Solar Water Heaters Pay Off For Some SC Homeowners

As home energy prices continue to skyrocket, many are turning to solar energy to offset some of the costs.

 

But the water heater has been a big challenge -- it takes up about 25 percent of your bill. Experts think they may have a solution.

 

A project to install 60 solar water heaters in selected homes in South Carolina is now complete and starting to pay off. The program is run by Southern Energy Management and Central Electric Power Cooperative.

 

Ken Newell of Clover, S.C., lives in one of those homes with the new technology.

 

"In a home with five people taking at least six baths a day, hot water is the biggest electricity consumer we have,” Newell said.

 

Newell's home uses three solar panels do to the work. They in turn fuel heating coils that raise the water temperature over 100 degrees before the water even gets in the tank.

 

"It's a quick payback. I saved $70 on my power bill in one month,” Newell said.