Hot water represents the second largest energy consumer in American households. A typical 80 gallon electric hot water tank serving a family of four will consume approximately 150 million BTUs in its seven year lifetime. This will cost approximately $3,600 (at $0.08 per KWH), not accounting for fuel cost increases. Then it will be replaced by another one just like it. The utility has you hooked for life.
Hmm... Maybe we should rethink this...
An investment in a solar water heating system will beat the stock market any day, any decade, risk free. Initial return on investment is on the order of 15 percent, tax-free, and goes up as gas and electricity prices climb. Many states have tax credits and other incentives to sweeten those numbers even more. Couple this with a tankless hot water heater like the Stork house has and heating a house becomes very inexpensive. What are we waiting for? Forget the stock market. If you have invested in a house, your next investment should be in solar hot water and a tankless hot water heater.
The ultimate home that will always pay you back...
