Anyone considering having a solar panel system installed would benefit from doing a little check to see if the rest of their home is as energy efficient as it could be.
* Consider turning your water heater down to 120F (warm setting) to help save energy and avoid hot water scalds.
* Replacing your incandescent bulbs with “Compact Fluorescents” (CFLs) can save 3/4′s of the electricity used by your regular bulbs.
* When it comes to heat pumps, air-conditioners and furnaces-cleaning the filters or replacing them can have an effect on your energy consumption also.
* Replacing weather stripping and applying new caulk to windows and doors will help keep the cold out and heat in.
* Low-Flow shower heads as well as aerated faucet heads can help save on your water bill.
* If some hot water pipes or ducts are located in unheated areas, wrapping them in insulation can help keep the water warmer and prevent the water heater from running excessively.
* Wall Insulation. If you’ve got the bucks, have fiberglass or cellulose insulation installed into the walls by an insulation contractor. Doing an upgrade on the attic insulation will pay off too.
All these things can add up over time and help reduce your energy bill and consumption. In fact many solar panel contractors will do a walk-through of your home to make sure a lot of the above are in place and operational before installing a system on your roof.
