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Mar 29, 2006 10:30 am US/Mountain
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Solar Power Making Affordable Homes Cheaper
by Paul Day
DENVER (CBS4) ―
Affordable housing projects in Denver are the latest developments to start using renewable energy sources to bring down utility bills. The savings could add up even more if natural gas and other energy prices keep rising.
"It is something that's good for the environment and good for the pocket," Gete Mekonnen, executive director of the Northeast Denver Housing Center said.
Mekonnen showed show homes at Madison Row are ideally situated to take full advantage of the sun.
The houses meant for low-income families have solar panels on the roof. The panels warm a glycol solution that circulates into the home and transmits heat to a storage tank of water. That tank feeds the regular hot water heater, cutting costs.
The solar panel water heating system can cut a monthly gas bill at the affordable homes by $15 to $20.
"It is a big deal," Mekonnen said. "I mean if your income is $1,500 a month and you're paying $20 less per month for utilities, it is significant."
The solar hot water systems are paid for with a grant. The savings keeps the 2 and 3 bedroom homes priced well below $200,000.
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