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Solar Hot Water for Housing Coops in VancouverFrequently Asked Questions | Steps to implement a solar hot water system on your coop using carbon offset funding With funding from Vancouver Renewable Energy, your housing coop could install a solar hot water system without raising housing costs, which will save both greenhouse gas production and utility costs over the long term. [ How do I get Started? | Frequently Asked Questions ]
Solar HW for the Planet
How do I get Started? Steps to Implement a Solar Hot Water System on your Coop using VREC carbon offset funding:
Frequently Asked QuestionsIs there funding to pay for solar hot water systems?Yes. Federal funding will pay for approximately 24% of the cost of a system and installation. VREC also provides funding to qualifying coops from carbon offset sales to subsidize loan payments during the first few years of paying for the system so they are never larger than the amount saved. This means that your coop will never pay more than it does now, and once the system is paid off, will save every month on its utility costs. See below for an example that illustrates this. Cost of a system for a multi-unit building can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. The assessment provides information on how much can be paid by grants. To book an appointment for an assessment, call 778-869-8333 Example: (Numbers are for example only, your coop's specifics will be determined by assessment)
Does VREC do the installation work?Yes. Although we may contract other installers for specialized systems. We are in the process of completing our Canadian Solar Industry Association (CANSIA) solar hot water certification, which should be completed shortly. In situations where another installer does the work, we do the assessment and provide the carbon offset funding. We're about to replace our roof or boiler. Is it a good time to install solar hot water?Yes. Since the panels need to go on the roof, the footings for the racks to hold the panels can be installed during roofing more affordably. However, installation can happen at any time. Solar systems partner with your existing or new boiler so don't need to be installed at the same time, but there may be cost savings or efficiencies that can be realized by installing them at the same time. Are there coop buildings that aren't compatible with solar hot water?Yes, if each unit has it's own hot water tank, it's generally not economical to install solar hot water. The building also needs a roof or other structure that receives sun throughout most of the day and is either flat or facing south or south-west. Are the panels too heavy for my roof?No. Roofs are built to handle significant snow loads (even in Vancouver) and the weight of the panels is well within those limits. What about ongoing maintenance?Generally, the pumps that circulate the warmed water will need to be replaced every 10 years or so. With no moving parts, the panels generally are expected to last 20 years or more. To book an appointment for an assessment, call 778-869-8333 |
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