Archive for September, 2009
Supplementing Grid Power with a Solar Kit
People often operate under the assumption that solar power is only worth capturing for those who live in the desert, where sunlight is abundant year round. This is a common misconception as most places in the United States get plenty of sunlight – certainly enough to justify the use of a solar power system. Even if the home is primarily dependent on a typical power grid, there’s no need to cut ties completely.
Solar power kits can actually be used in tandem with regular power supplies from local utility companies. Grid-tied residential solar kits allow the user to harness energy from the sun and convert it into viable AC power. Then, if the home requires more power to function normally, the extra power is drawn from the grid. Homeowners can use a net meter to keep track of how much electricity is being used and fed back to the grid.
An Eco-friendly Way to Cool the House
Even elementary school kids are most likely familiar with a few basic thermal principles. Early in life, we all learn that hot air rises and forces cool air underneath. It’s somewhat remarkable, then, that relatively few homeowners have harnessed this priceless bit of knowledge and found ways to take advantage of it. A well-placed attic fan can dramatically reduce air-conditioning costs during the height of summer.
On a hot day, the temperature in the attic without an attic fan can go up to as high as 150˚F. A solar powered attic fan draws the hot air out of the attic during the day and keeps the attic from overheating. This can result in a saving of as much as 30% of the cooling cost. The solar attic fan is powered by the sun, and is regulated by a thermostat, so it runs only when beneficial. This ventilation system is cost effective and at the same time eco-friendly.
DIY Weather Proofing
For as long as I’ve owned a home – about 15 years now – I’ve been performing my own maintenance. I must admit that part of it is pride, but I also detest paying someone else to do a job I could handle with a little extra effort. With a do-it-yourself attitude and a little elbow grease, you’d be surprised what a regular guy or lady can accomplish. I found that out a year ago when I was weather-proofing my home for winter.
I found some energy-saving duct seal online and set about applying it to the leaky ducts in my family’s home. A few weeks earlier, I had done some research and was shocked to discover how much heat is lost through porous ducts each year – it was like walking folding up hundred-dollar bills and pocketing them without noticing that I had a hole in my pocket. When I was finished weather-proofing, I felt satisfied that I had done the job myself.