| With depleting ozone layers, heat waves dry us out in | | | | and coal. And the emissions from conventional |
| summer. And cold snaps bite our bones in winter. | | | | electricity grids endanger the environment by |
| Energy bills sky rocket just for the luxury of running hot | | | | compounding the greenhouse effect. |
| water. Makes sense then to harness solar energy for | | | | You could help save the environment by switching to |
| your own hot water system - and cut down on the | | | | solar water heater systems that bank on solar energy. |
| water heating charges. Maybe drop them by about | | | | Operating costs for solar energy are much less |
| 50% to 80% a year. Or $500, give or take a few | | | | compared to with other energy sources such as gas |
| dollars. | | | | and electricity. With the new models of solar water |
| What's the deal with heating water using the sun? | | | | heating systems, even households in Yukon can get |
| Simple. Solar energy is free - no price hikes and no | | | | their hot water year round from solar energy alone. |
| fuel shortages. | | | | If you're thinking about installing a solar hot water |
| Compare that with your 50 gallon electric water heater | | | | system in your home, your first thought might be to |
| that needs 11.1 barrels of oil a year, about the same | | | | buy a pre-built one and hire a contractor for the |
| amount guzzled by a 4 door sedan. | | | | installation. However, the cost could be prohibitive. You |
| A conventional electric water heater runs on electricity | | | | might therefore want to consider doing it yourself, and |
| generated by the burning of oil, coal or nuclear energy | | | | being environmentally friendly. |
| fuels to release energy. There's a limited supply of oil | | | | |