With a solar water heater, the cost is concentrated around the operational costs rather than the fixed cost. While picking a heater, it is a good idea to go figure how much it will cost you to operate each and then compare and pick the best one. The US Dept. of Energy gives you a formula to do this:

365 × 41,045/SEF × Fuel Cost (Btu) = estimated annual cost of operation

Where SEF is Solar Energy Factor – provided by the manufacturer of the heater and fuel cost is the cost of the fuel used to run the auxiliary tank – provided by your local utility provider. The fuel cost could be in British thermal units (Btu) or therms. Once you have this answer, you can compare it with other heating methods and solar heaters.

Installation of the solar water heater will be undertaken by the provider. As with the PV system, you need to ensure that your provider is experienced in installing the type of system you need and is licensed to do so. Since solar water heaters take up some space in and around the house, you will need to check with local building authorities, community laws and also state laws. Your provider should be easily able to install a system that meets all these requirements.

Maintenance of a solar water heater is very important not only to maintain efficiency but also safety. Solar systems are prone to corrosion, freezing and general plumbing issues. Your provider should be able to brief you on issues related to your particular system and also offer periodic inspections. With regular basic cleaning, routine check ups can be held even once in 3-5 years. Generally, opt for a passive system with no moving parts if you wish to minimize maintenance.

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