Lower Energy Bills Pt III, Using the Sun!

We have looked at adding Window Film to your larger west & southerly facing windows. Then we got handy and put in a few Trellises to let those wonderful plants bring shade and fresh air to your world! Now we are exploring ways to use the Sun to save money!
--A new subdivision has been built outside of Phoenix by Habitat for Humanity that celebrates the sun! This new project uses panels on the homes to soak up the sun and turn that energy into electricity. The final 18 homes in this new subdivision that are built for the green and solar use are getting rave reviews.
--This is a trend that Salt River Project sustainability engineer Joel Dickinson would like to see take over the state and hopefully the country. Quoted recently in an article by the East Valley Tribune, Phoenix, Dickinson says the average cost for the panels on the homes is about $20,000. However, offsetting this initial cost are local as well as federal credits that can be as much as $8,000 locally & $3,600 on the Federal level. Also, savings in energy costs each month helps with the initial cost.
--One local resident who has been in her solar powered home since 2007, is excited about the cost savings she experiences each month. Colleen Hill stated that she recently had a $16 electric bill and has even gotten a monthly credit at times instead of a bill! Another neighbor had had similar results with his bill being as low as $20 even with 4 children in the home. This is in direct contrast to the $250 and $300 per month they had experienced before going solar.
--So even though we all don’t live in sunny Arizona, we can look for ways to use solar in our own areas. We we may not get our bills down to $16 a month, any savings would be good for our pocketbooks as well as the environment. The use of solar actively or passively can do a lot to alleviate environmental stresses. Check in your local areas about the alternative energies that are available in your neighborhoods.
Green, clean, environmentally friendly sources of power are good for all of us. Go Green! More to come in the next post!

Lower Summer Energy Bills and Get a Tax Credit

Well, Spring is finally here! The sun will be out heating up things and raising your air conditioning bills in the process. While sunlight is important for our health, physically as well as mentally, it is not too good for our heating bills. But don’t despair, there are a few easy tricks to keep the summer sun at bay on those big windows. This is tip #1.

Palladium windows are beautiful, but south or west facing windows let in heat in the summer. Often putting blinds or shades over these windows defeats the purpose of the windows, the view that you paid so much to see! Adding Window Film can solve many problems. Search out local companies online for the products available in your area. The local installers will know which products work best for your location and can easily do the installation on those high windows. Get informed and keep yourself safe while getting a professional installation.
What to look for in a Window Film:
* Look for films that reflect 97% of the suns infrared light to keep your home cool. The energy coming through the windows is infrared in nature and will not turn to heat unless it bumps into people or furniture. So blocking the infrared light is important in keeping your home cooler. Only a few degrees in temperature reduction can reduce cooling costs by up to 25% according to Solargard.
* Search for films that block 99.9% of the suns UV rays since these cause fading and the risk of skin cancers according to the 3M site.
* Another positive to the window film is holding the glass in place after it has been hit by a tree limb or a burglar trying to enter your home. Check with your local provider to see if their product has this Security Property.
**Finally, a financial incentive to look at using window film this year is the Tax Credit you will receive on the purchase price of the film(labor costs are not part of the credit). The Federal Tax Credit applies to film purchased between Jan 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. Homeowners can receive 30% credit on the costs of qualified window film products , up to a maximum of $1500. The tax credit comes directly off your tax bill! Check with your personal tax advisor for more information before you purchase.

Now you can save energy on cooling, save on replacing furniture because of fading, save of health costs by reducing the risk of skin cancers and save on your 2009 Federal Tax bill!
More Energy Saving tips Coming on the Next Post! Stay tuned!