And finally…10. Pre-heat With Solar
A solar system to pre-heat water may make sense if you have a sunny roof or other place to put the panels. The system pre-heats water before it is heated with gas or electricity. In the summer, it will be more attractive, particularly in the sunny climate of Portola Valley, than in the winter when you may rely more on your conventional water heating system. Look out though if your home is shaded by large trees or doesn’t have space for a unit.
Put a leaf on the tree if you install some kind of solar heating system to pre-heat any water for internal home use, not for your pool (you can get a leaf for your pool separately).
The cost of equipment might be around $3500 to $5500.
Savings could be as much as 30% of the water heating bill. A pre-heating system can be retrofitted to your existing hot water system.