The solar water heater would automatically lower the overall energy bills by around 20%.

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We could convert current energy bills into jobs right now by installing solar panel systems and solar water heater systems on homes, and having the utility corporations meter these solar installations and continue to bill consumers.

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From the perspective of displacing fossil-fuel use, solar thermal water heater systems are even more advantageous.

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Bad timing, then, for Hi-Min Solar Power, a solar water-heater company that grew on the back of close political ties in its home province of Shandong.

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For the spy with a yen to be green, the house has low utility bills courtesy of a passive solar design, low-E windows and solar-generated water heater.

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The difference is, with solar thermal assist, your furnace or water heater comes on less often, and runs for far shorter periods(or not at all) using far less energy.

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If you have a run of cloudy days and there is not enough solar heat to completely heat your water -the water heater will come on and heat water just the same as it always has.

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