Clark County's weatherization program was selected last week as one of five programs in the state to participate in a solar hot water retrofit pilot project – a brand-new effort which recently completed its first installation, making it the first program in the state to be completed.
Teaming up with Accurate Plumbing and All-Phase Heating & Plumbing, both in Vancouver, the county helped install a solar panel at a home located in Clark County. The pilot project involved mounting a solar heat collector with evaluated tubes on the roof and connecting the device to pipes leading to the home's water heater in a "closed-loop" system.
"Solar systems have been around for years, but it used to be that you got all of the components in a box and had to assemble them yourself," said Accurate Plumbing owner Allan Ellerman, who helped install the solar water heater unit for the pilot project. "This time, we took it out of box and it was ready to go."
Funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce in partnership with the Building Performance Center of the Opportunity Council and A World Institute for a Sustainable Humanity, the aim is to help move the state's weatherization programs into the forefront in retrofitting renewable energy while simultaneously rejuvenating the network, reducing carbon and creating "green jobs."
Benefits of the program include the reduction of low-income household bills through solar water heater retrofits. Timing of the successful project places Clark County in a good position to receive a portion of a new U.S. Department of Energy grant for more projects, according to Tif Rock, manager of the county's Housing Preservation Program.
"Water heaters represent the second highest heat usage in the home," Rock said. "So if you can reduce it, then that's a big step."
The state of Washington has been awarded two weatherization grants totaling $10 million, out of which Clark County has requested $700,000 to install solar-powered water heaters at locations which receive enough sunlight. For residences in locations not receiving enough direct sun exposure, the county plans to install "hybrid" water heaters, which utilize solar power combined with other so-called traditional forms of energy, Rock said.
Nationwide, approximately 120 organizations will receive nearly $120 million to drive innovation under the DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program. These investments will enable successful weatherization agencies to expand their programs and will support new pilot projects to demonstrate innovative weatherization delivery, financial models and new technologies.
Although Clark County's specific grant allotment has yet to be announced, it is estimated that it will bring a much-needed boost to the region's weatherization efforts.
