FAQ’s

Q - What design considerations does the builder need to take into account to accommodate a Solar Hot Water system?

A – It is best to contact KCP Energy and get input specific to your project.

For a basic two panel residential install the following should be taken into consideration:

1. Roof requirements:

• Typical installs use two 4’ x 8’ panels and are mounted side by side so sufficient space must be available on the roof. It is recommended to allow 12” on each side of the panels. It is preferred if the panel area is clear of vents and stacks.
• Roof orientation must be within 45 degrees of true south and not be subjected to excessive shading (a solar site survey can be completed by KCP Energy to assess the proposed panel location).
• Roof loading typically is not an issue. Each panel weighs approximately 100 lbs.
• For ease of panel mounting roof blocking should be mounted between rafters.
• Roof pitch must be considered – preferred install method is flush to the roof. The minimum for flush mount is 4/12 (18 degrees) however 8/12 (34 degrees) or greater is preferred.
• Most type of roof materials can be accommodated.

2. Glycol line rough in and roof penetration:

• Two 3/8” refrigeration grade insulated copper lines and one 18 gauge control wire should be run from the mechanical room to the roof pre dry walling.
• If there is no attic access a roof penetration should be made for connecting to the panels pre dry walling in preparation for the panel installation. The roof penetration is typically a single 3” diameter hole and sealed using roof flashing.
3. Mechanical room requirements.
• The mechanical room must be able to accommodate a 60 Imperial gallon electric hot water tank (typically 24” dia) and the Enerworks energy pack. Allowing 36” clearance in front and on one side will allow for installation and servicing.
• A 120 V receptacle should be mounted within 6 ft of the solar storage tank

Q - Is it difficult to install a solar hot water system in a new building project?

A – Installing a solar hot water system in to your new home build can be done in a few simple steps as the construction progresses:

1. A solar site survey assessment is done to assess solar viability. This can be done before building construction has started using Engineering drawings or during the construction phase.
2. Pre dry wall but post roofing the glycol lines are roughed in and as required a roof penetration is made and flashed.
3. Once the roofing has been completed the panels can be mounted on the roof and the glycol lines connected to the panels.
4. The Solar storage tank and energy pack are assembled and placed in the mechanical room. Tie in to domestic water is typically done by the plumbing contractor.
5. When the domestic water has been connected the Solar Hot Water system is commissioned (glycol charged and system test).

Q - How does a Solar Hot Water system work and what has to be installed at my house?

A – The easiest way to see how the system works is to click on the “How it works” section in the left tool bar. If you still have questions feel free to contact us.

Q - Does a Solar Hot Water system integrate with other mechanical systems?

A – Solar Hot Water systems complement many different operating systems. In the Bow Valley Solar Hot Water systems have been integrated with:

• Direct fired and In Direct fired (boiler heated) hot water heating systems.
• On demand hot water heaters where the on demand hot water heater provides the auxiliary heat.
• Potable water and glycol radiant floor heating systems.
• Geothermal systems.

Q – Is Solar Hot Water a proven technology?

A – Solar Hot Water systems have been widely used all over the world for many years. Our supplier’s have patents on their products dating back to the mid 1990’s. Furthermore though Canada has fallen behind in adopting Solar technologies Canadian Solar manufacturers ship thousands of panels and hundreds of systems globally every year.

Q - How do I sell a Solar Hot Water system to a Home owner?

A – Many of the reasons to install a system as a builder apply to the Home owner as well. Check out the Home owner’s “Why Solar Hot Water” link in the left toolbar of the Home owner’s section for a list of Home owner reasons to use Solar Hot Water.

Q - Does the Built GreenTM program provide points for a Solar Hot Water system?

A – Yes, Built GreenTM awards 8 points to a builder who installs a Solar Hot Water system. By just installing a Solar Hot Water system your building can get 11% of the way to a bronze status, move from bronze (75 pts) to silver (80 pts) or silver to gold (85 pts). The only other items with an equivalent points value (8 pts) are a Ground/Air/Water source heat pump and Solar PV (solar generated electricity). A typical Solar Hot Water system’s install cost can be 38% lower compared to the other options.

Q - Is there enough sunlight for Solar Hot Water in Canmore and Banff?

A – Alberta is Canada’s sunniest province. To put this in context two of the countries leading in solar adoption, Germany and Japan, have significantly less annual solar energy than we have here.

Q - How does a Solar Hot Water system help the environment?

A – A typical two panel Solar Hot Water system will reduce a household’s emissions by 1 ton per year for the next 20 years. To put it another way you would need to drive your car 25% less for the next 20 years to save the same amount of emissions.

Q – Does a Home owner have to change their lifestyle if they install a Solar Hot Water system?

A - One of the biggest advantages of Solar Hot Water systems is once they are installed you can forget about them. The only thing you will notice is your new smaller gas bill or perhaps the new found respect you garner from your friends and neighbours as they acknowledge the contribution you are making to the environment.

Q – Are there Government incentives available?

A – Federal Gov’t incentives for new residential buildings are currently targeted at larger multi family buildings. For projects that qualify the incentive amount can be up to 25% of the project’s total costs. Existing Home owner’s can receive a $500 dollar rebate through the ecoAction program for retrofits. To learn more about the available incentives you can go to the program’s wesite at www.ecoaction.gc.ca or even better contact us, we would be more than happy to help you understand the latest incentives available.

Q - Why should I give KCP Energy my business?

A – Please see the “Why KCP Energy” section of our website. If you still have questions feel free to contact us.

 

  • There is no better feeling than having a bath from water heated from the sun.   I would recommend this system and KCP energy to anyone looking to make a difference in reducing their energy consumption.  ~ Sara Renner
  • It feels great to harness the power of the sun and see the temperature gauge rise on a sunny day.  Geoff did a great job installing the system and answering all of my questions: he is a real professional.  ~ Thomas Grandi
  • The Town of Canmore is committed to The Natural Step and our overall Environmental sustainability.  Town Council recognized the opportunity to showcase alternative energy technology while benefiting from the long term cost savings ~ Roderick de Leeuw, General Manager of Community Infrastructure, Town of Canmore
  • Geoff at KCP was very responsive to the initial planning and final design of the system.  We have continued a program of retrofits on other Municipal buildings and are excited about the long-term potential of these systems. ~ Roderick de Leeuw, General Manager of Community Infrastructure, Town of Canmore
  • KCP makes it easy and convenient for municipalities to utilize solar energy as a viable energy alternative.
    ~ Sally Caudill, Communications & Environmental Care Coordinator, Town of Canmore
  • Starting now, our operating budget is going to be positively affected because we’re going to be paying less for energy. Any place where we can identify a cost savings, utilizing solar, we’re proceeding with it.
    ~ Lloyd Smith, Facility Operations Supervisor Town of Canmore
  • We recently completed our first Solar system on one of our multi-family projects in Canmore and we couldn’t be happier with Geoff and the people of KCP. Very easy people to work with and they provide a system that I feel has great value.
     ~ Doug Protz, Vice President Elk Run Homes
  • Solar thermal pushed the project to a Built Green Platinum level.
    ~ Peadar O’Rian, VP Operations Riverdale Homes
  • The Town of Canmore has worked with Geoff Domenico and KCP Energy for several solar projects.
    ~ Sally Caudill, Communications & Environmental Care Coordinator, Town of Canmore
  • Our building standards and personal expectations in today’s world are extremely high and we feel going solar is not only innovative, but it is the responsible thing to do.
    ~ Doug Protz, Vice President  Elk Run Homes
  • For our project KCP Energy delivered superior customer service by providing a professional assessment of our needs and opportunities, and then delivering and installing a top quality system.
    ~ Marlo Raynolds, Home Owner
  • I think this is a great project [Solar Hot water at Canmore Rec Centre Arenas], obviously for a lot of reasons, but the truth is, the thing I really like about this is it’s a real practical day-to-day application of solar.
    ~Ron Casey, Mayor Town of Canmore
  • KCP has made it possible for our municipality to move closer to sustainability by incorporating solar energy into several of our facilities.  
    ~ Sally Caudill, Communications & Environmental Care Coordinator, Town of Canmore
  • All three of these [higher efficiency domestic water heating boilers, heat recovery ventilators and solar-powered domestic hot water system] will allow us to walk the walk…and there is a really good chance for us to achieve a Built Green gold at a minimum Built Green silver (certification)
    ~Rod de Leeuw, Manager of Community Infrastructure Town of Canmore
  • The reason we chose to use Solar on our Caffaro Fusion building at 702-4th Street in Canmore is that we like the idea of trying to not only innovate, but to try and help preserve some of mother nature’s natural resources.
    ~ Doug Protz, Vice President Elk Run Homes
  • We chose to go with KCP Energy because their solar thermal solution met our needs. I feel it is up to all of us to do our part for future generations.
    ~ Peadar O'Rian, VP Operations Riverdale Homes
  • Solar is a renewable resource that needs to be utilized now that this technology is available to us.  Building homes and adding innovation to our homes through energy efficient products such as high efficient furnaces, high efficient hot water tanks, Energy Star appliances and high efficient windows just doesn’t seem like enough.  
    ~ Doug Protz, Vice President Elk Run Homes
  • Excellent economic and environmental return on our investment.
    ~ Marlo Raynolds, Home Owner
  • This combination [higher efficiency domestic water heating boilers, heat recovery ventilators and solar-powered domestic hot water system] will dramatically reduce our environmental footprint and provide long-term savings on energy consumption, isolating us from rising energy costs and allowing us to be a leader. 
    ~Rod de Leeuw, Manager of Community Infrastructure Town of Canmore

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