Environmental Awareness
Over the past several years, global warming has become central to energy and environmental discussions about our future. And it’s no wonder. Use of energy and other critical resources is at an all time high, and the largest polluter is the U.S. Thats right, our country accounted for 21 percent of global carbon emission in 2005.
Global warming is just part of the problem we face regarding our energy choices. America’s dependence on foreign energy sources may be making us vulnerable to drastic, unpredictable price increases.
There are things we can do to reduce our carbon footprint (the effect of our overall energy consumption on the greenhouse gases and other emissions), which will simultaneously reduce our usage, and our dependence upon foreign oil sources. Our energy consumption is at an all-time high, and costs are skyrocketing. Average household electrical bills are already painfully high. If we address all these concerns together, we find ourselves looking at futuristic technologies which can do things like take the pressure off the electrical grid, reduce foreign oil addiction and distribute production capacity to cities, neighborhoods, homes and offices, such as wind and solar, and technologies which help us use electricity more efficiently, like CFL bulbs and geo-thermal heat pumps.
Right now, there are neighborhoods, individuals and businesses buying solar panel arrays which take up to 50% of their energy consumption off the grid. After the costs of installation have been recouped through energy savings and tax breaks (industry experts say these 8 - 12 year payback times are steadily decreasing), these homeowners are getting half their electricity from the sun, at no cost to them and with zero carbon footprint. Taking advantage of additional savings with energy efficient appliances and lighting they are also reducing their consumption drastically. During times of high sunlight and low usage (while at work) they are selling back extra electricity to the grid at special prices giving utility companies renewable energy production credits they need to meet new laws…
Energy crises, such as the one experienced in California, have made conserving electricity a hot topic nationwide. The energy emergency is not just a California phenomenon. The North American Electric Reliability Council predicts that New England, New York City and Texas could experience electricity shortages as well. As a result, most of the nation will experience double-digit price increases over the next few tears, as demand for electricity escalates. Electric utilities may even double their rates in five years…
Lighting costs could factor heavily into these increases. As it stands already, the Department of Energy reports that we spend, on average, 10% to 25% of our electric bills on lighting for our homes.
Fortunately, there are palatable ways to curb these costs. Modern compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s), are available for most applications, which use approximately 1/6th the electricity of their incandescent counterparts. Thats right one sixth of the energy creates the same brightness. LED bulbs are available for some applications (this is increasing every year as technology catches up with demand), which use even less and last for years.
Also, motion and sonic room occupancy sensors are being added to homes, offices, schools etc, to reduce waste. A device which costs about a hundred dollars can save that in just one year, and keep paying back dividends every month on your electrical bill.
Solutions Electric installs lighting products which utilize high efficiency CFL bulbs and have the flexibility to take other bulbs as the need or availablity arises. We also bring expertise in special controls like electronic dimmers, photocells, and motion detectors. Don’t let your home be trapped into high energy consumption any longer… the technology is available to get lower costs, with the same brightness, and eliminate waste without sacrificing convenience, and even get some of your electricity for free from mother nature.
Through our partners in energy consultation, renewable energy production and special technologies, Solutions Electric is prepared to lead the way to a future more secure and less costly in every way.
Let Solutions Electric work with you to bring your home or commercial facility into the next era with cost savings, energy efficiency, and environmental awareness at your service.