They are very cost effective in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
  • Many incentives are available for homeowners who wish to install solar hot water systems.
  • The payback period for the system is pretty low, at only about 5 years.
  • The systems have low maintenance needs and costs.
  • Lease options for solar hot water systems may be available to decrease installation costs.

Disadvantages of solar hot water systems include:
  • The cost of installation is more than a conventional water heater.
  • Some electricity or gas will be needed to fuel a backup system during winter months.
  • The payback period isn't definite, it varies based on conditions in your area and the system’s exposure to sunlight.
  • They offer a relatively low efficiency of the passive solar water heating systems available.
  • They will need protection to prevent freezing as well as overheating.

Get the big picture about solar hot water systems before you make your purchase. The professionals at Smith Sustainable Design can answer any questions you may have, as well as provide more details regarding the advantages and disadvantages of installing a new solar hot water heater system for your home.

15 Comments
Luke Smith link
4/6/2016 08:59:46 pm

I really like how the article points out why it would be a good idea to have a solar hot water system. It uses free energy, and it is low maintenance. I really like all of the tips, and I'm thinking of doing more research on it.

Reply
Megan link
7/11/2016 09:50:56 am

I've always thought that solar power was the coolest idea and I would love to get some solar panels for my house. I didn't know that the payback period for solar systems was so low. 5 years really isn't that long, especially when you keep all of the advantages in mind.

Reply
Shad Morris link
11/10/2016 07:56:13 am

We have been thinking a lot about our water heater, and wanted to see if there were any other units that had better power. I had no idea that solar heaters are actually very cost effective. Since we spend a lot of money on our water now, it would be nice to save a little.

Reply
Ridley Fitzgerald link
7/6/2017 11:22:57 am

It's good to learn about solar hot water systems. I love the fact that they generate free hot water. However, our winters are long, so we'll have to do some more research before we decide to get one.

Reply
Hazel Owens link
11/4/2021 09:37:07 am

I love how you mentioned that solar hot water systems have low maintenance needs and cost. My husband and I were planning to install hot water system is our new home but we were not sure on what type of hot water system to install. I will share this useful advantages with my husband and consider getting a solar hot water system for our home since is has a vert low maintenance needs and costs.

Reply
sam link
2/7/2022 02:12:54 am

Very Informative post. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
<b><a><a href="https://www.ampac1.com/products/mobile-solar-water-treatment/solar-power-water-systems" title= "Solar Power Water System">Solar Power Water System</a></b>

Reply
Solar Installers Boulder link
5/24/2022 11:50:26 am

These Pros and Cons about Solar Hot water is fun to read.
Thank you!

Reply
Visit Us link
6/4/2022 12:54:18 pm

Solar hot water systems are designed to transfer the sun's solar energy to water. Finding the most efficient and effective solar hot water system for a given situation can be a challenging task.

Reply
Braden Bills link
7/14/2022 06:05:53 am

I want to make sure that my home is energy efficient. It makes sense that getting a solar panel installed would be a great idea. That seems like a good way to ensure that everything ends up working out properly.

Reply
Mia Evans link
10/12/2022 02:44:22 am

It's interesting to know that there are actually incentives for those who have solar systems in their home. I guess I have been convinced by this to invest in this kind of addition to my home if I want to save a lot in the coming years. And I should probably have a solar system repair service in my contacts once I get them installed, so I know who to call when there are issues that I might not understand along the way.

Reply
Burnice Bauch link
10/18/2022 10:48:26 am

There is a lot of useful information here, and the articles are excellent.

Reply
Daisy James link
12/22/2022 01:08:58 pm

I'm glad you said that it doesn't require a lot of maintenance. My sister was at my house yesterday afternoon for a visit, and she talked about how she and her husband want to get a hot water system installed since their current one broke, so she was wondering what type would be best to choose. I'll pass this information along to her so she can know more about the advantages of solar hot water systems!

Reply
Victoria Addington link
12/28/2022 02:32:25 pm

It got me when you discussed that f solar hot water systems using a renewable energy source. My husband wants us to opt for the solar panel. I should advise him to work with an expert in solar panel installation to ensure quality work.

Reply
Delta Hot Water Tanks link
3/5/2023 11:20:55 pm

Wonderful information, thanks a lot for sharing kind of content with us. Your blog gives the best and the most interesting information on The advantages and disadvantages of solar hot water systems. I wonder if we can gather such practical information about it, a great post definitely to come across.

Reply
West Vancouver Heater Service link
3/22/2023 02:49:45 am

Solar hot water systems provide an effective and efficient way to reduce energy costs for households and businesses. They are reliable, clean, and renewable sources of energy that require minimal maintenance. While the initial investment may be higher than traditional methods of heating water, the long-term savings can make up for it.

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