ReNew Northfield

Sustainable Community Solutions

A Community Energy meeting was held in Northfield on March 21st.

To get involved,  contact Lee Dilley.

• Solar Water Heater Installation/Demonstration

  September 21 and 22

  If you’d like to learn how to heat your home’s water at little or no cost for the next 30-plus years, plan to stop by a solar  water-heating system installation/demonstration taking place in Northfield Friday and Saturday, September 21^st and 22^nd at 501 St. Olaf Avenue between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. A system designed to provide nearly all of the household’s hot water will be installed by a certified solar contractor in partnership with Paul’s Plumbing and Heating and the homeowner.

  The installation/demonstration is sponsored by Northfield EnergySmart BuildingWorks, an initiative of RENew Northfield and the Northfield Area Foundation.

  The solar water heating system includes two four-foot by eight-foot panels manufactured by SolarSkies of Starbuck, Minnesota. The system will provide enough hot water annually to offset about $165 in water heating costs at current natural gas prices (the equivalent of about $300 with an existing electric water heater). Natural gas prices have increased by 6.67% annually over the last 30 years, and electricity by 3.36%. Assuming these trends continue, a solar water heater of this size would save over $15,000 in water heating costs over 30 years. The system will eliminate about 53,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over 30 years, equivalent to taking four average American vehicles off the road for a year.

  For more information, contact Northfield EnergySmart BuildingWorks.