Step one in going solar is not sizing the Photovoltaic (PV)
system, but reducing the energy needed in your home or business. To save green
when you go green, first focus on increased sustainability and explore
entry-level solar solutions that may provide excellent returns without major
expense. Knowing where your energy needs
are highest and implementing shifts in those areas will allow you to more
accurately assess the size PV system required and reduce the costs of purchase
and installation.
Focus on These 4
Areas to Increase Sustainability at Home and at Work
1.
Knowledge is power. Literally.
Reducing energy usage and carbon emissions begins by getting
an estimate of your personal carbon footprint or that of your business. The
Cool Climate Network offers both a Household Calculator and a Business Calculator. To receive practical tips to slash your
emissions and your energy costs, take this quick and fun CoolerSmarter quiz and you’ll be on your way
to 20% less carbon in 20 days.
2. Drive Smart:
Transportation is the single biggest contributor to carbon emissions.
If you or your company are in the market for a new vehicle,
you can use the calculators and comparison tools at www.FuelEconomy.gov to find the most efficient
vehicle for your needs and budget. Has
your knowledge advanced with the technology? Read these Top 10 Misconceptions About Fuel Economy to
make sure you are working with the latest information.
Regardless of the car you drive, you can drastically reduce
your transportation emissions by simply driving more efficiently. Slight
but significant changes can save you or your business up to 20% at the
pumps.
1 in 3 electric vehicle owners has a home grid-tied PV
system. As technologies continue to rapidly develop across the solar industry,
running your car on sunshine is increasingly an option.
3. Mind the Gap:
Reduce the cost and impact of home heating and cooling.
Heating and cooling are the greatest energy hogs within the
home and also represent an area where you can make a significant positive
impact, both on your wallet and your carbon footprint. How do you keep your home comfortable with
less energy?
Seal the Leak
Air leaks in your home may waste up to 25% of the heat
your heating system generates in the winter and account for the same amount of
unwanted heat your home gains in the summer. That’s equivalent to leaving a
window in your home wide open all the time. A draft check followed by these simple
and inexpensive solutions for energy efficient heating can help you
shut that window.
Natural Home Cooling
Landscaping, blinds, and shade screens are effective at
blocking heat from entering your home. And reducing
heat generated from within the house can also contribute greatly to
lowering the inside temperature. A
significant source of that heat is electric lighting. In just one hour a 100 watt incandescent bulb can raise
the temperature of a room by 11 degrees Fahrenheit. One more reason to switch to cooler, more
efficient LED bulbs!
“Cool roofs” are another simple strategy to lower
electricity costs for your home or business. Cool roofs reduce the amount of heat conducted
to the building below and have several year-round energy-saving and cost-saving advantages over black roofs.
For home and business owners located in dry climates, an
evaporative cooler can be a good match for PV. An evaporative cooler, also
known as a swamp cooler, will only consume about one-quarter of the power of a
traditional central air conditioner.
4. Vampires in the
Home: Do you know where your power is going?
Learn just how much energy is being tapped by the appliances
and electronics in your home or business by using this Appliance Energy Calculator. Many electronics
and appliances are consuming energy, even when not in active use. And by eliminating these phantom loads you can easily
and significantly reduce your energy bills.
PC www.energy.gov
A Solar Solution:
Dedicate one appliance to be powered by the sun.
Can’t go all solar? Dedicate one appliance to run off PV,
like your washing machine or well pump.
Water heating is the 2nd largest utility expense
in your home. Could a solar water heater be right for you?
If so, act soon and take advantage of the federal tax credit that is good until
the end of 2016.
Chest refrigerators and chest freezers open from the top and the cold stays put. Not only is the chest design more energy efficient for all
homes, it also offers an incredible opportunity for those interested in entry-level solar.
“Off-grid living doesn’t mean that we go without the
energy that we need, but that we live more in tune with the natural rhythms
around us.” By planning
wisely and reducing waste in your home or business, you will be well on your
way to successfully implementing your solar strategy.
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