Before installing the SHWS at our home we had other projects to complete.  We started in 2001, and we continue to work our energy plan today.  In the future, we will publish “Suburban Greening” which includes many projects along with what we learned. (SHWS Lessons Learned)

Did you notice the type of roof the SHWS is installed on?  This is an Englert standing seam metal roof system.  The paint is a reflective paint to reduce heat absorption.  When homes and buildings absorb heat in the warmer months, it takes a lot of energy to cool them down.  The roof also has a ridge vent installed along the spans of the roof lines and this allows for the release of heat and moisture which when trapped inside, cause mold and more energy to cool the home down.

Long ago we decided to install a metal roof when our roof needed replacing, but not before.  The metal roof will last more than a lifetime.  Installing SHWS and any other solar system on our roof is practical.  Many solar PV (photovoltaic) systems have a warranted life of 25 years- again, no one knows for sure how long the PV panels will produce enough power before needing replacement.

We decided on installing the SHWS because heating the water is a large portion of our electric bill. The SHWS is not maintenance free.  Every 5-10 years it  must be recharged with a new fluid which is used to capture and transfer heat.  No one knows how long the thermal panels will generate enough heat to keep our water hot.  The thermal panels have a warranty of 10 years.  There is no expected return on investment even when considering the federal tax credit and the grant money from the State of Maryland.  The federal and state governments need to provide dollar for dollar tax incentives for all energy improvements.  By doing this, an enormous long lasting economic stimulus would occur rather than just “dropping pennies from the helicopter” (taxpayer rebates) approach.  The results could potentially be far reaching.

Some people and businesses are investing in alternative energy now by implementing alternative energy solutions in their homes and businesses with the hope of reversing a growing negative environmental impact.  Every investment made is a long term consideration and is more of a moral investment than economic.  Whatever the reason- reduce global warming, reduce costs, reduce dependence upon foreign energy- is for each individual or concern to decide.

I started off with a thought- “Think about the word FOSSIL.”  This is what fossil fuels will become.  We don’t know precisely how long fossil fuels will last, but we do know the supply is finite.  We don’t know how long it will take to reverse the negative environmental effects we are experiencing but we do know they are global and that we must act to change this trend.