With energy costs seemingly rising every week, some Wiregrass residents are looking to alternate sources of power.

Do you ever feel like everything you use, uses more and more energy? And, with prices soaring for gasoline the fuel adjustment charge on your utility bill might be a little more than you'd like?

Well, Craig McManus says he has one solution, and it's only 93 million miles away. "It's reduced our bills like 30% for hot water, for electric use, because 30 percent of energy used in your home is to heat water, because it's 24 hours a day.”

There is a 30% tax credit on solar water heating systems that McManus says will pay for itself after five years. He also uses the power of the sun to keep his outdoor pool at a comfortable temperature, 10 months out of the year.

"It's awesome,” he says. “Why not get the use of your pool; why not use it and enjoy it. Personally, I like to swim in 80 degree water and not 70 degree water."

However, before Alabama residents run off and try to stack solar panels on their roofs hoping to sell power back to the grid, there are some advantages that Florida residents have when it comes to solar power.

For more information on solar water heating in Dothan, visit the link below.