SolarAire Newsletter

Welcome

We hope you enjoy this "preview" issue of our SolarAire Newsletter, specially developed for RHA members. With great tips, relevant stories and helpful tools - this eNewsletter is designed to inform on clean energy solutions that can improve your bottom line.

Visit us at the RHA Expo on September 18th, Booth #607, Building 6. We'll be demonstrating how solar thermal systems operate and how you can save as much as 80% on your heating and cooling costs!

We'll also be giving away a beautiful gift box of wine - so make sure to RSVP and/or stop by and drop off your business card to participate in our raffle. (See "Events" for more details.)

We look forward to seeing you at the RHA Expo!

Why Solar Thermal is the best solution for your building's energy needs:

If you own or manage a multi-unit residential and/or commercial building that is between 4,000-50,000 square feet in size, a solar thermal system is the single best energy saving solution for your cooling and heating needs. Here's why:

Low Investment: Solar thermal offers the lowest cost of ownership of any green energy technology. (Solar thermal costs about the same as wind energy.)

Cost Effective: Solar thermal systems can save you up to 80% on your heating and cooling costs. This is particularly true when there is a demand for hot water year around.

Ease of Installation: Solar thermal systems can easily be retrofitted to most buildings.

Efficiency: Solar thermal is the most efficient use of solar energy; it's available when you need it, and it's a more effective solar collector - it even works in less sunny conditions. Solar thermal systems cover up to 80% of your hot water energy needs.

Return on Investment: Solar thermal systems pay for themselves in as little as 5 years.

Reliability: Solar hot water systems are reliable and require little maintenance over their 25 year life.

Benefits of Green Buildings

In recent months there has been a plethora of articles reporting on studies of the benefits and popularity of green buildings. (See our "News" column to read the full articles.) It seems our green neighbors are working smarter and growing faster than non-green buildings. Here is a summary of the findings:

• Green buildings sell faster.

• Green building attract longer leases and higher-velocity rentals than non-green buildings because people want to live in environmentally friendly buildings.

• Green buildings appreciate in value more than non-green buildings. For every $1 saved in energy costs, property value increases by $10!

• Green buildings inspire community good will – and, they will go the extra mile to support green businesses.

Bottomline Savings

You'll realize up to 100% savings in your cooling costs.

You'll realize at least 50% savings in your heating costs.

You'll realize at least 50% savings in your domestic hot water costs.

You'll reduce your CO2 emissions by 40-50%.

In sum, you can make a difference:

To cite an example, a 10-ton SolarAire system, which is roughly enough cooling for a 4,000-5,000 square foot building, can save more than 40,000 Kwh per year ($4,300-$6,000) in cooling and heating energy. This is the equivalent to annually removing at least 29 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere, which is like taking 5 cars off the road, or planting 8 acres of trees. And, using the measure of energy cost reduction to building appreciation - this means your property value would go up $43,000-$60,000!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between solar themal and PV's?

A: PV systems convert about 10% of sunlight into electricity. Solar thermal converts about 60% of sunlight into usable heat.

Q: Is one of these technologies better than the other?

A: Both PV and solar thermal have their advantages and disadvantages. But for any building requiring hot water, heating and/or cooling, solar thermal is a much better investment.

Q: What do they cost?

A: Solar thermal systems cost as much as 1/7th that of PV's. Costs for PV's range from 20-60 cents/kWh, solar thermal from 3-13 cents/kWh.

Have other questions? eMail us for an answer: info@solaraire.com

Green Tips

Use low-flow shower heads – they can reduce hot water consumption for showers by more than 50%.

Keep your hot water system at the right tempterature. For central-plant hot water systems, this should be no more than 140F.

Make sure your hot water tank and hot water supply lines are well insulated.

Faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads can greatly reduce your facility's water consumption.

Welcome

Why Solar Thermal is the best solution for your building's energy needs:

Benefits of Green Buildings

Bottomline Savings

In sum, you can make a difference:

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Tips

Newsletter Subscription

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Events

Save The Date: September 18th

West Coast Green Conference: September 25-27, at the San Jose Conference Center

News

•Green Buildings do boost sales, rental and occupancy

• Banks Cultivate Green Loans

• Developers discover efficiency can be a new way to market

• It's Not That Hard Being Green

• Solar Energy Not Just Electricity

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