Let's Go Green with Solar Water Heating

Everyone is going green! The environment has been hammered and people are now organizing in big ways to find clean electricity and low environmental impact products. This has been evidenced in a big way in Hawaii. As of June 2008, Hawaii has become the first State to pass a law requiring all new homes to use solar water heaters. Solar water heaters are an inexpensive and easy solution in helping to conserve man made electricity or natural gas and the harmful effects on they pose to the environment. There are several companies and several models of solar water heaters that are easily installed and not costly at all. In this article, we are going to take a look at ten of the top solar water heaters on the market. For more information on the types of solar water heater and how they work, take a look at the U.S. Department of Energy's Consumer Guide here.

Toolz Unlimited 53 Gallon Solar Water Heater
Toolz Unlimited is an online store that sells an excellent solar water heater for the low price of $899.99. This unit holds 53 gallons and heats through a series of 24 evacuated solar tube collectors. It operates in outside temperatures as low as 28F. It can be integrated easily into any existing plumbing system or can be used as a stand-alone unit. It can be found here.

Toolz Unlimited 26 Gallon Gravity Fed Solar Water Heater
Toolz Unlimited also sells a 26 gallon solar water heater that uses a gravity fed delivery system. It heats with a series of 12 evacuated solar tube collectors, integrates with existing plumbing, or can be used as a stand-alone unit. It sells for $599.99 and can be found here.

Sunforce 54122
The Sunforce 54122 is a 53-gallon gravity fed system that uses evacuated solar tubes and operates at outside temperatures as low as 28F. It sells for $499.00 from Northern Tool + Equipment here.

Steibel Eltron SOLKIT2
The SOLKIT2 holds 80 gallons and includes a 2 plate solar collector, the 80 gallon heater and tank, and the pump station. It is available here for $3949.95.

Steibel Eltron SOLKIT3
The SOLKIT 3 comes with a 3 plate solar collector, a huge 108 gallon solar water heater, and the pump station. It is available also from Pex Supply for $4949.95.

Steibel Eltron SOLKIT1
The SOLKIT 1 comes with a 1 plate solar collector, a 52 gallon solar water heater, and the pump station. It is sold by Pex Supply online for $2399.95.

FAFCO PN760
The FAFCO PN760 includes 2-2"x12" collectors, solar controller, plumbing supplies, drainback tank, and mounting hardware. This unit will save you up to 50% on your water heating bill. It sells for $2169.00.

FAFCO PN 7601
This system also includes 2-2"x12" collectors, circulation module, solar controller, plumbing supplies, drainback tank, mounting hardware and dual tank add-on kit. It sells for $1999.00.

FAFCO Hot2O
This system also includes 2-2"x12" collectors, circulation module, solar controller, plumbing supplies, drainback tank, mounting hardware and dual tank add-on kit. The FAFCO solar water heaters are largely the same, the biggest difference is that they add on to your existing water heater system and the different models are for different existing systems. This one sells for $2249.00.

KingSolar ECL-4
KingSolar provides a host of solar hot water heaters which can be found online here. The ECL-4 is a closed loop system with 4x10 foot collector, controller, sensor, air vent, 80 gallon storage tank, and optional second storage tank. It includes most everything needed to add on to an existing system and sells for $2988.85

Solar Water Heaters, now mandatory in Hawaii are sure to move east into the continental U.S. soon. It is a smart idea to get one as soon as possible. Not only will you save money on your bill, you will help to protect the environment, and also there are Federal and State tax breaks for these sort of energy efficient home improvements. This is one improvement that will pay for itself most likely within the year.