| There are reasons to wait to install solar power, and | | | | in winter, and to 78 degrees (or higher) in summer. |
| they mainly revolve around making sure you've done | | | | Inexpensive Measures You Can Take |
| all you can to ensure your home is solar ready. | | | | Install a programmable Energy Star thermostat to |
| What do we mean by "solar ready"? When you | | | | keep the temperature in your home at a constant |
| approach a solar energy company with a view to | | | | level, reducing the work load of your heater and air |
| purchasing a solar electric system, one of the first | | | | conditioner. |
| things they'll want to look at is how much electricity | | | | Make sure your doors, pipes, windows, etc., are |
| you use. The reason for this is that they'll need to | | | | caulked and weatherstripped to prevent air leaks. |
| design a system that will supply enough electricity to | | | | Dripping faucets and plumbing problems should be |
| cover your needs. | | | | taken care of. This will prevent major water losses as |
| So, if your electrical usage is high, you'll need a large | | | | well as increased energy costs. |
| solar electric system, which will cost a great deal more | | | | More Expensive Measures You Can Take |
| than maybe you really need. And this is where getting | | | | Some of these changes may not be possible |
| your home solar ready comes in, the idea being to look | | | | immediately due to the expense involved, but should |
| at your current energy usage and find the | | | | be looked at anyway and noted for the future. |
| inefficiencies. you'd then need to work at eliminating or | | | | Replace windows if they're older and not |
| at least reducing them, thereby reducing your energy | | | | energy-efficient. New windows that are |
| bill, and, as a result, the size and cost of your solar | | | | high-performance will help maintain the temperature of |
| electric system. | | | | your house, as well as increase its value. |
| What should you do to reduce your energy usage | | | | Older appliances (at least 13 years old) should be |
| then? Here are some first steps you can - and should | | | | replaced with something similar in the Energy Star |
| - take to get your energy usage down and your | | | | range. Your local utility may offer a rebate to offset |
| efficiency level up. | | | | the initial cost and you'll recoup the rest with cheaper |
| Free Or Cheap Measures You Can Take | | | | energy bills |
| Take advantage of the sun's free energy by opening | | | | If the insulation in your home is old, replacing that with |
| all your drapes to allow the sun to work its magic and | | | | better quality insulation could help save as much as |
| heat up your home. This a simple example of what's | | | | 25% on heating. |
| known as passive solar, so you're actually going solar | | | | As previously noted, some of these changes are a bit |
| without spending a penny! | | | | more pricey and ones that can be put off for now but |
| Many appliances and electronic devices operate in | | | | should be addressed as your finances permit. Taking |
| standby mode when turned off. These are known as | | | | some, if not all, of these steps will get your home much |
| phantom loads which continue to draw power even | | | | more solar ready. |
| when they're turned off. The only way to stop this | | | | These are about the only reasons you'd want to wait |
| happening is to unplug the offending items, which | | | | to install solar power, but, if your home is already as |
| include such things as computers, TVs, cordless | | | | energy efficient as possible, don't delay - go solar |
| phones, etc. | | | | today! |
| Your thermostat should be set to 68 degrees (or less) | | | | |