When you take a stroll through the community, you may notice that many residents have installed solar pool heating panels in the Villages. In fact, many homeowners all across North Central Florida take advantage of the abundant sunshine to light their homes and heat their water with solar energy . The primer below will tell you how you can take advantage of this free, renewable energy source to lower your utility bills.

Solar Water Heating
Solar pool heaters and water heaters are typically installed in one day, and they allow you to start harnessing solar power immediately. Both use special types of panels called “collectors” mounted on your roof, which heat water before it is pumped back into the holding tank or the pool. You can substantially cut down on your electric and gas bill when you don’t pay to heat the water in your pool or the water you use in your shower.

Solar Powered Lights
You can light your home with solar energy directly or indirectly. Low-profile solar tubular skylights provide a bright , natural, white light by bouncing the light through a mirrored tube before it reaches your interior space, and their unique design filters out harmful UV rays. Solar tubes provide much more light than traditional skylights; and with no fading or heat. You can also indirectly power your lights, and any other appliances in your home, by installing photovoltaic (PV) cells, commonly called “solar panels,” on your roof.

Solar Attic Fans
During hot Florida summers, temperatures can soar in your home’s attic. Elevated temperatures in the attic can substantially increase your cooling bill, damage items that you store there, and even cause the shingles on your roof to buckle and leak. To keep the air temperature cool, you can install a solar attic fan. These low-profile vent units are powered entirely by sunlight, so the fan only runs when the attic is warm. You don’t need to run any extra wires in your roof because the motor and solar panel unit are completely self-contained.

Solar energy in Clermont and the rest of the North Central Florida region has displayed numerous benefits. Solar energy is not only useful for human consumers in a wide array of applications, but it is also beneficial for the environment. Keep reading if you would like to learn about a few of the benefits of solar water heating for your home.

Environmental Impact
Residential water heating can require a substantial amount of resources; every time you take a shower, run your dishwasher, or wash your clothing you are relying on your hot water heater. If you live with a significant other or a family, this expenditure of resources may be significantly amplified. Both you and the environment pay for these resources when your heating system is powered by gas or electricity, and the toll it takes on the environment may be more permanent. Fortunately, solar water heaters can help to reduce your carbon footprint by a significant margin. According to ENERGY STAR, these types of solar powered appliances may reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50 per cent. If you already recycle and ride your bicycle to work, using solar energy in this manner can be yet another way to go green.

Financial Savings
Using solar power to heat your water at home can save you money in addition to protecting the environment. As is the case with solar attic fans and solar tubular skylights, the solar energy that powers your hot water heater is free of charge. People often choose to pair their solar heaters with backup gas or electric heaters; the former pairing can save you a few thousand dollars over the lifespan of the appliance, and the latter can save you even more. This can be especially appealing to large families that tend to use a great deal of energy.

Durability
While other kinds of water heaters may need repairs or replacements relatively frequently, solar water heaters tend to last for two decades or longer. This means that you can enjoy the stability of your water-heating appliance for years to come.