Solar Water Heating Facility Tour

Tour a Commercial Size Solar Water Heating Facility

Date:
Wednesday, May 13, 2008

Location:
Thirteen Mile Lamb and Wool Company
Belgrade, MT 59014

Time:
2:00 p.m.

AERO, Montana's Alternative Energy Resources Organization, will be conducting an Energy Tour of the commercial size solar water heating facility at Thirteen Mile Lamb & Wool Company north of Belgrade, Montana, on Tuesday, May 13th beginning at 2 p.m.

The Thirteen Mile Lamb and Wool Energy Tour features a solar hot water wool washing and cleaning system. Thirteen Mile raises certified organic and predator friendly sheep, processes its own wool, and offers custom wool processing to others.

Dave Tyler and Becky Weed, owners of Thirteen Mile Lamb and Wool, received a grant from NorthWestern Energy in December 2003, covering half of the cost of a solar water heating system. Radiant Engineering of Bozeman, working closely with Becky and Dave, designed and built the unique air powered wool washing system that involves bubbling air through wool immersed in baskets of very hot, 180-degree wash water. The wash water is contained in a custom 275-gallon, stainless steel wash tank. A blower, located in the attic, provides the air to bubble through the water.

Four years after receiving the grant, Tyler and Weed report that the hot water system has more than paid for their portion of the investment. "We were very concerned when we committed to purchasing the solar hot water system about the payback. But after Hurricane Katrina and the resulting rapid escalation in the cost of propane, we know we made a good decision", Weed reports. According to Tyler, "Solar water heating systems are a better value for most commercial, institutional and residential users, than relying on gas or electric water heating systems. Everyone should compare the cost of heating water with solar vs. electricity or gas. We hope to see people from schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, apartment owners, homeowners and other agriculturist on the tour."

AERO, Northwestern Energy, and Radiant Engineering invite you to come and see this scenic farm and custom solar hot water wool washing and cleaning and processing facility at the flank of the Bridger Mountains.

Directions from Bozeman: take 7th Street toward the airport. Turn right on Spring Hill Rd and go north 11.5 miles. Look for large barn on right at 13000 Spring Hill Rd. A nominal charge of $5 per person is requested to attend. Tour participants are asked to RSVP AERO at 443-7272 or call if you have questions.

Last Modified: 05/05/2008