Solar Domestic Hot Water (SDHW)

All 52 homes of the Drake Landing Solar Community will be equipped with a solar domestic hot water (SDHW) appliance coupled to a power-vent, natural gas water heater. In order for the SDHW unit to meet the requirements of the Built Green™ Alberta program, on an annual basis, it must produce a minimum of 50% of the hot water used in the homes on an annual basis. The SDHW unit for Drake Landing Solar Community should reach up to 60%. Combined with the higher efficiency power-vent, natural gas water heater and the low water consumption devices in the homes, the 52 solar homes in the subdivision are expected to use 65 – 70% less natural gas to heat water as typical new homes. This alone will save more than one tone of greenhouse gas emissions each year per home.