So I had Steve from Renewable Lifestyles come check out the house the other day.. and I must say that it was pretty much what I expected as far as the questions asked, and the information available. Unfortunately for myself, my home isn’t really ideally suited for some of the products due to the location of the pine trees I have in the back growin up over the size of my house.
Cansolair Solar Heater
There were 3 products that I was interested in, first.. the Cansolair Solar Heater, which I was pretty excited for.. it’s a simple setup which you just had to mount usually on the side of your house. The unit sort of reminds me of an electric fireplace in that it’s a simple heat source that just blows hot air in from wherever you put it. I guess that’s where the similarities end however, since it’s completely solar (ie: costs nothing to run), and in the winter time I’ve heard (from the testimonials) that it blows in a good amount of hot air even if it’s a blizzard outside. Also it’s price point was under $3,000 before any rebates and such.. so it certainly appealed to me. Unfortunately, as Steve pointed out.. since those trees are there, and in the winter the sun is a lot lower than where it is in the summer.. the shadows would cast right onto my house and I wouldn’t benefit much from the device. Strike 1.
Magnum Pellet Stove
The other very significant product he uses himself actually is a pellet stove. Only difference (and this is VERY smart), is that he uses Barley as his heating source to burn instead of trying to find the pellets. Do you know how many barrels (or bushels.. what does barley come in anyhow?) he used last year to heat his house.. 2… that’s right., 2. Do you know how much that costs? $200 a bushel.. or barrel.. or whatever.. yep.. it cost him $400 to heat his house last year using the pellet stove (and he also has a Cansolair). Ok that’s embarassing, it cost me more than that for my last tank of fuel a month ago! And we’re in the middle of Spring here! Anyhow.. you do have to have a certain layout of your house from what I understand, and unfortunately, I don’t have a great layout (being a split-entry) in that I would benefit from the pellet stove. Too bad though, I’d be in like Jimmy Flynn. On an environmental note, do you know that while wood takes about 20 years to reach ‘carbon neutral’ status.. ie: the wood you burn in your stove takes about 20 years to grow back.. barley takes about 3 months? And it’s grown in PEI? Attention Pellet Stove Owners!! Buy Barley! (and with the leftovers.. make beer, and give it to me for this great idea!!) So, no pellet stove.. Strike 2.
Solar Boiler System
Ok, so that leaves the other main expense when it comes to energy, heating water. Renewable Lifestyles has a Solar Water Heater which is said to replace one tank of fuel a year. The install is a compliment to your oil based furnace system.. but basically does the heating portion for you, so the oil furnace doesn’t have to bring the heat up from a cold or cooler temperature.. ie: save oil which means save money. The only issue I have with this install is that it’s expensive, the panels can be mounted on your roof so I don’t have to worry as much about the trees creating shade in the back, however I do have to purchase an additional mount ($250) to make the panels stand more at a 45 degree angle.. optimum year-round sun capture. The price of the unit starts at $5495 and it’s another $1000 to have an additional collector installed. I could have gone with 1 collector, however with a dishwasher, roommate, etc.. it was advised that I get 2. I have recieved the quote from renewable lifestyles, and the quote is just over 7K for the solar water heater. Mind you, I can get over 1/2 of that back via the federal and provincial government grants.
Before I make any decision, I have to find out if it’s worth it. From what I’ve been told, a solar boiler will save me on average of 1 tank of oil a year (I’m assuming 2 collectors would save even more). So if that’s $700 or so, and the system cost me $3500.. it would take 5 years to pay it off.. of course, it would also (dramatically I would think) increase the resale value of my home as a lot of people would be willing to pay the extra to have an energy efficient home. Something I seriously have to think about.
As you know, I’m doing the Smith Maneouvre with my mortgage, and I believe there is room in my HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) for this if I wanted to do it.
I will keep posting on what’s decided, however if you’re interested in learning more and talking about it.. contact me here.