Reduce Your Energy Bill With Solar Panels

By Glenn Wentz

Going solar as a homeowner is one of the brightest and most environmentally conscious decisions that you can make. It can really be a huge investment, but it is an investment that is worth every minute of your time and every penny of your money that you invest. It is not only kinder to your environment and the world ecology, but it is also a way for you to save a ton of money. This article is designed to provide you with a variety of tips and tricks so you can get the most from your solar panel system.

A solar system can save any where from around 20 dollars a month to completely eliminating your electric bill. It is completely dependent on how much energy you use and how many panels you have. Solar panels can be expensive if you are going to install a large number of them, however they can save you a lot of money over time. The real question you need to ask yourself is whether you have the money to initially invest in the panels. If you do, then you should, as they can save you thousands and thousands over the years in energy bills.

Unfortunately each cell is only able to create about one to two volts of electricity. This is similar to the amount produced by a AA battery. In order to create a usable amount of power, large arrays of these cells are wired together to form the well-known solar panel. These panels can then be further joined to create a solar array, which is what most people picture when they think of a solar-powered home. Because you are only limited on space as to how many panels you choose to tie together you can keep on expanding your solar array until you are actually selling power back to the electric company!

When everything is said and done, you get to enjoy the benefits of your new solar panels for a long while. Every month that you stay in your home, you will be saving a good amount of money on your electric bill. Additionally, you are helping out the environment when you utilize green energies like solar power.

Once you have determined the consumption of your home, you can begin researching the incentives, grants and tax credits that you may qualify for. There are several helpful resources for this endeavor. First, check with your local utility company. Their web site usually has information about possible grants available from them and tax credits from state and federal authorities. You can also call your local utility company and speak to a representative that can help you through the process. Also, ask your contractor if they would be able to help you with the process.

Assess your energy needs carefully. Find out how many solar panels would be necessary to cover your usual energy needs and look for ways to reduce the amount of energy you use. Perhaps you could invest in skylight tubes to benefit from natural sunlight instead of electricity. You could replace your light bulbs with more sustainable ones and change your schedule so you can use natural lighting most of the time. You will find that making a few changes to your lifestyle can have a huge impact on your utilities bill.

The first step you need to take to begin using the energy of the sun is to install solar panels. Usually, a home owner will install panels on the roof of their home. You can either install the panels yourself or call a company and get them to install them for you. In most cases, it is much more cost effective to install them on your own. There are several kits that you can buy at your local home improvement store or online that give you all the tools that you need to install some panels on your house. Even a couple of panels can go a long way in the long run.

As you can see, solar paneling is not an easy way to go green, nor is it a method of saving energy that works for everybody. Consider everything carefully before deciding whether or not to go with solar paneling. If you want solar paneling but the conditions aren't right for it to work in your home, you may need to rethink some things or consult a professional for assistance.

About the Author:

If you are searching for more particular information about How to Install Solar Power at Home, I highly recommend you visit the Free Solar Power for Homes Blog.

Solar Power Energy Systems For The Home

By Robert Allison

The sun is here for the next 5 billion years. The electricity, as we know it today, will be produced this way only for the next several years. So what should we do in this situation? Obviously, use the energy of the sun to generate cheap, green electricity.

Select the right technology. There are different kinds of solar panels available and prices vary. Again, get help from a professional and do some research to find out which type of solar panel is best for you. You can adjust your solar energy system to your needs; if you cannot afford to power your home entirely through solar energy, think about getting a smaller system. You can get outside lights powered by solar energy or a hot water solar system to cut down on your water bill instead of your electrical one.

Space needed. Your roof must be able to accommodate the area of the solar panels, and optimally the composition material of your tiles is asphalt. Wood shake or clay shingles can tack on more to the cost and are more difficult to work with. If your roof is not a viable option, you have the option of installing a a ground-mounted solar array. Again, the biggest obstacle will be your space requirements.

The federal government offers grants and interesting tax rebates for households who rely on green energies. You should find out more about the different programs and grants available. In most cases, grants are given to non-profit organizations fostering green energies, but you might be able to get one if you get some neighbors together and put together a proposal for the installation of solar panels to power your block. Do some research to find out if your state or local government has any grants you could apply for.

There are many incentives or grants that you might qualify for if you are considering solar energy. Do some research to see what kind of rebates you could get for installing a solar energy unit. To get started, check out 'The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency' which provides a list of incentives by state. It is also possible that you could get tax breaks for switching to solar energy. Again, this varies by state, so get the information that applies to you before you make the purchase.

The largest of these systems is a solar water heating system. Instead of using expensive solar panels to generate electricity, this system uses panels that are dark colored to capture as much heat as possible. These panels are then used to heat water that can be used throughout the home. The cost of these systems vary based on how complicated you make the system, and cost recovery varies by region, taking up to 20 years in northern climates.

One thing that you can do to ensure that your system runs its best is ensure that a professional installs them. If you try installing them on your own, you can mess certain things up that might make your panels less effective. By ensuring that a professional installs the panels, you will ensure that you are going to get the absolute best from your panels.

Do more research about solar energy and meet with a professional to assess your needs. Investing in a solar system is an important decision; you need to make sure that you can afford it and that solar energy is the best option for you.

About the Author:

The author of this post is a webmaster of several Solar Power Information Blogs. If you need more resources on anything regarding solar power for your home or business, please check out these sites - Build Your Own Solar Panel and Solar Electricity for Homes.

All About Solar Energy Resources

By Allan Hatchell

If you are searching for information about Arizona solar energy then you have many options. If you are in Tucson solar could be the best option for you to utilize. If you are staying in Phoenix solar energy may also be the best way to choose you as well. Residing in a desert there is even more direct sunlight and heat than practically anywhere else. Much of this direct sunlight can effortlessly be made use of and turned into electrical power.

Light and heat from the sun has actually been made use of by individuals because time immemorial. There has actually been a broad range of technology utilized. In many means solar energy is the best kind offered today. It is totally sustainable and it creates no damage to people or the atmosphere. It is a true green technology.

It has been used for heating functions, photovoltaics, and the most typical of all thermal electrical power. There are usually two different selections and they are passive and active which relies on exactly how they catch the light and distribute the power from it. In numerous spots like the Sonoran Desert it is a great option that can produce virtually endless energy.

There are different techniques utilized to absorb and collect the light. Photovoltaic panels are established in a row and they absorb the sunlight light in the day time. Thermal collectors are also made use of in many spots. Some structures that are constructed now have panels of the roof to collect the power for the whole structure.

Lots of newer buildings now have light dispersing windows and materials so that the design of the open location can naturally move the air around. According to the International Energy Agency they declare that it is the most affordable source and just how it is totally replenishable. It will have many long term advantages and will certainly impact the atmosphere in many positive ways.

Many benefits consist of boosting sustainability, reducing pollution, and to assist keep fossil fuel costs down. The techniques are utilized all over the globe and are coming to be progressively preferred every year. Every second of daylight the World receives more than enough light from the sunlight to power all the needs of the Planet for numerous years merely within that one second.

Arizona solar energy has lots of benefits for customers and is fantastic for the atmosphere. There are many tax motivations that you can easily obtain for having it as well. For more details you can go on the net and read extra posts and get professional opinion on the matter.

About the Author:

Jacobs Electric specializes in Tucson solar energy panels. Visit them online for details! (http://www.jacobselectricinc.com)

Cool Summers And Warm Winters With Air Source Heat Pumps

By Barbara Skinner

Many homes and businesses have found the use of air source heat pumps (ASHP) the answer for having a good cooling and warming system in their location. It absorbs warmth from the outside air and releases it indoors for comfortable surroundings. It is also built to provide air conditioning.

Using the principle that all outside air that registers above zero contains some heat, the ASHP uses it for both providing hot water and warming up interior spaces. For domestic use these systems are considered the cheapest way of providing warmth and cooling in a home or business.

Indoor and Outdoor Exchanger coils are the two main parts of the pump. Each has a special task to perform. Heat is extracted from the outdoor air by the outdoor coil. This is then moved to a distributing arrangement or an indoor water tank.

Temperature transfer is the basic principle on which the many different kinds of pumps operate. In simple terms, warmth from the air or ground is considered a "heat source", and pumped into your home or other location, which is called the "heat sink".

The air-source pump is the most popular among the many different models and systems on the market. It is unique in that refrigerant-filled coils are used, together with two fans, a compressor, and a reversing valve. Outside air is pumped through the coils to produce the warm or cool air desired.

The reversing valve allows the unit to produce either hot or cold air by reversing the flow of the refrigerant. In other words, instead of bringing heat into the house, it can release it. By using an outdoor fan, air is pulled over refrigerant-filled coils and blown away from the coils by the inside fan. In commercial establishments, this system is usually housed in a box on the roof with ductwork installed through the wall.

Also included are ground-source and absorption pumps, among others. These operate on different principles than the ASHP. The ground-source type utilizes a hot underground temperature, which comes from the ground itself or underground water. This is transferred indoors via a closed loop or open loop systems.

Natural gas, geothermal-heated water, solar power, or propane-heated water is what powers the Absorption pumps. Previously confined to large-scale operations it can now be used by large homes. Rather than using refrigerant compression, it absorbs ammonia in water and a hot source to provide a continuous source of heat.

Manufacturers are required to rate air source heat pumps for coefficient of performance (COP). When checking out a system for your situation always look at models that show a COP of more than 0.7 for cooling and a 1.2 for warming. Using one of these units is a good way to save from 30 to 40 percent on utility bills. There is a huge amount of information easily accessible on the Internet regarding these warming/cooling units and how they can control the temperature of any home or business area.

About the Author:

Green Future Energy specialise in supplying green energy solution

The Advantages Of Using Solar Energy For Your Home

By Adam Revell

Solar energy is a form of power that is clearly derived from sunlight. Solar power can be utilized in a wide variety of applications. Through architectural techniques, it can be used to heat a home. Through more conventional panel applications, it can be used to power a car. Further, people can utilize the sun to purify water that would be otherwise unfit for humans to drink. Each of these takes on solar power will be discussed in this article.

One interesting advantage of using solar energy is being able to sell power back to your local utility power company. Many of the utility power companies have programs where they will buy excess energy generated by your solar panels. The way it usually works is a device is installed in your home which measures the excess energy generated, after your home energy usage. The amount of excess energy is siphoned off and purchased by the utility power company.

Another thing that you should do is ensure that your walls and attic are properly insulated. If you are cooling your home and you do not have the right insulation, then a lot of the air that you are cooling is being wasted. Just by ensuring that you have the proper insulation in your home will help you save a lot of money and help you get the most out of the energy that you harness from the sun.

The installation itself is something that you'll probably want a little assistance with. A friend or neighbor who knows his or her way around a drill can really speed up the installation process. In order to minimize the amount of time you'll have to spend scrabbling around on your roof, review the instructions thoroughly ahead of time and develop a detailed plan for how you're going to do the work. Gather all of the necessary equipment in advance and make sure it's ready for the installation. If you prepare properly, installing your solar panels should be a one-day job.

Let your family know how the solar panels you are putting in your home are going to work. When they understand that during the colder months of the year, when the sun does not shine as bright, they should not use as much electricity, they will begin to follow your lead. Tell them to turn off the lights, stop using the TV and computer as much and to conserve as much energy as possible when the weather is blocking direct sunlight from your solar panels. Although they still get energy from the sun, it is not as direct and therefore not as much.

What does the future of solar power hold for you and your home? As mentioned above, solar power cells are getting more efficient all the time. Today, an extensive roof-top installation can just meet the power needs of a house in an ideal environment. Some lucky homeowners with the right set-ups even generate more solar power than they can use, and they pick up a tidy profit by selling electricity back to the utility company. You can expect the number of homeowners doing this to rise as the technology improves, and you may well be one of them!

Finally, do some research into the tax rebates and incentives that are available to you in your area. Once you have made contact with local contractors and decided on the company for you, they should be able to help you through this process. There is often paperwork and verification that needs to be done, so don't shy away from conversations with your contractor for help on these issues.

Now that the time and money is spent it's time to relax in your energy saving home. You have just paid a large portion of your electric bill for the next 25 years!

About the Author:

For more information about solar power systems and how to successfully install them yourself, don't hesitate to visit these links: How to Install Solar Power and Solar Power Storage Systems.

About Geothermal Energy

By Stephen Spreadbury

There are many different sorts of energy available to power our world. For a long while folks have employed the power of burning carbon-based fuels, such as coal (also used to provide steam power) to make energy. In the recent past, there has been a shift to using replenish-able resources to form the energy we need. These resources include hydroelectric power, solar energy, wind power, biomass energy and geothermal energy. While many people know about the first 4 of these resources, geothermal energy is less well-known.

The word geothermal comes from 2 Greek words, "geo" and "therme". These words mean "earth" and "heat", which pretty much describes what geothermal energy is. Geothermal energy is energy that comes from the heat of the Earth, deep underground. The Earth's core, where chemical reactions create great amounts of heat, is 4,000 miles below the Earth's surface. In this core, temperatures can reach up to 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and this extreme heat may be used to produce energy.

While these are the fundamentals of geothermal energy, there are many other parts in the process to make this kind of energy usable. We won't tap right into the Earth's core to receive this heat, for many reasons. So instead , folks must create systems that harness the remaining heat that is in the magma (molten rock) under the Earth's crust. This heat is able to be used by utilizing the water reservoirs that are in the magma - these water stores can reach up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Think of Old Faithful in Yellowstone.

A well can be drilled down into the superheated water contained within the Earth's magma - the geothermal reservoir. Once these geothermal reservoirs are plugged into, the heated water and steam can rise to the surface, and be used to power geothermal power generation plants as well as in smaller scale projects for private household use. When utilized in geothermal power plants, the steam from the heated underground water is commonly used to power turbines, which then generate energy which can on occasion be harnessed as electricity.

By utilizing the Earth's own heat and water, energy can be made that can be utilized on a little or sizeable scale. This renewable resource (you cannot use the Earth's heat) is also cleaner and safer than many other sorts of energy, making it a great kind of ecologically sound power source.

About the Author:

Stephen Spreadbury is a professional photographer who's always on the lookout for a better product or idea for a better earth.