Arizona is offering round two of the AZ Appliance Rebates program for homeowners who install a New Solar Hot Water Heater System.  Solar water heaters are a great way to save on utilities and work well in the Phoenix AZ area.  As of today the AZ Appliance Rebates had over $1,100,000 available to homeowners wanting to install an Energy Star rated Solar water heater.

Curtis with New Solar Water Heater

Our Phoenix utility companies still have money for rebates, plus the Federal and State Government incentives remain in place.

Do you feel a little hot these days?  Why not use that free sunshine to heat up your hot water all year long?

In my prior blog on Solar Water Heaters you can read the details about what the utility companies are offering in rebates. 

I have listed the differences in the Solar Water Heater options available to heat your water in my blog on May 8, 2010.  Still need more?  How ’bout this list?

Top Ten Reasons to Go With Solar Hot Water:

1. Save money on energy bills while energy companies increase their rates.  The sun can heat hot water for free.
2. More rebates equal more savings.  Get your slice of the pie  to change over to  a Solar Hot Water.
3. Right now we have great Solar Hot Water products that will offer you the most flexibility and look great on your roof.
4. We have a reliable, low maintenance solar water system that will work  on 90% of all Phoenix area homes.
5. Arizona gives us the most sunny days in the nation, year round.  If you have a house here, shouldn’t you take advantage of it?
6. Arizona is one of the top states offering rebates to help homeowners pay for their new Solar Hot Water Heater.
7. Going Solar is simple and you will not notice any water temperature delivery difference when installed by our professional service techs.  What you will notice is your utility bill savings.
8. Solar Hot Water works with both Electric and Gas water heaters.
9. You may use the same water heater you have currently, if you want.
10. HOA’s cannot prohibit installation of a Solar Water Heater Panel on your roof.

Thank you for reading my blog, I hope this has helped, don’t forget to look into solar hot water soon.  We expect the rebate money will go quickly and suggest you schedule a consultation.  Request your  free quote (available to all homeowners that mention this blog post before September 1, 2010), call us at 602-485-1111.

Look for my upcoming blogs on:

How to clean your toilet best.

Craziest Photo contest.

By now you have probably heard about Solar Rebates from utility companies drying up or rebate amounts being reduced in Arizona.  Unfortunately the reporting has caused confusion since “solar” in most news reports is about “electrical” solar panel systems.   The solar water heater and solar electric panel rebates are separate programs in the Phoenix area utility companies.  This is good news if you are considering a Solar Hot Water System. 

Electrical Solar System:

Some words used for electrical solar systems include Solar Panels, Photovoltaic or “PV” panels, this type of system is  used to run electrical energy in the home or business, etc. 

Hot Water Heater Solar Systems:

Solar Hot Water systems include words like active or passive solar hot water systems.  Each of these systems are better defined in my prior blog called Solar Hot Water Heater options.

Currently both Phoenix utility companies, SRP and APS are still offering great rebate dollar amounts for Solar Hot Water Systems.  SRP still supports both solar water heater rebates and solar electrical rebates.  The rebates have rules and dates in order to qualify.  The dollar amount of the rebate for solar hot water heater systems are calculated by the efficiency of the system being used.  Review the  links for the most up to date current rebate amounts.

APS Solar electrical and Solar Water Heater rebate information can be found by clicking here .  Like SRP, they use SRCC  ratings to calculate the solar hot water heater rebate amount.

SRCC Rating is the rating that solar hot water and swimming pool systems receive from The Solar Rating and Certification Corporation, an independent rating program that tests and certifies each solar hot water heater system to let us know how efficient one is over another.  Our utility companies use these ratings to calculate the rebates.

Please don’t believe the media stories heard around Phoenix, telling you that there is no more help for any solar here.   Phoenix still has monetary support so you can save on Solar Hot Water Heater Systems, but don’t procrastinate as they will eventually run dry too.  Please remember that most of the media alerts lately have been referring to Solar Electrical System Rebates dwindling quickly.

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Upcoming Articles:

How Can You Win 1 Year of Free Airfare or A Kitchen Makeover?

What Is Causing Your Drain To Run Slow?

Phoenix plumbers offer different types of solar hot water heater options.  If you ‘re looking for more information on Solar Hot Water Heater systems basics then review my past article Solar Hot Water Made Simple.   Today I  want to offer a simple way to understand the 2 common types of systems available.  It is important to know what systems are available, not just what a big box store or sales person offers.  It really is easy,  and I promise to keep the explanation simple.

Our  company has been a licensed plumbing contractor for over 25 years and we’ve worked on many systems and various manufacturers.  Some systems are higher quality than others.  Through our extensive experience, certifications and training classes we are able to provide better service to our customers and the community.   We believe that quality and reliability are #1 and have installed them where we can monitor the reliability daily – on our own plumbers’ homes and Mom’s house.  

Here are the pros and cons of a few different types of solar hot water systems to help you decide what makes sense for you home and your family.

The two most common types of systems being sold in the Phoenix area are Passive and Active systems.  Some popular model names include The Sungrabber, Radco, and CopperSun.

Active systems simply have circulating pumps and controls where  Passive systems do not. 

PASSIVE SOLAR HOT WATER HEATER SYSTEMS: (no pumps or controls)

-We highly recommend the Passive System- it truly is Solar Made Simple.

Pros: (Not in any order)

• Gives a larger amount of hot water heated by the sun, not just what  the tank gallons include
• No special hot water heater needed
• Can be installed with current water heater in home
• Can be installed with gas or electric water heater
• Can be installed on Tankless or tank style water heater
• Does not require extra water tanks,  just one
• Has back-up heater by utility, we have found even on a 60 degree day we get plenty of hot water heated by the sun for a small family
• Great for part time residents, no draining of system
• No Glycol use in system
• It can produce all your water heating needs for well over 300 days a year 
• Works on 90% of all homes in the Phoenix area
• It qualifies for city permits easily
• This type of system has been around for more then 100 years
• Units over 30 years are still working well in AZ
• No moving parts, motors or pumps to wear out or repair
• No electricity needed for pumps
• If the power goes out you still have hot water
• No exposed hardware or plumbing to mar your roof
• Homeowners findthis system easy to understand
• Little or no maintenance
• Some units have been tested to stand 20 degree tempature for 18 hours straight without freezing, (in case you live in Flagstaff or the White Mountains
• Pays for itself in 3-6 years depending on your hot water usage
• Qualifies for Utility Rebate from APS and SRP (subject to change with no notice)
• Qualifies for Federal Tax Credit
• Qualifies for State Tax Credit

The passive model we have chosen to install looks great on homes, it sets into the roof and looks like a sunlight.  Zero  maintenance investment needed as our system comes with a 10 year full warranty on labor,  the hot water solar system, water heater and water lines. That’s what I call hassle-free. 

Not all solar hot water sales people offer this unit as a choice

• Not all plumbers are trained on this unit

ACTIVE SOLAR WATER HEATER SYSTEMS: (with circulating pumps and controls)

Pros:

• It heats up hot water with sun
• Low cost up front
• Works with gas, if additional tank or electric water heater is added
• Freeze protection with a drainback tank
• Light Weight
• Qualifies for Utility Rebate – APS and SRP ( subject to change with no notice)
• Qualifies for Federal Tax Credit
• Qualifies for State Tax Credit

Cons:

• Many moving parts, possible repairs later
• Pumps needed possible repairs later
• Need two water heater tanks if on gas utility 
• Has a drain back tank to protect against freezing
• This unit will require more space than a standard water heater tank
• Some cities have more concerns – not offering permits on particular units
• Not all plumbers know how to repair or install these units
• The homeowner should budget for future repairs
• It may not increase the amount of hot water

A solar hot water heating system is a great way to heat hot water  in Phoenix.  With our utility rates continuing to increase, why not use the sun’s power and reduce your carbon footprint?  You need to know what you don’t know.  Know if the company you buy from uses subcontractors and if they do,  check who they are and what their experience is.  I actually know a solar company that has told me they pick up workers on the street when they have a solar install to complete as they don’t keep employees on their payroll.  Every owner runs their business differently.

Know who your dealing with, as the reported by The Phoenix Business Journal “Complaints Related to Solar Systems Installations” on April 19, 2010…  occurances of bad installations are increasing.

Feel free to contact us for a professional plumber to come out and review your options with a guaranteed price for your water heating needs.  Local valley wide service 877-236-1776.  Mention this blog and get a free service call for a quote.

Have  you read my past  or want to read a future article? 

Arizona cash for appliance-Tankless

Future  Blogs:

The Apprentice and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing?

Facts About AZ Utility Solar Rebates! 

How To Maintain Your Water Heater!

Solar hot water heaters in Phoenix Arizona work well. With 300 days of great sunshine in Phoenix annually you essentially get to heat your hot water for free. We know the sun will rise everyday, we know that utilites rates are increasing, and the incentives are enticing.  Solar Hot Water Heater will help you bridge the gap between higher energy bills and installation costs.  Solar products have improved and research has paid off with lower maintenace and higher reliabilty in these systems.  Buyers just need to know what to look for. 

Incentives:

Currently Phoenix valley homeowners have the ability to get many incentives:

•  30% Federal Tax Credit for 2009.
•  25% or up to $1000.00 Arizona State tax credit for 2009.
• No Sales Tax, right now there is no sales tax on Solar Water Heater Systems.
• Utility Rebate -both SRP and APS Average rebate is currenty $1300.00. Depending on the Solar Systems OG-300 Rating.
• We recommend reviewing tax credits with your accountant.
• All Utility Rebates subject to change without any notice.

The bottom line is you can get a brand new entirely solar water heating system of high quality that will pay for itself. Ben Franklin promises no out of pocket expenses for repairs in the first 10 years.  Now thats what I call “peace of mind” service.

Click for current details on SRP and APS rebate amounts in Arizona.

How Does Solar Water Heater Work?

• The plumbing system sends water up to the solar collector to heat up.
• The solar collector on the roof heats the water in it or running through it with the suns rays.
• The hot water from the roof is piped down into a holding tank ready for use.
• The holding tank is backed up with electric or gas power to heat the water if the sun is unavailable.

Benefits Of A Solar Hot Water System:

• With adequate sun exposure in Phoenix, your hot water use is essentially heated for free. 
• Upgrade your home to solar hot water heater usage (it is an asset when selling your home too).
• Incentives available to save you on the cost to switch over to solar hot water power are generous.
• Depending on the system, some solar collectors will last up to 30 years.
• HOA’s must allow Solar Hot Water Systems on homes.
• Do your part for the environment and go green.
• Low Carbon Footprint is the goal.
• Many solar collectors look nice and some are asthetically pleasing - some look like a skylight.

Important Tips:

• Arizonans should always use Registrar of Contractors Licensed Solar Plumbers for your installation.  You can check their license online to protect yourself.
• Check out the reputation of the both sales and install company (They may be operating with two different names). Also check with Better Businees Bureau in Phoenix, past clients, vendors, etc. essentially anyway you can find to be sure they are a reputable company and have the needed experience to do a great job for you.
• Verify that the sales company and installing plumber have their liability insurance current.
• Request Drug Free and Criminal background checked employees be at your home to protect you and your family.
• Use of financing may be available to help you until rebates and credits arrive.
• Monthly utility savings will depend on household usage of hot water.
• Solar systems with more parts have more repairs in their future.
• Don’t get fooled by a low price.  You will not really save  money when repairs are needed often or parts are difficult to find.

Contact Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber we are A+ Rated by BBB. To get local service call 1-866-867-5309 mention this blog and get a free quote for a new solar water heater.

Some of our past blogs include:

10 Tips to Save Water in Your House

Toilets vs Tampons Friends or Foes?

 Watch for these upcoming blog topics:

“Solar Water Heater Homeowner Options”

“Water Heater Annual Care and Maintenance”

“Benjamin Franklin Plumbing on The Apprentice?”

“Watch and Win the Hot Item On The Apprentice Show”