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Edition:
September 02, 2010
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NEWS
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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Frazee family uses sun to heat home, water
 | | Doreen and David Green, Frazee, recently installed solar panels to heat their home and provide hot water. Photo by Barbie Porter |  |  | | The Green’s solar panels work by heating inside air. The amount of heat produced is based on the volume of air passing through the solar panels and the degree of sunshine. |
• by Barbie Porter
Frazee residents David and Doreen Green are going "green" to save a little green.
Last year the couple decided to investigate alternative energy options to counter the rising cost of heat through solar panels. The Greens used propane to heat their home, which rose to $2.40 a gallon in recent years.
With the solar panels, the Greens expect to save about 150 gallons of propane, which could equate to $360 depending on propane prices.
Greens review energy options provided by Mother Nature
At first David contacted Bill Schwanki of Alternative Energy Services of Fargo to discuss installing a small wind generator.
"He said the amount of wind (at their house) would result in a $25,000 investment to build the generator and a likely return of $25 a month," David reported.
While wind wasn't feasible, the Greens learned converting sunshine into energy to heat their home and water would be a good investment.
The system totaled about $20,000, which included three solar panels, the cost of having his roof raised to properly secure the panels, needed duct work and plumbing.
"I'm a licensed plumber so I saved a little by doing the plumbing myself," Green noted.
While the panels can be mounted on the ground, David and Doreen thought it would be more aesthetically pleasing to place them on the roof.
The best results are when the panels face south, but panels facing east or west can still generate a good amount of heat.
The panels have a 25-year warranty from the manufacturer, but most likely will last longer.
"They're tempered glass," he said. "You can hit it with a hammer and it won't break or crack. It's tough stuff."
The panels also have minimal maintenance, with rainy days taking care of cleaning most panels.
The panels took about four weeks to install, and David hopes to see a return on his investment in 7-10 years, after the panels have paid for itself in energy saving costs.
In addition to saving on the heating and hot water costs, the Greens also will take advantage of federal and state tax breaks for going green.
Green said the system is surprisingly quiet, with occasional wisps of air flowing through the vents, which David likened to the sound of a furnace turning on.
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Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, January 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Bill Schwankl
Thanks Barbie for this article. Our company sold and installed the solar system on the Green residence. There is a 30% Federal Tax credit for this type of equipment and utility rates will just keep on rising. For information on how solar, wind or solar PV (electric) can work for you, please contact us at: ownthewind@aol.com or call 701-729-1921
Thank you
Bill Schwankl
Posted: Saturday, January 02, 2010
Article comment by:
Les Christensen
I enjoyed the article on the Green's solar heating. If you're speaking with them, pass on my congratulations. Although we're living in Germany now, we have a house in California. A few years ago I self-installed solar electric on the roof and we (and our current tenants) are very happy with it. I'm glad to see Frazee residents moving in the direction of renewable energy. Regards, Les Christensen FHS Class of '74.
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