Solar Hot Water in Rothesay- SE
This former cornerstore/butcher shop on Rothesay Road is being renovated, with the top floor being used as living space for two apartments, with 4 tenants in total. As part of their renovations, the owners and construction company decided to install a solar hot water system, so as to be green and to kick it up a notch. …
Passive Solar Home with Geothermal Heat Pump in Kingston Peninsula- PS, GT
The owners wanted to build a home that would have low long-term costs, be comfortable, and modern. They decided to build a passive solar home because it met these criteria. They find the home to be very comfortable, and are happy with their choice. They also chose very energy efficient appliances, and used recycled or very durable materials where they could. For instance, they used HardiePlank siding on their building exterior, as it is very durable and shouldn’t have to be replaced as long as the owners occupy the building. …
Passive Solar on the family farm in Glassville- BE, PS
This newer home was built next to their family farm, and is set into a south-facing hill. The owners took advantage of this feature to include passive solar design elements, such as large windows on the south side of the home, and with large overhangs to provide shade during the summer. The north wall of the basement is buried by the hill, and the south-facing walk-out basement leads into the yard. The family finds this home very comfortable and efficient. …
Solar Hot Water in Caraquet- SE
According to Mr. Robichaud, this system is very efficient as it does not take much sunlight to power it since, in addition to sunlight, it also use UV rays to heat the water on the roof. …
2.3 kW Wind Turbine in Bertrand- WIND
The client noted that the government should offer grants to the general public to encourage such projects. This system runs a pump in the stable, 11 fluorescent lights, and several outlets. It provides power for the entire workshop, for its many 110-V electrical devices. The owner’s future plans for the project are to power his house with this type of system in the event of an electrical failure. He is now thinking about installing solar panels, to supplement the system on sunny, but not windy, days. If he were starting again, he would install a larger turbine. His current system can …
Off-grid House in Bois-Blanc- SE
When told the price of bringing utility lines to their home would cost $30,000, these homeowners decided they would embrace the do-it-yourself attitude and bring their home off-grid themselves. Happy with the quality and brand of the panels, the owners are very satisfied with their system. One change they would make however would be sure to hire certified installers, as they believe that would further lower costs and complications. The system runs everything in the house operating on 110 V, including the sound system, TV, fridge, and lighting. They received very little service from his dealer and had to complete the project …
130W Photovoltaic system in Pointe-Alexandre- SE
Providing lighting in 2 rooms — the bathroom and a bedroom — the project owner is very pleased with the results of this small solar PV system and is thinking of adding other lights in the basement over the winter. This system also provides power to his refrigerator for between 5–10 hours per day. The owner installed the system themselves in 2009, and is happy to report there have been no glitches since then. …
Off-Grid House in Kars- SE
The owner of this home and business has been working with renewable energy for more than a decade, and decided to go on his own in 2002, when he registered his business. He incorporated in 2009. The choice to live off-grid was natural given the background of the owner. They built their home in 2001 and installed 750 W of solar PV in order to meet all of their electricity needs (lighting, appliances, instant hot water, etc.). This system meets all of their electricity needs, except for during the darkest months (Dec. to Jan.), when they use a diesel generator as …
Solar Hot Water at Miramichi Youth House- SE
This solar heating system consists of 6 Thermo Dynamics 4×8 feet solar panels using ½” copper tubing with glycol; Solar Boiler™ mini (approximately 2000W). There are 4 Hot water tanks — 2 electric and 2 connected to solar panels. Glycol in the panels preheats cold water by heat exchange which then fills the solar tanks which feeds into the electric tanks. The system is operated by an electric pump. On a sunny day, it will only take 2 hours to fill all the tanks with hot water. The system reduces energy bill 20–30% by offsetting hot water costs. This system …
Geothermal Heat Pump in Loggieville- GT
The installer underestimated the size needed for this house and therefore it took much longer and cost more than initially estimated. Initially a 1.8 t (2 tons) heat pump was required, but in the end a 2.7 t (3 tons) was installed. Also, 2 horizontal loops (152 m (499′) each) in yard were planned, but more heat was needed so 2 vertical holes were later drilled (45 m (148′) each). Plastic piping with glycol was used for all 4 loops. The house (255 m2 (2743 sq. ft.), 2-storey) was previously heated with an oil furnace, therefore duct work already existed in house. The oil heat used to be inconsistent, …
