Originally published February 15 2006
Federal tax break on solar heating systems encourages Floridians to go with green energy
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In Florida, FOX30 looks at how the federal government's tax break on solar heating systems impacts local citizens.
Soaking up the sunshine is nothing new to Floridians, and now the federal government hopes you'll take full advantage of the constant rays.
Beginning this year, the government is offering a 30% tax break on new solar heating systems.
"It's what the industry's been waiting for, for years."
Glenn owns American Solar Energy in Jacksonville.
He's had a solar water heater in his home for the past decade and says he's saving big bucks.
"With a hot water system, what we do is lower the homes operating cost by taking over the water heating cost by 80-90%, [...] which comes out to the average consumer anywhere from $30-50 in savings per month or $400-600 per year in energy savings."
Glenn says after incentives, a solar water heater can cost as little as $1,500.
By comparison, a regular hot water will run between $400-600.
While a solar water heater system can look complicated, they're really quite simple.
Water in one tank is transported by pipes up to the roof where it's warmed using solar panels.
Water then comes back down the pipes into the tank at a warm temperature, all warmed by the sun.
"As long as there is sun on the solar panels, it continues to circulate and it will raise the temperature of the tank anywhere from 50 to 70 degrees over what the tank temp started at," says Glenn.
Of course, water temperatures aren't the only thing soaring.
Fuel costs are on the rise a swell, which is why Glenn believes we're going to see a dramatic increase in the use of solar energy, thanks to Mother Nature and now the federal government.
For the past three years, JEA has also offered incentives to consumers switching to solar systems.
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