Solar water heating in Northern CA Benefits

ByCurtis McQuinn
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Solar water heating in Northern CA has never been a better deal. Solar rebates are making this a great time to install a solar water heater  in Northern CA Water heaters use about 20% of the energy consumed in the average American home. They are the second largest energy user in the home.(The first is space heating) They are also much cheaper to install than solar electric (photovoltaic) making them a great value for many homeowners, and even businesses especially areas where natural gas is absent like Sonora, Angels Camp, Copperopolis, Groveland etc.

A solar water heater in Northern CA homes can dramatically cut the amount you spend to heat water  by using the energy of the sun instead of using fossil fuels. (Using electric water heaters also uses fossil fuels because 29-41% of the state’s electricity comes from burning natural gas). When you consider that water heating consumes the second largest amount of energy in the home, and the sun produces heat naturally it makes sense to harness the energy of the sun instead of paying high fuel prices. A solar thermal system can easily last 20 + years so the cost saving benefits last for years.

Things to look for when hiring a contractor to install a solar water heater in Northern CA.

  • Licensed contractor
  • Bonded and insured
  • Part of the California solar initative program ( to qualify for rebates)
  • Experience not only with plumbing, but with mechanical piping as well.
  • Experience with hydronic heating.

(This is not the same as plumbing a standard water heater, but plumbing experience is necessary because some modifications may be needed to the existing plumbing system)

For more information about solar water heating in Northern CA contact Sonora plumbers at Optimized Plumbing & Piping 209-743-9821 We provide solar water heater installations in northern California, as well as Sonora plumbing service, and plumbers in Modesto CA. We are part of the California Solar Initative so you can receive any rebates available for solar water heating. We are also familiar with other energy efficient solutions for heating water including high efficiency tankless water heaters, and heat pump water heaters. Let us put together a hot water system that works for you.