|
Hot
water usage
|
|
Use
|
Average
Gallons of Hot Water per Use
|
|
Shower
|
20
|
|
Bath
|
20
|
|
Shaving
|
2
|
|
Hands
and Face Washing
|
4
|
|
Hair
Shampoo
|
4
|
|
Hand
Dishwashing
|
4
|
|
Automatic Dishwasher
|
14
|
|
Food
Preparation
|
5
|
|
Clothes
Washer
|
30
|
| |
Number
of Household Members
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
| Daily
Household Hot Water Consumption (gallons) |
30-40
|
40-50
|
55-65
|
65-75
|
75+
|
A small solar hot water
system (50 to 60 gallon storage) is generally sufficient for 1
to 3 people, while households of 3-4 persons or 4+ persons usually
require systems with 80 to 120 gallons of storage. Collector size
varies according to system design, but a general rule of thumb
is to anticipate between 0.7 and 0.85 square feet of collector
for each gallon of storage.
How
much will my solar hot water heating system save me?
The
dollar savings produced by a solar hot water heating system are
directly tied to hot water use, and avoided expenditures on conventional
hot water fuels (natural gas, LPG, oil, or electricity). Thus,
the economic benefits are higher for households high water heating
costs (electricity) and with higher usage (households with three
or more residents).
Generally
speaking a solar hot water system will save you 60% to 70% on
your annual water heating bills. Depending upon your how much
hot water you use, and your fuel costs, this usually amounts to
between $100 and $400 per year.
How
much will my solar hot water system cost?
The
total costs for a solar hot water system vary according to a number
of factors. These include the type of system, the manufacturer,
the installer, the size of the system, and whether the system
is being included in a new construction project or installed as
a retrofit to an existing house. The financing used for a solar
hot water system also plays an important role in determining monthly
costs.
Approximate
price ranges for closed loop, household sized, solar hot water
systems are listed in the table below.
|
|
|
Household
Members
|
Collector
Area (square feet)
|
Storage
Tank Size (gallons)
|
Typical
Installed Cost
|
|
2
|
64
|
80
|
$8,200 - $11,00 |
|
3
|
96
|
120
|
$8,300 - $12,900 |
|
4
|
128
|
150
|
$10,800 - $18,000 |
Are
incentives available for solar hot water systems?
Yes. There are currently multiple federal, state, and municipal opportunities for assistance in paying for your solar hot water system. As these are changing, with some still in development, please call the toll free line at 1 877 888 7272 for more information.
What
are the environmental benefits from a solar hot water heater?
Using
the sun's clean renewable energy to heat water is good for the
environment because it reduces several forms of air pollution
and helps to reduce demand for new and often environmentally threatening
supplies for fossil fuels. Most people in Vermont currently use
fuel oil, electricity, propane, or natural gas to heat their hot
water. The environmental impacts of using these fuels to heat
water include global warming, acid rain, urban smog, and the production
of nuclear waste.
In
Vermont, a new solar hot water heater will typically provide between
60 and 70 percent of a household's needs. By installing a solar
water heater, a family of four, who currently use an electric
water heater and consume an average of 80 gallons of hot water
per day, will prevent 3,400 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions
each year. This represents a reduction in household greenhouse
gas emissions of 20% or more for a typical household. Another
way to look at it, is that an emissions reduction of this size
is the equivalent of around 4,250 miles per year of pollution
free driving (assuming your car gets 25 miles per gallon). Either
way, the environmental contribution is significant (over 20 years
it adds up to 34 tons of emissions prevented) helping to reduce
the threats of global warming, and maintain the quality of Vermont's
natural resources.
Your
actions make a difference!