Does a solar water heater really save you 30% on your electric bill? What is the average cost for a system?
Question by AP: Does a solar water heater really save you 30% on your electric bill? What is the average cost for a system?
With all the rebates and tax incentives, which help with the cost, are these guys marking up their prices? How long will it take to pay for itself in an average 4 person household? Also, does anyone know anything about a VAR box that supposedly stores some electricity and help with the startup on your central air and other things? Lots of questions on this stuff, I appreciate your responses.
Can you help? Leave your own answer in the comments!
6 Responses to Does a solar water heater really save you 30% on your electric bill? What is the average cost for a system?
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Well. yes if you have an electric hot water heater. No, if it is gas.
VAR box?
There is usually a capacitor mounted on the supply fan motor. This gives the motor a boost on startup.
R8derMike
June 14, 2012 at 12:23 am
According to the US Dept of Energy, your water heater (don’t call it a hot water heater) is responsible for approx 15% of your total energy bill. Solar heaters will save money and you should calculate the actual cost, the savings and the payback (ROI is return on investment) for your particular home. Get 2 or 3 quotes from a licensed contractor in your area. I’ll use layman’s terms here: The “Var” box as you put it, does reduce your electric bill and make any appliance with a motor last longer. Also known as a “soft start” device. Any motor, at start-up, uses at least double the energy than it needs to continue running normally. If a meter is hooked up, you will see an initial “spike” in the energy wave, then that will drop to normal running levels. The “Var” box feeds only what the motor needs and “lowers” the initial “spike” of electricity. The one we are familiar with also serves as a “whole house surge protector”. Let me know if you are in the Chicagoland area! Hope this helps.
wannabuildabikeguy
June 14, 2012 at 12:55 am
Mine doesn’t effect the electric bill whatsoever as I went from gas to all solar. if I put in a pump it would be more efficient
I built my system for a little over $ 300.00. but then mine hasn’t been UL tested (which adds a lot of cost)
I got some plans and ideas from old Mother Earth News magazines and designed my own system.
I figure I save about $ 60.00-80.00 per month.
I get about 110 deg during the winter and about 160 deg during the summer
Robert F
June 14, 2012 at 1:28 am
no it dose not save you 30% of your electric unless you are heating a lot of water. what it dose save you is 30% of what you spend on heating your water if Electric bill is $ 100 then you might be spending $ 20 dollars on heating water ,the solar might save you 30% of that $ 6 a month .but is really less when you count rainy days.. plus you don’t have hot water early in the mornings before the sun heats up the water
ed
June 14, 2012 at 1:58 am
You know there’s a lot being said about alternative-energy this and that, energy-efficient this and that, etc. Solar water heaters are another thing. There’s a lot to be said about solar water heaters alone. You may very well be able to save that much or more, and it really depends on your usage of the water that is heated by any future solar water heater.
Here’s a good link on alternative energy information, including, I believe, solar-energy products:
http://yourhandymanzone.com/Your_Handyman_Zone_How_To_Pages_Home_Improvement_Zone_Alternative_Energy_Systems.htm
I hope you will find the above helpful.
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SportsHelpman
June 14, 2012 at 2:10 am
Don’t always listen to the sales man. Having solar panels installed can save you money AFTER you have recouped the cost of the installation which at estimated saving costs can take up to 10 years.
Solar panels will only heat water to a certain temperature which isn’t always enough for hot water. You will still need to use gas or electricity to bring it up to a high temperature, sort of topping tht temperature up.
nosdda
June 14, 2012 at 2:43 am