GreyStone members can now benefit from the sun in a new way: heating their water through the Cooperative’s Sun Rays Power Program.
Have you ever felt warm water trickle out of a garden hose that has been sitting in the sun? You’re witnessing solar water heating in action! Solar thermal water heating moves water slowly through a system designed to heat and store water. Today’s solar thermal systems use the most efficient techniques for capturing the sun’s heat with modern plumbing systems to produce inexpensive hot water, reducing the need for gas or electricity.
“GreyStone Power has always supported sound energy management for our members, while not sacrificing personal comfort. Sun Rays Power can provide up to 70 to 80 percent of annual hot water needs at a small fraction of the current cost of heating your water, regardless of the current source, gas or electric,” says Phil Landress, Department Manager, Residential Marketing.
“GreyStone also believes strongly in maintaining the integrity of our environment while still providing dependable, affordable energy for our members.”
Members benefit through utility bill savings, and helping reduce dependency on foreign fuels and national resources. For example, a family of four using solar water heating would annually eliminate the burning of 1,800 pounds of coal or 3.25 barrels of oil to generate the equivalent amount of electricity to heat the family’s water.
Two tax credits are available for those interested in the Sun Rays Power Program: a 35 percent state tax credit up to a maximum of $2,500, and a federal tax credit of 30 percent up to a maximum of $2,000. Consult your local tax professional for details.
Cost range for the system is between $6,500 and $11,000, with a GreyStone rebate of $500. Financing and a preferred contractor list are available through GreyStone. GreyStone will install monitoring equipment to acquire data and share that information with the user. For more details on the program and the rebate, call 770-370-2252. |