Solar Hot Water,
Kimble Dr. Fire Station

System

Sun: 2x Flat plate collector solar hot water system.

Efficiency: Heat Recovery Ventilator, Natural gas upgrades to old oil boiler, improvements to heating system.

Cost: $7800 O&M: none since installation

Date of Installation: January 2009

Type/kind: Small Commercial/ Institution (Fire hall)

Installer: Independent Power Systems

Supplier: Likely Thermodynamics (http://www.thermo-dynamics.com/)

Experience: Generally good, had problems with plumbing permitting. Technology works well.

Results: Generally good, produces good amount of hot water, but not measured.

Description of Case Study:

The water heating system was upgraded from an oil burner to a natural gas burner some years ago, and has since had the solar hot water system as a water preheat to the natural gas burner. The installation was fairly quick and easy, and works well.

Future upgrades will be made to the hot water demand, such as installing a water efficient washer. The city is planning a major upgrade to the Kimble Drive station’s digital control system to monitor and control the operation of its heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Additional solar heating systems are also planned for other city buildings, particularly for the city’s fire and police stations.