Solar power has many more uses around your home than just solar heating. The technology has made significant advances and you can now cook, heat your pool and even refrigerate your groceries using energy from the sun. However, your solar home may have issues that you may be unaware of. In this article, we'll talk about the economic and environmental benefits and drawbacks of using solar power.
The biggest benefit of solar energy is that the fuel is free and the source is unlimited. There is little to no maintenance required with solar panels because there are no moving parts. In fact, most manufacturers include warranties on their products that are good for up to twenty-five years. In the event of a blackout, solar power is not affected. That means that during extreme storms, your family can still enjoy all the comforts of your solar home.
Environmentally speaking, the use of solar energy produces no emissions because there is no burning of fossil fuels. Solar energy prices are steadily declining and as new technologies emerge, the costs of solar systems will continue to decrease.
It is a fact that solar power home kits have become more commonplace in recent years, however, these kits can be dangerous. As the instructions in these kits are laid out in what seems to be easy-to-follow steps, some people forget the fact that they are working with electricity. To be on the safe side, purchasers of solar home power kits should read the instructions thoroughly.
It is recommended that you hire a professional installer or electrician instead of installing the kit yourself. Professionals have received more training, so they are much more capable of handling the risks that come with using solar power home kits.
It is also worth bearing in mind that although solar electricity is a clean source of power, eventual disposal of the cells is environmentally unfriendly! It is known that most solar cells that are used to create a solar home contain the highly toxic substance known as cadmium. Extreme care should be taken as it can cause serious environmental damage if it's not disposed of properly.
The supply of sunlight should also be taken into account as with solar power it is imperative. Generally most places do have adequate light to operate with solar panels, but there are areas in the extreme north and south that experience only darkness for up to a month a year.
While solar power is a huge step forward in reducing our dependency on fossil fuels, there are some drawbacks. Like with any investment, consumers should thoroughly research their options and consult professionals. Solar energy is a rapidly advancing technology, so it's reasonable to assume that the issue of cadmium contamination will be addressed. It's important to remember that building a solar home is not just a financial investment, but an investment into the future of a clean planet that will sustain generations to come.
You may have big dreams of starting your new green living by switching to solar power for your house. The good news is that if you haven't looked into solar power recently, you will be in for quite a surprise. Where once it would take thousands of dollars of investment for you to switch to solar power and install solar panels to your house, there are now do-it-yourself solar panel kits on the market. These kits are affordable and relatively easier for a seasoned do-it-yourself er to install. Then, for only a few hours of your time and a few hundred dollars (rather than thousands of dollars), you can be living green!
You can also stretch your usage of solar power by looking at easy ways to save solar energy consumption. By making small changes to your household, you can drastically cut down your energy usage and get more bang for your green. First, save energy at home by turning off unused electronics and appliances. There is a phantom energy drain on many appliances that aren't even turned on. If they are plugged into the wall, many appliances are using energy. This goes from your cell phone charger to your microwave, coffee maker, and even lamps. An easy project is to buy a few power strips and plug all of your main appliances into the power strip. Then when you aren't using the appliances, you can simply turn off or unplug the main power strip.
Other ways to save on energy are just as simple. Your air conditioner is one of the largest drains of energy on your household, and you may be looking at how to save energy using A/C conservation tips. First, when your A/C is turned on, turn up the thermostat to save energy. Adjust the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. Turn the A/C off completely on nice days or when you will out of the house for a full day or longer. When you will be out of the house for a few hours or longer, turn the thermostat up a few extra degrees. Use ceiling fans in the rooms are you in. Also, the proper maintenance of your A/C is critical. Be sure to get an annual maintenance on your A/C and change your filters regularly. Use weather strips on leaky windows and doors to keep the cool air inside where you want it.
Your clothes dryer is also a major energy drain, ranking among the highest energy usage appliances in your house. You can always dry your clothes on a clothesline in your backyard. But if that seems impractical or inconvenient, there is another green way. For a small price, you can save energy with a dryer conversion kit. These affordable kits are designed to convert the energy usage of your electric or gas dryer into a liquid propane usage dryer.
It's not hard to be green. It simply takes a little effort to make small and easy changes to your daily life!
Both Arnold Hexden & Daniel Mcdowell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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