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Reducing your Electric Bill with Renewable Energy

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Use of renewable energy to produce electricity and reduce your electric bill can be a sound long term investment. Depending on the type of technology, you can expect a full return on their investment within 3 to 18. With financial or tax rebates of their utility company or state and national government, the payback period on investment can be cut half.

However, the first step to the consideration of any renewable energy system must be how to make your home or business more efficient energy. Generally, the basic rule is that for every $ 1 you spend on making your site more energy efficient, it saves $ 3 to $ 5 in the cost of renewable energy system. Let's review some basics that you can make your home more energy efficient.

Making energy efficient home

One of the easiest things you can do to reduce their electricity consumption is the change from regular light bulbs incandescent to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs use 65 to 75% less energy than a normal light bulb produces the same amount of light. When replacing a light bulb normal 100 watt incandescent light with a 32-watt CFL will save $ 60 to $ 80 in electricity costs over the life of the bulb (10,000 hours). Now imagine everything you would save if you changed out all light bulbs with CFLs!

The technology of these bulbs has quickly evolved and improved in recent years, while the cost has dropped dramatically. You will find that there are compact fluorescent lamps will now fit the lighter elements and needs lighting, compact fluorescent lamps is even adjustable!. Quit your local department or hardware store and buy CFLs for as many their lights as possible. The investment is worthwhile.

Another alternative to traditional lights are tubular skylights. tubular skylights look a little like bright stove pipes that start with a transparent dome on top of the roof and descends into a certain place for lighting during the day. Frequently see customers with tubular skylights to bring daylight into the hallways and closets. Light is, of course, entirely natural and in some facilities may offer as much illumination a 100 W incandescent bulb.

Energy Star and EnergyGuide

One of the biggest consumers of electricity in most homes is the refrigerator. In most households, refrigeration is the number one consumer of electricity after any heating or electrical based refrigeration systems. If your refrigerator is more than 10 years of age, it is likely that electricity is very inefficient. Consider replacing your current refrigerator with one that has a high energy-star category. Remember that just because a refrigerator may have earned the Energy Star label does not mean that is the model efficient available, only means that its efficiency exceeds the performance standard federally mandated at least 15%. You can even do much of its research on energy Star website. Can not find the brand, type and size of refrigerator you want and order by energy efficiency. When shopping in stores, check the yellow EnergyGuide labels attached to all new refrigerators (and many other devices). EnergyGuide is a different government program that offers Energy Star information annual energy consumption and shows where each model lands on a comparison with similar models. Maximum energy savings, choose the model that is a leader efficiency in its class.

Phantom Load

Also known as "phantom load" phantom loads are devices elusive constantly consume small amounts of electricity 24 hours a day out, even when they are actually doing anything useful. While each device on its own it can not consume much electricity, the combination of all of them inside your home can easily consume the equivalent of two or three 60-watt incandescent bulbs left all day and all night. In the course of a year this adds up to more than 1 megawatt hour, or enough electricity to power a whole house energy efficiency 2 to 3 months!

What are these mysterious phantom loads? Common examples are the brick "power adapters or power supplies, that charge or operate mobile phones, laptops, cordless drills, answering machines, radios, inkjet printers, and many other appliances. They are really small transformers, converting the AC wall outlet into direct current for use by the device. Although anyone of these devices can only consume a small amount of energy (eg, 3-20 watts), a dozen of them running simultaneously and continuously, consume a significant amount of electricity. What's worse is that even when not charging your cell phone or battery for cordless drill, AC adapter can continue to consume power only because it is plugged into the wall. Other well-disguised phantom loads are those devices that have the instant "on" function, Like most modern TVs, VCRs, DVD players, numerous radio stations and many even computers. While all these devices are supposedly off, which are actually consumes between 3 and 20 watts continuously, just to be ready for you to use.

How can reduce consumption energy by these parasitic loads? One of the simplest solutions is to connect these devices into a power strip that has an ON / OFF. When you have finished using devices and shut them off normally, then simply press the switch on the strip. Many people are part of your routine every night to close these strips just before going to bed. For adapters that is used at night to charge a cell phone, put those with a separate power strip that is turned off during the day when you take your phone with you. Simple solutions such as these could reduce your phantom electrical loads up to 80%. In real-dollar terms, this means savings of more than $ 120 per year in electricity costs, depending on your local power company rates and how that is dedicated to reducing their phantom loads.

A special note for people planning to live off-grid

If you are going to use a non-network solar panels, wind turbines or hydroelectric system and plan to have a 12 or 24 volt battery bank, it will often be able to find the devices and equipment working directly with these DC voltages. The benefit of using the devices do not need an AC power adapter, which uses electricity unnecessarily or not the device in use. After all, what is an AC adapter plug is not to convert normal home to DC power type of electricity to power the device, and rarely does the conversion efficiency.

Cooling Efficiency

During the summer (and in warmer climates) Air conditioning is often the largest consumer of electricity. A cheap way to reduce demand on your air conditioner is cooler to keep your attic with a fan solar attic. Powered by a built-in solar panel, solar attic fans are on when the attic is hot during the day. By fanning hot air out of your attic all day, the lower floors stay cooler and, as a result of your air conditioner work less.

fans Solar attic can be installed for the sake of DIY or carpenters. No wiring required. A hole should be cut into the roof, attic fan is the slip and the edges are sealed with mastic and ceiling. The solar panel incorporated into the ventilation unit is designed to last at least 25 years. A solar attic fan is another good investment that pays for itself very quickly.

For people who live in areas that are relatively dry coolers, but hot, evaporation (also known as swamp coolers) are a cost effective and energy efficient alternative to traditional air conditioners. Evaporative coolers use about 25% of the energy an air conditioner you need. Unfortunately, most people live in climates that hot weather is also relatively wet. Under these conditions, evaporative coolers do not work effectively.

Another simple and green method to reduce the cost of home air conditioning is to plant deciduous trees whose leaves will shade your home in summer and shed their leaves for more sunlight in winter. On the shadow of his house less heat and therefore requires less cooling air conditioning. Plant a tree in this scenario has twice the environmental impact you are the reduction greenhouse gas emissions by both using less electricity and by its own tree absorbs carbon dioxide.

target = "_self"> Make your own solar and wind power for less than $ 200

Energy Efficiency and Appliances

Many other devices via your home will have a version of new and more significant energy efficient available. Here is a brief list of appliances that you should consider replacing higher efficiency versions: the water tanks of heating, air conditioning, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, telephones, VCRs and DVD players, fans roof, fax machines, computers and photocopiers. To view the brands and models are ENERGY STAR certification and to calculate which ones are the most efficient, visit the Energy Star website: www.EnergyStar.gov. To find out how much energy your appliances are actually consume, invest in a cheap power meter as meter Kill-A-Watt.

For many families the biggest bill is the heating bill. Probably the fastest, cheapest and easiest to reduce their heating bill is to buy a programmable thermostat. You can set these thermostats to turn off the heat automatically when not at home and make in just before arrival. You recover your small investment in the new thermostat within one winter by running your heating system less. See your local hardware store or company for air conditioning prices and availability of different models.

Another essential step to reduce your heating bill the home is to seal air leaks and adding insulation. According to Energy Star seal air leaks and adding insulation can reduce your heating bill up to 10%. For homes with attics, one of the easiest and most effective places to put down insulation in the attic. Visit your local home improvement to find the amount of insulation in different areas of the house is recommended for your region.

In recent years, the use of solar heating systems, air has become more popular. Mounted in outer south-facing wall or roof, solar collectors heat the air can reduce the annual costs of a home or business heating up to 30%. Costing much less than a new conventional heating systems, solar air heating usually pay for itself themselves in 3-6 years. Usually it will last 18 to 35 years and require minimal maintenance. Working together with your current heating system, heating air solar system simply reduces its demand for heat whenever the sun has not even partially.

There are two basic types of solar heating systems air. The warming is cool outside air and blowing in your home or business. There are those who take the air inside your building increases the temperature by another 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and blows again (known as recirculation solar air heating systems). New homes and buildings tend to be tightly sealed and air-aged Winter will benefit from twice solar hot fresh air. Older homes tend to be inherently draftier exchanges and air the whole experience the open air a few times a day. These households will benefit most from solar heating systems that recirculate air indoor air and promote upward temperature. Typically, a solar air 4×8 foot is recommended for 750 to 1000 feet square of space in the house.

Water Efficiency thermal

More efficient models of domestic water heaters have also become available in recent years. If you have a heater old hot water, most likely was not designed with efficiency in mind. Again, check out Energy Star website to find out that the boilers are more effective.

Another good alternative to traditional hot water tanks are instantaneous heating hot water heaters. These systems heat water only when it is used. Normal heating water used in much of North America to maintain a large hot water tank to be used only a couple of times a day. To keep the water hot and ready at any time, these traditional tank water heating energy consumption throughout the day, whether needed or not. instant water heaters consume power only when you need hot water, the typical household saving 30 to 50% of the cost of hot water heating. You can find instant water heaters that use natural gas, propane and electricity from a variety of manufacturers.

Solar Water Heating to provide the best return on your investment

Energy (natural gas, propane, electricity, etc.) required for heating hot water can be reduced by 60 to 90% by using a solar water heating system to pre-heat water before it enters your hot traditional existing water. Extremely effective and efficient, even in northern climates, solar water heating technologies have matured significantly in recent 30. Designed to easily last 30 years or more with minimum maintenance, usually solar hot water system pays for itself in the first 3-7 years of use. heating systems, solar water heating the water in your home with collectors that are usually placed on the roof of the house. The hot water produced is stored in a tank isolation until your home is ready for use. Its a traditional hot water begins to heat the water when the water temperature is not high enough. Systems Solar water heating can be installed by advanced DIY ", but it is recommended that a licensed plumber or installer or do the plumbing review more complicated.

Energy Efficiency – Your first step toward clean energy and Energy Independence

The first step before buying a solar system or wind power to meet its electricity needs in an intelligent way to reduce those needs. Most affordable homes can reduce their electricity demands of 20 to 30% without having to make any adjustments to the lifestyles of its occupants. We are here for advice many energy saving in this article, such as:

• Replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent.
• Update your old appliances with EnergyStar other stars that have very low annual rating of power consumption.
• Minimize many hidden ghost (ghost) load at home.
• Insulate your home well, for the cooler seasons.
• Creatively use vegetation to keep your home cool in summer and maximize the sun entering the house during the winter.
• Use solar heating technologies (not to be confused with solar electric technologies) cost-effective way to decrease the amount of its traditional air systems heat water or have to work.

There are literally hundreds of other clever little tricks and adjustments you can make in your home that will further reduce its electricity demand. Consider picking up a copy of "10-Minute Energy Saving Secrets – 250 Easy Ways to Save Big Bucks all year "by Jerri Farris to learn from many of the other quick and easy ways to reduce your household consumption of energy.

© 2009 alte Store, Inc – "Making Renewable Do-able '™

target = "_self"> Make your own solar and wind power for less than $ 200

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