From a story on WJFW-TV, Rhinelander:
NEWBOLD – With government tax incentives and rebates from Wisconsin Focus on Energy–installing renewable energy systems is becoming more affordable.
Marc DeBrock’s interest in renewable energy spiked after attending the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s annual Energy Fair.
DeBrock tells Newswatch 12, “I saw what was going on there and what people were adapting into their lives and the renewable energy systems, so it’s always been in the back of my mind.”
That was 15 years ago. Now after years researching he finally installed his own renewable energy system–solar thermal panels.
“It’s used for both hot water and space heating”
Fluid inside theses panels are heated by the sun. The liquid then travels through a tube and heats water inside this 415-gallon holding tank. Where it’s then distributed for use in the bathroom and kitchen.
DeBrock says, “Depending on how warm the water is in the tank, it can go out anywhere from 90 to 100 degrees up to 150 degrees.”
The water also heats coils underneath the floor–heating the house.
He says, “Once enough hot water is produced, I can send the rest of the heat into the radient floor heat.”
But solar-thermal panels aren’t the only way that Marc’s using renewable energy for his home.
DeBrock adds, “Site location of the house, I think is one of the simplest ways to make your house more efficient.”
When Marc built his house four years ago, he took that into consideration–building his house to maximize the most natural energy.