The world is going green. There is no way around it. There are good reasons to make economical and environmental changes even if you think that the ‘green future’ could possibly be some sort of trend. Everyone likes to save money on their bills. Experience is showing us that there is no more efficient way to do this than to employ green techniques for your everyday needs in your home. Most conversions can be done cheaply and easily. Even if some are more expensive, they will eventually pay for themselves. On the forefront of the battle against high energy bills is the ability to heat your water using solar energy. The sun is the largest producer of energy known to man, so it would be totally unreasonable not to take advantage of this renewable resource. Also known as ‘domestic hot water systems,’ solar heated water units basically consist of two things: storage tanks and solar collectors. In addition to this you can also employ active circulating pumps and controls or you can install units without that particular feature. It is important to note that these storage tanks must be well insulated. If you go with a two-tank system then the solar water heater preheats the water before moving into your conventional water heater. A one-tank system on the other hand does not and the conventional heater is a back up to the solar unit. There are some key factors that one needs to consider when selecting the appropriate type of solar heater for their home. These include such concerns as how much sun exposure your site receives, determining the system’s energy efficiency, and becoming familiar with local codes and regulations. Installing and maintaining a system can depend on the type of unit and location it is to be used, but maintenance for any unit is required as little as every three to four years! While the process of selecting and installing a solar water heating may seem daunting, ask any owner of a green system such as this and they are likely to boast of the advantages the technology has given them.