Are solar hot water heaters worth it?

【You use hot water at home every day when you take a shower, run a load of laundry, or turn on your faucet to wash dishes. Solar water heating systems use the sun’s energy to heat the water in your home and can help you save on energy costs. 】

You use hot water at home every day when you take a shower, run a load of laundry, or turn on your faucet to wash dishes. Solar water heating systems use the sun’s energy to heat the water in your home and can help you save on energy costs. 

Solar water heaters (also known as solar hot water) are an alternative to conventional water heating systems, including tankless coil water heaters, gas water heaters, electric water heaters, or heat pump water heaters (all of which use either gas, oil, or electricity to power them.) We have used solar energy to heat water for centuries, but not until the 1980s did solar hot water companies begin to take off in the U.S., making solar hot water a viable option for property owners and their domestic hot water needs.

How much do solar hot water heaters cost?

Compared to conventional hot water heaters, solar hot water heaters may be a cost-effective alternative. Cost estimates vary, but according to the Department of Energy savings from using a solar hot water heater could be around $274.46/year or potentially more depending on fluctuations in the price of natural gas. The estimate for the total cost of a solar hot water heater is around $4,000.