| Both gas and solar water heaters can be | | | | out. And due to safety restrictions, these gas |
| considered more energy efficient than using only | | | | bottles cannot be carried in the family car along |
| electricity to heat the water needed for your | | | | with the shopping and children. Instead, the gas |
| home. However, gas water heaters are slightly | | | | supply company must bring the bottles to the |
| different from solar heating because all the water | | | | home. |
| must be heated by the gas instead of just a | | | | Gas heaters are energy efficient, but sometimes |
| percentage of it. With solar water heaters, much | | | | the pilot light in the base of the unit can go out |
| of the water heating is done by solar energy that | | | | when conditions are windy. For safety, when the |
| is free. | | | | flame goes out a thermoelectric device will shut |
| Electric water heaters, which many households | | | | off the gas supply. The pilot light must be relit |
| own, are not utilizing the sun's free, unlimited | | | | before the gas heater can start to work again. |
| energy. Solar water heaters can be supplied with | | | | The gas flame should always be blue. If it is |
| gas or electric backup boosters for the cooler | | | | orange you will need to try adjusting the shutter |
| months where the sun is not so strong, so you | | | | and if that makes no difference then call for |
| will always have hot water. | | | | service. Sometimes the burner will get clogged, |
| These heaters capture the sun's energy by using | | | | causing the pilot light to go out constantly. |
| collectors that are mounted on the roof. Initially | | | | Upon comparison with solar hot water systems |
| installation costs may be higher. Gas heaters are | | | | and gas water heaters, solar is the green and |
| restricted by the availability of piped gas in the | | | | smart solution. The simplicity of solar hot water |
| area. They can be run from bottled gas, but then | | | | systems speaks for itself, harnessing the suns |
| you have to change these every time they run | | | | free unlimited energy to heat up your hot water. |