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Show USU solar program to reduce heat bills Let the sun heat your hot water economically. A free orientation meeting explaining how to build a solar energy system that can be used effectively in a home domestic water heating system has ' been scheduled by Utah State University Extension Service for Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Uintah County Courthouse, said Steven Cox, Uintah County agent. Dr. Wayne B. Ringer, extension energy specialist from USU at Logan, will explain how a domestic solar hot water system works and will answer questions on individual heating problems and concerns. The system can supply 50 to 75 percent of the family's hot water needs over the year In Utah where more solar radiation is received than in Florida, he said. The cost of an average system, built from a kit developed by Arizona State University, College of Architectural, ranges from $750 to $1,000 to meet most of the fumily's hot water needs, Ringer said. A savings nearly equal to the initial cost of the system can be realized by doing your own assembly and in-stallation. in-stallation. lie explained that you receive double value by investing in such an energy saving system since about half the cost can be subtracted from your income tax as a tax credit. People who don't have access to natural gas stand to benefit the most from the solar system, he pointed out. The cost of heating water with propane, fuel oil or electricity is generally much higher than with natural gas, so the pay back period will range from less than two, to no more than seven years. Where enough people with some mechanical skills indicate real interest, Ringer said, he will conduct a follow-up workshoD on Fridav evening and Suturduy. Participants will receive training in assembling a solar hot water heating kit for their own home installation and ase. Ringer pointed out that these are not home-made solar systems put together from scrap parts. They are built from pre-engineered hardware kits approved ap-proved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for ' the F'ederal Housing Administration and Veterans Administration insured homes. Participants in the workshop, he assured, will receive instruction and help in assembling the solar hot water kit. They will also get instruction for installing and using it to their best advantage in greatly reducing their water heating bills. |