Attic venting is an important aspect in maintaining a healthy energy efficient home. Proper venting cools your roof extending the [...]]]>

Solar attic fans are a simple and environmentally sensible solution that can save you money. Powered completely by free solar energy they are one of the most affordable ways to reduce your energy bill.

Attic venting is an important aspect in maintaining a healthy energy efficient home. Proper venting cools your roof extending the material life and reduces the load on your air conditioning system, a must during humid summer months. Attic venting also increases fresh air circulation which reduces vapor build up generated by every day activities like showering and cooking.

Excess moisture trapped in your attic can cause a variety of problems from rust and rot to increased bacteria and mold counts which can have a direct impact on your respiratory health! Passive vents have been a part of building codes for years. Soffit vents, ridge vents and louvers rely on nature to provide sufficient air pressure and air movement. So the majority of the time your attic is stagnant and continues to build up heat and moisture.

Click Here…FREE Solar Attic Fan Price Quote

Why Install a Solar Powered Attic Fan?

Solar attic fans lower attic temperature which reduces the load on your HVAC System. The most obvious reason for attic ventilation is to lower attic space temperature during warmer months. Attic temperatures can exceed 160°F during hot summer days. Proper attic ventilation can reduce those temperatures by up to 50°F. No matter how much insulation is in the attic, heat can still transfer into adjacent living spaces. In fact, extra insulation can actually add to temperature increases because heat is trapped in the insulation. Proper ventilation evacuates this excess heat build-up. As the heat is exhausted, the work load of the air conditioning system is reduced, thereby saving energy and extending the life of the air conditioning system.

A solar attic fan will extend the life of the roofing materials. Though asphalt shingles are designed to take the abuse of the sun for many years, they are subjected to greater temperatures when the roof decking is allowed to overheat, which is just what happens in an under ventilated attic.

In the cooler months, moisture is the most serious concern. Even with the use of vapor barriers to keep moisture from entering the attic, there are air leaks around ceiling light fixtures, bathroom exhaust fans that allow unwanted moisture into the attic. Moisture condensing on the framing members and the inside of the roof deck can lead to the growth of mold, mildew and rot in the roof deck and framing. A good indicator of moisture problem is rusty roof nails sticking through the roof deck.

Asphalt shingle manufacturers warranties require proper attic ventilation. Attic ventilation is required in cold environments – it evacuates the warm moist air that heat sources produce. Hot moist air lingering in the attic spaces can condense on the underside of the roof sheathing and rot it out and also causes mold to develop on the interior walls. Cold air in the attic space will not affect the temperature in the adjacent living spaces if properly insulated.

Good ventilation also helps prevent ice dams, which begin to form when warm air in the attic melts the snow from beneath and creates runoff that refreezes on the colder eaves.

Click Here…FREE Solar Attic Fan Price Quote

The good news is you can eliminate 80-90% of this drain on [...]]]>

It’s no secret that household energy is ridiculously expensive. Monthly energy bills add up insanely fast and for most people there is no end in sight. The energy cost calculations below are just plain SHOCKING. And as energy prices rise these calculations only get worse.

The good news is you can eliminate 80-90% of this drain on your personal finances with a solar powered hot water heater. For a detailed analysis of how much a solar hot water heater will save you…Click here to schedule a free consultation.

Feel free to leave your comments and opinions below.

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It’s a shame when someone [...]]]>

Well…I’m definitely going against a lot of advice that states payback period is the deal maker or the deal breaker with residential solar hot water installations. Sometimes this is the case for solar electric and commercial applications, but not for residential solar hot water installations.

It’s a shame when someone who truly wants a solar water heater installation for their home is scared off by complex payback period calculations and ROI data sheets. Installing solar hot water does not need to be this complex. You don’t need to be a math whiz or have a degree in finance or engineering to grasp that solar hot water is a good decision.

Let me ask you a question. Why do you think payback period is so important? You want to know how long it will take to get your upfront money/investment back, right? Fair enough, but would you wonder the same thing about these home improvements?…

• Granite countertop upgrade
• Harwood flooring
• New siding
• A new deck

All of these home improvements add value to your home, but they don’t help you save money and they don’t have payback periods. These home upgrades definitely make us feel good and improve our quality of life, but they do not make or save you any money while you are living in the home. If you are lucky, you will get back the cost of these improvements when you sell your home.

The point I am making is this. A solar hot water installation immediately adds value to your home by guaranteeing lower energy bills, guaranteeing long-term savings, and by reducing your dependence on fossil fuel. Not to mention it will reduce your CO2 emissions and help you save your environment. An increased sale price if or when you sell your home is an added bonus.

The fact that solar water heaters have a payback period is amazing when you consider your alternative options…

• Electric Water Heater = No Payback Period
• Gas Water Heater = No Payback Period
• Tankless Water Heater = No Payback Period

While many types of energy efficient water heaters use less energy, they do not produce or generate energy to heat water. You will constantly have to feed them gas, electricity or oil until the day they break down and need to be replaced. Then the cycle repeats itself. Consume, consume, consume. Traditional water heaters never stop consuming fossil fuel and they don’t have payback periods. We have completed countless painstaking analyses on residential solar hot water payback periods. So if you must know, the answer to the payback period question is on average between 3-7 years.

Recommended Book

One of the best books I have read on solar hot water is Bob Ramlow’s Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems. He has a similar view about solar hot water and payback periods.

PART 5 of this series contains a ton of valuable resources as you continue your research on solar hot water.

Solar is too expensive, right? At least that seems to [...]]]>

In part 1 of this 5 part series I am going to show you that a solar hot water system may be more affordable than you thought due to solar tax incentives, credits and rebates that are now available.

Solar is too expensive, right? At least that seems to be the rumor these days. First, not all solar panels are designed to do the same things. Solar photovoltaic panels (solar PV) are used to generate electricity, while solar hot water panels are used for heating water. Solar PV generally costs more than solar hot water and it’s this type of solar people are usually referring to when they say, “Solar is too expensive”. It’s kind of like saying cars are too expensive. This does not make sense since there are different kinds of cars in many different price ranges. Don’t believe the rumor!

Solar Tax Incentives, Credits & Rebates

Tax incentives often make or break the affordability of a solar PV installation, but solar hot water systems don’t cost that much to begin with, so these incentives are icing on the cake! They make solar hot water even more affordable.

The topic of solar tax incentives has been an area of confusion for many people considering a solar water heater for their home. It is very important that you take the time to fully understand how these programs work, because they will significantly reduce the dreaded up-front cost of your solar hot water system. We go through this process everyday with our clients, and honestly, understanding which tax incentives you are eligible for is not that hard once you understand the basics.

Solar hot water tax incentive programs fall into 3 primary categories.

• Federal
  
• State
  
• County/Local

Federal Incentives

The Federal incentive program is pretty straight forward and available in every state. You will get a personal tax credit equal to 30% of the installation price of your solar hot water heater. For example, if you pay $7,500 for your new solar water heater, you will get a personal tax credit of $2,250. When you do your taxes there is a line item specifically for this. Simply fill it out and you are good to go. Turbo Tax even has an input box for this when you are doing your taxes.

State Incentives

Statewide tax incentive programs vary from state to state. Some are better than others, but most have terrific programs for solar hot water. For example, take a look at what the Maryland Solar Energy Grant Program offers homeowners.

The Database of State Incentives For Renewables And Efficiency (DSIRE) has links to state web sites showing the details of what your state is currently offering.

http://www.dsireusa.org/

County/Local Tax Incentives

In addition to Federal and statewide programs, many counties and municipalities offer incentive programs for solar hot water. For example, a number of Maryland counties have property tax incentive programs specifically for residential solar hot water. In some cases these property tax credits are as high as 50% of your installation cost. You don’t want to miss out on these if they are available in your area. Again, check the DSIRE web site for details on your home state.

Solar Hot Water Price Example

Let’s take a look at a real world pricing breakdown…

• Purchase/Installation Price: $7,500
• 30% Federal Tax Incentive: $2,250
• State Tax Incentive: $1,500
• County/Local Tax Incentive: $1,500

Final Cost: $2,250

Maryland, which happens to be my home state, is one of the best places in the country for solar hot water. Many states have programs like Maryland’s and as you can see your cost to install a solar water heater ends up costing what many professional plumbers charge to install a traditional, fossil fuel burning water heater. This is a pretty good deal, huh?

Before you write solar hot water off as being too expensive, do yourself a favor and look into your state and local solar tax incentive programs.

Here’s a real shocker…

Did you know a solar hot water heater can save you more than $70,000 in energy costs over the life of the system? I’ll show you how in PART 2…see you soon!

The Appraisal Institute in Chicago has proven that every $1 in annual energy savings adds approximately $20 to the value of your home. Here is the evidence. It is also no secret that as the demand for energy efficient homes rises, houses that generate their own energy become much more desirable.

In states like Maryland where you have terrific tax incentive programs, you are ahead the moment you install a solar hot water system. Not only have you instantly added to the value of your home, but as you remember from PART 2, you are saving a tremendous amount of money in energy costs each and every month.

Let’s take a look at how energy savings from solar hot water relates to your home’s value using The Appraisal Institutes data…

$500 in annual savings = $10,000 in added value
$600 in annual savings = $12,000 in added value
$700 in annual savings = $14,000 in added value
$800 in annual savings = $16,000 in added value

Generally, the larger the household, the higher the energy cost to heat water. I have spent a lot of time analyzing utility bills and in my area, the average family of 4 typically spends $50-$70 per month on water heating. So, the annual savings figures shown above are pretty accurate. Your area may be a little different but even if you feel you are spending $30-$40 per month, you are still looking at somewhere between $7,200-$9,600 in added value to your home.

The Appraisal Institute’s research also shows that if the real estate market where you live is very poor, a $10 increase for every $1 in energy savings is the lowest they have seen. This is amazing because if you live in a bad real estate market, and your solar water heater is only saving you $40 per month in energy costs, you still added approximately $4,000 in value!

In addition, if you have plans to sell your home, the fact that more energy efficient homes sell faster than houses that are energy hogs is a big benefit to you as the seller. Faster sales mean fewer mortgage payments which lowers your holding costs. It also sets your home apart from the competition. Life is good for you as the seller.

What would you say…if I told you payback periods didn’t matter with residential solar hot water? Stay tuned…In PART 4 I’ll show you Why Payback Period Doesn’t Matter With Solar Hot Water.

Congratulations! You now know more than most people about residential solar hot water. Thank you for taking the time to discover solar hot water in more detail. If you have questions about solar hot water feel free to contact me or Schedule a FREE Solar Hot Water Consultation.

Here’s a recap of what we talked about…

1. How You Can Go Solar Without Breaking The Bank
2. Proof That Solar Hot Water Can Save You More Than $70,000
3. Add $16,000 Or More In Value To Your Home With Solar Hot Water
4. Why Payback Period Doesn’t Matter With Solar Hot Water
5. Valuable Resources As You Research Solar Hot Water

Federal & State Tax Incentive Info

• Database of State Incentives For Renewables And Efficiency

How Solar Hot Water Works

• How Solar Hot Water Works
• U.S. Department Of Energy- Solar Water Heating

Recommended Books

Bob Ramlow’s Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems is a must read for anyone considering a solar hot water system.

• Buy it on Amazon

Other Valuable Links

• Facebook Solar Energy Fan Page
• U.S. Department Of Energy
• How Solar Photovoltaic Panels Work
• Solar Energy Industries Association
• Schedule a FREE Solar Hot Water Consultation

Don’t worry I didn’t forget the Bonus I promised you at the beginning. Here is your Do-It-Yourself Solar Water Heater Assessment. I’ll also send it to your email inbox.

Click this link to download the report: Maryland Solar Hot Water SRECs Report (.PDF format)