It’s usually asked whether solar water heaters are worth it or not. The relevancy of solar water heaters and, for that matter, solar energy is always going to depend on your circumstances. Still, most people find a solar water heating system is a good investment. If you’re trying to build an eco-friendly lifestyle, solar water is an excellent option you can add to your home to protect the environment.
Solar water heaters are devices that convert sunlight into electricity and the installation of a solar panel can take one to three days, depending on a few factors like your location, area, device type, etc. Although the primary installation costs might be high, these systems pay for themselves over time by reducing your energy bills.
However, solar water heating systems do have both advantages and disadvantages. These factors depend on many other factors like your location, the service you use, and so on.
We thought of clearing up both the pros and cons of installing a solar water heater to help you make a well-informed decision.
Table of Contents
Advantages Of Installing Solar Water Heaters
1. Cost-Effective Fuel Alternative
According to the estimations, about 20% of a household’s total energy gets wasted into heating water with other fuels. In most homes, use of cooking gas, or gas geysers are used as an alternative option to heat water. However, once a solar water heater is installed in your home, you can cut this cost as the water is heated with the sun’s help. Of course, the savings depend on different factors, such as how much hot water you use and where you live. However, on average, you can save up to 50% to 80% on the water heating utility bills after installing a solar water heating system. As maximum electricity needs are met with the help of the solar system, especially the vast cost that comes due to geysers and motors, you can easily understand that the electricity bill is going to be less.
Living in an area with ample sunlight throughout the year is a plus as you can efficiently operate other electrical appliances on solar power. You also get protection from the uncertainties if there are fuel shortages or rising energy costs in the future.
2. Increase In Property Valuation
Residences with add-on features like ready-installed solar water heaters are becoming increasingly popular, which will help you in expecting good resale value for your home. Solar water heaters will likely add value to your house when you decide to resale your property, as buyers continue to look for energy-saving and environmentally friendly housing options.
3. Environmentally Friendly
Solar water heater systems may or may not have a gas or electric backup system for overcast days, but most hot water is heated using 100% renewable energy. This means you’re lowering your household’s carbon footprint and keeping greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere, thus helping the environment breathe.
Disadvantages Of Installing A Solar Water Heater In Your House
1. A Larger Space Is Needed To Install A Solar Water Heater
Solar water heater panels are much smaller than solar electricity panels because they’re more efficient at converting sunlight to heat. Despite this, you do need room on your roof for the system. That space needs to be oriented in the right direction and can’t be covered by shade from trees or taller buildings. As the systems can be heavy, they may not suit older houses. Or, you may need to reinforce the roof to hold the weight.
After all these considerations, you will be able to install a solar water system either on your roof or adjacent to your house in an open space. People living in compact houses might not be able to install solar water heating systems. However, installers can visit your property to determine if a system will work for you or not and can consult you better.
2. Less Efficiency On Rainy Days
Solar panels can generate heat on cloudy days, but you may find the system is less efficient in certain types of weather. This is especially true during the rainy season when the availability of sunlight is less, and on top of which, the rains cool down the panels, hindering the water heating process. Most systems have backup options available that provide hot water even when the sun is shadowed. However, you may have fewer financial benefits if you live in an area lacking sunny days.
3. High Initial Maintenance Costs
Solar systems currently cost a bit more at the time of installation. However, once the setup is ready and you manage to bear this expense, you don’t have to look back to address the maintenance issue.
With an annual check-up, monthly cleaning up of the panels, and expecting a maintenance cost for the attached inverter once in 10-15 years, you can entirely rely on the solar water heaters.
You can think about it as a one-time investment, which will reap your fruits in the form of reduced monthly utility bills.
Conclusion
Solar energy is a renewable energy source, one of the most abundantly found energy sources on earth. Humans first utilized solar energy when the sun rays were concentrated to make fire.
Since then solar energy has been a companion to humans, and the relationship gets stronger with the addition of new technologies like solar water heaters.
However, as we have seen certain disadvantages come with solar energy too. But even with the disadvantages, solar energy still proves to be better than other energy resources.