By Matt Smith – Ace Home Inspections
518-727-7091

Energy prices are on the rise and most of us are unable to do anything about it except, complain and continue to write that monthly check. Most of us have heard of renewable energy sources, but reflect upon it’s options for a minute.
Usually, these conversations are shared in jest or small talk. The reality is that most people do not have a comprehensive understanding of greenhouse materials and their functions.
A green house is a home that uses resilient building materials and proficient design towards making energy. Eco-friendly and green house systems are accomplished by harnessing the natural resources provided by the nature such as, wind and sunlight. While the field is still in an infant stage and seems to be esoteric there are many systems available for home owners. There are many incentives to going green and harnessing what Mother Nature provides us, such as tax deductions, government assistance, the ability to rid ourselves of paying rising energy cost and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thus providing for a better environment.
First, are the ever popular solar panels. There are 3 different types: roof mount, which are the most popular, pole mount which are sections of panels hoisted in to the air on a pole that is secured in the ground and ground mounts which is a large panel attached to a mounting system in the ground.
So, how does this all work? Well, first off we need to understand how a conventional system operates. In short, your house is supplied with AC (alternate current) power which goes into your meter outside you house which measures kilowatts, which is how you are charged for power. Obviously, the meter spins faster as the demand for power is increased. Households in America function on AC power.
A PV (photovoltaic) system harnesses the power of sunlight and transfers it in the form of DC (direct current) which cannot be used by households in America. So, an inverter intercepts the DC before it come into your house and transfers it to AC.
Operating a whole house solely on solar panels is quite overwhelming and very expensive. Most systems are installed with the intent of complementing your power source from a local supplier. This greatly reduces the demand for using electricity from the power company. When these systems are used in unison the PV system actually causes the meter to spin backwards, thus reducing you kilowatt value. When this is all put together you have what is called net metering.
Another, solar power popularity involves the heating of water. Solar panels are installed outside of a home, usually on the roof. Most models are the direct-gain type, consisting of flat panels in which water circulates. Other types use dish or trough mirrors that direct sunlight on a collector tube filled with water, brine or other heat transfer fluid. A storage tank is placed indoors or out. Circulation is caused by natural convection or by a small electric pump. At night, or when insufficient sunlight is present, circulation through the panel can be stopped by closing a valve and/or stopping the circulating pump, to keep hot water in the storage tank from cooling. Depending on the local climate, freeze protection, as well as prevention of overheating, must be addressed in their design, installation, and operation.
How much does something like this cost? Well, it definitely varies based on some factors such as amount of panels and panel types. A typical home uses 9,400 kilowatts a year. So, a typical 4 kilowatt (270 square feet of panels) PV system cost $34,000. While that is undoubtedly a lot of money NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) is kind enough to give generous incentives in the amount of $16000 just for installing a PV system. Also, income tax credits help reduce the price another $7000 on top of the $16000. NYS has a $5000 cap limit and the federal limit is $2000. Now that $34000 dollar system becomes $11000. This is still a lot of money, but it will pay for itself over a period of 10-15 years. Now on a system that can last up to 30 years your are getting 15 years of free power! If $11000 is a lot to come up with, then the government is again there to help. NY Energy Smart loan fund program provides interest rate reductions on loans for energy efficient projects and renewable technology. Interest rates can be lowered by %4 for up to 10 years..
Another additional benefit to using solar generated power systems is, whatever power is not used by the consumer is fed into back into the local suppliers lines and is purchased by the power company. Now, do not expect any checks to be coming in the mail, but credits to your account will be made.
If PV systems seem like a financial burden on people there are still ways to save energy and reduce your power bill.
An inexpensive way to save money is, using CFL’s (compact fluorescent lights). These lights have a %75 less demand for energy and last up to 10 years, compared to conventional bulbs which last approximately a year. These light bulbs are widely available at hardware stores and require no extra parts to install. Imagine if every light bulb in your house was replaced using these CFL’s, you would save %75 just on your lighting bill!
Also, when choosing appliances, furnaces, boilers, windows, office equipment and air conditioners pay particular attention to energy star labels. These products are designed to help reduce the demand of energy and increase their efficiency.
All in all, a collaboration of many different systems and energy star products will render amazing differences in your energy bill and may even eliminate the need for consumers to write that check every month. There are many incentives and new technologies designed specifically to help reduce our electric bill, so take advantage today and break free of the bear hug the power company has on all of us. Next months article I will discuss the benefits of wind generated systems and how it functions.