A picturesque heritage building on the outskirts of Gastown has been undergoing a quiet transformation over the last several months. Energy efficient updates are being made to everything from the insulation to the low-flow toilets and while you can't see it from the street, a brand new solar hot water system installed by Terratek Energy now perches on the flat roof of this quaint white washed and blue trimmed hall.
"This is going to allow the kids here to grow up with green energy and understand the concept. The educational component here is a powerful thing," says Laura Saimoto, Board Director of the Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall. Saimoto is Chair of the Heritage Reno Daycare Project, which is making over the hall into a licensed day care facility. The project received funding from a Green Build grant with VanCity and Vancouver Renewable Energy Foundation. While Saimoto says they weren't sure at first what type of renewable energy system would be best suited for their needs in the end solar hot water proved to make the most sense.
"We chose it because of the ease in installation and maintenance as well as our high water usage at our facility," says Saimoto. "Scott at Terratek was very helpful in developing our understanding of the technology and how it would be incorporated."
Saimoto says that there were concerns voiced by the older generation, when the plans for the installation began. There were misgivings about the functionality of the system but as it was explained she says it was easy to sway those that were initially reluctant. "If you don't know how a solar hot water system works, you might think it's complex but it's not," says Saimoto. "I think they realized how important this is, so everyone is excited now. We're very curious to see how it will work and to watch the savings we'll be able to capture."
Because of a SunReports monitor that has been installed, the savings will be at the school's fingertips on a daily basis. Saimoto says they will incorporate the data tracking and the function of renewable energy into their curriculum."This is great too, because this will become so natural for the kids, to grow up with an education in renewable energy and how it works."
Terratek Energy Principal Scott Fleenor, agrees."We definitely believe that educational institutions are the ideal forum for promoting and demonstrating leadership in sustainable development and action on climate change."
Saimoto says they will be holding public tours of the system down the road, you can keep informed on their website.
