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HVAC
How to Save on Your Electric Bill
When the temperature rises, utility bills tend to do the same. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple changes you can make that will reduce your monthly bills without sacrificing comfort. Here are our top energy-efficient tips for how to save on your electric bill and other utility bills this summer. 1. Use a Programmable Thermostat…
Solar
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Solar Tracker System?
If you clicked on this article, then there’s a good chance you already know a little bit about solar power. Just in case though, here’s a little background on solar trackers. The solar tracker is an automated module fitted to your system that reads the angle of the sun and adjusts your panels to compensate, thus…
Solar
Could a Ground Mounted Solar Installation Be Right for You?
We’re used thinking of solar panels as the exclusive domain of rooftops, but many of the most productive installations in the world are a lot lower to the ground. If your home doesn’t have the ideal orientation and slant for solar power, a ground-mounted solar installation may be better than one on your roof. Ditto if you…
Solar
Where to Install Solar — Instead of on the Roof
From the environmental impact to the low utility bills, you may love everything about solar. But many homeowners find they you quite fall in love with the way panels look. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between a bulky rooftop solar installation or nothing at all. Homeowners have several options to make use of the…
Solar
Microgrids Could Make Solar a Lot More Neighborly
What if you could set up your solar energy system and bypass your utilities altogether? With more powerful lithium ion batteries coming out on the market, some homeowners are beginning to see the electric company as an unnecessary middleman. That’s exactly what happened in Brooklyn this year. Residents there set up their own microgrid —…
HVAC
What Are Passive House Standards?
What if you never had to turn on the heat or AC in your home? How much would you save on heating and cooling costs throughout the year? Probably quite a bit. The Department of Energy estimates that heat and air conditioning use make up almost half of the average household’s energy bills. That means…
Other Home Projects
What Is the HERS Index and Why Does It Matter for My Home?
Want to reduce your home’s energy use? Well, then you’re probably going to want to make some improvements around your home. But which ones? And what should you focus on first? That’s where an energy evaluation can help. The first step in many residential energy overhauls is to have an energy audit performed. Professionally trained…
Solar
Building-Integrated PV Looks and Feels Like the Future of Solar
Not to knock against solar panels, but they’re not always the most beautiful pieces of equipment. When you’ve spent time perfectly pairing your roof tiles to match your home’s siding, shutters, and trim, you risk altering the whole aesthetic when you slap panels on top. In fact, some homeowners groups and organizations even forbid residents…