SUNY Canton Students Make Alumni House Greener

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SUNY Canton students install a solar thermal system at the College’s Blanche K. Woodcock Alumni House.

CANTON, NY (09/28/2010)(readMedia)-- SUNY Canton alternative and renewable energy systems students have made hot water cheaper and greener at the College's Blanche K. Woodcock Alumni House.

A class of solar utilization students installed two rooftop heat collectors to learn about solar thermal systems and to benefit the home.

"This is a great example of the innovative ways our faculty implement our signature hands-on education," said SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy. "These students' efforts embody our mission to remain dedicated to sustainability and environmental conservation."

Students were involved in the process from start to finish, gaining experience in discussing the benefits of renewable energy, technical training in determining material needs, costs, scheduling and layout. They made two presentations to the College Foundation and facilities personnel to garner support for the project.

The students then installed the two solar collectors on the roof of the house and made plumbing connections to the existing hot water system. The roof-mounted collectors utilize solar energy to warm antifreeze, which in turn warms water for showers, cooking, laundry, and other uses throughout the house. Much like conventional hot water heating, the newly installed system stores the water in a tank for later use.

"A solar thermal system is one of the most cost effective ways to reduce fossil fuel energy consumption for residential applications," said Matthew D. Bullwinkel, associate professor of engineering technology who taught the course. "The students did an excellent job adapting the new technology to the existing structure."

Throughout the summer months, the system produced storage tank temperatures well over 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the minimum recommended temperature setting for hot water tanks.

"The system performed well," Bullwinkel noted. "Many people don't think there is enough sun in Northern New York to use the solar collectors. We actually have enough sunlight to produce more hot water than is currently used at the house."

SUNY Canton students will continue to maintain the system and use it as learning tool. The system will also be used for research into solar hot water performance in the area.

"Being able to collect data from an actual residential setting versus what we would get from simulating one in a lab has been great," Bullwinkel added. "We're appreciative of the overwhelming support we received from Dr. Kennedy, the College Foundation, the Canino School of Engineering Technology, and our facilities department."

The College's Canino School of Engineering Technology is involved in solar thermal curriculum training programs through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

The SUNY Canton Alumni House is located at 8 Stillman Drive in Canton, just outside of the College's 555 acre campus. It was named in 2008 to honor 2006 Honorary Alumna Blanche K. Woodcock.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor's, associate, and certificate programs. Most of SUNY Canton's new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 150 courses online each semester. The College's athletic teams belong to the NAIA's Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years. Construction is now underway for the College's new Convocation, Athletic, and Recreation Center nicknamed Roos House, as well as the new apartment-style residence hall, featuring 304 single-occupancy rooms.

-www.canton.edu-