Many landlords are now starting to seriously think about climate change, and using green energy in the form of solar panels to supply your building’s water can do much to make an environmentally conscious tenant happier. Whether you own industrial buildings, residential apartments or a commercial property, your potential tenants has been hearing for many years that we all need to do much more to protect the planet and move towards green energy sources. Taking advantage of green energy when you can will give future tenants an extra reason to rent your building space.
The fact that it is the right thing to do for the environment isn’t the only reason to install solar panels. You can cut your gas and energy bills significantly by becoming less dependent on your gas or electric boiler. You can use these savings to add to your profits, become more competitive by passing savings on to your tenants, or both.
Using solar power to heat water is not a new idea, of course. Scientists have experimented with the idea of using solar energy to heat water since the mid 19th century. However, although the technology has come a long way since then, until recently solar power was of limited use for heating in cold and cloudy countries. And yet this is where they are needed most. With the development of vacuum-sealed solar heating tubes, however, a growing number of people are now able to switch to a solar energy system.
The cylindrical shape of solar heating tubes means that they can be positioned in such a way that part of their surface is constantly facing the sun, allowing them to absorb more solar energy. Because they’re able to glean the sun’s energy more efficiently, they are able to harvest enough solar power to heat your building’s water even in colder climates. Being vacuum sealed further helps their efficiency as vacuums provide the best conditions for insulating the heat source. Consequently less energy is lost. The center of the tube can be blazing hot, but the outside of the tube, insulated by the vacuum, continues to be cool. This results in much more of the solar power being retained and put to use heating the building’s water.
The power used by your boiler system represents a significant fraction of the electricity and/or gas used by your building. You can significantly lower your energy bills and those of your tenants by installing solar heating tubes and letting green energy work for you. You only need buy and install the solar heating tubes once, and the savings will last forever.
This is the best time to start using a green energy source such as solar heating tubes. Governments all over the world are offering financial incentives for building owners to install a solar energy system that generates renewable energy sources. In some countries you will be eligible for a tax rebate to cover the expenses of installing energy saving devices such as solar panels. Ultimately, all buildings will have to conform to strict environmental regulations regarding their power consumption. It’s best to get on board now, while the government will help defray some of the costs.
Craig Axelrod is VP of Business Development for Emmy Energy, a New York solar power business offering solar heating tube systems solar electric panels & green products throughout the North East.
