Some have said that “they’ve had to lay off employees and even close down their businesses because they don’t have confidence that future rebates will be available…” Solar Texas was not part of that effort.

At Solar Texas, we have never relied upon rebates for our business success. We commenced operations before rebates were implemented and we will be in operation after rebates cease. Rebates are nice to have from a business sense, but by their very nature, they are short term incentives to influence the market. Rebates are a reallocation of funds.

The money funding local rebates for solar comes from the San Antonio population. People who cannot afford solar are paying a proportion of their CPS Energy bill toward other people who can. Any company that relies solely upon rebates for its business success will have its business fortunes linked to the demise of those rebates as well.

The aim of the CPS Energy rebates was to provide a leg up for the local renewable energy market to delay or defer the investment by CPS Energy in new power generation sources. “It was never our intent for rebates to be the foundation for the entire market,” according to a quote attributed by the SA Express-News to Lisa Lewis for CPS Energy.

At Solar Texas, we look forward to the leveling of the market and the removal of artificial advantages to one portion of the market over another. Our future is linked to the future of San Antonio and the surrounding areas. We do not regard rebates as a substitute for conscientious work, good business ethics and a commitment to the local community.

We knew the rebates had to come to an end and we made sure that Solar Texas wasn’t beholden to their continuation for our business success. We do not employ many people, but we will not be lessening our business commitment to South and Central Texas. We made no presentation to argue for rebates in front of City Council. Likewise, we didn’t make any investment that tied us with the continuation of the CPS Energy rebates.

Whatever CPS Energy and the City Council decides, Solar Texas will be serving the San Antonio area and surrounding regions for many years to come.

There are a multitude of different designs and materials used in skylights. The most common by far around San Antonio is the acrylic dome skylight on an aluminum base. When these leak, typically, the homeowner notices some drips on the floor or furnishings beneath the skylight during and after rain showers. This progresses to staining and bubbling paint on the drywall directly below the skylight. The damage is usually apparent on the down slope side of the skylight. Often, the leak inside the home is accompanied by leaking behind the drywall and into the attic. If caught early, it’s usually a straight fix on the skylight. If let go, the damage can be expensive to repair and can involve replacing rafters, roof trusses, drywall and insulation.

Typically, the do-it-yourself homeowner, believing the leak to be originating from around the acrylic dome, will climb on the roof with a tube of exterior caulk and seal around the acrylic dome where the retaining frame locks the acrylic dome to the base. However, often the problem is not at the dome. The problem more often than not lies beneath the shingles where the base of the skylight sits on the roof decking.

Applying caulk around the edge of the acrylic dome does nothing to fix the leak.

A combination of old shingles and old mastic or caulk used to seat the skylight on installation (or re-installation after shingle replacement) provides avenues for the water to enter the home. Often during rain, the water running down the roof will dam slightly on the upslope side of the skylight. From here, a small proportion of the water will seep in under the shingles and find a route under the mastic. Once it gets between the skylight base and the decking, the water finds its way down the roof slope via the sides of the skylight and then makes its appearance on the down slope side.

Fixing the leak requires removal of the skylight. The skylight can be reused and reseated, but usually the acrylic is old and brittle and the better option is to simply take measurements in advance and have a new, replacement skylight ready to replace the old skylight when it is removed.

Acrylic dome skylights are quick and cheap to manufacture and simple to install. They are typically comprised of an aluminum base, two acrylic domes and a retaining ring that holds the domes in place over the base. The base has an integral gutter that both supports the edges of the domes and sheds water on the inside of the domes out onto the roof. On installation, mastic or caulk is applied to the base flange and then the base is nailed or screwed into place. More mastic is applied on the upper surface of the base flange and shingles are sealed down over the base flange. Leak protection is afforded by the mastic only.

Velux skylights are more expensive, but the leak protection, insulation qualities, light transmittance, strength, expected longevity and quality are vastly superior.

If you don’t want to fix it yourself, call us at Solar Texas. We’ll be glad to fix it for you.

Then join me at Solar Hot Water Design & Installation, a course I will be teaching at Palo Alto College as part of its Green Initiatives Education.  The course runs for 8 weeks, every Monday and Wednesday, from Oct. 3 through Nov. 7, from 6-9 p.m.

We will combine classroom learning and hands-on laboratory exercises to explore how the different parts of systems work together.  If you’re a plumber, home builder, architect or engineer, you might really enjoy this course.

For details and to sign up for Solar Hot Water Design and Installation, visit Palo Alto College’s information and registration page.

This year, Solar Texas and Velux Sun Tunnels are featured in the Sitterle Homes show home.  Seven Velux Sun Tunnels are on display, some of the 10” models, others are the 14” style.  The 10” Sun Tunnel will light an area of up to 200 square feet; the 14” Sun Tunnel throws natural light into a 300 square foot space.

All without adding to your electric bill.

While the Parade of Homes is meant to show the biggest, the best and certainly, the most luxurious, we like to dwell on the point that you can change the look of a room for under $1000 with a Velux Sun Tunnel.  It’s the fastest and most effective way to add a punch to your kitchen or bath.

So check out the show this weekend. Information on hours and directions are here: Parade of Homes 2011.

Rooms filled with natural light and fresh air are more beautiful, spacious and uplifting to our spirits.

“With added natural light and ventilation from skylights, homeowners have attractive and effective tools to balance the light and improve ventilation in their homes,” says Joe Patrick, senior product manager with VELUX America.

Patrick offers tips on the product categories available, how to choose the right product, installation information and tips on energy efficiency.

Product Selection

•  Skylights are used for overhead, out-of-reach applications or with in-reach applications where egress is not required.  Available models include electric  or manual venting, fixed with or without ventilation flap, and fixed for replacing faded plastic bubbles with clear, energy-efficient glass.  There are also models specially designed to meet code for safe use in hurricane-prone areas as well as models with electrochromic glass that can be lightened or darkened by remote control and that don’t restrict the view to the sky.

•  Roof windows are for in-reach applications offering egress as in finished attics.

•  VELUX SUN TUNNEL™ skylights are useful when a view to the outside is not needed as with closets, laundry rooms, pantries, hallways and second baths.

How to Choose

•  A complete selection of models, styles and sizes of the categories described are available.  Just consider your ceiling style and roof pitch and whether your home is constructed with trusses or rafters.

Accessories

•  A complete selection is available to control the light including translucent or light block shades, Venetian blinds and exterior heat block awnings.  Accessories, as well as electric skylights, can be operated by remote control.

Glazing

•  Energy-efficient tempered safety glass resists condensation, protects against fading and won’t discolor, leak, or allow drafts.  Models with electrochromic glass that darkens by remote control to reduce light and solar gain without restricting the view to the sky are also available.

Installation

•  Certified, local independent installers may be located by contacting your local Home Builders Association or through the product manufacturer.

Energy Efficiency

• Save money on utility bills by selecting quality products meeting Energy Star® approval guidelines and rated by the National Fenestration Rating Council.

Solar Texas is a 5 Star Skylight Specialist and can assist you with your next VELUX quote.

For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency visit www.energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit www.nfrc.org or www.efficientwindows.org.

Try the Velux Solar Water Savings Calculator.  You might be surprised at your results.

Velux Solar Water Heater on a Clay Tile Roof

Last week, the first Velux solar water heater was installed in San Antonio by Solar Texas and Will’s Plumbing. Velux has been manufacturing solar water heaters for around 20 years, but have only recently introduced the product to the USA market. Targetting residential and small commercial markets, Velux has a unique system which builds on its outstanding leadership in the world skylight market.

Here’s what is different about the system:

• The flat plate collector looks like a skylight and can be assimilated with Velux skylights with little noticeable difference.  On an asphalt shingle or tile roof, the collector is mounted into the roof.
• All the plumbing and temperature sensor wires are located beneath the collector in the attic. There is no way for squirrels or raccoons on the roof to damage insulation or wire connections.
• Brilliant aesthetics. If a Homeowners Association (HOA) allows skylights, it is difficult for them to argue against the Velux solar water heater.
• When it comes time to re-roof, the roofing material is simply replaced around the collectors. Roofers do not need to lift the collectors off the roof and do not need to get the assistance of a solar professional.

The Velux solar water heater is a pressurized glycol system. The collector is one of the most efficient flat plate collectors on the market and qualifies for a substantial rebate from CPS Energy. Using pre-insulated, flexible stainless steel piping between the storage tank, pump and collectors, installation is very fast; usually less than a day, and suffers less impact from rising copper prices and is less exposed to time-consuming copper pipe soldering associated with other types of solar water heaters.

First Velux Solar Water Heater in San Antonio

Velux solar water heaters are available with 60, 80 and 120 Gallon storage tanks. With other manufacturers, electric backup is often the only form of backup offered for periods of high demand or during times of cloudy weather. Velux offers storage tanks with electric, natural gas or propane backup so homeowners have more than one backup choice.

This is the best new system on the market today.

The room we chose was a closet off the master bathroom at the rear of the home. Considerable time was spent in the attic and on the roof of the home determining the best location for the Sun Tunnel. The best location was near an existing electric light, but on subsequent evaluation, internal construction mandated that the position be altered slightly for an intersecting gable and associated joists and rafters. It can take some time to find the optimum position of the Sun Tunnel in the ceiling, melding it with existing construction framing, AC ductwork and electrical lines in the attic, and with the optimum position of the base flashing on the roof. This is one step that can’t be rushed. Sometimes it’s easy and straightforward.   Other times, it’s not.

Here’s the process:

1. The position of the rafters confirmed; shingles were removed and access cut into the attic. The flashing was caulked, secured into position, overlaid with roofing felt and shingles were cut to fit around the flashing and reinstalled.

2. From within the attic, the location of the ceiling penetration was marked and any insulation moved to the side. Then from within the closet, an opening was cut into the ceiling.

3. The ceiling ring was installed in the closet.

4. The flexible, reflective tunnel was fitted from the roof down into the closet.

5. The Sun Tunnel dome was secured in position and everything was complete on the roof.

6. From within the closet, excess flexible tunnel was cut to length. The loose end was secured and the diffuser and trim ring were fitted.

7. Before and after photos of the Sun Tunnel installation.

This was the 2nd time Solar Texas has installed a Velux Sun Tunnel in a Mi Casa makeover home.  We are thrilled to contribute to this homeowner’s new energy savings. What a difference a tunnel makes! Enjoy the slide show above which shows the steps we took to install this Sun Tunnel.  Or see the details on our Flickr site.

Still, it’s an investment for the average homeowner, as a solar water heating system runs $6,000- $7,500 (installed).  There’s no better time to take advantage of current tax credits, rebates and financing.  Here are some options:

• The Department of Energy offers a 30% tax credit for solar water heaters installed between now and 2016;
• CPS Energy offers rebates in its service area that are calculated on the savings derived from the system, provided the homeowner is going from electric to solar.  Homeowners can get up to $2000 back on this offer
• SACU is partnering with Solar San Antonio to offer a new type of loan to assist homeowners to adopt solar.  Read about it on the SACU web site.

Savvy homeowners who are ready to adopt renewable energy, can realize huge savings by taking advantage of these local and national offers. Once you’ve shopped the offers, then start looking at the type of solar water heater that’s right for your home.

Velux Solar Water Heater Installation

Solar Texas recently got a 5 Star Solar Specialist Rating from Velux America.  This company’s new solar water heater has a unique design with roof integrated collectors with a low profile look which is distinctly different than other solar water heaters.  Plus this system can integrate with other Velux products for a combination system of water heating, daylighting and ventilation. Call Solar Texas for a site visit and quote for this great additional to our product line.