Can Solar Hot Water Heaters Get as Hot as Traditional Water Heaters?
Water temperature is one of the greatest concerns of those hesitant to switch to a solar water heater, but these systems are designed to heat water to the same temperature as traditional hot water heaters. Your electric or gas water heater is probably set to 120 or 130 degrees, and your new solar water heater will be able to achieve and maintain these temperatures as well.
Can Anyone Use a Solar Water Heater?
Solar water heaters are powered by the sun, so your property needs to receive direct sunlight. Most systems are mounted to the roof on the south side of your property, so direct sunlight should be available all year in that location. There are also ground-mounted systems available for homes where the roof doesn’t get direct sunlight.
If your home does not receive enough sunlight year-round or you are located on a property that has little sun exposure, you may not get as great of a benefit from a solar water heater as you would like.
What Happens if the Sun Isn't Out?
Solar water heating systems need roughly 6 hours of sun exposure to work effectively depending on the system. But they are installed as a complement to your existing water heating system. If they don’t get enough direct sunlight, your traditional water heating system will pick up the slack.
However, cloudy days still generally provide enough solar power to heat your water, and usually there’s still enough sun during the winter months as well. A properly installed solar water heating system should receive enough sun year-round, allowing you to use hot water as you please without running up huge energy bills.
How Quickly Will My System Pay for Itself?
Solar hot water heaters save homeowners a lot of money in a relatively short period of time. Yet the value is based on the initial investment, usage rates by those on the property, and the efficiency of the system. It is estimated that most property owners will recover their initial investment in 5 to 10 years.
There are also indirect financial benefits. Solar hot water heaters reduce the strain on your electric water heater, increasing its lifespan and reducing costs associated with maintenance and replacement.
Will I Have to Change My Hot Water Usage?
Because these solar water heaters are installed with traditional systems remaining as backups, you don’t necessarily have to change your routine. Anytime the solar system isn’t able to produce enough hot water, the backup electric heating system will kick in to supplement it.
If you want to save as much as you can in energy costs, you should alter your routine enough to match peak sunlight hours (roughly 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., depending on the time of year). You will also use less energy if you spread tasks like laundry and dishes out over multiple days rather than completing them all in a single day. Changing isn’t necessary, but it is yet another way to maximize savings.
