http://www.SolarIsForAll.com Solar Panels in Solar Modules Can Now Get California Solar Tax Credit When Using Solar Companies in San Diego Call: 888-865-9007 for a Free Cost & Credit Solar Analysis.
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Solar water heating systems are a great way to effectively conserve energy and reduce your energy bill.
Contrary to popular belief, this is not a new technology. Solar water heating systems have been used commercially for over a century now, with the first commercial water heater (the Climax Solar-Water Heater) going on sale in 1891 in the United States. By the year 1900, over 1600 houses in California were equipped with this solar water heater.
Due to its effectiveness and low cost, the solar water heater gained popularity until, by 1941, more than half the population of Florida was getting its hot water through solar water heaters!
It only lost its popularity as a result of lowered electricity rates, and an aggressive campaign by Florida Power and Light to increase electrical consumption. This was done by offering electric water heaters at bargain prices. Thus Florida's solar water heating was brought to halt.
The United States is not the only country with a history of heating its water using solar power. There are many other countries where this heating method was used in the past, and has since fallen out of use, - but not all of them. In fact, there are currently more than ten million Japanese households which heat their water using solar heating systems. This is definite proof that it is a workable technology.
Important Facts about Solar Water Heating Systems:
Types of Solar Water Heating Systems
There are two types of solar water heating systems, active solar water heating systems and passive solar water heating systems. They both work on the same principles.
The only difference is that active systems have a pump or other mechanical means of moving the water through the solar heating systems, and passive systems rely on nature's principles: warm water rises to the top, and cold water sinks to the bottom. Therefore, with a passive solar water heating system, the water storage tank must always be positioned above the solar water heater collector.
Active Solar Water Heating
There are two main designs of active water heating systems. Which one is best for you depends on the type of climate you live in.
There is what's called an "indirect circulation system" which uses a non-freezing heat-transfer fluid to transfer heat from the collector to a heat exchanger (a device used to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the water in your storage tank). This is good for colder climates.
There is also the direct circulation system, in which case water is simply passed through solar heat collector and is then routed to the water storage tank for use. This system works fine in milder climates.
Passive Solar Water Heating
Passive solar water heating systems are usually cheaper than "active solar water heating systems," as they do not need controls or pumps to circulate the water.
But generally, they are not as effective as the active systems. If you live in a warm climate, a passive water heating system may be all you need. Passive water heating systems are also known for being very reliable.
Essentially, solar hot water heating systems consist of a water storage tank and its solar collectors. The solar collectors are used to collect solar energy (which heats water), and the tanks store the heated water. That's all there is to it.
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Learn more about Solar Energy, Solar Water Heating and DIY Solar Water Heating
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The financial pressure is on to save energy any way we can. Helpful options can range from expensive projects like replacement windows or solar panels to inexpensive choices such as reusing water.
Recycling grey water isn't just for efficiency experts or gung-ho environmentalists; it's something that every family can and should do. Grey water is essentially the used, but not overly dirty (non sewage) water that your household consumes.
Think about all the water that goes down the drain when you run the shower or washing machine. That water can be re-used. Keep reading to learn 3 ways you can recycle your grey water and save money on your water bills.
1. Washing Machine to the Garden
Washing machine drain lines are some of the easiest to convert to a gray water system. Washing machines that run on porches, in mud rooms or in the garage are easy to drain through a simple gray water line because you won't need to go through any major walls.
The proximity of the washing machine to your garden is another factor to consider. Also, because grey water lines flow by gravity, you need to have the used water receptacle lower than the appliance being drained.
With a washing machine, you can easily attach a hose to the drain line and store the water in simple, fifty gallon buckets. When you're ready to use the water, move it to smaller buckets and then use it to water plants and trees on your property.
When you're recycling household wash water, you also need to be careful about what kind of detergents you're using. You don't want chemicals seeping into your land and plants, especially if it's an edible garden.
2. Recycling Dishwasher Water
The most basic way to recycle dish water is to wash your dishes in a small basin, carry that water outside once you're done and dump it on the garden. It's easy and thrifty.
If you use an electric dishwasher, you can still drain the water. Like clothing washers, dishwashers are drained through a special hosing that keeps the cleaner water separate from any sewage. This water can then be used on your property for watering plants or washing your exterior walls.
3. From the Shower to the Toilet
Believe it or not, you can use your grey shower or bath water to flush your toilet. This simple method can be a fully automated process that involves a special grey water collection installation, or you can simply collect the water and fill your toilet's tank with it manually.
You can also install grey water collection systems that funnel your shower water to an outside water basin that can then be used for watering your property.
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When you look at off-the-shelf solar power systems many people are put off by the cost. You may be investigating the various solar energy systems and putting a shopping list together. After all, the whole purpose of the project is to cut costs, so you should be looking at cutting the cost of the project itself. By the far the biggest money saving step is to buy used solar cells, so begin by looking at places where you get cheap parts.
The cheapest place I’ve found for solar cells is EBay – home to just about anything you could possibly ever need. You can use other auction sites, but EBay is the most popular and as so will most likely have new and used solar cells. You don’t normally purchase solar cells individually; they are usually sold in batch/lots which drastically cuts the cost of homemade power systems.
When you find the solar cells you want, don’t rush into buying them until you have investigated what you are bidding on. If there are quality pictures on the auction study them for cracks and chips. Read the description thoroughly and check the user’s feedback. If you have any doubts, contact the auctioneer and ask for confirmation. If the cells are cracked or chipped they can be repaired.
A quick word on cracked or chipped solar cells; you should be able to get a very good deal on a lot of them. You will have to take the time to fix them but in the end the savings are worth it. Just make sure you know what you are paying for, the devil’s in the details as they say.
What about visiting your local solar power system installer? Search the Internet and ask around and find out the best companies in your area. Go to the solar installer and ask them what they do with their damaged and used solar panels. Ask if you can take them off their hands as they will probably give them to you rather than take them somewhere for disposal. You can salvage the best solar cells and repair those that need it, but you might even be lucky and get whole panels that need little repair.
The installer might not have any at the moment, that’s okay. Leave him your name and number and ask him to call you when he does. Check back on occasion so they don’t forget you.
Finding your used solar cells should be paying off at this point. But keep going there’s another place to investigate. Your local county highway department’s maintenance department.
Go in person, you’ll get much more accomplished. Ask what they do with damaged road warning signs, the ones that are solar powered. Ask if you can have them to recycle the parts. Once again, you are going to salvage the solar cells from the damaged equipment. Check with them often if they don’t have any at the time.
Another way to massive savings is to call and email retailers that specialize in renewable energy systems. Explain that you are looking for damaged or used solar cells. All retailers will have a number of solar power systems that have has been returned for one reason or another. It is very easy for solar cells to get damaged in shipping, so you may be able to get them for next to nothing, plus the cost of shipping.
It might take a little research and looking around to find used solar cells, but it is doable. And what can be more rewarding than making your own solar energy generator with solar cells you paid next to nothing for?
I have actually built my very first solar power system using the excellent Earth 4 Energy renewable energy guides and videos. I recommend you checkout this independent Earth4Energy review for further details.
Further resources on Solar Power Systems can be found here: Solar Power Systems.
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There are actually two types of solar power system.
One is connected to the national grid and the other one is a standalone system.
When solar power system is connected to the grid it means that all electricity which you do not use will go directly to the grid.
To put it in another way you are spinning your meter backwards.
The solar power system which is not connected to grid is very similar except that it has a battery bank for storing the electricity for later use.
In both cases there is an inverter which converts the direct current (DC)from the solar panels to alternating current (AC), which is what we normally use in our homes.
The inverter is connected to the grid through your electricity meter if you have a grid connection.
Both systems are easy to maintain and require little effort. If you do use a battery bank there is some checking needed for the batteries depending on what type of batteries you use.
The solar panels are very durable and they often come with a 20 years guarantee. In most cases they do last 30 years so after a few years you produce very cheap electricity and your costs will be very predictable.
solar panels are very scalable and you can easily add more panels and get more electricity if you need to.
A panel is simply a collection of solar cells.
Usually they are made of crystalline silicon, or a combination of silicon with another material. It can also be stacked layers of alloy materials.
The silicon is divided into tiny disks. They are less than a centimeter in thickness, and are then polished and fixed from any cutting damage.
Thin silver wires, are spread across each disk and they are laid out in a grid design on top of the panel.
Then it is covered with a thin layer of glass and a material added to the bottom of the panel with a type of cement cement to help prevent overheating.
The solar panels are mounted a little above a surface facing the sun, in order to allow cooling breezes to run under the panels.
The power from the sun is free and inexhaustible. This vast, clean energy resource represents a very strong alternative to the fossil fuels.
It would be a severe injustice to our children not to take advantage of such a widely available resource.
Rolf Finney
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Certified San Diego Home Inspector Gives away Guide to SanDiego Home Inspections Frequently Asked Questions.
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Everyone has heard of solar energy and knows how it has the potential, along with other renewable energy sources, to save the planet from death by pollution. Everyone agrees that this is a good thing and should receive all the support it needs. People think the government should do more to encourage solar energy – everyone wants a solar powered car!
But ask people what is their involvement in solar energy on a personal level and the normal response is a blank stare or an “It’s not practical / doesn’t meet our needs / I’m waiting for the process to drop.” In other words, it seems that solar power for the home in the form of home solar energy systems is something that is great in theory but is not of much immediate relevance.
A common argument made by solar energy enthusiasts is that 20 days of sunshine has the same energy potential as all the fossil fuel on Earth. This may be true, but it is difficult to translate into individual experience!
Solar energy became popular in the early 1980s when the aftermath of the energy crisis, advancement in solar energy technology and Federal tax cuts made it an attractive option. In 1984 over 16 million square feet of solar collectors were sold in the US. The subsequent fall in fuel prices and the removal of the tax cuts saw the demand drop.
Today, solar energy is more attractive than ever. The cost of producing solar energy is still high, but has dropped by over 90% when compared to the process of 20 years ago. And the prices are still falling. True, the cost of installing a home solar energy system is not cheap and can run from $10,000 to $40,000 and more. But you will be able to reduce your energy bills significantly. With proper house design and using passive solar energy methods in conjunction with a home solar energy system, it may even be possible to bring your dependence on commercially generated power to zero. In other words, future energy costs will involve only the home solar energy system maintenance. And even if you cannot totally remove your dependence on the power grid, the reduction on your commercial power consumption will be big.
Another plus point of installing a home solar energy system is that today most electric companies are willing to buy back excess power that a home may produce – say during the day when no one is at home to consume the solar power being generated. This amount fed back into the grid will be adjusted against what you have consumed, bringing down your electricity bills even further.
There are also a host of incentives available including personal tax, sales tax and property rebates, discounts, loans and grants for those who install home solar energy systems. Making use of these can bring down the initial cost by up to 50% or even more.
Don’t dismiss solar energy as something for the future or not relevant to you. It makes sense today – check out the facts and see for yourself about installing a home solar energy system.
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It has been said that the world is experiencing an energy crisis. And as oil prices go up, so do our electrical bills. One method of addressing this problem is by installing a solar roof over your home. A solar roof can become your very own home power generator.
A solar roof is made out of photovoltaic materials, which replace usual building materials. For flat roofs, thin-film cells are integrated into flexible polymer roofing membranes. For pitched roofs, you can use either multiple roof tiles, or solar shingles that are designed to look like regular shingles.
Not only will you're roof look good, but you'll be saving on your electrical bills as well. The roof will still shield you from the elements, and it will also and generate electricity when the sun is up. In other words, instead of buying regular roof tiles or shingles, you would be buying solar shingles or photovoltaic roofing material, which will serve both purposes.
Anyone planning to install a new roof should consider getting solar roof. This is one investment that can have a long-term impact in your finances.
Solar roofs are built to last as well. It has been said that a solar roof can last for up to fifty years. That's comparable with the most durable building materials around. The typical installation involves laminating photovoltaic (PV) strips onto the roof pans, before the roofer puts them into place. The wires would then run in the ridge cap, out of view.
If the homeowner prefers to use PV shingles, then the shingles are installed by nailing them to the plywood sheathing of the roof. The interconnectors are built in, under the plywood, and the roofers use regular asphalt shingles (the same color as the solar shingles) to fill in around the edges. The DC current generated by the shingles would is then be diverted into a battery bank which can be used around the home.
Governments of some countries provide tax or other financial incentives to encourage people to install solar roofs. Establishments with these installation can sometimes produce enough energy make them independent from other sources of electricity. Some governments even offer subsidies which help those who wish to have solar shingles or tiles placed on their own buildings.
Solar roofs are a great renewable energy source. They provide 100% clean and renewable energy, and the earth would definitely be a better place to live in if more homes used solar power.
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To learn more about solar power and renewable energy options for the home, please visit Solar Energy, Solar Shingles, and Clean & Alternative Energy.
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One way to use solar power to save money is through the use of a practice called "Net Metering."
What is Net Metering?
Net Metering is the practice of consumers "selling" energy to the electricity companies when they have some form of renewable energy facility installed at their home and a surplus is created.
A good example of net metering would be the case of someone who owns solar panels or owns a wind turbine. If his solar panels or wind turbine generate more electricity than he consumes, the excess electricity is fed into the electrical grid, and the power company buys the electricity from him.
Net metering is a result of green energy policy. Though its not generally known, its not a new thing.
- Why is it Called Net Metering?
The term "net metering" is a combination of the words "net" and "metering." In this context, "net" means "what remains after deductions" and "metering" refers to the measuring of electricity of your home's electricity meter (which is used to calculate your energy bill).
- How Net Metering Works
Lets take the example of a home owner who has installed solar panels as a clean renewable energy source on his home.
If, at any time, his solar panels are producing more electricity than his home is using, the excess electricity is automatically fed back into the electrical grid, and redistributed by the power company. The amount of electricity fed back into the electrical grid is measured on a meter right in his home. The home owner is then "paid" or credited for that electricity.
- How to Find Out About Net Metering
Net metering is usually done through your power company. You should check directly with your power provider.
One thing you should know is that many states have laws which provide for net metering. In other words, some states have laws in place which require the power company to buy your excess electricity, should you generate it through renewable energy sources. Some additional information on this can be found in these articles on Net Metering.
You will probably not run into any problems with your energy companies, as most states have laws that demand a certain percentage of green power production. So net metering is convenient for them as well, and any green energy you produce can be counted on their quota.
Net metering is one of many good ways to save energy and money as well. By using solar power and net metering, you reduce the need for polluting fossil fuels which harm the environment.
Net metering is not only good for the environment, but good for your bank account as well.
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Find out more about saving money with solar energy and home solar power systems at Solar Power. Or visit Renewable Energy to learn more about additional sources of alternative and renewable energy.
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Utility bills often devour a large amount of your household budget every month. It's no fun when there are other, apparently more important things to spend money on. That's why it helps to know the strategies of reducing your utility bills.
Home insulation methods begin with inspecting the whole house. When you do this, you will see that you have a lot of options for reducing your recurring utility bills. Audit your household, taking special notice of the insulation. Alter anything that you can to make energy use in your household more efficient. This will definitely help your family in more ways than you can imagine.
Audit Insulation
You need to look at the different factors that add to energy loss when auditing insulation. Making sure that you have only the correct insulation installed at home will boost your savings as you lower your energy consumption. If you own an older home, some walls may not be well-suited to be insulated, but remodeling them can make these areas accessible. Only make sure you utilize proper insulation on the reconstructed area.
Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are usually the most problematic areas of your home. They should be double checked for leaks. Leaks in these areas, if not immediately mended, could lead to your heating or cooling system expending more energy than needed. Check these leaks by feeling the temperature in the areas outside of your home. Better yet, a contractor can perform tests for other possible leaks which you may not know about. Leaks can also be discovered in the basements and crawlspaces, so you have to remember these areas as well.
Crevices and cracks around your windows and doors aren't very useful when you are trying to preserve the air temperature inside your home. While holes and small spaces where air can get out can't be avoided, filling in these cracks will normalize temperature and airflow inside the house.
This is what weather stripping is for. Weather stripping fills in gaps between windows and doors. Nowadays, you can install weather stripping on your own. There are pre made ones that can be easily installed. You only need to append or paste it on the holes that need patching up.
You may also find air leaks elsewhere, such as around electrical switches, outlets, pipes and bathtubs and shower stalls. Make sure not to neglect these so you can be sure to have better installation and increase energy savings.
Attics
Attics play a big part in ensuring your household is energy efficient. Placing vents in this part of the house will preserve good circulation. However if circulation is good enough, insulation may not be needed in this area. Holes in the ceiling allow air to escape the attic, so make sure to seal them to save on your energy consumption.
Fireplaces
Fireplaces may be useful to heat your household during cold seasons, but can also be problematic when not in use. The fireplace may leak out the heat your furnace produces and as a result, more energy will be required to heat your home. To make sure that you are really lowering your utility bills, check that your flue is always closed when not in use.
Window coverings
Windows easily allow in the heat from the outside. Even if the cooling system is operating and the windows are closed, heat can still come through the window as radiation. This is why you need to make use of window coverings, which you can buy or make. Curtains and blinds are good window coverings. They function well, keeping the radiation flow minimized, which will maximize the energy efficiency of your cooling system.
Audit Insulation Needs
Home insulation methods can reduce your monthly utility bills and save money if you correctly audit the insulation system in your home. Moreover, the installed heating or cooling system in your home should be optimized and not put to waste as it operates to better make the family comfortable at home.
There are insulation products on the market that you could use to retain heat in your home. These products can be bought to seal areas where heat is likely to escape. A professional contractor, however may be consulted to do the checking. By doing this you will get professional guidance on how much insulation your home needs in order to lower your utility bills. Residential solar power and wind power are also attractive options for greatly reducing your energy bills.
If you choose to try some home insulation methods yourself, there are many insulation books that you could use as a guide. There is also online information on where to properly insulate and the recommended R-values for the specific area of the household. The recommended R-value for the location of your home may vary from a home in a different region. For this, your electric company or your gas company can assist you best. They can advise according to your zip code and your area which R-value is most appropriate.
Conclusion
It pays to make sure that your house has proper insulation. You can have a professional audit your insulation or you can do it yourself. This is one effective way to use energy efficiently, live comfortably at home and save a lot for the needs of your family.
For more tips for saving energy and money at home, see Four Guidelines For Buying Proficient Appliance Brands That Save Money.
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(5.0 out of 5)