Renewables

Renewable energy is generated from natural resources – the sun, wind, rainfall, the earth’s core and organic waste. Such resources are called “renewable” because they are automatically replenished by nature.

 

Energy from renewable sources can be fed into the power grid (utility company) or into your home the same way energy from non-renewable sources, such as coal or natural gas, is used by your utility company.

 

It’s fair to say that your renewable investment will aid your utility or even replace your utility. By installing PV (photo voltaic) panels or a wind turbine you will immediately begin lowering your utility dependence, and bill, by generating your own electricity. There is no need to have batteries or go off the grid to benefit from renewables, yet batteries can aid your annual savings and work as a generator if you choose to invest.

 

By installing solar hot water panels you can aid your present hot water system by making hot water with the sun, this further reduces your utility bills, and dependence on your utility company.

 

Before a renewable system is added onto an existing or newly designed home, conservation must be looked at carefully. Depending on the home’s design and the occupants living habits, conservation of energy and improvements to the homes thermal and air boundary can be as cost-effective as introducing a renewable energy system.

 

Solar electric, solar hot water and wind turbines almost all quality for tax deductions, tax credits, and subsidies to help support your steps toward a greener home. These renewable systems can be added to most existing homes or built into new construction designs, to bring real returns for your investment, and reward you with a sense of freedom from fossil fuels, care for our children and the future of our planet.

Solar Electric Power

PV (photovoltaic) panels convert light directly into electricity. PV panels are manufactured in various sizes and wattages. All PV panels produce electricity in DC (direct current). An inverter is necessary at installation to convert the current to AC (alternating current – the current in your home). A southern facing roof mounting system can be attractive and economical. A simple cost-effective framing stand can be custom made for ground applications or various manufactured pole-mounts are available. Along with a meter and several disconnects there isn’t much more to it. The systems can be installed (in several days) to existing or newly constructed homes with relatively low impact, and as soon as the sun shines your panels make electricity for an instant reward, and reduction of utility costs.

 

It is not necessary to install batteries; most systems are hard wired directly into the main circuit panel of the home. If the sun is out and mechanical equipment or appliances need electricity they are fed from the panels. If the sun is out and you have low or no demand, the electricity goes back into your utility grid and your electrical meter literally spins backwards. A PV system is generally sized to reduce your dependence on your electric utility and lower your utility bills, not to make a surplus of electricity.  If your desire is to have a generator, consider installing a battery system with the PV install.  The battery will save you annual cost by saving the electricity for night time use and can operate as a rechargeable generator. 

 

There are several subsidies, tax credits, and deductions in place at the federal and state levels to help offset your investment. You also can receive green credits for the electricity you make. The subsidies, credits, deductions and green credits are ever-changing; current legislation and grants will dictate the final total cost.

Solar Hot Water Power

Solar HW (hot water) panels produce hot water. HW panels are typically installed to supplement domestic and/or hot water heating systems. The two main types of solar HW systems on the market are drain back and glycol. The location of HW panels, in conjunction to their solar storage tanks, along with budget and seasonal use, will dictate the appropriate system. There are many sizes and manufacturers of HW panels and solar storage systems. Choosing the proper system and getting the proper installation are necessary to receive the tax credit offered. Solar HW systems generally cost less than PV and deliver a quicker return on investment.

Passive Solar

Passive solar heating and cooling represents an important strategy for displacing traditional energy sources in buildings. Anyone who has sat by a sunny, south-facing window on a winter day has felt the effects of passive solar energy. Passive solar techniques make use of the steady supply of solar energy by means of building designs that carefully balance their energy requirements with the building’s site and window orientation. The term “passive” indicates that no additional mechanical equipment is used, other than the normal building elements.

 

All passive techniques use building elements such as walls, windows, floors and roofs, in addition to exterior building elements and landscaping, to control heat generated by solar radiation. Passive solar heated buildings are designed to collect and store thermal energy from direct sunlight. Passive cooling minimizes the effects of solar radiation through shading or generating air flows with convection ventilation.

 

Passive solar homes range from those heated almost entirely by the sun to those with south-facing windows that provide some fraction of the heating load. The difference between a passive solar home and a conventional home is design. The key is to design the passive solar home to take the best advantage of your local climate. You can apply passive solar design techniques most easily when designing a new home. However, existing buildings can be adapted or “retrofitted” to passively collect and store solar heat.

 

Passive solar is limitless in design. Utilizing the orientation of windows and roof overhangs for solar gain in the winter months is just the beginning of many options. Solar hot-air boxes, hot walls and sunrooms can be designed into new construction, or added on to existing buildings, in many cases. Every home has different possibilities; let us help you tap into the free radiant energy from our sun.

Geothermal Power

A NEHERS(New England Home Energy Rater System) Rater is an individual who has passed the training, exams, and field testing required by the NEHERS Alliance.
• All NEHERS Raters must adhere to the national HERS accreditation guidelines promulgated by RESNET(Residential Energy Services Network). The Federal government relies on RESNET for verification of building energy performance for:


• Federal tax credit qualification
• EPA ENERGY STAR labeled homes
• U.S. Department of Energy Building America program
• Minimum code compliance in 16 states

 

A Rater, while under the watchful eye of both NEHERS Alliance and RESNET, is qualified to test homes for energy efficiency levels by utilizing various tools, software and resources issued to him/her. A Blower Door and Duct Blaster can be used to test homes for air-leaks, air-exchange rates, air-leaks in HVAC duct systems and more. The buildings materials, insulations, windows, mechanical equipment, dimensions, volume, etc. are collected from the field, or an off plan assessment of the home. The data is then entered into a software program. The software is then able to build a model of the home and show the utility costs, efficiencies, inefficiencies, and areas needing improvements, amongst many more useful pieces of information. A rating, or score, is then derived for the home. The rating can be used to qualify for the ENERGY STAR program, utility programs or incentives, and EIM (energy improvement loan or EEM (energy efficient mortgage).

 

A Rater carefully monitors the construction of a home for both efficiency and safety. A Rater must also understand the importance of building science and how it affects the home and its occupants.

 

A Rater can provide a list of suggested energy improvements – with their estimated costs and energy savings – based on existing conditions or proposed construction for the home, for the homeowner or home buyer to consider.