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Old 07-31-14, 05:39 PM   #7
TimJFowler
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikesolar View Post
Either way, nothing compares with a cheap 55% gas tank on cost but should that be the baseline? If so, you will never get close to it doing a solar system.
This seems to be the heart of the matter. While the operating costs for solar thermal approach zero, the upfront costs are comparatively huge. I would like to use solar energy for hot water but it is 8X more expensive upfront (w/o labor) than a "good" nat. gas heater.

If we lived off-grid or had propane heat this would be a more balanced equation. But, we live on the grid and have "cheap" gas and electricity.

Tim
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