Colwood resident Marilyn Shepherd is opening her home to anyone whoB次元官网网址檚 ever wanted to learn more about solar power and improving energy efficiency.
Shepherd, who upgraded to solar hot water and high-efficiency ductless heat pumps nearly three years ago, says this SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 (Sept. 20) open house offers a chance for people to see how solar power actually works.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an easier way, an informal setting, for people to just walk over and take a look,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great opportunity to come and learn.B次元官网网址�
Visitors can not only see solar power at work and speak with a homeowner experienced with the technology, they can chat with Royal Roads University researchers who have studied the energy savings, as well as representatives from Solar Colwood.
And with Solar Colwood giving out grants until March 2015, thereB次元官网网址檚 still time to upgrade to solar hot water, ductless heat pumps, solar photovoltaic (electricity), or a combination of the three. Solar CRD also offers incentives to residents and businesses throughout the Capital Region.
For Shepherd, once she heard about the grant program, upgrading to solar was a no-brainer.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been wanting to be greener for a long time,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淲ith climate change, itB次元官网网址檚 a huge thing in our house. We talk about it all the time.B次元官网网址�
Shepherd and her family bought into the Royal Bay area in 2005 when they moved over from the mainland.
B次元官网网址淏eing new, our house was quite efficient already. Our concern was that we had baseboard heating, which isnB次元官网网址檛 that efficient. And we have between five and seven people in the house, so we go through a lot of hot water, even if weB次元官网网址檙e careful.B次元官网网址�
With heating so expensive in the wintertime, Shepherd says, she just wouldnB次元官网网址檛 turn on the baseboard system. B次元官网网址淭he heat pump made a huge difference in our comfort level. Before we would just be cold.B次元官网网址�
The difference in her gas bill has been substantial too.
B次元官网网址淥ur hot water here is gas, and particularly from April to October, we virtually pay no extra gas bill beyond just the basic charge every month,B次元官网网址� Shepherd says.
Her savings arenB次元官网网址檛 unusual. Royal Roads has been researching the utility bills of participating homeowners and has found theyB次元官网网址檙e saving an average of 40 per cent on utility bills, says Glenys Verhulst, spokesperson with Solar Colwood.
B次元官网网址淭hose are significant savings. WeB次元官网网址檝e seen a lot of folks who are nearing retirement choose to do these upgrades so they lock in energy savings for the future,B次元官网网址� she adds.
For those who install the solar photovoltaic system for electricity, an extra bonus is available. Whatever excess energy the system produces goes back into the hydro grid, Verhulst says. ItB次元官网网址檚 shared amongst the neighbourhood and B次元官网网址� the best part B次元官网网址� BC Hydro credits you for the excess.
Verhulst recommends anyone interested in upgrading to solar power get an assessment first to figure out the best options for the home.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really house-specific,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淲e can help you figure out if itB次元官网网址檚 right for you.B次元官网网址�
The open house runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, at 475 Royal Bay Dr. in Colwood. For more information, visit or .
acowan@goldstreamgazette.com
