Creating Nega Watts..That's where it is. It is much more cost-effective...(a word you'll here used alot in the renewable energy business) more cost-effective to save a watt of energy or a therm of
gas...than to produce a new one.
So all you solar electric "want-ta-be's" out there listen up.
If you go out to a business or home....do a solar site survey...check out the customers current utility bills, pitch them on tax credit and rebates and sell them a solar electric system...without
doing some of the following ...You have just put the renewable energy horse before the carriage.
Total energy audit...check all current conservation, venting, heating and cooling methods...
Recommend improvements as needed....new windows, added insulation, water and lighting saving suggestions, weather stripping, caulking and new doors, ceiling fans, whole house fans
solar tubes for natural lighting in that dark bathroom or hall ways...new water heaters, or
regular maintenence...Not just a recommendation they do it....give them an estimate and
sub contract out the work, for God's sake...do whats right for our industry and the customer.
This total love and concern for your customer will pay big big dividends for your companies and you. Why? Because it proves you give a good GD. Try it, you'll like it..
By the way, I can earn more profit, doing it right, conservation then solar DHW then and only then, solar electric then you can make doing just solar electric....the fun and flashy solar.
DOUBLE YOUR PROFIT...DOUBLE YOUR FUN
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How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at Home
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.
These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in -- costing you higher heating bills.
Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.
But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home -- the folding attic stair, the whole house fan or AC return, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Attic Stairs
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.
Whole House Fans and AC Returns
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole house fan cover. Installed from the attic side, the whole house fan cover is invisible. Cover the fan to reduce heating and air-conditioning loss, remove it when use of the fan is desired.
Fireplaces
A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces.
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, a fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape.
If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan, an AC return, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, you can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover, an attic access door, and is the U.S. distributor of the fireplace draftstopper. To learn more visit www.batticdoor.com
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