With a southern exposure, and an electric hot water heater, the mind naturally turns to installing a solar water heater as a way to save energy, and ultimately money. A quick poke around this site indicates that we may be able to get rebates for around $3000 from the State and SMUD, as well as a 30% tax credit on our 2010 Federal taxes. With an average install cost of something around $8000, this would bring the long term effective cost of a solar hotwater heater to something like $2600, and therefore makes the eventual repayment of the installation costs.
On the further bonus side, that would also free up the hot water closet for the server and switches, and move a source of potential water leakage away from our new tile/hardwood.
Maybe this is something to spend our federal stimulus money on. (along with new energy efficient windows?)
Wow that sounds cool Ab! I didn't know they made solar hot water heaters. Sacramento would be a perfect place for them.
ReplyDeleteNice. But for that install price, couldn't you put in PV panels, and then for a tad more get a point-of-entry electric heater, or point-of-use heaters?
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