One of the most common complaints about “going solar” is that the upfront cost is just too high. The primary reason a solar power system can be a high ticket purchase for many solar power shoppers is because of the customers’ bad energy usage habits. The majority of solar power shoppers don’t realize they are energy hogs until they start shopping for solar power, when they are forced to understand and analyze their electric consumption.
So how can solar power shoppers instantly get a deep discount on their solar power system? The answer is simple, “reduce then produce.” Focusing on energy efficiency, and implementing lifestyle and product changes can greatly reduce the upfront cost of a solar power system. It is always more cost-effective to reduce your consumption through efficiency than it is to produce your own power.
Think of it this way, the more you can save through energy efficiency, the fewer solar panels you need to cover your electric usage. It’s that simple. But most solar power consumers get frustrated seeing high upfront costs of going solar and think there are no alternatives to bring the cost down.
How do you reduce your energy consumption?
1.) Change all your light bulbs to LEDs. Lighting can contribute up to 10 to 20 percent of your electrical load. Want to minimize that load? LEDs (light emitting diodes) consume a fraction of the electricity that incandescent bulbs and even CFL light bulbs consume. While LED bulbs cost more than their counterparts, they last over 11 years, and LEDs differ from CFLs in that they contain no mercury, a very toxic element. LED bulbs can fit in standard lighting sockets and only cost a dollar or two per year to run a standard household light bulb. Since LED bulbs operate cooler, the decrease in temperature can also keep your home cooler during summer months.
2.) Invest in insulation. Drafty windows and gaps under doors can significantly raise your heating and cooling costs. These costs usually comprise over half of all energy outlays made by homeowners. By investing in insulation, you can lower your energy costs by as much as 30%.
3.) Get rid of old appliances. These tend to be less energy efficient. For example, an old coffee maker can consume power equivalent to the output of four solar panels! Purchase Energy Star appliances.
4.) If you’re not using it, turn it off! Unplug unused items (they draw energy even if they are plugged in, but not in use). These sneaky loads are called “vampire loads”, and they cost U.S. consumers 3 billion dollars per year! How much are these loads costing you? Smart power strips can help you fight vampire loads by shutting off power draw when the appliance is not in use. Remember to set your computers to automatically hibernate (power saving mode) when they are idle for more than 5 minutes. And most importantly, turn off the lights when you leave a room!
Changing the way you consume energy can have a significant impact on the overall price of a solar energy system. Reducing energy consumption can shave off thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars from the final cost of a system.
It seems like today, everyone wants to produce their own watts through solar panels and wind turbines. But we need to first produce “negawatts.” Negawatt power is a term promoted and introduced by Amory Lovins of The Rocky Mountain Institute; essentially, the term means that by saving energy, we create a "virtual power plant," thus not having to create a new power plant to increase electrical supply. The direct reduction in electrical demand through energy efficiency is called a Negawatt.
Energy efficiency and solar power fit very well with each other. When considering solar power, think about easy ways you can reduce your consumption first – that way you’ll save tons of cash, making the solar investment that much more attainable.
Are you doing anything to save energy that I haven’t covered? Please share!
Nicely said. I did these things when I moved into my current home. Cut my bills by 2/3.
I do wish the US would invest in meters that had "off peak" rates which rewards consumers by running appliances in the evening to help smooth the energy demand through the day.
@Simon thanks! Here in California we have "peak hour rates" but across much of the country electric rates are cheap therefore it gives people a reason to waste electricity. congrats on lowering your energy bills
"Helping you get started with green energy." – Deep Patel
Thanks for posting this information. I believe it is very important for all of us to change the way we look at our carbon footprint. It will take all of us to change behavior we are so used to. We all must reduce, reuse and recycle.
Changing the behavior might work yes but I think we need more than this, we need to actually do something, get new energy star appliances, switch off the electronics when we don't need them, install solar panels, buy green products. There are so many things we can do things that are convenient to us. I recently got some new Frigidaire parts and my electric bills actually look more friendly now.
You are very right about conserving electricity before you go solar. It makes a huge difference in how many panels you need. I recently built and installed solar panels on my home. I saved a lot of money upfront and over the last two months I haved saved 50% on my electric bill. It was so much fun that I posted a blog to show everybody how to build your own solar panel.
thanks for encouraging conservation. Regarding article- 1. Before LEDs, determine where and how much purchased light energy is needed. Is chandelier over the table heating up the whole area while giving off excess light? Are windows providing daylighting? How much light? LEDs or CFLs, equivalent to 75 or 100 w incandescent if you really needed only 40 or 60 w equivalents, equal decades of energy waste. 2. Invest in insulation– article discusses weatherization which is easier, less expensive, & more cost effective than insulation. Add insulation rationally, block thermal bridges first, consider cost & insulation placement. Use cellulose if possible, not foams unless space dictates, use radiant barriers in hot climates. 3. Get rid of old appliances- consider purchase costs and appliane inefficiency as it relates to heating. For example if you heat with baseboard electric or electric furnace, is that refrigerator just as efficient in winter as the baseboard? Consumer reports says new appliances last 10 years versus the 20 or 30 years they used to last. 2500 more acquisition costs over10 years,putting 2 additional refrigerators on the dump. Situations vary. $.- not using turn off- this should be first and putting these on strips which we shut down all at once is a great idea. In any case be realistic- if the light is always on , by the front door, use a motion sensor. The more you think the better you do.
How about the big one – going vegan? (or at least vegetarian). Not as cool as insulation (I never theought I would say that out loud) but if we all do it then it will reduce greenhouse gases by a huge amount. Another way is to cut down on the number of flights we take each year (take the bus!).
Imagine not having an electricity bill! The Net Metering Law, allows you to sell the surplus electricity produced by solar back to your utility company. To take full advantage of the the law you need to make the switch.
Solar energy is pollution-free and it may even raise the value of your home. With the cost of energy bills rising higher, this is a great time to
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful and beneficial to your readers.
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This is a nice guide, I work for a <a rel="follow" href="http://www.newyorkgreencontractor.org/">New York green contractor and am always looking for useful information and guides to being greener that I can recommend people.
Really well written and agree that many people including me feel that the upfront cost of a solar panel system is on the higher side and then getting the thing installed and working involved labor costs as well. Surely in the long run solar energy evens out the costs. But another thing I'd like to speak about is the the solar panels have electronic components which are really expensive and if they get worn out then replacing them is at a cost which you need to consider as well.
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Id love to have a fully solar power home, but the cost? Its definatly a worthy idea, just image you can solve sudoku puzzles with solar powered light
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Thanks for posting this information.Regarding article- 1. Before LEDs, determine where and how much purchased light energy is needed. Is chandelier over the table heating up the whole area while giving off excess light? Are windows providing daylighting? How much light? LEDs or CFLs, equivalent to 75 or 100 w incandescent if you really needed only 40 or 60 w equivalents, equal decades of energy waste. 2. Invest in insulation– article discusses weatherization which is easier, less expensive, & more cost effective than insulationThen I will grab your service.
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Very good article, people don't often understand the importance of reducing their energy usage before they move to solar powered appliances – while solar power is great for the environment, a typical household generally needs a small reduction of electrical usage to be able to change over. This is especially true with having a solar powered boiler installed, which benefits heavily from being efficient with your use of heating too.