Solar FAQ's

Please click the question from the list below to receive the answer.

1) Is Solar Hot Water a good investment?

The potential savings on water heating bills depend upon the type of fuel you are using to heat that water and the number of people in the home. If you are heating hot water for two or more people and you heat water with electricity or with propane or natural gas, then you owe it to yourself to look at solar water heating, it could be a great investment for you.

2) What is the "payback" on a solar hot water system?

The term "payback" is a misconception that shows a false value towards an income generating device. Electric and gas water heaters do not have a payback! When you purchase a more efficient refrigerator, the decision to buy comes not from how long the savings generated will pay you back for your initial investment, but it comes from getting better service for a lower operating cost with a better rate of return. Solar water heating systems do just that. They provide quality hot water at a lower cost than heating with electricity or LP gas with more equity value in your home.

Solar collectors are typically designed to last as long as your home with little or no maintenance. These systems often give a 14% to 20% per year non-taxable rate of return on your money - even for a two person household. It is important to remember that hot water is a constant daily expense; other large household appliances, like air conditioners and heaters, are seasonal expenses.

Hot water is typically 20% to 30% of the annual utility bill. With energy prices rising as fast as they have been, your other energy costs will rise, but your hot water continues to be fixed as a pro rata portion of your initial investment.

 3) What about this investment in a solar hot water system?

It is ironic that you, if you are an individual using LP gas or electricity to heat water, will pay for a solar hot water system over the next 4 to 8 years whether you get one or not!! You can invest today in a solar hot water heating system and have monthly savings and increased equity value in your home, or you can pay the local utility company every month. Your solar system savings will offset your payments, so you will actually own your solar water heating system at the end of five years. Remember that all solar savings are in non-taxable income, so a dollar saved on your water heating expense is equivalent to $1.30 or more of your taxable income.

4) Is it wise to take out a loan to pay for a solar hot water system? 

This is a great time to install a solar hot water system. Banks are currently offering historically low rates for home equity loans, which can either be interest only, or termed out over several years, and with fixed or variable interest rates.  Some banks, including the Chittenden Bank in Vermont, now offer an attractive Energy Improvement Loan.   The monthly savings on your utility bill will probably be very close to your loan payments; in fact we have case studies of a solar system financed 100%, being totally paid off in 5 years with no out of pocket expense to the homeowner.  This does not even consider the tax deductibility of the interest on your loan. Typically, the after-tax rate of return on investment will be over 18% per year, even for two people. You also increase the property value of your home and its visual perception as an energy efficient, environmentally responsible home.   Of course, once the loan is paid off, the solar system continues to generate free hot water for you.   Our case studies suggest this free hot water will be worth up to $40,000 to you over the life of the system.

5) What about freezing weather, and cloudy weather? 

Solar hot water systems from Blodgett contain a glycol fluid that cannot freeze, so they’re unaffected by the outside temperature.  As far as cloudy weather, solar systems (especially the Viessmann evacuated tube system) will continue to provide some heat on cloudy days.  It’s important to note that solar systems act as pre-heaters for your regular water heating system; so even if the solar system is not capable on a cloudy day of providing 100% of your hot water needs, it continues to save energy by providing some degree of preheating to your conventional water heater.  In addition, your Blodgett solar system contains an insulated storage tank that stores hot water from sunny days until needed.

6)  What about the appearance of a Solar Collector on our roof?

There are many ways to mount solar collectors, from roof mounts to collectors mounted on poles away from the house.  Your installer can discuss options, with the controlling factor being where your site has the best angle for collection of solar energy.  Most solar collectors are typically integrated into the slope of the roof. This method of installation gives the solar collector the appearance of a quality, opaque, glass skylight.

7) What about the environmental benefits of going solar?

Any time you use solar energy to offset the amount of fossil fuels that are burned, you contribute to everyone's health and welfare. Operating one solar water heater instead of an electric water heater saves the equivalent of nine barrels of oil every year and reduces carbon dioxide emissions (a greenhouse gas) by 1600 pounds and sulfur dioxide (contributes to acid rain) emissions by 12 pounds. Multiply those emissions per household by all the homes in your neighborhood, town, county, or state, and the benefits -- and the air and water -- become even more clear. Environmental Consciousness is a state that induces action through your belief in leaving a better world for yourself and future generations. We are all free to believe what we choose and what we each do, attests to what we believe.

8) Will a solar hot water system increase the value of my home?

Absolutely!  If you were shopping for a new home, and visited a development that had several similar homes for sale, which one would YOU buy?  One with a energy guzzling water heater, or one with a continuing supply of free hot water?  In fact, if you are contemplating selling your home within the next five years, NOW is a perfect time to install solar.

9.)  Are there incentives to install solar hot water systems?

Absolutely!   The Federal government offers a tax rebate of up to $2,000 for a solar hot water installation.  (Refer to IRS Form 5695).  The State of Vermont has a rebate system that will pay up to $750 for a solar install, if you use a certified contractor.  If you contact Blodgett, we can provide you with the names of some qualified contractors.   In addition, several utilities are offering rebates.   All of these rebates apply to residential installations…there are even more liberal programs available for commercial property owners.

10.)  What does a solar hot water system cost?

The cost will depend upon your demand for hot water, (for instance the number of people in your household), and the degree of difficulty of your installation.  A typical system might cost in the vicinity of $150 a month, before you apply federal and state incentives.  This is based upon a loan that totally pays off in 5 years, with interest rates at 6%, and does not consider the tax benefits from an interest rate deduction, or the increased value of your home.

Solar Energy...the Choice is Yours!

The only choice over the next five years is how you will spend your money.  Will you have a monthly cash outflow that continuously increases, with no equity gained, and no savings or returns?   Or will you invest in your energy efficient future?

The choice is not about spending money. The choice is only about what you actually "get" in return for a continuing monthly debt. You are spending money anyway - either you invest it for more home equity and savings, or you give it away for a service provided by your local utility.

For example, if you could either lease or buy a car, making equal payments for five years, which would you do? Pay to lease or pay to own!? Then you can start keeping utility profits for your own nest egg.

EVERY DAY THE SUN RISES. . . and every day you could be saving money and enjoying the revitalizing power of sun heated water...

BOTTOM LINE!

 USE CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY, RIGHT FROM THE SUN,
FOR A BRIGHT TOMORROW FOR OUR CHILDREN