Benefits of Solar-Powered Water Heaters

Benefits of Solar-Powered Water Heaters Dear EarthTalk: I heard that using a solar powered water heater in my home would reduce my CO2 emissions significantly. Is this true? And what are the costs? Anthony Gerst, Wapello, IA Conventional Water Heaters Use Energy According to mechanical engineers at the University of Wisconsin’s Solar Energy Laboratory, an average four-person household with an electric water heater needs about 6,400 kilowatt hours of electricity per year to heat their water. Assuming the electricity is generated by a typical power plant with an efficiency of around 30 percent, it means that the average electric water heater is responsible for about eight tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, which is almost double that emitted by a typical modern automobile. The same family of four using either a natural gas or oil-fired water heater will contribute about two tons of CO2  emissions annually in heating their water. And as we know, carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Conventional Water Heaters Pollute Surprising as it may seem, analysts believe that the annual total CO2 produced by residential water heaters throughout North America is roughly equal to that produced by all of the cars and light trucks driving around the continent. Another way of looking at it is: If half of all households used solar water heaters, the reduction in CO2  emissions would be the same as doubling the fuel-efficiency of all cars. Solar Water Heaters Gaining Popularity Having half of all households use solar water heaters might not be such a tall order. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), there are 1.5 million solar water heaters already in use in U.S. homes and businesses. Solar water heater systems can work in any climate and EESI estimates that 40 percent of all U.S. homes have sufficient access to sunlight such that 29 million additional solar water heaters could be installed right now. Solar Water Heaters: The Economical Choice Another great reason to switch to a solar water heater is financial. According to the EESI, residential solar water heater systems cost between $1,500 and $3,500, compared to $150 to $450 for electric and gas heaters. With savings in electricity or natural gas, solar water heaters pay for themselves within four to eight years. And solar water heaters last between 15 and 40 yearsthe same as conventional systemsso after that initial payback period is up, zero energy cost essentially means having free hot water for years to come. What’s more, in the U.S. federal government offers homeowners tax credits of up to 30 percent of the cost of installing a solar water heater. The credit is not available for swimming pool or hot tub heaters, and the system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation. What to Know Before You Install a Solar Water Heater According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s â€Å"Consumer’s Guide to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency,† zoning and building codes relating to the installation of solar water heaters usually reside at the local level, so consumers should be sure to research the standards for their own communities and hire a certified installer familiar with local requirements. Homeowners beware: Most municipalities require a building permit for the installation of a solar hot water heater onto an existing house. For Canadians looking to get into solar water heating, the Canadian Solar Industries Association maintains a list of certified solar water heater installers, and Natural Resources Canada makes its informative booklet, â€Å"Solar Water Heating Systems: A Buyer’s Guide,† available as a free download on their website. EarthTalk is a regular feature of E/The Environmental Magazine. Selected EarthTalk columns are reprinted on About Environmental Issues by permission of the editors of E. Edited by Frederic Beaudry.

Writing a Sample Essay About Support and Challenges

Writing a Sample Essay About Support and ChallengesYou will find that when you are writing a sample essay about support and challenges, it is not easy. There are a number of different issues that will need to be addressed, and in most cases, you may have to do it all yourself. In other words, when you write a sample essay about support and challenges, you will find that there are many different components that are involved in writing an essay like this.It would help if you took a few minutes to review the sample of a particular topic with the specifics and specific case studies of various challenges and support that are going to be involved in this particular area. There are a number of different resources that are available that you can utilize to help you with this process. You will want to make sure that you take time to review these resources and then take the time to draw upon them. These resources can help you be successful in writing your essay about support and challenges.It is important to remember that while there are many different types of essay that you can write, this is not a typical essay. There are many different things that you can get wrong, so you should be careful when you begin to write your essay about support and challenges. With any given situation, there will be many different elements that have to be dealt with, and there are a number of different factors that you need to look at in order to come up with a conclusion.You will also want to remember that while you are writing a sample essay about support and challenges, you may find that there are a number of different areas that are going to need to be dealt with. It is a good idea to take some time to consider each one of these different factors, and then you will want to consider whether or not you will need to consider all of these factors when you are writing your essay. In other words, you should take the time to review all of these issues and weigh them before you begin to write your essay.Of course, if you are dealing with problems in relationships and love, you will also find that you will have to deal with the support of friends and family. The support that you get from family members and friends can help you deal with the challenges that you face as well. If you are dealing with some problems in a relationship, this is something that can also be a problem that you need to consider.When you are writing a sample essay about support and challenges, it can also be helpful to consider some of the challenges that you face as well. In other words, if you are dealing with many different types of challenges in a single area, you may find that it can be helpful to consider a particular type of challenge when you are writing your essay. You should take some time to look at these various areas and consider whether or not you will need to address these issues when you are writing your essay.One of the biggest issues that you will want to take some time to consider i s the support that you are going to receive. You may find that you need to write this aspect of your essay about support and challenges as well. In other words, if you are dealing with problems in a relationship, you will find that you need to take care of the support that you receive as well.If you are dealing with issues that include violence, abuse, and a host of other issues, you will find that you will need to focus on the support that you get when you are dealing with your own support issues. You will also find that you may find that there are many different facets that will need to be considered when you are writing your essay about support and challenges. Take some time to think about these issues and consider how they will affect you when you are writing your essay about support and challenges.