Jul 30, 2007 - 12:30 PM
By Julie Cashin-Oster
BOWMANVILLE -- The cost of fuel is only going one way -- up. Tom Hurlbert and his wife, with the help of their son Terry, have found a way to reduce their gas consumption, cut their electricity costs and not sacrifice.
The Hurlberts own Envy Hair Design and Spa in Bowmanville. Frustrated by the salon's increasing gas bills, Terry researched various forms of alternative energy and was sold on Thermo ax Solar Domestic Hot Water System.
Hanging over the windows on the upper floor of the Scugog Street spa are what appear to be very cool-looking awnings that are actually aiding to supply the salon with hot water -- free of charge.
"I knew something needed to be done to reduce the spa's fuel consumption and switch to a renewable energy. In an average home 70 per cent of the gas bill is keeping the water hot. Since installed (June 6) the hot water tank has yet to run. The salon has yet to use any gas," said Terry, who is the Alternativenergies distributor of the Thermomax Solar System. "The system provides the spa with an endless supply of hot water."
Unlike flat solar panels that only convert direct sunlight, the Thermomax system is actually evacuator tubes which act like a thermos bottle absorbing UV light. Because the Thermomax system doesn't use direct sunlight it keeps working during cloudy days, rain -- it even absorbs UV rays off snow.
"The spa uses 60 tubes -- however an average household would use 40. Basically it is 10 tubes per person," said Mr. Hurlbert. "It really depends on the need of the family. Thirty tubes will do an average family of three providing domestic hot water for nine months of the year."
Thermomax Collectors have been tested at 86.9 per cent maximum efficiency. On average, 65 per cent of available solar energy is delivered as usable heat. Even on a cold winter's day, Thermomax can heat water to 80 C or 176 F. A hot shower, by comparison, is only 105 F.
How does it work? The solar collector is connected, using pipe work to a heat exchanger, usually placed inside the hot water tank. The solar collector, pipes and heat exchanger are filled with a non-toxic propylene glycol (plumbing antifreeze). Heat is absorbed into the solar collector and transferred to the hot water tank via the circulating glycol contained within the pipes.
In addition to using virtually no gas -- the spa has only used six cubic feet to run the pilot light, only .05 amps of electricity has been used to run the pump.
"It was time we became more responsible -- environmentally responsible. So many people are talking green, I decided to do something about it," said Mr. Hurlbert.
With a life spa of 40 years, easily serviced and almost maintenance free the tube system can be incorporated into anything. It can be used to heat the water in your house, heat a pool and even heat a room.
"We're not trying to take you off the grid, just help reduce your gas bill 60-70 per cent," said Terry. "With basic plumbing knowledge and a little bit of wiring know -- how homeowners can install the Thermomax system themselves."
If you would like more information on Thermomax call 905-261-0019, visit www.alternativenergies.ca.
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