January 2009

• Introduction
• Drainback and Pressurized Systems
• Check Your Location
• Installation
• Maintenance
• Resources
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Turn on a garden hose that has lain in the sun for a while and feel how warm the water is that first comes out. That’s solar-heated water with free energy (Btu’s) from the sun. You can apply the same heating principle to your home’s water supply.

Today’s solar water heating systems have come a long way in terms of aesthetics, reliability and longevity; and they require very little maintenance. Because about 20 percent of the average home’s energy usage can be devoted to heating water, a solar water heating system can cut back your energy costs year-round. Typically, a properly designed solar hot water system can save 50 to 75 percent of the usual utility cost for residential hot water.

A solar water heating system can cost between $6,000 and $8,000 installed, depending upon a variety of factors, such as the location, type and sophistication of the system. Both the state of North Carolina and the federal government offer tax credits to homeowners and businesses as an extra incentive to those who install certified solar water heating systems (that’s a tax “credit” which directly reduces your tax bill). Combined, these tax credits may offset the cost of the average system by about 50 percent. With these incentives, most systems pay for themselves within about seven years, and afterwards continue to heat your water with free Btu’s.

Solar technologies also can add value to your home. Many Americans say they would pay a premium for a solar-equipped home. And as energy prices continue to rise, homes with energy-saving features gain value. Solar water heating systems offer that value. Many systems have an expected life-span in the 30-year range.