Dear Co-op America,
Is it worth it to replace my conventional water heater with a solar water heater?
– Jane, Seattle, WA

No matter where you live or what your climate, solar water heaters can be a great way to save energy, save money and reduce your household's greenhouse gas emission – even in rainy Seattle – making them a very worthwhile investment.

A solar water heater generally costs between $2,000 and $6,000, and it begins paying for itself immediately with reduced-energy bills. The amount you save will depend on many factors, including how much hot water you use, your system's performance, sunlight in your area and the local cost of conventional fuels, but the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that on average, your energy bill should decrease by between 50 and 80 percent. With the savings, your water heater will pay for itself in about three to five years.

Also, there are tax incentives that make the cost of a solar water heater even cheaper. For any solar water heater placed in service between now and the end of 2007, you can receive a federal tax credit for 30 percent of the system's cost with a maximum credit of $2,000. Note that to claim the credit, your system must be certified by the Solar Rating Certification Corporation (www.solar-rating.org). To find additional state-level tax incentives, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy at www.dsireusa.org.

To learn about the different types of solar water heaters available, start with Co-op America's article “Try a Solar Water Heater,” available online at www.coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/solarwaterheaters.cfm.

Dear Co-op America,
I read your recent article about how plastics leach chemicals. Being an architect and builder, I know that the most common plumbing-pipe material now used in residential work is PVC, which your article says causes significant problems in the environment during its manufacture, use and disposal. Is there any company offering (or developing) an alternative, more environmentally sensitive residential plumbing pipe product?
– Mark A. Miller, Chicago, IL

There are several alternatives to PVC piping already available, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance's Healthy Building Network (HBN), a national network of green builders and others interested in promoting building materials that are healthy for people and the planet. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, for example, work for the water, sewer, and conduit and ducting (protecting communication and electrical wires) sectors.

For more information, including a list of HDPE pipe vendors, consult HBN's “PVC-Free Pipe Purchaser's Report” online at www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/pipes_report.html. To contact HBN by phone, call (202) 898-1610.

“Living Green” is brought to you by Co-op America, a national nonprofit that provides green living, purchasing and investing tips and resources. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pages™ directory of green businesses, call (800) 58-GREEN or visit www.coopamerica.org. E-mail Living Green questions to livinggreen@coopamerica.org.