Heating water with the sun

A solar water heater uses the warmth of the sun to produce hot water for your home.
It sharply cuts the gas or electricity needed for hot water, which lowers your carbon emissions and other environmental impacts, and saves you a lot of money over time.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels get most of the attention, but solar water heating is about five times more efficient.

Thanks to this efficiency, the system pays for itself faster. Buying and installing a solar water heater costs a fair amount at the start, but depending on the climate the investment can be recovered in only 3 to 4 years, compared with 10 to 15 years for PV panels.

A solar water heater lasts 15 to 20 years. Once it has paid for itself, it provides free hot water for many years, usually covering 60 to 80% of a household's needs. This makes it an excellent green investment.

How quickly it pays off depends on how sunny the region is and on its climate. Local financial support also plays a role, and it can shorten the payback time a great deal. In the United States, for example, solar water heaters qualify for large tax credits, and some states such as California add generous rebates.

In short, solar water heating lowers your carbon footprint and saves you money in the long run.