Did you know that active solar heating system that is used all year long is the most cost effective? However, if you live in a cold climate but receive limited sunlight, or if you live in a very warm climate, an active solar heating system will not work well. We all know how expensive the heating oil is, and they fluctuate with the oil price. Other sources such as electricity, propane, natural gas are all more expensive than solar systems. If you’re looking to install solar heating system, check with your state. Some states offer sales tax exemptions, income tax credits or deductions, and property tax exemptions or deductions for solar energy systems.
It is definitely true the cost of an active solar heating system is high and caries from places to places. Commercial systems range from $30 to $80 per square foot of collector area, installed. Usually, the larger the system, the less it costs per unit of collector area.
One thing for sure is that heating your home with an active solar energy system can significantly reduce your fuel bills in the winter. A solar heating system will also reduce the amount of air pollution and greenhouse gases that result from your use of fossil fuels such as oil, propane, and natural gas for heating or that may be used to generate the electricity that you use.
If you live in the right climate for an active solar heating system, check with the supplier and installer and find out whether cost will be offset by the savings. It will certainly save you money, but you need to find out how many years it’ll take you to recoup the cost. Also if you might move in a few years, particularly in an uncertain economic time, you might take that into consideration.
Source: EERE