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Sep 22, 2008 2:01 pm US/Eastern
Green Scene: Lehigh Valley Solar Tour
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Home and water heating costs account for almost 40% of your energy bill. But thanks to a green initiative, some local families don't worry. CBS 3's Liz Keptner shows you how some people are getting hot water for almost free.
Solar water heaters are nothing new to Bob and Claire Hintze of Bethlehem. They had one in their first house back in 1981! They made back their investment in 3 to 4 years.
This time around in their new home, Bob installed his own. In one month they've already seen a $50 savings on their electric bill.
"I'm anticipating that we'll save somewhere in the area of $400 to $500 a year, if not more," said Bob.
Solar water heaters are cost effective because they're fueled by the sun. Sunlight is collected through roof panels called solar collectors, then converted to heat energy. Then that's transferred from the collector to a water storage tank. The water is stored until needed.
Not everyone is as adventurous as Bob, installing their own system. That's why contractors are also jumping aboard the solar initiative.
Carl Stanke's company Lande Heating and Cooling has been installing the systems for two years, after seeing the need from environmentally-friendly homeowners at the Pennsylvania Renewable Energy Festival in Kempton, Berks County. The system and installation could run a homeowner up to $9000, but Stanke says it's a great investment in the long run.
"You get the sun for free. It's so exciting to be able to put a system in and actually see it work," said Stanke.
The Hintze home will get its moment in the sun next month, when it's in the spotlight on the Lehigh Valley Solar Tour.
"It's like coming outside and having dollar bills kind of shine down on the ground and you just pick them up, so to speak," said Bob. "Its free energy, and that's great as far as I'm concerned."
The Pennsylvania Renewable Energy Festival starts today, September 19, and goes through the weekend at the Kempton Community Center in Berks County, PA.
The Lehigh Valley Solar Tour, sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Sierra Club, is Saturday, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More on Lehigh Valley Solar Tour---
http://pennsylvania.sierraclub.org/lv/Events/LehighValleySolarTourInfo.htmMore on Pennsylvania Renewable Energy Festival---
www.paenergyfest.com
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