Solar Hot Water and Grey Water Systems

I'm so excited about getting started. I really should be working today, but I've spent about an hour today making calls and getting quotes for solar hot water and grey water systems. (Thankfully I'm my own boss, so it's only me who loses out when I get distracted by this stuff!)

I first called my friend Roger Huber with Swiss Solar Tech. His company has en excellent reputation in BC for installing solar hot water systems at all scales, including hotels and other large buildings. I let him know that Chris and I just moved into our new home and that we're interested in a solar hot water system. I also let him know that that we are putting together a list of the upgrades we'd like to make, along with the cost estimates, so we can prioritize.

His first suggestion was that a heat pump would be a great cost-saving measure (since we have electric baseboard heat and an electric hot water tank), which was very nice because he doesn't sell heat pumps, (but he's very honest)! Because of the electric baseboard heat, we need to look at a ductless heat pump system. Once we receive the results of our ecoENERGY audit from John Suttie, we'll ask Roger to come and give us a quote on a solar hot water system.

My next call was to the local Brac Grey Water distributor, who is just across the bridge in West Kelowna. I am interested in a system that will provide grey water for both flushing toilets, as well as irrigating my garden in the hot, dry summer months. I won't feel so guilty taking baths if I know my water is going to be reused in the garden! I spoke to Blair and he gave me some high level quotes for their LB 300, RGW 150 and RGW 250, which are a crawl-space system and two other systems that go above ground. Once I get our full wish list together, I'll post it, along with the high level cost estimates and grants that we're eligible for.