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Save Money With Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency improvements to the home are the most cost effective measures you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and your electrical bill.
What is Energy Efficiency?
These days, we are all trying to save a little money. Investing in solar power or wind power to produce electricity can be a real cost saver over time, but even before pursuing renewable energy, it's worth taking a look at what how you can save on the energy you use now.
- Save $50 per year: Install a programmable thermostat to adjust temperature when you aren't home
- Save $100 per year: Unplug 8 phantom loads when not in use
- Save $150 per year: Replace an electric attic fan with a Solar Attic Fan
- Save $200 per year: Replace 10 incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights
How does energy efficiency save me money on a solar system?
I realize these savings may seem like small chunks of change, but these days, ever little bit counts. The real savings can be seen when you are ready to invest in a solar or wind electric system. By taking the time to reduce your current electrical usage by as little as 25%, you could save $5,000-$15,000 on the cost of installing a new solar electric system on your home. The bottom line is that if you use less electricity, you simply need a smaller, less expensive solar system to produce what you use. Here's another way to think about it: Say you use about 10,000 kWh per year and you want to produce 50% of that with your given budget. By reducing your annual consumption to 7500 kWh, you would produce 66% of your electricity for a solar electric system of the same price.
The first thing to do is get a handle on just how much electricity you are currently using and what that electricity is going powering. A great tool for the job is TED, The Energy Detective. TED has been in my house since May 2009. The wireless display sits on my desk and I get instant feedback on the current kilowatt hour usage and the associated cost. The best part - it's wireless - so I can walk around the house to find and extinguish the culprits! Remember all of these small efforts add up to big benefits for the planet. Let's all do our part. Contact us by phone or email with your specific questions.
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