The lessons that I learned from the computer model of our solar hot water system are as follows:

• insulate the pipes leading from the basement to the collectors to at least R6, preferably R10
• insulate the storage tank to R50
• install a 1000 liter storage tank
• install 3 collectors
• there is extra heat – install a system to harvest it

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I spent the afternoon putting pipe insulation on the hot water pipes in the Mill Creek NetZero Home (MCNZH). I can’t believe how cheap the insulation was – around $100 for the whole house. Its price and the ease with which it is installed make it a must, in my opinion, for those interested in energy efficiency. Anyone can install this stuff, and the insulation is so useful because it just sits and works, saving you energy every single day and never breaking. Read the rest of this entry »

You replaced all your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs long ago. You’ve switched over to natural nontoxic cleaning and personal care products, and you bring reusable grocery bags to the store 9 times out of ten. Yeah, you’re feeling pretty green, but you’re ready for the next step.

So, how ’bout this? Insulating your water tank has to be one of the easiest ways to save energy, after installing a shower shutoff valve and putting pipe wrap insulation on your hot water pipes, that is. Read the rest of this entry »