Many people are unsure of what they can do to help create a more sustainable world. Decrease your Carbon Footprint, they say. Whatever that means… Want an easy place to start? Your HOUSE… according to the USGBC, the existing building stock in the US accounts for:
• 72% of electricity consumption,
• 39% of energy use,
• 38% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions,
• 40% of raw materials use,
• 30% of waste output (136 million tons annually), and
• 14% of potable water consumption.
Many homeowners are finding an easy solution with Solar Hot Water. Some systems can multitask to heat the home, provide domestic hot water AND keep an outdoor hot tub as toasty as you want it.
I like the system that Governor Ritter’s Energy Office endorses; Energistic Systems has been awarded a $100,000 grant this year for further research, development and marketing of the type of technology poised to move the new energy economy forward at a level affordable to most homeowners. The latest – the Suntrac Solar Collector…
“The Suntrac Collector is the first to combine the low installation and maintenance cost characteristics of flat plate design with the proven high temperature yields of parabolic concentrating collectors that track the sun. A synchronous tracker uses shaded phototransistors to follow the sun from east to west daily. The reflectors automatically return to the east position at the end of the day. The revolutionary Suntrac delivers water to 250 degrees F at the lowest installed price.”
Dave Emmitt – Direct Drive Service, the FIRST to Install the Suntrac Collector on a retrofitted local home
These new panels are an exception to that rule. Since they “track” the azimuth of the sun, their efficiency is much higher than that of flat panels, they create higher temperatures (180-260 F vs. 120-160 for many flat panels), and are effective for a longer time duration during the day. And that also takes care of all of the domestic hot water needs during that time period, as long as the sun is out. The more panels and storage, the longer into the evening the heating needs will be augmented and the domestic hot water needs will be satisfied. With a high efficiency tankless water heater as backup to this cost effective solar system, endless hot water is available even when the sun can’t provide it free. And because the tankless is a modulating component system, any pre-heated water from the solar tank or in the hot tub, will allow the tankless to work only as hard as it needs to maintain the set temperature. Then, while the sun shines, the tankless rests. And during the day, Solar Thermal Suntrac panels are ready to heat your home, provide endless showers, and keep that outdoor hot tub ready for daily use. Locally designed & tested. And just downright cool.
No comments:
Post a Comment