Thermomax at Work
Roughly 30% of a household's annual fuel costs come from heating water. Since hot water is needed year round, solar collectors can substantially reduce fuel use. According to
Thermomax data for New England, every ten tubes will collect enough energy from the sun to offset the use of about 30 gallons of oil. An average 40-tube system could be expected to save its owners half a tank of oil each year for the next 20 to 25 years.
Incentives and System Costs
Right now there are substantial Federal and Massachusetts tax incentives available to help both homeowners and businesses reduce the cost of installing solar energy systems. A typical hot water system, sized for a family of four, would consist of a 40-tube collector, a pre-heating water tank, piping and controls. Such a system would cost approximately $7,500, depending on the complexity of the installation and after subtracting tax credits.
Less Carbon into the Atmosphere
That same 40-tube system would reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 3,200 pounds, or 1.46 metric tons each year. It would also mean that fewer particulates and other pollutants that contribute to smog and acid rain would be released into the atmosphere, and could reduce our reliance on foreign energy. An investment in solar energy is an investment in the future of the planet.
