Department of Commerce - Honolulu, Hawaii
The staff residences at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii now have solar water heating systems funded by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). The Center is part of the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC-NOAA).
New solar water heating systems were installed on six staff residences. These systems were designed to meet at least 90% of the yearly demand for hot water. They save between $200 and $300 in energy costs each month, so the simple payback period for the project is only five years. The annual savings of approximately $3,600 will go toward the purchase of much needed weather radar equipment and satellites, provide funding for research, and help fund additional staff.
| Initial investment: | $18,000 | |
| Payback period: | 5 years | |
| Cost savings: | 3,600 | |
| Energy savings: | 32,725 kWh/year (at $0.11/kWH) |