Jun 29 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Julie N. Chang The News Herald, Morganton, N.C.

The installation of their new solar water heating system is set to save the McNallys over 90 percent in water heating bills.

Stephen and Judy McNally of 205 Tate St. decided to install the solar heating system because of their concern for the environment and to decrease heating costs. Judy said with the savings the couple would see their investment return in approximately three years.

Combined with their water boiler, the system serves the second purpose of supplementing the heating system for the house, Judy said.

Stephen, a licensed general contractor, said he started researching solar water heating systems over a year ago. Stephen said he chose the Genersys PLC system because of the construction quality of the solar panels, the two-year warranty and the company's swift and direct involvement in the process.

Michaela Wheeler, of Slovakia, a technical manager for Genersys, was on the scene Friday as the McNallys installed the solar panels.

As Genersys expands to throughout the U.S., Wheeler is training Stephen and brought two other trainees to learn the installation process.

Wheeler said the solar panels heat antifreeze, which pumps through the heating system and exchanges heat in the hot water tank. The McNallys' home is the first in North Carolina to have this particular solar water heating system, Wheeler said.

Stephen said the Genersys system eliminates a lot of deficiencies found in other heating systems. For example, problems with most systems require assistance from technicians rather than relying solely on homeowner maintenance.

As a contractor, McNally said he hopes to install these systems throughout the area with his company, LGM Solar Development.

McNally explained that the solar panels do not have to be affixed to the roof of the home, but can collect solar energy from atop the garage roof or in the garden.

The cost of these systems range from $8,000 to $12,000, McNally said.