At HES Solar, we know that you work hard every day to support your family.
Do not leave things like phone chargers or other equipment plugged in when not in use. Though they are inactive, they are still pulling power, and added up this energy draw can add up to power usage equivalent to a refrigerator. One option is to collect several electronics – mobile device and laptop chargers, for example – on a single power strip that can be switched off when not in use. Plus, this can also protect your electronics from harm caused by electrical surges.
Our San Diego solar professionals strongly recommend that you always buy Energy Star qualified appliances. They can be as much as 40% more efficient than their non-rated competitors. If you are currently in the market for new appliances, the Center for Sustainable Energy may be offering incentives and rebates to replace older, more energy-taxing models of appliances with more efficient ones. Everyone wins!
Though it may seem unrelated to power usage, keeping your water usage to a minimum is helpful across the board. The use of low-flow showerheads and aerated faucets can cut water heating costs, and water usage, in half! It is estimated that nearly 20% of California’s overall electricity usage is devoted to water pumping, transporting, heating and treatment.
Getting rid of your incandescent lightbulbs in favor of light-emitting diode (LED) or compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL) has the potential to save you as much as 75% on your lighting expenses. This single chance could cut your energy costs by up to 10%, and both of these newer light sources are available in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Utilize desk lamps or other area-specific light sources as they are needed, rather than overhead lighting. You could also use timers to turn on and off lights automatically if, for example, you want your porch light on when you get home in the evenings. Bear in mind that CFL bulbs are not ideal for places that will be turned on and off frequently, as they have a shorter life span.
Increasing your air conditioner’s settings just 5 degrees can save you as much as 20% on cooling costs. Along these lines, be certain that you are helping your HVAC system along by keeping windows and doors closed, and ensuring that your home is well-insulated!
Try turning your water heater to its normal setting when you need it while you are home, and to the lowest possible setting while you are away. Heating your water can account for 13% of your total home energy costs!
Instead of keeping the AC running at full blast, consider cooling your home with ceiling fans and keeping the windows covered during the day. Many ceiling fans are more energy efficient than a typical incandescent bulb.
Almost all of the energy expended during an average washing cycle goes to heating the water, so washing your clothes in cold water can save a great deal of energy.
When you run your washing machine or dishwasher, be certain that it is fully loaded. Running fewer loads can save energy and water! You may also consider drying your clothing on a line, rather than using a heated dryer.
As appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators age, their coils can be coated in grime and lose efficiency. We recommend getting these cleaned once a year to maintain optimum efficiency.
Ensuring that your home is well-insulated can take up to 20% off of your annual home heating and cooling costs.
If the smoke stream from the incense travels horizontally, you may have located a leak that will need fixing.
Not only will solar panels provide you with electricity, but they will also prevent your roof from absorbing the sun’s heat into your home. Just one more benefit!
We are a San Diego-based, family-owned solar company. We have been an energy innovator since 2001 and can handle projects from small, rooftop solar panel additions to large-scale commercial microgrid systems.
Our website is a great resource for your solar research. We’d also love to speak with you to answer any specific questions you have about your project. Click here to be contacted by an HES Solar representative, or simply dial us at 619-692-2015. We don’t use call centers so you’ll speak with a full-time HES Solar employee in California.