Top 10 Solar Water Heaters in 2022: Costs, Plus Pros & Cons

The best 2022 solar water heaters for whole-house residential use (not for pools, hot tubs or camping shower bags!) are available in two types, active and passive models.

Active vs. Passive Solar Water Heaters

The first major decision you have is which system type to select – and your local weather and climate are going to be a major factor.

In short, you can install either active or passive system in a warm climate, but where winter freezes are possible, an active system that employs antifreeze is essential. — These are indirect systems.

Here are more details describing each type:

Passive solar water heaters rely on water pressure from a municipal water supply or a well pump to move heated water from the tank through your plumbing. They are easier to install and cost significantly less. Heated water rises into the storage tank through convection/buoyancy in thermosiphon systems or it flows to the storage tanks in integrated models.

Thermosiphon heat-exchanger tank – passive solar hot water system

Active solar water heaters have circulation pumps circulating antifreeze plus more control features to regulate temperature and protect the unit from freezing in cold weather.

Active solar hot water system – how it works

Direct vs. Indirect Water Heating

Direct systems heat potable water sent directly to a storage tank or tankless water heater for use as domestic hot water – the water coming from your hot water taps or connected to a dishwasher or clothes washer.

Indirect systems circulate antifreeze, usually propylene glycol, that is heated in the solar collectors. The heated liquid is pumped through a coil of pipe in a hot water storage tank or through a heat exchanger that transfers heat to the potable water in the tank.

Top Solar Water Heaters in 2022

  1. Duda SUS304 240 Liter – Passive
  2. Sunbank 80 Gallon – Passive
  3. Rheem SolarAide – Passive
  4. Apricus WOMBAT Pressurized ET – Thermosiphon Solar Water Heater (Passive)
  5. Duda Standard 240 Liter – Passive
  6. Apricus PV Powered – Split Pump Forced Solar Water Heating System (Passive)
  7. Rheem SolPak with Electric Backup 80 Gallon – Electric Solar Water Heater (Active)
  8. Duda 300 Liter – Active
  9. Sun Earth SolaRay 2 – Active
  10. Northern Lights SWH-2 – 2 x TZ58 1800 30R – Active

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House Fencing Costs 2022: Materials, Installation Planning & Pricing

Picture a yard fence. What’s it made of? How do the fence posts appear? What color is it? These are all rhetorical questions to have you realize there are far more design options to fences than most people consider.

Height of a fence is an important factor, along with the choice of material, color, and post design. Plus, you’ll probably want a gate, depending on how much the fence encloses the yard, or other segment of your property.

Each of these items comes at a cost, and we’ll walk you through that to help plan your project and determine reasonable cost expectations.

Cost

The average cost has a very wide range, from $5.50 to $22.50 per linear foot of mid-range fencing installed. That said, high-end fencing can cost over $30.00 per liner foot. While that isn’t exactly helpful, it does help to understand which materials are more expensive.

The average yard fence fits into a range of $2,500 to $4,500, which is based on 200 linear feet, or enough to fence a quarter acre lot. The project cost includes the cost of a site plan, building permits, and workmanship warranty.

The average lot size in the U.S. is 17,590 sq. ft. or about .4 acres. This is according to the 2010 Census information.

Outside of metropolitan areas, the average yard size goes to over a half-an acre (.64 to be exact). Fencing though is not measured by square footage, as presumably it would be around the inner edge of the perimeter. Instead, costs are determined by linear foot.

Before we get into the many factors that contribute to fencing costs, there are some important preliminary considerations to explore.

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Slate Roof Cost in 2022: Colors, Pros & Cons, Installation, and ROI

Slate roofs have a lot going for them in terms of longevity, durability, and classic beauty and style. Much of it is well known, some of it is not so well known.

Yes, natural slate is among the most costly and alluring roofing options for homes, but it is certainly not intended for every roof structure or house.

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