Solar power water heater systems are a way to save money on your utility bills (heating water is usually one of the most costly uses of electricity or gas) so should you install a system or not. This article will ask if it makes sense economically for the home owner to install a solar water heating system.

A Solar power water heater system is normally added onto the current hot water system. It is basically a method of collecting the sun's thermal energy. This is called a solar collector. It can be a flat plate collector such as a standard water tank or an evacuated tube collector. Both systems has features that increase the efficiency of absorbing heat and insulation to stop it being lost to the surrounding environment.

Water is moved past the flat plate collector or through the tubing. The will heat the water that is then pumped into the home plumbing, water tank or boiler.

So the saving on energy bills comes when the boiler does not have to use as much electricity or gas to heat the water up to an adequate temperature for the home. But does this cost saving justify the hassle of putting in a solar water heating system and the associated cost ?

In terms of saving money on energy bills, the first thing to consider before getting a solar system is how efficient your current system is. Many traditional hot water systems have advanced in terms of energy efficiency and insulation of heated water. Check that your current system is the best you can get in terms of energy efficiency and has adequate lagging. This can also apply to the home in general as hot water may be used provide warmth in the home. It will be wasted if most of this heat escapes because of poor insulation and draft spots.

After this, it comes down to five considerations, that you may have already established when you made the existing hot water system as efficient as possible. These are :

The annual amount of hot water used by your family - Take an average over a few months or record a whole year if you have the time. If you are taking an average remember that usage may increase in colder seasons and factor this into the total.

When the hot water is used - You will get more benefit form the heated water at the peak of the sun's thermal energy (midday) than at night, however you are more likely to use it at night.

Is the current heating system conducive with the solar system.

The cost of a solar water heating system - the cost will depend on your needs as this will determine the size of the solar water system. However costs are coming down and with continued research in solar energy should continue to drop in the future.

The cost of the fuel you are currently using now and in the future - this seems clearcut but hard to quantify. Existing fuels like coal and gas will continue to go up in price as they become harder to find and extract. This argument forms the basis for the increased attention and championing of many renewable energy sources, including solar energy.

So broadly speaking, solar systems will go down and traditional energy systems will go up. This bodes well for the future but what about now. When looking at solar power water heaters you will be given indications of probably energy savings based on time of the day and quality of sunlight. You can factor these figures into your annual usage and come up with an annual saving.

Technology Products on our marketplace

Find out more on solar water heating systems and information on solar outdoor lighting at solarpowerappliances.com.