Celebrating 30-Years Of A 'Green' Appliance

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Thirty years is a long time for any appliance to continue working, so one Riverside family decided to celebrate their solar hot water heater's three decades of use.

The first 'Earth Day' was held in 1970, beginning a decade when the concept of "going green" first took hold on the American Psyche.

For Tom Merten and his wife, that concept was taken to heart. The Mertens installed a solar hot water heater in 1978.

Cake and Ice Cream were enjoyed celebrating the special milestone. A closer look tells more. The cake is actually a representation of the solar panel on the Merten's home that's heated their water for 30-years.

"We've been environmentalists -- tried to be environmentalists our whole adult lives," said Tom Merten.

Merten and his wife Ila Rae had their old electric water heater kick the bucket in 1978.

"And we decided to go solar. This was back in '78 and there was a real environmental movement in the 70s," said Merten.

Tom drew the permits, installed it himself and sent in the rebates.

"I think our total costs after the rebates was $700!"

And his State Industries SolarCraft 3 has provided 90-95% of the family's hot water needs ever since, saving about $12,000 in energy bills versus that cash going down the drain.

"There's the feel good factor too! A lot of things in life you don't do for money... and this is one of them!" said Merten.

"I think the big issue is the health of our planet ,"

On this hot summer night they'll eat cake... celebrating 30-years of being ahead of the environmental curve.

"Cake and ice cream, and I'll wash the dirty dishes with the hot water from our solar water heater. And the breaker is off and it's all from the sun right now!" said Merten.

First Coast News contacted a local Solar Energy company on Monday to inquire what a similar system would cost to install in 2008. The pricetag? --Between 4 and $5,000. But with rebates and IRS tax incentives, that cost could be cut in half.