Eco-Friendly Home Features: Appliances: Clothes Washers Did you know? The typical California household does nearly 400 loads of laundry per year, using approximately 43 gallons of water per full load with a conventional washer. Ninety percent of the energy consumed by clothes washers is used to heat the water. New energy-efficient washers save energy and money by using less water. Water Heaters Consumers tend to overlook the expense of heating water for their daily needs, even though 15% of each household's energy dollar goes to heat water. Using less hot water is one of the easiest ways to decrease your water heater's energy output and lower your bills. Ranging in size from 20 to 120 gallons (75.7 to 456 liters), storage water heaters are the most popular type of residential water heaters used in the United States and also the least efficient. A storage heater keeps a tank full of water heated at all times, which causes energy to be wasted even when the unit is idle. This is called standby heat loss. Newer, more energy-efficient storage models can reduce the amount of standby heat loss, making them less expensive to operate. When shopping for a new water heater, consider a demand or instantaneous water heater, which uses electricity or gas to heat water instantaneously and has no storage tank, thereby eliminating standby loss and reducing energy consumption 20 to 30%. Cold water travels through a heat exchanger in the unit, and either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water as needed. Demand water heaters make the most sense in homes with natural gas and easily coordinated water requirements. Look for a model with electronic ignition to save the energy consumed by a continuously burning pilot light. Because of the compact size of this type of water heater, very large homes may need more than one to satisfy demand.
Refrigerators Refrigerators consume about 18% of all electricity in a typical Californian home using more electricity than any other single household appliance. If you have an old, inefficient refrigerator, you may be paying $120 a year in electricity in areas with high electricity rates. A new, more efficient model will lower your electric bill and save you money, which in turn will offset the cost of purchasing a new refrigerator. Technology Options Refrigerator/freezers come in three configurations: freezer on top, freezer on bottom, or side-by-side design. Refrigerators with the freezer on top are the most efficient models. Side-by-side models may be more convenient, but they add approximately 5 to 7% to energy consumption, and up to 15% more if the unit comes with an ice and water through-the-door feature. Refrigerators, although turned "on" all the time, cycle on and off at a rate that depends on several factors. These factors include room temperature, freezer temperature, how well the unit is insulated, how often the door is opened, cleanliness of the coil, whether it is defrosted regularly, and the condition of the door seal. The harder your refrigerator has to work to maintain a constant temperature, the more energy it will use. Dishwashers Approximately 80% of the energy used by dishwashers goes toward heating the water. Manufacturers have found ways to reduce the amount of water used and/or heat the water more efficiently to significantly improve the energy efficiency of a dishwasher. New dishwasher designs have reduced water use by including more-efficient washing cycles and controls that allow you to tailor each wash to the specific characteristics of the load. Consumers can save $25 to $35 a year in energy costs by replacing their dishwasher with an [PSOrg: 'ORG139161', 'ENERGY STAR', -encodenone] qualified model, and save more than 1,000 gallons of water. Because the average dishwasher is designed to last up to 12 years, savings from a new energy-efficient dishwasher can add up when multiplied over the life of the machine. Consumers tend to overlook the expense of heating water for their daily needs, even though 15% of each household's energy dollar goes to heat water. Using less hot water is one of the easiest ways to decrease your water heater's energy output and lower your bills.
Kitchen/Bathroom/Water Supply: Shower Heads/Faucets Standard kitchen and bathroom water faucets use 4 to 7 gallons of water per minute (gpm). This means that a single incidence of washing dishes may consume up to 120 gallons of water. Nonconserving showerheads use 5 to 8 gpm, consuming up to 40 gallons of water for a single five-minute shower. Simply installing a high-efficiency showerhead and faucet aerator will save about 7,800 gallons of water per year in an average household. An easy-to-install faucet aerator will reduce both the flow rate (from 4 to 7 gpm to 1 to 2.75 gpm) and splashing while increasing areas of coverage. This conserves water and improves faucet performance at the same time. Low-flow heads save more than 12 gallons per shower (a savings of 44% over non-conserving showerheads). Ultra-low-flow heads conserve even more, using only.8 to 1.5 gpm, reducing the average five-minute shower's water usage from 40 to 7.5 gallons. Toilets The United States uses about 5.8 billion gallons of water every day to flush waste. Since toilets and urinals account for nearly one-third of building water consumption, there is a significant potential for savings. Ultra-low-flush (ULF) toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) rather than 3.5 to 7 gallons of water used by other designs. Water Purification System LifeSource has been committed to environmental awareness and protection since our founding in 1984. Since that time we have focused on returning water to its natural state, in a way that doesn't harm people or our planet. Our products do not use or add chemicals or salts (that might find their way into our ecosystem) to water - our products simply remove unwanted substances while leaving naturally occurring and healthy minerals in the water. This principle of our corporate philosophy is as important to LifeSource as the quality of our products and the cost-efficiency of our operations. We place our innovations in the interests of the safety of people, the economical use of resources, and environmental sustainability. LifeSource has been endorsed by several environmental groups, including Global Green and Children's Health Environmental Coalition, (CHEC).
Electric and Lighting: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs(CFL s) In California, lighting accounts for approximately 28% of home electricity use, and almost 40% of commercial use. As a nation, we spend about one-quarter of our electricity budget on lighting, or more than $37 billion annually. Technologies developed during the past 10 years can help cut lighting costs at least 30% to 60% while enhancing lighting quality and reducing environmental impacts. Incandescent Lamps (Light Bulbs) The most common lamp in the United States, the incandescent light bulb, was invented nearly 120 years ago, and it still works much the same way today. Inside a glass bulb, electricity heats a wire filament, causing it to glow and give off light. Of course, electrical heaters work in much the same way, and that is why more than 90% of the energy produced by incandescent lamps is heat, not light. As a result, incandescent bulbs are inefficient light sources. The heat they produce can drive up your electricity bill in hot weather if your home or office is air conditioned. Fluorescent (Lamps and Tubes) Fluorescent lights are phosphor-coated glass tubes filled with an inert gas and a small amount of mercury. By using a different mix of gases inside, fluorescent lamps offer a wide assortment of light color, ranging from cooler white light to the warm glow associated with incandescent bulbs. All fluorescent lights need a controlling ballast to operate. The ballast is built into a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), but is separate from a fluorescent tube. The ballast alters the electric current flowing through the fluorescent tube, activating the gas inside and causing it to glow. Newly developed electronic ballasts eliminate the flicker and buzz that is associated with older magnetic ballasts, which were also heavier and less efficient. There are two types of fluorescent lamps: tubular and compact. Tubular fluorescent lamps are commonly used for kitchen and office ceiling fixtures. The "T" designation for fluorescent lamps stands for tubular the shape of the lamp. The number after the "T" gives the diameter of the lamp in eighths of an inch. The T8 lamp is available straight or U- shaped and has become the standard for new construction. It also commonly serves as a retrofit replacement for 40-watt T12 lamps, improving efficacy and performance. Compact Florescent Lamps (CFLs) combine the efficiency of fluorescent lighting with the convenience and popularity of incandescent bulbs. CFLs come in pin-based and screw-based configurations. Pin-based models are designed to fit only into fixtures that are designed for fluorescent lighting. Screw-based CFLs are designed to fit into fixtures where you would typically use a conventional incandescent light bulb. CFLs can provide as much light as incandescents that are roughly three to four times their wattage, saving at least 66% of the initial lighting energy. Although CFLs cost more than incandescents, they last about 10 times as long (10,000 hours or more). The energy savings and superior longevity make CFLs the more cost-effective choice, saving about $25 over the life of the CFL in energy and bulb replacement costs.
CFLs are available in a variety of styles or shapes, including double- or triple-tubes, the popular spiral shape, covered lamps that look like typical incandescent bulbs, and decorative globe and candelabra shapes. The size or total surface area of the tube(s) determines how much light it produces. Manufacturers have worked to reduce the size of CFLs while improving light output and quality and reducing the cost so that it is now easy to find a CFL to fit almost any fixture. Photovoltaic Electricity Production Solar Components The major components of a grid connected solar power system include solar modules and inverters. The solar modules produce DC electricity and the inverters and transformers convert the DC to AC electricity, which can be used onsite or fed to the utility grid, spinning the meter backwards and crediting your utility account. Almost all of your home appliances run on AC electricity. Borrego Solar has a unique affiliation with most solar panel and inverter manufacturers so we can offer all products available at the best price. We have direct accounts and dealer partnerships set up with all of the leading equipment manufacturers. Buying & Selling Power By signing an Interconnection Agreement with the utility company, you are able to trade power with the utility at retail rates. The process of trading power with the utilities is called Net Metering. Net Metering allows you to be credited at the same rate that you would otherwise be charged. Annual Bill At the end of the annual billing cycle, you are responsible for paying the difference between what you used and what you produced. Solar power systems produce most of their electricity during times of peak demand when electricity rates are highest, which means that you will often feed power into the grid at peak times and pull power from the grid during off peak times. This allows many customers to zero out their bills even if they are not producing as much energy as they are using. How much will it cost? The cost of a solar electric system can vary significantly depending on the amount of power required. A home with a $50/month electric bill will require a completely different system than a home with a $500/month electric bill. For this reason, residential systems range in cost from $10k 100k. Financing Many homeowners finance their systems with funds from a home mortgage or home equity line of credit. Loan payments are frequently similar to or less than what a homeowner would pay the utility for power. Plus, the homeowner now owns a solar electric system that adds value to their property and protects them from future utility rate increases.
An Investment A solar power system on your home is a long term, low risk, high return way to invest your money. Solar offers an initial tax free annual return on investment of 4 10%. This is very competitive with other higher risk investments such as stocks and bonds. As utility rates increase, the annual return increases. Your Electric Utility Tiered Rates All SDG&E, SCE, and PG&E customers are billed using a tiered rate plan. Under this rate plan the more power you use the more you are charged for that power. Higher tiered power can cost more than triple what you pay for your baseline. In 2006, higher tier rates increased by 30 60% in one year. Solar power has the advantage of replacing your higher tiered power first. Customers who currently exceed their baseline usage will see even more significant savings when they install a solar power system. Time of Use Some homeowners may be able to take advantage of time of use metering. This allows you to feed power into the grid during peak times (when power is most expensive), and draw power from the grid during off peak times (when power is cheaper). Customers in PG&E territory are best able to take advantage of time of use metering. Property Value Increases In addition to this direct return through utility savings, homeowners can also expect that their property resale value will increase substantially. An article in the Appraisal Journal (pdf) showed that property resale values will increase $10 20 for every $1 saved annually in electricity. Rebates and Incentives A significant portion of the cost is paid through government incentives. The California Solar Initiative (CSI)offers a rebate for homes and small commercial systems that covers 20 30% of the total system cost, and the Federal government offers a $2,000 tax credit that further reduces the cost of the initial investment.
Heating/Cooling, and Landscaping Systems: Windows Three major factors contribute to the overall energy characteristics of today's windows: how they are framed, the type of glazing that is used, and the type of fill in the air space. Unless properly sealed, window frames can be a major source of air infiltration, literally bleeding the warmth and coolness out of your home. The glazing of a window is responsible for the majority of heat loss and solar gain. There are ways in which these factors can be modified in order to increase energy and money savings. Insulation Cotton Used as an alternative to traditional fiberglass insulation, cottons benefits include increased acoustic and home climate maintenance benefits, as well as containing no carcinogen byproducts. Air Conditioning/Programmable Thermostat/Heating Cooling residential and commercial buildings in California typically draws 30% of the state's peak summer energy demand. Heating and cooling can account for more than 40% of a homeowner or business' annual energy bill. By installing a new central air conditioner in your home or business, you can dramatically reduce your annual cooling costs, save electricity and reduce smog causing emissions. There are two general types of central air conditioners: split systems and packaged systems. Split Systems An outdoor metal cabinet contains the condenser and compressor, and an indoor cabinet contains the evaporator. In many split-system air conditioners, the indoor cabinet also contains a furnace or the indoor part of a heat pump. The air conditioner's evaporator coil is installed in the cabinet or main supply duct of the furnace or heat pump. If a home already has a furnace but no air conditioner, a split system is the most economical central air conditioner to install. Packaged Systems The evaporator, condenser and compressor are all located in one cabinet, which usually is placed on a roof or on a concrete slab next to the foundation. This type of air conditioner also is used in small commercial buildings. Air supply and return ducts come from indoors through an exterior wall or roof to connect with the packaged air conditioner, which is usually located outdoors. Packaged air conditioners often include electric heating coils or a natural gas furnace. This combination of air conditioner and central heater eliminates the need for a separate furnace indoors.
High-Efficiency Improvements High-efficiency air conditioners usually contain one or more of the following technical improvements: High-efficiency compressors use less energy than traditional models to move the refrigerant; variable-speed fans can cycle between high speed (when cooling is most needed) and a lower speed for maintaining that cooling (this reduces on/off cycling, a major electrical draw); highefficiency motors operate the fan using less electricity; and improved heat exchangers extract more heat out of the air that is drawn into the unit. Heating Most heat pumps have an outdoor unit (called a condenser) and an indoor unit (an evaporator coil). A substance called a refrigerant carries the heat from one area to another. Geothermal heat pumps use the relatively constant temperature of the soil or surface water as a heat source and sink for a heat pump, which provides heating and cooling for buildings. Ground-source heat pumps use a buried loop or coil of tubing to exchange heat with the soil in the yard. Water-source heat pumps use a loop of tubing submerged in a nearby lake or pond. Electric air-source heat pumps, often used in moderate climates, use the difference between outdoor air temperatures and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat a home. Geothermal Heat pumps are durable and require little maintenance. Most components are underground, sheltered from the weather. The underground piping used in the geothermal system is often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years and is virtually worry-free. The components inside the house are small and easily accessible for maintenance. Warm and cool air is distributed through ductwork, just as in a regular forced-air system. ENERGY STAR qualified geothermal heat pumps use about 40 to 60% less energy than a standard heat pump, and are quieter than conventional systems. ENERGY STAR qualified air-source heat pumps have higher SEER and HSPF than standard models, which makes them about 20% more efficient than standard models. (See table below from DOE's Federal Energy Management Program. Landscaping Replace your lawn with beautiful native and California Friendly plants. Saves 1,500 to 2,200 gallons a month depending on your climate.
Overall Results and Goals: A well-designed eco-friendly house will have the same features and feel of a similar level luxury home. In affect, the uneducated consumer would not know the difference between our product containing numerous environment friendly, energy-saving and health preserving features and the same house without those benefits. Highlights of those benefits are: The eco-house will produce 90-100% of its own electricity from solar power, freeing it from reliance on city power grids and their environment polluting production of electricity. Will consume 85% less water than other homes, a savings of 60,000 gallons of water per year, a primary concern in Southern California and if practiced on a large scale could have great effect on overall State economy. Minimal production of environmental pollutants due to excess energy and water use(i.e. smog and waste water runoff). Provides a superior, healthy living environment, minimizing resident exposure to carcinogens and other harmful chemicals. All household water purified prior to entering home piping system, cleaner for consumption and use and will increase the life of the plumbing throughout the home.