Solar water heaters use the power of the sun to heat your water without wasting electricity and or other non-renewable energy. And less energy usage means lower monthly bills. They’re also a great way to reduce your home’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are ways to make a solar hot water heater even more useful.
Basic Water Saving Strategies
Solar water heaters reduce energy use by as much as 60% to 70%, but this number can be higher if you use your water in the most environmentally friendly way. If you cut down on the length of your showers and wash clothes in colder water, you will use only the water heated by the solar equipment and avoid using the backup electric powered water heater.
You should also consider switching your shower heads to ones with maximum water efficiency and find faucets with more power and a lower flow rate. New appliances will also save you money. If you plan on replacing your dishwasher or clothes washer, switch to an appliance that is Energy Star rated for less water use. The less hot water those appliances use, the less your electric powered backup water heater will operate.
Use Hot Water During Peak Solar Hours
Solar cells heat up when the sun is shining against the collector. When the sun sets, the water cools and the backup system kicks into gear. This uses energy and increases the cost of your electric bill. To use more hot water heated through your solar hot water system, perform your most intensive tasks when the sun is at its brightest. If you take your showers, run laundry, and wash dishes during peak hours, you will use more hot water heated through solar power.
Use Hot Water Over Time
While solar water heaters are powerful, they have a limited supply of energy. You cannot increase the power of the sun when your water gets a little tepid. That means the best way to use hot water heated by solar power is to spread your chores out over the course of the week rather than trying to complete them all in one day.
If you do one load of laundry per day, use your dishwasher only when necessary and only use additional hot water when a significant amount of time has passed since you did laundry and dishes, you will get even greater use out of your solar power. Solar powered hot water heaters are energy savers no matter how much hot water you use, and will still cut down on your overall electric usage, but if you are willing to spread out when you complete hot water tasks you will find that you’ll save even more money.
Choose a Hot Water Heater for Your Future
Your solar hot water heater will eventually pay for itself, but it’s important to consider changes in your family’s future before you purchasing a system. For example, if you plan to have children in the near future, you should consider purchasing a larger solar water heating system. The initial investment may be larger, but the payoff will be greater once your household starts to grow.
