With global warming finally getting the press it deserves, many people are getting an education in climate change and CO2 emissions. Nobody wants to pollute, but many people are still unaware of how to do their part. What if you could do something that was three times as beneficial to the environment as a hybrid car, but only costs 1/10 the price. That is precisely what a solar water heating system can do. We should also mention that the initial cost is totally recovered in the first three years. After that, it pays you up to $80 per month in savings. By far, solar water heating is the single biggest thing you can do to help prevent CO2 emissions. It is also one of the best financial investments you can make.

• Worldwide, 1995 was the warmest year since global temperatures were first kept in 1856. This supports the near consensus among climatologists that emissions of CO2 and other gases are causing global warming. (Chivilan and Epstein, Boston Globe)

• On average 16 million tons of CO2 are emitted into the atmosphere every 24 hours by human use worldwide. (U.S. Department of Energy)

• The United States is the world’s largest single emitter of CO2, accounting for 25% of energy related carbon emissions worldwide. (U.S. Department of Energy)

• Fossil fuels are depleted at a rate that is 100,000 times faster than they are formed.

• Research shows that an average household with an electric water heater spends about 30% of its home energy costs on heating water.

• Surprising as it may seem, analysts believe that the annual total CO2 produced by residential water heaters throughout North America is roughly equal to that produced by all of the cars and light trucks driving around the continent.

• Solar water heaters do not pollute. By investing in one, you will be avoiding carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and other air pollution and wastes created when your utility company generates power to heat your household water. When a solar water heater replaces an electric water heater, the electricity displaced over 20 years represents more than 50 tons of avoided CO2 emissions alone.

• A solar water heater can reduce your monthly electric bill by 30%. That is up to $1000 per year.

• The federal and state governments are finally recognizing all of these facts and are offering huge incentives to install a solar water heater. Up to $2500 in rebates are available for you right now!