| Solar power today isn't the same solar power from | | | | home energy efficient before considering alternative |
| the '70's when solar first found popular favor during | | | | energy. |
| the OPEC embargo. Today solar systems are | | | | No Cost Energy Efficient Actions: |
| cheaper, better made and designed with the | | | | - Turn off everything not in use. Lights, tv's radios. |
| aesthetics of the building in mind. Along with solar | | | | - Check Furnace or AC filter each month. |
| being much more pleasing to the eye, it is also more | | | | - Clean and replace as needed during hot months, |
| pleasing to the wallet. Federal, State and Local | | | | - keep window coverings closed on the south, east |
| incentives, along with personal tax breaks make the | | | | and west windows. In winter, let sun in |
| purchase and installation of a photovoltaic power | | | | - Glass fireplace doors help stop heat from being lost |
| system, and solar powered water heaters very | | | | up the chimney. |
| affordable. In some areas it is also very feasible to | | | | - Activate 'sleep' features on computers and office |
| install a small to medium sized wind generator to | | | | equipment to power down when not in use. |
| supplement the home's power needs. | | | | - When cooking, keep the lids on pots. Microwaves |
| A photovoltaic system (PV) may not be the | | | | are more efficient than ovens. Use when possible. |
| complete answer when it comes to power, | | | | - Dress for the weather. Its cheaper to put another |
| depending on where you live. It may only give you | | | | blanket on the bed than to turn the ac up |
| supplemental power due to light availability. But the | | | | - About 15 percent of the average home utility bill is |
| combination of PV and wind where available should | | | | the water heater. |
| make a very nice power package for most every | | | | - Take shorter showers and only wash full loads of |
| lifestyle. | | | | clothes. |
| The initial cost can be daunting for any alternative | | | | - Lower the temp of your waterheater. |
| energy solution. Solar or wind are both expensive to | | | | - Only heat rooms you need. Close vents and doors |
| start, and take a bit of time to repay. But people | | | | on unused rooms. |
| don't seem to consider the long term effects. You | | | | Low Cost Energy Efficient Actions: |
| have now given your home its own power supply. | | | | - Install low flow showerheads and sink aerators to |
| For most people, having your own source of power | | | | reduce hot water use. |
| on a home you are considering buying, is probably a | | | | - Seal and weatherstrip your windows and doors |
| little more moving than a great bed of petunias. | | | | Install a water tank insulation wrap. They are very |
| Today, people know that their homes are their | | | | cheap and keep the water tank insulated |
| biggest investments, they also know that a large | | | | - Check your windows. Old windows may save you |
| portion of their bills are going to be in their utilities. | | | | from replacement, but that savings is offset by what |
| The more you can make your home self reliant for | | | | you lose in money each month trying to heat/cool a |
| power and also more energy efficient, the better it is | | | | house with leaky windows |
| for your bank account. | | | | - Use ENERGY STAR appliances. |
| Also a lot of people think that alternative power is | | | | - Fluorescent lights use much less energy than |
| expensive because they price the size of their PV | | | | standard incandescents |
| system based on their current useage. Many people | | | | Once your home is energy efficient, and you trim |
| don't realize that their current useage is probably way | | | | down your usage, then you will really see what your |
| more than what they actually need. To get an | | | | actual power usage is and most likely see that the |
| accurate idea of how much PV system is actually | | | | alternative energy solution for your home doesn't |
| needed a person should first make sure that their | | | | need to be quite as large or expensive as you first |
| home is as energy efficient as possible. Make your | | | | thought. |