With the recent news that BC Hydro will be raising their rates, with gas going up as well, homeowners are looking at ways to cut down on their energy bills. And many are also interested in reducing their carbon footprint.

If you fall into either or both of those categories you might be interested in a Wildsight/College of the Rockies sponsored workshop next month.

The topic under discussion will be solar heating. However, there is one additional word to add - inexpensive.

“Solar heating need not be expensive,” said Kevin Brown of Wildsight, who says the June 19 in Kimberley will be a follow up on the Building Sustainability Conference which took place here in January.

Wildsight, COTR and Golden Timber Frames of Invermere will be bringing Tang Lee —one of Canada’s preeminent solar heating experts — to Kimberley for a one-day workshop on inexpensive solar heating

Golden Timber Frames personnel attended the Sustainability conference and were impressed with Tang’s work. The company is rolling out a new passive wall system.

“This new wall system is a first of its kind in Canada and a great fit with Tang’s work,” Brown said. “It be on display at the workshop.

“Solar heating is a real opportunity in our sunny valley. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Tang Lee has developed solar heating systems in Canada since the 1970s. He’ll show us how to install solar heating without spending money on elaborate systems.”

At the workshop, Lee will explain how off-the-shelf parts can be used to construct simple solar heating systems that reduce heating bills by up to 70 per cent. “That’s a huge reduction in heating costs,” Brown said. “And it can be done inexpensively.”

Practical and Effective Solar Heating with Tang Lee will take place at the College of the Rockies Kimberley Campus on Saturday, June 19th, 2010, from 8:30 to 4:30.

To register, contact the College of the Rockies Kimberley Campus at 250.427.7116, extension 3752.

Early registration is a plus because participants will also learn to use F-Chart modelling software to optimize solar thermal systems. The software is available at COTR and computers will be made available for participants to practice ahead of times.

“This all-day workshop will show how to design and build practical solar heating using solar collectors, sunspaces and a tight building envelope,” Brown said. “Tang will cover energy conservative design, ventilation and how simple components can be easily incorporated into new or existing buildings.”

Although the workshop is open to all, participants will benefit from an understanding of design or construction. Price for the workshop is $149 and GST if you register before June 1, 2010. After June 1, the price is $179 and GST.

“After Tang Lee’s appearance and workshop at the Building Sustainability Conference in January, it was clear that people wanted to learn more from him—they told us so,” Brown said. “So, we’re happy to bring him back to town—and we advise people to register early before all the seats fill up.”