Fire stations are unique public buildings in that they are similar to a household. Staffed around the clock by firefighters, a station’s hot water needs are much like those of a typical home.
Engine Company Number 23 is one of several Milwaukee firehouses enjoying more domestic hot water these days thanks to a solar water-heating program sponsored by a collaboration of
Caleffi Hydronic Solutions, contractor Milwaukee Solar LLC, the
Midwest Renewable Energy Association and
Milwaukee Shines.
Funded by George W. Bush’s Solar America Initiative which provided up to $2.4 million to 12 cities selected as Solar America Cities, the Milwaukee program’s goals include raising the level of awareness of solar and its benefits, and providing opportunity for local contractors to get valuable hands on experience installing solar hot water systems.
For Engine Company Number 23, Caleffi donated a pre-engineered solar water heater. Dean Wolff a 30 year solar veteran and owner of Milwaukee Solar LLC, headed up the installation as well as on-the-job training for some “solar apprentices” in need of the experience to advance toward being certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.
The solar system installed is known as a pre-heat system. A solar storage tank is heat-charged by the solar collectors. This tank then feeds into a dedicated back-up hot water heater. The combined storage capacity of the solar storage tank and the back-up heater serves to substantially boost the hot water production capacity.
The firefighters said they no longer run out hot water if they want to wash dishes, shower and do laundry at the same time. Additionally, the gas bill has been reduced by 75%.
