Today, there are more options than ever to use renewable energy at home.
A new home provides the best opportunity for taking advantage of passive solar energy. Orient the home to avoid overhead summer sun and to benefit from winter sun in cooler climates.
Solar pool heating systems are very efficient and can cuts costs for heating swimming pools or hot tubs.
The easiest way to take advantage of solar power is to buy electricity generated by renewable sources from your local utility.
Under certain conditions, installing PV cells might be right for you.
Check out Renewable Energy for more tips.
Renewable Energy Tips
A new home provides the best opportunity for designing and orienting the home to take advantage of the sun's rays. A well-oriented home admits low-angle winter sun to reduce heating bills and rejects overhead summer sun to reduce cooling bills. See the Heating and Cooling section for more about using passive solar energy in your home.
Many U.S. consumers buy electricity made from renewable energy sources like the sun, wind, water, plants, and Earth's internal heat. This power is sometimes called "green power." Buying green power from the utility is one of the easiest ways to use renewable energy without having to invest in equipment or take on extra maintenance.
Another use of solar power is for heating water. Solar water heating is covered in the Water Heating section. If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, you can use solar power to cut pool heating costs. Most solar pool heating systems are cost competitive with conventional systems. And solar pool systems have very low operating costs. It's actually the most cost-effective use of solar energy.
$ Long-Term Savings Tip: If you've made your home as energy efficient as possible, and you have very high electricity bills and a good solar resource, you might want to consider generating your own electricity using PV cells. New products are available that integrate PV cells with the roof, making them much less visible than older systems.
If the following conditions apply, you might want to do more research to see if investing in PV is right for you:
Your site has adequate solar resources.
A grid connection is not available in your area or can be made only through an expensive power line extension.
You want to gain energy independence from your power provider.
You are willing to pay more up front to reduce the environmental impact of your electricity use.
Your power provider will connect your system to the electricity grid and buy any excess power you produce.
Your state, city, or utility offers rebates, tax credits or other incentives. Visit http://www.dsireusa.org/ to find out about financial incentives in your area.
Be sure to get your copy of my BIG Book: Perfect for Homeowners, Students and Electricians Includes:
Home Electrical Wiring - Room by Room
120 Volt Circuits
240 Volt Circuits
Multi-Wired Circuits
Wiring Methods for Installing Home Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.
Possible Causes of Lost Electrical Power What would cause a circuit to loose power after an electrical storm? How to Diagnose Electrical Problems and Lost Power After Electrical Storm.
Electrical Safety for Old Home Electrical Wiring I just moved into an OLD house, can I plug a 1200 watt appliance into an outlet without burning the house down? Electrical Safety for Old Home Electrical Wiring.
Adding Electrical Wiring in the Home Videos How should I install electrical wiring inside the walls of my home? Installing Electrical Wiring around Obstacles inside the walls and ceilings.
Improving Power Quality The Importance of Power Conditioning and Surge Protection: Power Conditioning may help prevent Electrical Failures from Abnormal Conditions, Power Conditioning to Protect Your Electronic Devices and Cell Phone
Power Your Home - 1414
Home Energy Savings Projects
Home Energy Saving may result from installing many 120 volt devices such as energy efficient light fixtures, dimmer switches, occupancy sensor switches, etc..
Electrical Project Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate. Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, a non-aluminum ladder where required, and Voltage Tester. Estimated Time:
This will depend on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools and access to the device to be wired. Electrical Safety:
Identify any electrical circuit where work will be performed, turn the circuit OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring. Energy Savings Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for home wiring projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected. Note:
Large 240 volt equipment may be replaced with energy efficient units in cooperation with rebate programs offered by your local electric utility company when available. This equipment should be installed by a certified of licensed contractor.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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