So, I know a guy…

Dirk Vissers is a local Dad who is a handy guy to know.  He runs a renovation business called “Handy D: Dirk Vissers ltd” and he specializes in home renovations (plumbing, painting, carpentry, wood and tile flooring installation) and the installation of solar energy products.  Dirk can be reached at 250-320-0293 or by e-mail at handydirk@gmail.com.

Dirk came by to talk to me about Solar Energy and gave my husband and I some information about Solar Energy and how we can reduce our hydro bills (and reduce our home’s emissions) by installing Solar collectors onto our roof!  The idea is that there would be (an average of) two panels installed onto the roof to collect Solar Energy from the Sun’s rays.  These panels, paired with an “energy station” (monitoring appliance) and a storage tank in your home, allow the Sun to provide the main heat for the water in your home.  Then, when you go to your shower, you are paying less money every time you use hot water because the water has already been pre-heated by the Sun!  This pre-heated water source will become the main source of hot water in your home and the system that is already existing in your home (for which every drop costs money) will be the back up.

Dirk is an authorized dealer and installer with EnerWorks (from whom I got this image)

This is reputed to be able to cut your water-heating cost in half! The solar collectors work all the time to collect the Sun’s energy – all year round, collecting 94$ of the Sun’s energy!  They really improve the efficiency of your home’s heating!

Typically, this system has a pay back time of five to seven years.  After those seven years – you are just making money!  You are saving on each and every shower you take, as you rely less on the hot water for which you are charged on your hydro bill (or gas, depending on your system).  In addition, there is a $2000 Solar BC discount  available to all new systems installed by December 2010.

This system seems like a pretty great way to go – hot water, saving money and reducing the emissions of your home!  My husband got pretty excited.  We will definitely be discussing this, further, in our home budgeting.  Dirk and Michelle have seen tremendous savings on their bills; saving $50 in the first month after their Solar Energy system was installed!

Dirk is offering a $150 home evaluation and consultation for free to one lucky reader of this post.  Dirk will come to your home and inform you about the wonders of solar energy – explaining how the system can be put into your home and providing estimated costs.  All you have to do to get yourself a chance to win this super consultation is leave a comment or e-mail elizabeth@kamloopsparents.com.  You can enter, daily, until the draw is closed on August 5, at 10pm.

For another chance to win you can tell me something that you learned about Solar Energy and Handy D.

For one more chance to win tell me how you can get in touch with Dirk Vissers!

***August 5th, 8:00am**

Dirk just e-mailed me that he would like to offer free consultations to anyone who says they read it on KamloopsParents.Com.  Wow!  So, give Dirk a call at 250-320-0293.  If you book by the end of the month (August), Dirk will come and do a solar assessment at no cost.  What a super way to find out about reducing your carbon footprint!

About your Author | Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a Kamloops lifer. Born at RIH, she is happy to be raising her family here. Married with three wonderful children, Elizabeth is a full-time teacher and enjoys working with parents as she learns more about this "Mommy gig". Elizabeth is passionate about parenting and enjoys networking with other parents. She has been running KamloopsParents.Com since March 2010.