Energy Efficient Home: Create One Using 2 Proven Methods

What is an energy efficient home? It is one where electric power is properly and economically utilized and wasteful energy consumption practices corrected. Commonly it refers to one that uses renewable energy. Just practicing energy conservation at home will significantly reduce electricity bills. This is also a wise move in the preparation for going solar in the future. Electricity consumption as a result of energy conservation will determine how big the Residential Solar System will be. The more efficient the home, the smaller and cheaper the System.

Why is there a need to achieve total energy efficiency? The US Energy Information Administration (USEIA) gives 3 reasons:

1. Since 1970 through 2007, household energy consumption has been on the rise at the rate of 1.4% every year. Energy efficiency at home will definitely relieve the pressure on electrical energy suppliers
2. Retail sales of electricity to US household now exceed sales to commercial and industrial sectors. This calls for strict conservation measures.
3.  US household can easily reduce demand by 30% in 2 years with energy conservation. Reducing demand is an effective way to conserve conventional fuel.

  

  Here are the proven methods toward Total Energy Efficiency at Home:

Method No. 1 - Conserve energy

Household electricity utilization:

1. Appliances and electronic devices               64%
2. Refrigeration                                                   14% 
3. Lighting                                                              9%
4. Heating and cooling                                       13% 

The above figures guide us where electricity will be strictly monitored and conserved to reduce home consumption.  

The US Department of Energy lists in detail conservation practices and energy saving tips. Here are some of the more common and practical ones:

1. Appliances and electronics which consume the biggest electricity must be closely monitored. It is important to unplug electronics and appliances when not in use because while on standby mode, these utilize up to 40% of the total appliances and electronics consumption. Microsoft estimates that it costs$ 55 to $ 75 per year to allow one computer to sit idle. Old refrigerators must use controlling devices to reduce electricity consumption. When shopping for new appliances, buy those with Energy Guide or Energy Star Labels since these meet the energy efficiency criteria of the Department of Energy. Government incentives are available for these appliances.
2.  Lighting. Put out the lights when not in use. Replace all incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFL). CFLs consume 1/3 electricity and lasts up to 10 times when compared with incandescent bulbs. With CFLs, electricity used for lighting can be cut in half.  This practice is gaining wide popularity. 
3. Heating and cooling. Leakages in window and door insulations must be regularly checked as these will lead to power waste and increase in electricity consumption.

Energy conservation practices will surely result to reduction of electricity consumption. This is a highly recommended move when going to Step 2 because it will mean a much smaller and less expensive Solar Home Energy System.  Remember that it is cheaper and easier to save electricity than generate it.

Method No.  2 – Install Residential Solar System

Residential Solar System is the ideal source of household electricity for you because it is practical, simple to build and sustainable. In a nutshell your System will consist of solar panels, battery bank, inverter, charge controller, wiring and support structure. You remain connected to the utility company.  The System will perfectly complement the gains of energy efficiency in reducing electrical consumption. It will convert your home and make it totally energy efficient reducing electricity consumption by up to 80%. We invite you to browse our more detailed article on Residential Solar System which is coming soon. 

With Efficient Energy Conservation measures and a Residential Solar System generating the greater part of your electricity needs, you can easily achieve the status of a Total Energy Efficient Home.


We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

 About the Author

Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. URL: justsolarhome.blogspot.com. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author's Box. No permission is needed.

Solar Electricity: How You Can Reduce or Eliminate Your Monthly Bills

Solar Electricity is now considered one of the alternative sources of electricity which could lower household electrical expenses. It is an established and proven technology. Home electricity constitutes a big slice of the family budget and any means to reduce or eliminate it will surely be a big help. Today, a growing number of families are finding out that energy from the sun is most useful in many ways.  This article will discuss the role of solar power and, how it can help alleviate the financial difficulties of families.

 

 Solar electricity can be made a DIY (do it yourself) project to save money or acquired through professional installers. This makes solar power very practical with these available options.

Here’s how the 2 types of home Solar Electricity System reduces or eliminates your bills:

1. The Grid Tie System (may or may not have battery back up). As the name implies, you remain connected to the utility grid. Without the battery, your System generates  electricity at daytime to supply your needs. At night or during cloudy days, the grid supplies your power. The System guarantees reduction in your electricity bills up to 50%. With a battery back up, your System generates solar electricity for home use and storage. During daytime, your System (solar panels) supplies electricity. Excess electricity is stored in battery back up for use at night time or during cloudy days. This System can reduce your bills by 80 or up to 100% depending on how adequate your System (meaning do you have the right number of panels and battery). If you have an energy efficient home, this will surely help. There is an article about this coming soon. If your battery is fully charged, you can sell the excess electricity to the utility company and you earn money. This is fully discussed in another article coming soon also.
2. The Off Grid System. Here you are totally disconnected to the utility company and your System supplies all your electricity needs. You have adequate number of solar panels and battery back up. You are now totally electricity independent and have eliminated your electricity bills. This is often used in homes far from grid power lines where getting extension lines would be very expensive.

 Solar demand has grown at about 30% per year over the past 15 years attesting to its growing acceptability. Solar energy (photovoltaic) price have declined on average 4% over the past 15 years mainly due to conversion efficiencies and manufacturing economies of scale. Join the thousands who are converting their residences to solar power and reap the benefits of clean and renewable energy.

Author's Box

Did you find the article useful. There are more in our Informative Solar Article page. Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. URL: justsolarhome.blogspot.com. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author's Box. No permission is needed.

Home Improvement with Solar Electricity Gives You the Best Return of Investment

 Home Solar Electricity System is considered the most important and number one home improvement despite the fact that it is not known in many places. What makes it top priority?  One, the System is an established technology.  Two, significant gains in solar efficiency and  reduction in cost of installation have been achieved. There are many other reasons which can be summed up as benefits for the solar user.

 The information here will be a good basis for sound decision when confronted with question of home improvements and which should be done first. Discover for yourself Home Solar Electricity System and know why you should have one. 

 The 10 reasons why it should be made top priority:

1.      1.    Home Solar Electricity System is superior when compared with other home improvements in the percentage of cost recovered in that it recovers more than 100% of its cost.

2.    2. The value of homes with the System is quantifiable. For every $1,000 reduction in annual electricity operating cost, the home value is increased by $ 20,000.

3.    3.  Home Solar Electricity System is one home improvement that will significantly improve the finances of your family. It can reduce your monthly electricity bill by 50, 80 or even 100%. Funds will be available for other pressing needs.

4.      4.  It guarantees continuous electricity supply even when utility power is down. Your battery bank which stores your excess electricity makes sure that you have electricity any time of the day.

5.   5.  The System earns for the family when the excess electricity it generates is sold to the utility company through net metering. There is an existing law requiring utility companies to purchase this excess electricity.

6.    6.The System protects you from electricity rate increase and power outages in years to come. Since you produce your own electricity and store the excess, you are hardly affected by supply and growing cost.

7.     7. Acquisition of Home Solar Electricity System is supported by the government. Solar incentives in the form of tax credit and state rebate can reduce the total cost of installation by up to 50%.

8.    8. You can have total electricity independence with an Off-Grid Home Solar Electricity. This is best fitted for homes in remote areas far from electricity power lines.

9.   9. The System makes you a solution to the growing energy crisis and global pollution problems because sun power is inexhaustible and does not produce any emission.

10. 10.  Home Solar Electricity System has a service life of 20 to 25 years which requires very low maintenance. There are no moving parts which cause wear and tear.

One recent National Poll Surveys showed that 77% of Americans feel that the federal government should make solar power development a national priority including the financial support needed. The figure reflects the growing number of homeowners who have adopted Home Solar Electricity System as independent sources of power and attractive financial investments.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits

About the Author

Did you find the article helpful? There's more in our Informative Solar Article page.  Jacinto Demonteverde, the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. URL: justsolarhome.blogspot.com. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar energy users well informed. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author"s Box. No permission is needed. 

Home Solar Energy: 4 Reasons Why Beginners Should Know Tips and Practical Information First

In considering solar energy for home use, the first question foremost in the mind of a beginner is: Where do I begin? It is an unwritten rule that what catches the beginner's interest on a technology  are usually the tips and practical info that he hears around. Not the technical aspects. Are these information which are usually in layman's language true? This is where the beginner begins: Start knowing the importance of tips and practical info and then proceed further.

  Usually, the tips and practical info are often overlooked because of the barrage of technical information to sell the technology. This leaves the beginner confused. There is a right time to know what is practical and what is technical. There is a popular consensus that pieces of practical info should precede technical information. The time to know the practical aspects of home solar energy is now. Fully convinced of the practicality and benefits  of the System, the beginner can move on to the more technical aspects in his search for complete information.

Here are  4 reasons:

1.  1.   Practical information gives the beginner a better and wider initial perspective of the System. He is provided information a layman understands. Introducing technical information at the beginning might confuse him since he is not a solar expert. He does not understand technical term and might get lost in his effort to be fully informed. This information encourages the beginner to move on.

2.  2.  Practical information of the Home Solar Energy broadens the beginner’s knowledge and forms a solid foundation for pursuing the more technical aspects of the System. It gives him the push to know more and fully understand the System sooner.

3.   3.  Practical information becomes one of the tools for evaluating the System. It will help the beginner to decide whether to proceed further and install or not. Practical information  highlights the benefits for the family and also the difficulties and hindrances. In the process, the he is guided properly in his evaluation.

4.   4.  Practical information builds up the confidence of the beginner and strengthens his determination to adopt the System as he studies further the other aspects of the Home Solar Energy.  By this time, the beginner starts to learn and understand the lingo of the experts. It will be easier for him to move faster in his search for full information.

In a nutshell, what are some of these practical information that a beginner should know?

1. the economy of the System
2. government incentives
3. priority improvement
4. energy efficient home
5. proven applications
6. many more



 About the Author

Did you find the article helpful? There are more in our Informative Solar Article page. Jacinto Demonteverde, the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar energy users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author's Box.