Kelowna, BC – September 10, 2009 - – For Kelowna’s Harnett family, with two adults and four children, the laundry piles up fast. As do the dishes and the number of showers.
And it can all add to monthly utility costs.
Now, thanks to a new solar hot water system, the Harnett’s monthly electricity bill is a whole lot less and there’s no shortage of hot water. In the first month alone, the family saw significant savings in electricity costs, compared to the previous bill where the water was heated solely by electricity.
“We like that we can do our part to help the environment and still meet our hot water needs which are, to be honest, above average when you have four young kids,” says Tanya Harnett. “Laundry and bathing make up the majority of our hot water use, along with everyday cleaning such as doing the dishes.”
As part of a Habitat for Humanity housing project, the new system was installed by Swiss Solar Tech Ltd. in June to emphasize the benefits of a solar hot water system. Whether you're looking to heat your home or business, your domestic water or your outdoor pool, using a solar heating system will save you money and help save the environment. Kelowna enjoys one of the driest and mildest climates in Canada — on average, more than 2,000 hours of sunshine every year — making solar heating a practical option.
“Solar hot water systems are one of several new incentives that FortisBC PowerSense is offering its customers,” says Michael Mulcahy, FortisBC’s VP of Customer and Corporate Services. “It’s one option for our customers to save on monthly energy costs.”
FortisBC, in partnership with Natural Resources Canada and ecoENERGY, is delivering $1,000 rebates for new home installations of solar hot water systems. FortisBC is offering a $300 rebate for retrofits to solar hot water system for residents with existing electricity-fueled hot water tanks. These offers are available throughout FortisBC’s service area.
In the central Okanagan, these incentives have helped account for the recent installation of 46 solar hot water systems since May 2009.
Thermal heat collectors, or panels, are mounted on a roof, a wall facing the sun, or on the ground. These panels attract the sun's rays and transfer this collected heat to your home.
“These savings also help all FortisBC customers by reducing the need to buy more expensive power at peak periods, especially during hot summer months when air conditioners add to the load,” adds Mulcahy.
For more information about solar hot water systems or the rebates, contact your FortisBC PowerSense energy efficiency advisor toll-free at 1-866-4FORTIS (1-866-436-7847) or visit www.fortisbc.ca.
About FortisBC Inc.
FortisBC Inc. is an integrated regulated electric utility based in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Focused on the safe delivery of reliable and cost-effective electricity, FortisBC serves
approximately 158,000 customers directly and indirectly through wholesale utilities in the
southern interior of B.C. FortisBC owns and operates four regulated hydroelectric generating
plants and approximately 7,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines.
FortisBC employs over 500 people in British Columbia and is an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada. Fortis Inc.
shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS.
Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com .
For further information contact:
Jodie Foster Sexsmith
Communications and Media Relations Advisor
FortisBC Inc.
Tel: (250) 469-8007, Media Tel: (250) 718-1718
www.fortisbc.com
