Many people initially feel they cannot afford a solar water heater or that solar water heaters are too expensive, but when they fully grasp how much they will be saving on their energy bills over the years, they find it to be very affordable considering the alternative. Let’s take a look at a simple example.

Suppose you are spending $65 per month on energy to heat your hot water. Also, suppose energy prices rise at a rate of 10% per year. At this rate you are certain to spend $32,243 or more in energy costs to heat your water over the next 25 years. In Maryland you will save up to 80% of this figure. With solar water heating your energy costs to heat hot water will be more like $6,449 over the same 25 year period.

Often people realize that the cost of doing nothing is far higher than the cost of installing a solar water heater. So, the big question becomes, “Would you rather continue to pay unpredictable, increasing amounts of money or have a predictable, fixed amount that you can rely on over a long period of time?” The real decision is not about the affordability of solar, but deciding whether you want to pay yourself or the utility company.