Water heaters, those plug-ugly tubes in our basements from which our glorious hot showers come forth. We don't think much about them until they break and then we call Mike the Plumber. Or Bob or Ivan or Angelica if you happen to corral the one out of a hundred plumbers who's a gal. In our case, soon after we bought our house in the summer of 2011, our water heater cracked like an egg...Mike the Plumber to the rescue! Having just spent a pretty penny, we opted for the lowest cost replacement, a gas-burning unit. Flash forward eight years and that sucker cracks, too. Mike recommends a do-over, you just can't expect more than eight years what with the hard water in these parts, but I pause this time. What about electric?
Slowly, Mike shakes his head. He's skeptical and explains that electric water heaters are more expensive and not as economical per thermal unit or something. Then I tell him that we've put solar panels on the roof, which produce an excess of electricity that Eversource just takes for its own. An electric water heater would allow us to tap into that surplus and, therefore, heat our water for free. Mike is psyched by this twofer -- save money and stick it to the grabby Man. Let's do it! When I mention that it'll also lower my carbon footprint, he sorta nods/shrugs. As in, fine, if you're into that kind of thing.
Slowly, Mike shakes his head. He's skeptical and explains that electric water heaters are more expensive and not as economical per thermal unit or something. Then I tell him that we've put solar panels on the roof, which produce an excess of electricity that Eversource just takes for its own. An electric water heater would allow us to tap into that surplus and, therefore, heat our water for free. Mike is psyched by this twofer -- save money and stick it to the grabby Man. Let's do it! When I mention that it'll also lower my carbon footprint, he sorta nods/shrugs. As in, fine, if you're into that kind of thing.
The next day, he installs the new unit and it's clear he's been thinking about those long showers his kids take. What did your panels cost you? he asks. I tell him, adding that prices have fallen significantly since then. Plus you get federal and state tax rebates. Mike nods, thinking, calculating, laying mental pipe from paycheck to that damn Eversource bill. Who'd you use? I point to the yard sign the company stuck in the front lawn while they worked, now propped in the basement corner next to the solar inverter. Out pops Mike the Plumber's phone. Flash, he takes a photo.
Let me know what you save on gas, he says on his way out of the house. Sure thing, replies Hal the Homeowner. Will Mike go solar? That's hard to say, but if he does take the leap it probably won't be because of an article he reads about climate change or a speech he hears from a politician. It'll be because of a conversation in a basement between two people. Because it makes sense. And maybe for his kids' future, too.
By the way, here's my latest gas bill. This August my wife and I spent 58 cents on natural gas to power our stove. That's it, and we weren't on vacation. Eversource still got its $10.37 delivery charge -- twenty times the cost of the product! -- but you know the old saying. When you stick it to the Man, he has a habit of sticking you back. Still, 58 cents ain't bad.
By the way, here's my latest gas bill. This August my wife and I spent 58 cents on natural gas to power our stove. That's it, and we weren't on vacation. Eversource still got its $10.37 delivery charge -- twenty times the cost of the product! -- but you know the old saying. When you stick it to the Man, he has a habit of sticking you back. Still, 58 cents ain't bad.
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