Solar Power - need info, resources and advice

[AaronsMommy]

So, I'm hoping that you smart, eco-minded ladies can help me gather information and resources on switching my family's home to solar power

We don't have a ton of money (and I know it can be expensive) but here is our story. We currently have a fuel-oil furnace that provides our home with radiant water-based baseboard heat. We love the heat that it provides and the constant hot water. We recently determined that we have no choice but to replace the current furnace, which will cost about $5,000 and the oil costs each winter have become staggering. We were about to sign the paperwork, when all the sudden we realized that we didn't really want to make such a large investment in an antiquated system that will force us to continue to buy fuel oil for years and years to come.

So, we would like to convert the heating and hot water system to electric and install solar panels to provide that electric. Has anyone been through this process, have any great advice or know of any great resources out there?

Thank you SO much!

[Sadystar]

How many KWs do you need to supply the heaters? Then you can work out what you will need.

In my opinion (and we have both) a straightforward solar hot water system will be far more efficient than generating electricity that you then convert to heat. HOWEVER....we have a fairly small house and we found even the costs of that to be staggering, and we get A LOT of sunlight during winter. If you want green bang for your buck look to install either solar pv or hot water for other uses (or better insulate and double glaze first).....heating water or creating heat from electricity is very costly (as you're all finding out), not only in financial terms but also in the sheer amount of energy required to do it. Is it possible for you to use wood instead?