Question by nojuicy: How much did your solar water heater cost you? 10 pts.?
I live in Phoenix Arizona and they say a typical installation cost $ 5000. But, with the power company incentive of 1300, state rebate of 25% and federal rebate of 30% that the finally cost would be about $ 1600. I was just wondering if these numbers are accurate. Was there any additional hidden costs? About how much did it save you a month/year ? Give me all the details you can please and you get the 10 pts. I am with SRP power of that helps.Thanks
Best answer:
Answer by Harley Drive
in phoenix it is well worth it and that sounds cheap in many places the benefits are debatable costwise, if you get big solar panels on your roof you get free hot water and a cooler house because the roof is effectively water cooled so you save a bundle on A/C
Add your own answer in the comments!
February 9th, 2012 @ 11:06 pm
http://www.infinitepower.org/calc_waterheating.htm
February 9th, 2012 @ 11:50 pm
Solar hot water systems are the cheapest in China, with the average price below $ 200 .
http://renewableenergyarticles.blogspot.com/2010/03/solar-hot-water-systems-things-to-know.html
February 10th, 2012 @ 12:29 am
based on prices in St Thomas that sounds about right for parts and labor…..attaching the heater to the roof is the easy part…hooking it up to the existing plumbing in the house is trickier, as each house is going to be a little different and therefore more or less expensive…
February 10th, 2012 @ 1:24 am
I’ve heard from installers I work with that installed system cost between $ 125 – 175 per square foot of collector for 2 collector systems. I’m not sure if that rule of thumb works with 1 collector, but let’s try it. If we say a one 4′x10′ system, 40sqft x $ 125 = $ 5000. So that’s right there. The equipment costs about $ 3000, plus plumbing supplies, and labor. http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Water-Heaters/Climate-freezes-Closed-Loop-Systems/Closed-Loop-Systems-for-1-4-People/Closed-Loop-AC-Drainback/Drainback-w-80-Gal-Tank-40-SqFt-Collectors/p7977/
The feds will give a 30% tax credit, AZ has a 25%, up to $ 1000 credit. Most of the credits don’t let you double dip, so the credit would be installed cost minus any rebates. $ 5000 – $ 1500 feds – $ 1000 AZ = $ 2500. That’s an amazing price. Even if the $ 5000 you are hearing is after the rebate and not before it, it’s still worth every penny.
For your area, if you got a 4′x10′, 80 gallon system, it can provide up to 84% of your hot water. If you are currently heating with electric, it can save you about $ 350 a year. After the rebates, figuring the rising cost of fuel, it will pay for itself in about 6 years. Then it’s extra money in your pocket!
Plus, the CO2 emissions saved is equal to 4 barrels of crude oil not being burned a year.