Posts Tagged ‘energy efficieny’

Discover How Home Solar Power Can Save You Money

There are two reasons to use home solar power. One is to save money and the other is to lower your carbon footprint on our planet. Generating your own electricity involves a large outlay of money at first, but your are rewarded with no power bill.

These solar cells ave been produced for many years and are an excellent way to produce electricity at your own home. Whole it is possible to be dependent on solar energy only, most people choose to have an alternate source of power. If close enough, they may simply connect to the public power supply. Otherwise, they choose to use a wind turbine or a generator powered by fossil fuels. This supplemental power is especially helpful during the nights and when there are extended periods of overcast days.

If you are going to be totally dependent on solar energy, then you will need to plan for the nights when the sun is not shining. Many solar energy users will also have a large bank of batteries that can be used to store the electricity that is generated by the sun during the day. This will give them the necessary energy to operate lights and appliances after dark or on overcast days when the sun is not producing electricity through their solar cells.

There are times that you will need a different source to take care of needs that are normally taken care of by electricity from the public supply. Two specific areas are in heating and cooling the home. Most home solar panels are not large enough to operate these units. You may need to consider an alternate source of power or for providing for these needs.

In addition, some users that have a small acreage, plant black locust trees for a self perpetuating wood lot. These trees, once cut will reproduce in a few years from the root stock and the home will never run out of potential firewood.

During the summer, cooling may be a problem, especially in areas where the humidity is high. One suggestion is to use cool air from the basement and fans to cool the home. Another uses an underground cooling tube that is connected to fans and duct work in the home for cooling.

Within the past few years, solar air conditioning and heat pumps have been introduced. While these units are somewhat expensive, prices will likely drop as they grow in production and in use. Development of these units is going to be a key to growing the use of home solar power.

Looking to find the best guide on how to live off the grid, then visit www.livingoffthegridnow.com to find the best advice on wind power for homes.