Make Solar Electricity - You Can Do it Yourself

When asked about renewable energy, most people think about how to make solar electricity. Generating electricity using solar energy from the sun is a technology that everyone knows about. You do not need to ask "Do solar panels make electricity?". You have probably used it in your pocket calculator, at work or at home, regardless of your power needs, solar power for electricity can get the job done.

Domestic solar electricity has a number of particular advantages over conventional or grid-based electricity. Solar panels for electric are designed for many applications and are extremely beneficial in remote areas where normal electricity does not reach. Also, a solar electricity kit which turns solar power to electricity have no moving parts so they require very little upkeep, can be built to the size you require, and with many smaller units, transportable.

Environmental compatibility is one massive selling point for converting to make solar electricity. Solar panel electricity generation uses a renewable and free resource, the sun. Solar electricity offers no noise pollution as well as actually almost no pollution when they are used. A second appealing factor for many who choose an electric solar panel over conventional electricity is just for the independence. It is an attractive choice to many people who live in the country to know that when the lights go out due to blackouts or storms, their lights will stay on. No longer a slave to waiting on hold to report an outage then finding that it could be 10 hours before the service will be restored.

The most painful part of converting using a solar panel for electricity is the cost of a system. Installing a solar to electric system can be a substantial upfront amount. The benefit of solar power is realized over many years. A professionally fitted solar panels for electricity system for an average dwelling (avg. $100/month in electric bills) could take 5 years to pay for itself. it is possible to lower that number by making your own solar panel system or by purchasing one that has been used. With many solar energy systems in less rural places and only in a few states, you can sell the solar electricity that you don't use back to your electric company. In these cases the return on your investment is realized much more quickly.

Making use of the sun's power and making solar panels for electric supply is green for the environment and to your home. When you make solar electricity it can be used to supplement power for a number of big cities. Take time to find out more about solar energy and how you can benefit from trading in your electricity bill for a stress free life with solar electricity.

With the way that the economy is today I have had to become the money advice expert for our family and would like to share some ideas that I have found. One bit of advice is to make your home a solar home. If you would to find out a bit more on how you can do it

If you want to find out a solar panel price to help to convert your home to solar power visit this site. A solar powered generator will help save you lots of money.

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Energy Efficiency in Homes

Building energy efficient homes and improving energy efficiency in our homes can increase their value.

Over the past few years, there has been a ground swell of Green building interest by home buyers and builders. In response to the growing demand to conserve energy in our homes, there are several new mortgage programs that allow home buyers to finance the cost of energy improvements into their mortgage, to increase their loan-to-value, or improve their qualifying ratios. Some of the more common improvements that are used to make homes more energy efficient include the addition of new windows, high efficiency heating/cooling systems, and improved insulation. All of these contribute to reduced energy use, and also to making homes quieter, more comfortable, and more desirable.
Mortgage Programs
These programs allow buyers to purchase a more expensive home that has a lower cost of ownership to offset the larger mortgage payment. There are 2 types of financing options available that cover a variety of scenarios for energy efficient homes.

o Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM's) allow borrowers to qualify for a larger loan, using expanded income ratios, sometimes with the same down payment.

o Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIM's) allow borrowers to include in the mortgage the cost of making an existing home more energy efficient, when they refinance or purchase the home.
These products are available through your local mortgage brokers and banks using FNMA, FHLMC, FHA, and VA guidelines.

EPACT 2005-2008 provides $2000 Builder Tax Credit

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a federal tax credit for builders that apply to each home that exceeds the energy performance threshold outlined in the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC2004). Eligible homes must be at least 50% more efficient than homes built to the IECC2004. It is fairly easy for builders to achieve this threshold by building tighter homes, installing high-performance insulation, and sealing duct work. The best way for a builder to find out how to meet EPACT is to consult with a certified RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) Home Energy Rater. In order for a builder to receive a $2000 tax credit, the home must be rated by a RESNET certified rater using IRS approved software. For more information, visit http://www.natresnet.org/taxcredits/default.htm.

What makes a home energy efficient?

The cost of heating and cooling a home represents the largest cost of ownership, outside of the home mortgage expense. Everyone wants a home that is comfortable to live in, and yet the costs associated with reaching a comfortable level can be very high. Energy Efficiency can be defined as the use of products or systems that use less energy to do the same or better job as conventional products. In home construction and performance, there are many areas where energy efficiency can be achieved, to allow you to meet those desired comfort levels.
The EPA's ENERGY STAR® program has developed a process for evaluating products used in a home, such as appliances, windows, lighting and other products that meet or exceed certain efficiency standards or recommendations. When choosing products for a home, ensure the products meet Energy Star ratings. This can include furnace, air conditioning and water heater performance, replacement of appliances in the home, and installation of energy efficient lighting such as Compact Florescent Lamps (CFL's).

Other construction design aspects can have a significant impact on the energy performance of a home. Insulation levels should be adequate for the environment, and more importantly, proper installation of the insulation is critical in ensuring it is performing to the expected levels. Air infiltration and leakage can be another area where hidden openings in the building shell can cause heat and cooling losses to occur, reducing the efficiency of the home's performance.
In addition to performance of individual components in a home, the EPA's Energy Star Program also works with builders to qualify and certify home performance, to ensure that maximum performance is achieved. ENERGY STAR® qualified homes are designed to be at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). ENERGY STAR® qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-efficient improvements that deliver better performance, greater comfort, and lower utility bills.
ENERGY STAR® homes have had their energy efficiency independently verified by an inspector known as a Home Energy rater. A HERS Rater will inspect and test the home during construction, and verify that the home meets EPA's strict guidelines for energy efficiency.

RESNET; Establishes rules for the energy rating industry

In 1995 RESNET was founded to develop a national market for home energy ratings and energy efficient mortgages. One main goal of RESNET was the development of standards for quality of rating services. The standards set the national procedures for home energy ratings, and include testing and accreditation for raters and providers, development of verification processes for homes meeting ENERGY STAR® and energy efficient building standards, as well as meeting local Energy Code compliance.
A certified HERS Rater follows a prescribed standard for how a home is measured, verified and rated, and must comply with national standards to continue to perform certified ratings.

What is an energy audit or HERS Rating

A Home Energy Rating, performed by a Certified HERS Rater, consists of a full visual analysis of components and aspects of the home, along with energy performance testing of air infiltration with a tool called a blower door. Evaluation of home energy bills can also be included. A blower door slightly de-pressurizes the home and determines the amount of air leakage present. The home is compared to a hypothetical reference home which is based on the IECC 2004, and the home is then provided with a rating. The rating can be a numerical HERS rating or a 'star' rating based upon ENERGY STAR® requirements.

Along with the actual performance rating, the homeowner will be provided with details on areas of the home that need to be improved, in order to further save energy costs and improve the comfort and efficiency of the home.

For more information, visit: http://www.greenenergysavers.com/

Bruce Czech and George Scott are both Certified Home Energy Raters and also Certified ASHI Home Inspectors. Performing Energy Audits and Home Inspections give both of them insight into what can go wrong in a home, and where improvements can be made to result in direct savings.

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Your New Best Friend - A Lower Electric Bill and More Budgeting Tips

The economy has been suffering, but you do not have to. Making a budget of your expenses can show you just how your money is being spent, and this consciousness often reduces costs all by itself. Budgets are the ultimate money tool, whether you're looking to see if you can afford a new computer or if you are just trying to get out of debt. By showing you where your money is going, a budget can help you clean up your financial situation. It can help you lower your electric bill or show that you spend too much going out to dinner. If you have a messy financial situation, a budget is the first step in cleaning it up.

Budgets are pretty basic ideas. A budget is a record of your income minus what you spend, or your expenses. A positive number means you are financially stable, but a budget can still help you plan out your expenses and become even more so, while a negative number means you are spending money you technically do not have. So the first step in creating your budget is making a list of all your expenses. Make a note of things that are absolutely necessary and things that are not. Necessities such as food, shelter, and transportation should be at the top your list, depending on your situation. Don't forget all your occasional expenses, whether it's highway tolls or prescription costs. Once you have added up all your expenses, subtract this number from your net income. If you get a negative number, there are easy steps you can take to help get it back to positive.

Energy is one of the easiest places to start in lowering your expenditures. Little things, such as unplugging your TV when no one is watching it or washing your clothes with cold water can help lower your electric bill. Small changes such as these can add up quickly. Just unplugging unused appliances has the potential to make drastic differences. A plugged in appliance often leeches energy even while it is switched off, and this can negatively impact your electric bill. By just unplugging it, or investing in a good power strip, you can reduce the occurrence of a leeching appliance. Ask around and do a little research on the best energy providers. Sometimes switching to a greener energy source can be cheaper for you and your family.

Food is a major monetary outflow that can really tax on your budget. Meals out at restaurants and expensive drinks at bars can add up to be a major drain on your income. To see how much you're spending on food costs, save your receipts from a week or two. The results could be staggering. Instead of buying meals at work, bring your own. The cost of one purchased meal can often provide sandwiches for an entire week or two. Give the generic brand a try. More often than not, they are exactly the same, except for the generic costs less. Pick up the Sunday newspaper and clip some coupons. With a handful of coupons, your grocery bill can be drastically reduced.

Reducing your expenses doesn't need to be a life altering experience. Little changes go a long way. Whether you want to have a lower electric bill MD or save up for a dream vacation, simply starting a budget can help you become more environmentally friendly as well as financially secure.

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