Is a Solar Domestic Hot Water (SDHW) System the Right Choice for You?
As the price of conventional fuels continue
to rise, using the sun's energy to offset part of your domestic hot water heating costs makes financial sense. Because the sun's
energy is free, using a SDHW system actually guarantees you some measure of energy security in that you will never have to worry about
rising energy prices for the portion of hot water produced by the system. Also, if purchase financing is required, it's possible
to select an amortization period such that loan payments are generally balanced by the savings from the SDHW system so that
the system will essentially pay for itself.
From an environmental perspective, using a SDHW system can provide a massive reduction in your carbon dioxide emissions. In
one recent case study, a residential SDHW system saved 806 litres of heating oil in its first year of operation which equates to 2,176
kilograms of carbon dioxide not being released into the atmosphere. This emissions reduction is the same as taking a 2010 Honda
Accord or Chevrolet Malibu off the road for six months.
Seminar Benefits
This seminar is intended as an
introduction to SDHW systems and will be of particular value to anyone considering purchasing one. The seminar will provide
the answers to many of the questions that a prospective owner would have - the answers are based on the personal experience of
the presenter (Rod Dempsey), data from the three SDHW system case studies available on this website, and information on SDHW
systems obtained from a variety of sources.
Seminar Outline
The seminar will be delivered using approximately
70 PowerPoint slides and should be about an hour and a half in duration. The exact delivery time will vary depending on the
level of discussion (which is encouraged) that occurs. The seminar has nine sections as listed below.
- Why SDHW Systems are Important for the Environment
- And the Survey Says...(Awareness, Knowledge, and Interest
of Homeowners toward Solar
Domestic Water Heating Systems)
- Are SDHW Systems Practical
for our Climate?
- Types of Collectors and Systems
- Site Assessment
- SDHW
Installations in P.E.I.
- A Few Ways to Gain More from Your SDHW System
- The Lifetime Hot Water
Payment Program
- A Look at SDHW System Financial Scenarios
Delivery Fee
The delivery fee for the seminar is
$150 (subject to travel expenses).