Solar Thermal Array
C.S.I. San Francisco is not a new spin off crime show featuring computer generated imagery of gruesome murder scenes, it is in fact the California Solar Initiative program from the California Public utilities Commission (CPUC) which, in our neck of the woods is PG&E. While Tax Credits have been around for a while and utilities rebates for Photo-Voltaic systems are well known, the Rebates for Solar Hot Water systems have been a little slow getting off the ground.
Rebates are here and there is around $350,000,000 available for incentives on Solar Thermal Hot Water systems. That is on top of the 30% federal Tax credit!
To get the rebates which could yield up to $1850, the installer must complete a training class from the utility company.
Today, August 9th 2010, I completed that class and can officially apply for said rebate incentives. [...]
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Mission Control
On Friday, May 14th 2010, a City of Berkeley building inspector signed off on the final inspection on one of the most forward thinking buildings in the Bay Area.
I was very fortunate to be involved in the design and installation of the plumbing and mechanical systems in this new construction Berkeley home that incorporates almost all of the green plumbing technologies available at this time.
The home-owner on this project is deeply concerned about environmental change, when it came time to build her dream home, she was determined that it should have a minimal impact on the planet. Our homes generate a great deal of the carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and diminishing resources including fossil fuels and water are concerns for everyone.
To minimize the carbon footprint we have hydronic radiant heating, on-demand hot water circulation and solar thermal hot water.
The water conservation measures include, gray water recycling, rain water harvesting, low flow fixtures and on-demand DHW re-circulation.
Twenty percent of all California energy use is attributed to the cleaning, pumping and distributing of potable water, so actually, water conservation measures are also carbon footprint measures. [...]
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Comfort you can feel. Comments from homeowners with radiant heating.
Posted on 18. Apr, 2010 by Paul Gerrard.
Solar Thermal- hydronics mechanical room
A selection of clients give their comments on their radiant heating systems.
Dan and Liz, Piedmont California.
Boiler: Baxi Luna HT1.330
Heat: Radiant slab on the ground floor with radiators on the second floor.
Zones: Four zones Taco ZVC zone control and ESP zone valves, Taco zone circulator.
Hot water: In-direct storage tank with Helio-dyne solar heat exchanger (2 4×6 black paint solar collectors) with hydronic back-up.
Comments: “It doesn’t feel like a heating system, the house just stays nice, its perfect. We came back from a vacation, the house was cold, but by the time we finished our burritos, the whole house was toasty warm”- Liz
“We have 1800 square feet and we pay $200 per month in gas. Our neighbor has a smaller house and pays $300 per month”- Dan
“We love it” Liz
“Its very good”- Dan. [...]
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The benefits of replacing corroded and clogged galavanized water pipes with copper are:
- Great water pressure throughout the home
- Clean and clear water
- No more leaky pipes, eliminate water loss and reduce carbon emissions.
- Take a shower, wash dishes and even wash the laundry at the same time
- Increase the resale value of your home [...]
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Hot Water with Wi-Fi
Capturing the suns energy for pre-heating a homes hot water has been with us since man started bathing. In recent years the solar hot water industry has had a new lease of life with increasing energy costs and concern for climate change. The government has given home owners added incentives with tax credits.
The very latest advancement in solar hot water technology is the introduction of web based performance monitoring. The Helio-Pak Pro from Heliodyne, a local solar manufacturer based in Richmond CA., has a built in wi-fi transmitter that the installer or home owner can access from there PC. , lap-top or smart phone. This allows for performance monitoring and trouble shooting from, well, anywhere. [...]
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Guest Blog- Fully Sustainable Green Pipe Finally in California
Posted on 02. Nov, 2009 by Paul Gerrard.
Aquatherm replaces copper for hydronics and potable water systems.
Engineered in Germany and used throughout Europe for over 35 years, a completely sustainable plastic piping system for potable water use has finally hit California.
100% recyclable, less than 1/3 of the energy to produce and completely non-toxic, Aquatherm Green Pipe is the most environmentally friendly pipe in the world! Aquatherm is the only pipe approved by Greenpeace and applies to nine different LEED categories [...]
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First Permitted Gray Water/ Rain Water System, Contra Costa County.
Posted on 19. Sep, 2009 by Paul Gerrard.
75 Gallon Grey Water Tank.
The tanks are now in the ground for the first permitted Gray Water Recycle and Rain water Harvesting system in Contra Costa County.
This new construction custom home in Lafayette was ‘Dual-Plumbed’ from the very start. Dual Plumbing refers to the system of installing separate pipes for gray water and black water within the building envelope. The drain lines for the tubs and showers, lavatory sinks and laundry were installed parallel to the toilet and kitchen sink drains (black-water). This is completely code compliant and does not need special permitting.
The home owner was very motivated for conscious construction and worked diligently with the architect, consultant, contractor and plumbing contractor to push for the permit for a gray water/ rain water system. The permit has been approved, setting precedent for other systems in the Contra Costa County and, hopefully, surrounding areas. [...]
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People who install energy and emission saving Solar Thermal (hot water) systems currently enjoy Tax Credits from the Federal Government. I am frequently asked whether they also qualify for any rebates from energy companies. This is a copy of a correspondence with Dorothy J. Duda,
Administrative Law Judge,
California Public Utilities Commission regarding rebates and her response.
July, 26th 2009
Dear Dorothy,
I have a question regarding the solar water heating (SWH) program..
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