| Residential solar energy is becoming a more popular | | | | and other applications, and it can save you up to 40% |
| as our world continues to look for new sustainable and | | | | on your heating bill. How this works is instead of solar |
| renewable energy sources. Solar energy is abundant | | | | panels with light absorbing cells, these are panels that |
| and free, and new technologies are being developed | | | | have a series of tubes running through them. As the |
| that are making it more affordable and practical to | | | | water passes through the tubing, the heat of the sun |
| harness this clean energy source for our daily lives. | | | | warms up the water. |
| Residential solar power is simply energy from the sun | | | | Even if your home is not ready for using solar power |
| that has been converted into electricity to run your | | | | systems yet, there are many other ways that you can |
| home. Not only can it replace your existing power | | | | save electricity. If you can go through your home and |
| sources, but in can get you completely off the grid, so | | | | replace as many energy wasting appliances as |
| that you never have to worry about a power bill ever | | | | possible with higher efficiency products, you will see a |
| again. In some cases, if your solar power system | | | | significant reduction in your power usage. |
| produces more electricity than you require, you can | | | | One perfect example is your hot water heater. Many |
| even sell it back to your power company! | | | | people think that they need a tank water heater in |
| How does residential solar energy work? There are | | | | order to have enough hot water. No matter how |
| several different ways it can operate in your home. | | | | energy efficient a tank heater is, it uses excess |
| One is with photovoltaic cells. These cells are | | | | energy because the tank has to be maintained at a |
| connected together in a solar panel. The more panels | | | | certain temperature constantly. Instead, try installing a |
| you have, the higher the output. These panels collect | | | | tank less water heater! These heaters only heat up |
| solar energy and convert it into low voltage electricity. | | | | the water during usage, and when you aren't using it, |
| Solar power isn't the alternating current, or AC that is | | | | there is no power consumption. |
| found coming off of your power box, it is direct | | | | Another way you can save on electricity is by |
| current, or DC power. You convert it to AC with a | | | | replacing all of your conventional lights with compact |
| solar inverter. Another challenge with DC power from | | | | fluorescent bulbs. These not only use half the electricity |
| the sun is that there are going to be times when there | | | | of a standard bulb, and depending on where they are |
| isn't a lot of sunlight available. This problem can be | | | | located, they may only need to be replaced every |
| solved in different ways. One of them is to have | | | | three years. |
| battery back up. When the sun is out, and producing | | | | There are many other ways you can save electricity, |
| more energy than you can use, it is stored in the | | | | and the new solar technologies that are being |
| batteries until you need it. | | | | developed are making daily life both simpler and more |
| Depending on where you live, you can also use the | | | | sustainable and environmentally friendly. Try using a |
| sun's energy for heating your home's water. Water | | | | solar power battery charger, a solar backpack, or |
| can be heated by the sun, up to sixty degrees or | | | | solar power roof vents to start saving energy and |
| more. While this may not be comfortable enough for | | | | choosing a greener and more environmentally friendly |
| bathing, it is certainly warm enough for doing laundry | | | | lifestyle! |