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How well will the system work in a Canadian winter?

Due to the evacuated space between the two tubes, limiting cool-down, these solar water heating systems have been shown to be effective at temperatures as low as -50°C.

How is freezing of the water in the tubes prevented when the pump is off?

The solar water heating systems have been designed to drain to the inside of the building when not in use, preventing the water from freezing.

Is there a certain type of water heating system that is best suited to the supplemental solar heating?

From the financial standpoint of a property manager, perhaps the solar water heating systems are best suited to arrangements where there is a central hot water supply and tenants don’t pay individual utility bills, but solar water heating systems are suited to any existing system with high energy costs.

Do you have highlights of a sample project?

Yes, a recent proposal for a pair of buildings in Toronto, with a total of 170 units and 380 occupants, yielded payback periods of 7 years for an outright purchase and 10 years for an AtenRa financed system. Note that savings are typically higher than predicted by the government calculator and, as such, quicker payback periods are often possible.

Will a solar water heating system work for swimming pool heating as well?

Yes, excellent results have been shown for the heating of swimming pools using solar water heating systems.

Are there any links that will provide further information on renewable energy resources?

Natural Resources Canada – http://www.nrcan.gc.ca
Eco Action – http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca
Canada Green Building Council / LEED – http://www.cagbc.org