Shedding Light on Solar Water Heater Myths   

Solar water heaters have been around for quite some time now. With the public being more eco-conscious than ever, we see a spike of interest and adoption when it comes to solar water heaters. However, with anything that’s a bit different from the norms, myths and misinformation spread. Hence, today’s blog entry is about exactly that, solar water heater myths and debunking them. We understand these might be hurdles to consider solar water heating, but what if I told you these didn’t exist? 

That and more will be covered in today’s blog, and we’re going over solar water heater myths one by one!  

For an overview of the solar water heater market and its growing popularity, explore this comprehensive guide by Energy5, which also addresses solar water heater myths.  

Myth 1: Ineffective in Cloudy or Rainy Weather

Here we go, the classic among solar water heater myths. The one everyone always associates with solar water heaters and it’s the one and only “UHHHHH HOW CAN WATER BE HOT IF NO SUN?” The way it works is that the water heater collects heat and warms up the water inside its tank, ready for use whenever – it’s not like you can’t take showers at night, you’ll just be using water that’s been stored and heated rather than immediately toasting yourself with the sun.  

Also, an overcast atmosphere does not completely block out solar radiation; most of sunlight still gets through the clouds to fall on the solar water heater collectors and deliver hot water to the user, debunking a common solar water heater myth. Detailed explanations of how these systems work in various weather conditions can be found in Solarmate’s informative article, further debunking it.  

Myth 2: Prohibitively Expensive

Addressing another of the solar water heater myths: they’re often seen as prohibitively expensive. Sure, its initial investment isn’t cheap but you’re saving money when it comes to long-term savings. Plus, there’s often some help from tax breaks or rebates, depending on where you live, which can take a nice chunk out of the upfront cost. It’s like getting a discount just to be eco-friendly.  

And let’s not forget the rising energy prices. It’s all about the long game; you’re investing upfront, sure, but the payback is both in dollars saved and in knowing you’re doing your bit for the planet. Insights into the cost-effectiveness of solar water heaters, debunking this myth, are discussed in a report from Rheem Australia.  

Myth 3: High Maintenance Requirements

Maintenance is a funny one, because we have our own water maintenance service – not just for solar water heaters. There’s a belief that solar water heaters need a lot of upkeep and maintenance and that’s just not true. Most of the time, they just do their thing without needing a lot of fuss. The occasional check-up and routine cleaning are usually all they need to keep running smoothly.  

Maintenance is never intricate or pricy if you take care of your solar water heater and get help when you notice something’s off. The reduced need for repairs and maintenance is a significant advantage, as highlighted in an HVAC Master Hub article detailing the practical aspects of solar water heater maintenance.

Myth 4: Lack of Durability

Now, for some reason people think solar water heaters are fragile. These things can literally last multiple decades if taken care of. Solar water heaters by design are meant to last long because of their robust build and long-lasting performance. That’s also where maintenance comes into play – all you have to do is keep your eyes peeled and maintain accordingly. You can theoretically have grandchildren before your solar water heater ceases to function. For more on the durability and reliability of solar water heaters, Heater Guides offers a detailed case study and analysis.

Myth 5: Complicated and Space-Consuming Installation

This is a bit of a doozie, often cited among solar water heater myths. The idea that solar water installations are complex and take up space is not just a myth, it’s slander. We at SUMMER literally have people come and install your shiny new solar water heater for you. Not to toot our own horns but we are efficient and professional – as we should be, it IS our product.  

Part of the appeal of solar water heaters is also the lack of clutter to begin with. The installation process, while intricate, is well-outlined in SolVoltaics’ comprehensive guide, detailing steps from selecting the right location for maximum sunlight exposure to the final setup of the system, addressing yet another of the solar water heater myths.  

Embracing the Future with SUMMER’s Solar Water Heaters

In conclusion, myths are weird. They spread like wildfire sometimes and sometimes it’s hard to tell myths apart from facts. We understand that these solar water heater myths might have been the pain points for whether solar water heaters are for you – hopefully today’s blog changed that! If you’re interested in getting started with a solar water heater of your own, hit us up on our website or social media. Don’t be a stranger!