These Solar Panels were installed on a customers home recently.
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Adding Solar Panels to your Home
Top 10 Benefits of adding solar panels to your home:
1- Using solar technologies reduces the need for using other, non-renewable resources. This means that we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and other resources by choosing to use solar energy solutions.
2 – Solar energy is renewable and free. By harnessing the sun’s power we are not reducing the amount of energy that is available – the sun will shine every day – and there is no cost to you for using the sunlight.
3- Solar energy can be used as either a small scale solution, such as a solar powered calculator, or on a large scale, like a photovoltaic power plant that provides energy to thousands of homes. There are a variety of different applications for using solar energy to our advantage.
4 – Solar panels offset their own production footprint. Solar power cells can produce more power in a 5 year span that the power that was consumed in its production.
5 – Solar power is non-polluting. There is no noise given off and no by-products produced that are harmful to the environment.
6 – Solar panels are low maintenance. Because there are no moving parts, there’s nothing to wear out that will need replacing in the future. The average solar panel produced today has a life expectancy of 30 or more years.
7 – Low cost of operation. Once a solar system is installed there is little cost associated with operation. It does not need to draw power from the grid to do it’s job, which makes it a desirable solution. In addition, excess energy produced can be delivered back into the power grid for credit.
8 – Solar energy can be used to heat hot water, thus reducing the amount of energy we consume to heat hot water with other electrical power sources. Depending on the type of solar collector in use and the geographic area’s sun potential, a solar collector can heat at least a third of the hot water consumed by an average size family in a year.
9 – Tax credits. There are many types of tax credits and incentives available to help offset the cost of installing a solar system. Incentives vary by region and governing body so check with your local government office to see if there is a rebate or credit that you qualify for.
10 – Increased value in your home. Installing solar panels for homes increases it’s market value. Not only are you saving money on your electrical bills, but you are adding value to the equity you have in your home.
Take time to assess the benefits of adding solar power to your household and start reducing your carbon footprint today…
Getting your home ready for Spring
Happy Spring
As the spring season officially begins, many will welcome the warmer weather by thoroughly cleaning and organizing their homes. Homeowners should inspect the safety of their homes along with their spring cleaning to ensure that electrical hazards are eliminated along with dust and clutter.
Did you know the kitchen is the leading area of origin for home structure fires. As you clean your kitchen, follow these simple safety tips to identify and correct potential hazards:
– Keep your stove and oven clean. Clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove regularly.
– Keep the cooking area around the stove/oven clear of combustibles, such as towels, napkins, and pot holders.
– Locate all appliances away from the sink. Plug countertop appliances into ground fault conductors (GFCIs).
– Keep appliance cords away from hot surfaces like the range or toaster. Unplug the toaster and other countertop appliances when not in use.
– Make sure there is room behind the refrigerator for air to circulate.
– Vacuum refrigerator coils to eliminate dirt buildup that can reduce efficiency and create a fire hazard.
– Any electric shock from a major appliance can indicate an extremely hazardous wiring condition. Turn the power to the appliance off at the circuit breaker, and do not touch the appliance until it has been checked by a licensed, qualified electrician.
– Another important area to inspect in the home is the basement, which houses two additional leading causes of home fires: heating equipment and electrical distribution systems. Keep your home safe from the bottom up by following these important basement safety tips:
– Check the label inside the door or cover of your electrical service panel to see when your electrical system was last inspected. If the date has passed or is approaching, contact a licensed, qualified electrician and schedule an inspection.
– Be sure circuit breakers and fuses are correctly labeled with their amperage and their corresponding rooms, circuits or outlets. Use correct size and current rating for breakers/fuses.
– Increase your fire protection by having a qualified, licensed electrician replace your standard circuit breakers with arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs).
– Have your furnace cleaned and inspected annually by a licensed, qualified professional.
– Make sure all fuel-burning equipment, such as furnaces, stoves, and fireplaces, is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
– Check for excessive vibration or movement when the washing machine or dryer is operating, which can put stress on electrical connections.
– Make sure the area around the dryer is free of clutter, and clean the dryer lint filter after each load.
And lastly, make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are installed on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Test these alarms to ensure that they are in working order, and replace the batteries if necessary.
Keeping your home safe during the winter months
Keeping your home and property safe is a priority year round. However, winter weather brings on additional safety hazards that, if neglected, can be dangerous. Here are a few tips to keep you safe during the winter months.
•Keep the furnace and flue in good condition.
•Make sure combustible material such as spray cans or paint are not near a heater or any source of heat.
•Ensure proper ventilation for the heating system(s).
•Change furnace filters regularly. If there is a blower, have it cleaned and oiled.
•Have fireplace inspected for loose mortar.
•Be sure a screen covers the fireplace opening in your home.
•Drain the swimming pool and cover it. Put chemicals away in a safe place where children can’t reach them. Lock all outside entrances to the pool.
•Disconnect all pool electrical equipment.
•Use lighting outside that is designed for outdoor use, including weatherproof cords, plugs, sockets and connections.
•Provide ample light outdoors from the street and driveway to the entrance and interior of the home to illuminate snow and ice patches.
•Keep all sidewalks and entrances to your home free from ice and snow.
•Ensure hand railings and steps are in good shape.
•Remove dead tree branches. Heavy snow or ice can cause them to break and potentially damage your property or injure someone.