Here's a new-age looking appliance that solves an age-old quest: harnessing the sun's power.
The Space-Saver hot water heater can provide 60 to 80 percent of a household's annual hot water needs. The rest is provided by the existing system -- electric, oil, natural gas or propane.
The single-tank system is operated by a programmable digital controller that displays temperatures, amount of energy produced, estimated savings and other information.
The system is powered by one to four solar collectors (4' x 8' x 3"). Mounted on a roof, fence or ground, the panels look like thin skylights. An insulated, flexible fluid line runs from the roof to the hot water tank.
Installation is done by company approved contractors, and price varies, depending on the set-up. Plan on a minimum for $2,500 for a simple set up.