OT: Solar Water Heating...Anybody have one?

[ethios4]

Ahhh....for me growing up, we had the collector type....pipes in a case.

[gjm]

In late February I installed a new Standard Hot water Cylinder, but double the size of the unit replaced.
Just electric powered. February's bill was $226. After a month of use with the new cylinder, March's bill was $164.
Both months were consiatnt in weather, and house hold use.
In fact, we had more and longer showers for the later month.

The whole install cost $1800.
I estimate about a $15 per week saving average, OR
This is a savings of about %25 of my annual power bill. AND
about %30 better than the solar power option in terms of cost savings.

Also, it will pay for itself in approx 3 years, with an expected 30 year lifespan,
as opposed to 15-18 years for the solar system, with no real guarantee of life span.

Alternative energy still has a way to go to be economical for most people.