Prepare your home for residential solar panels

With a few simple home improvement projects, you’ll be saving even more money in energy costs when you switch to solar.  In other words, your electricity bill can be cut down to practically nothing!

Here are our 5 tips to prepare your home for residential solar:

1.  Check and re-seal windows and doors with caulk.  Weatherizing your home will prevent heat and cool air from leaving or coming in your home.  Caulking is one of the easiest, least expensive ways to seal air leaks and save money.  If you don’t want to do it yourself, there are plenty of professionals in your area just waiting to be hired to help make your home more air-tight and energy efficient.

2.  Make sure you have adequate insulation.  Insulation traps warm air inside during winter, and when its hot outside, you won’t lose the benefits of air conditioning, either.  Many homeowners do not have enough insulation to help moderate temperatures in their home and they end up spending much more on HVAC to feel comfortable.  An energy audit can help you determine if you have enough insulation, or whether you can save more on energy costs by adding or replacing insulation.

3.  Consider storm windows.  This is the final step required to fully seal your home from air leaks.  Today’s windows are much more energy efficient than those from 10-20 years ago (or even older).  Go with double-pane and make sure that they are fully sealed.

4.  Monitor your home energy usage and reduce where possible.  Smart meters and programmable thermostats are just the start.  You can now keep an eye on when you use the most electricity and which appliances are drawing the most energy with a home energy monitor.  Even after you install solar panels, this device will help you keep energy use in check so that you don’t have to draw on grid-based electricity as often (if at all).

5.  Use passive solar techniques.  Passive solar is such a great concept and so easy to use.  I cannot believe that there is not more written about it on the Internet!  Basically, passive solar involves allowing cool air in during the morning-  over summer months – or warm air in during winter months.  This is primarily achieved through windows.  Open them when you want the temperature to adjust and/or open or close blinds to let sunshine and heat in, or to keep it out.  Planting deciduous trees outside can also help with shading during summer and letting more warmth in over winter.

Click on the following link for more tips on how to save energy so that solar panels work best for your home.

Now that you know how to prepare your home for residential solar, what’s stopping you from taking the next step?

The coming energy crisis caused by a peak in global oil and natural gas production will profoundly affect the lives of all North Americans. As the price of these vital fuels rises, homeowners will scramble to cut their fuel bills. Two options for meeting the upcoming challenge are dramatic improvements in home energy efficiency and efforts to tap into clean, affordable, renewable energy resources to heat and cool homes, to provide hot water and electricity, and even to cook. The (more…)

Don't let the "Snackwells effect" sabotage your home energy savings

Do solar panels reduce energy efficiency? What kind of question is that?

Actually, they could.  Evidence shows a tendency for a so-called “Snackwells effect” that could come into play when a homeowner installs solar panels or other energy saving measures.  If you find your energy bills staying constant, or perhaps even going up (yikes!) despite the fact you recently invested in solar panels or Energy Star-rated appliances, it may be because you are unwittingly justifying electricity binges.

The theory goes like this:  People watching their weight or counting calories have a tendency to overindulge on low-fat or low-calorie treats…. like Snackwells.  The mere idea that the treats are “healthy” can lead to overindulgence which, as we all know, thwarts weight loss.

When the Snackwells effect is applied to electricity, there can also be an unintended result of solar panels reducing energy efficiency.  After all – you might be thinking that, since the power generated is free, why not use as much as possible?  This could lead to a more lax attitude towards leaving lights on, appliances plugged in, etc.  But, before you know it, you have gobbled through your energy savings, and bloated your utility bill!

Home energy saving starts with your lifestyle

If you need to go on an energy diet, here are a few simple steps that can help you regain control of your electricity bill, whether you have solar panels or not:

1.  Install and use a programmable thermostat; adjust the temperature when you are gone during the day and overnight;

2.  Plug appliances into a power strip and turn it off when not in use;

3.  Clean the coils of your refrigerator and make sure the vents for your clothes dryer are clean;

4.  Close blinds or drapes in the morning for added insulation;

5.  Install compact florescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs;

6.  Check your home for thermal leaks and monitor where the energy hogs are with a wireless power monitor and thermal leak detector from Black and Decker.

The bottom line is: don’t go hog wild with your power usage just because you’ve installed solar panels.  Keep an eye on your overall consumption (moderation is key), keep working towards energy efficiency, and you’ll see a nice, slim electricity bill.