anyone have a solar hot water heater? does it work good?

Fhaynes
by Fhaynes
Solar hot water heater?
  12 answers
  • Hope Williams Hope Williams on Nov 16, 2014
    I don't know but I look forward to finding out with you.
  • Nancy Carr Nancy Carr on Nov 16, 2014
    I live in Puerto Rico and have a solar hot water heater. The previous owner did not know if it worked when I bought the house, however, I have had no problem with it and the water gets HOT! I have lived here over 3 years and the house was vacant for many years before I bought it. I don't know when the solar hot water heater was installed, however, the house was built in the 1970's.
    • Kim Merrett Kim Merrett on Nov 16, 2014
      @ @Nancy Carr Would you be able to post pictures of it? I'm curious to know what it looks like so perhaps we could determine how it was made and duplicate it. Thanks for your comments.
  • Lindsay Jackson Lindsay Jackson on Nov 16, 2014
    I had one 25+ years ago in south Louisiana; worked great, I NEVER ran out of hot water, of course the tank was HUGE. It was there when we bought house; they did leave one electric heating coil in it for back up for when/if there wasn't enough sun to do the job.
  • Wendy Wendy on Nov 16, 2014
    I bought a system a couple of years ago. Probably a waste of money for me, though, since we are just two of us and don't use that much hot water. For a family of four or five, though, it would probably be great, especially up north (we live in Florida, so don't WANT to take particularly hot showers in the summer!). Haven't really seen any major savings. I figured it might bump the resale value of the home, though. It comes with a huge tank, so you won't run out.
  • Beth W Beth W on Nov 16, 2014
    In out former home, my husband installed solar panels on the roof which were attached to a separate hot water heater. I don't believe our original electric hot water heater ever needed to be used. (The electric one was left in place as a back up.) We NEVER ran out of hot water... even when the power went out, because the solar tank kept it hot. There were normally 4 people in the household and there was plenty of hot water for cleaning laundry, dishes and ourselves. There is some maintenance involved with the solar panels, but that is not a major effort. It is an investment initially, but pays off in the end. Enjoy!!
  • Collette Collette on Nov 16, 2014
    I have a solar hot water system which works great. Would need 4 rainy days before I would have to switch it over to normal electricity. Also have solar panels which greatly reduce my electricity bill. I do live in sunny Australia which helps, but when I was living in Beijing (winter temp -10 C,) I saw many solar hot water systems.
  • Nancy Carr Nancy Carr on Nov 16, 2014
    @Kim Merrett The roof on my house is flat, and I don't have a ladder to get high enough to take a photo. You are welcome to come for a visit and see it for yourself. Blessings
  • Sally Payne Sally Payne on Nov 16, 2014
    We had solar hot water in San Diego and it was awesome. Two working adults, four teen-aged children (2 Boys, 2 girls), a swimming pool and NEVER ran out of hot water.
  • Ida Granny Ida Granny on Nov 16, 2014
    Looks to me if you live where it's very sunny, they are great. But what happens when you live in colder northern places, like Ohio. Does it work good there. What do they look like. Can anyone post pictures.
  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Nov 16, 2014
    Hi...I do not have anything solar at this time, however, at one point I was considering it. The one thing you need to know is that if you add solar, in some states, you cannot sell your home if you have solar heating or whatever it is you want solar. I would contact your insurance company and talk with them or a real estate person before considering this move.
  • JESS JESS on Nov 16, 2014
    Solar will save you so much money!!!! IF you have enough sun in Alabama. It will help people to not 'hog' all the hot water, take shorter shower and be more kind to other family members. SOLAR anywhere you can use it. Your local energy company may give you some sort of "credit" for using SOLAR! We must learn how to get away from COAL and FOSSIL FUELS, they are ruining out atmosphere and cause Global Warming.
  • Myra Jane White Myra Jane White on Nov 16, 2014
    My parents, who live in the High Desert in California had one installed in 1975. They have a gas pilot light on the off chance the sun doesn't shine for more than 3-4 days for back up, which has been used maybe 2-3 times since then. They never run out of hot water, turn the thermostat down in summer because of how HOT the water gets or as my mom says, turn on the cold water first then turn on the hot water until you're comfortable. I would love to have solar water here in AZ but the big push is solar electricity. Ideally, I'd have both solar water AND Electricity. They love it.