Last update: January 2, 2020

Interested in Solar Power but don’t have tens of thousands of dollars? Free Solar Panels?

Tesla Solar, and most other solar power installers, have an interesting program where you lease solar equipment and pay a monthly lease. The Solar Lease payment and lower electric bill will be less than your current electric bill. The company owns the solar panels and you rent them by paying the cost of the power.

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Looking for a new water heater?

AO Smith makes the Vertex 100 water heater that is very efficient at 96% thermal efficiency. The 50-gallon Vertex delivers hot water output that exceeds a 75-gallon atmospheric gas water heater. The Vertex can deliver continuous hot water flow of over 4 gallons per minute. It has a LCD display allowing precise temperature control. The Vertex 100 has a dedicated loop for radiant hot water heating systems. Dimensions are similar to a standard 50-gallon power-vent water heater. 100,000 BTU input per hour. Jay Leno and Ed Begly Jr have these units.

Vertex 100 does requires PVC, CPVC or ABS pipe venting not traditional metal venting. It also requires a separate intake PVC airline. The unit requires AC power to run its fan. This fan makes this unit’s operation a bit noisy.  It is probably best suited for a garage. Vertex 100 water heaters cost roughly $2000+ installed minus the Federal and any local utility rebate. Our local utility PG&E has a $50 rebate.

How does it compare to a ‘normal‘ energy saving water heater? AO Smith’s Conservationist series 50 Gallon model has an Energy Factor of 0.62. and 40,000 BTU input per hour. Approximately 80% efficient. It costs about $1300.

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Last Update: January 2, 2020

Spring is a time to start thinking about solar power. The sun is finally shining, and the rainy season has passed. Solar Panels produce green clean energy from an abundant energy source that shines on us everyday. Solar Electric Systems also called photovoltaics or PV convert the sun’s radiant energy into electricity.  Unlimited renewable energy that is guilt free and at no cost once our panels are paid for. Enjoy energy independence.

Get a Free Solar Power Estimate from a local vendor

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Last Update: August 23, 2018

The Earth receives more energy from the Sun in one hour than the whole World uses in a whole year.  Time to tap into that. Solar power is used to power everything from calculators to Coast Guard buoys to highway signs to the International Space Station.

You have read Are Solar Panels for me? and Solar Panel Installation – Planning and are ready for more details. Photovoltaic Solar panels were invented at Bell Labs in 1953. They have evolved over the years and several different types of solar panels exist, and choosing between then is confusing.  No one vendor will have access to all products, so you will have to do some shopping around to find the best solar panels.

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New rebates have been added for 2019

Utility Company ComEd (An Exelon Company) has a bunch of rebates, programs and incentives to help save energy, go green, and most importantly save money.

• $50 ComEd rebate on select top-loading ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers
• $50 Rebate for Electric Clothes Dryer ≥ 4.4 Cubic Feet
• $50 rebate on Energy Star Refrigerators ≥ 7.75 Cubic Feet
• $50 rebate on Freezers ≥ 7.75 Cubic Feet
• $25 rebate on Room Air Conditioner
• Smart Thermostat $100 on certain models
• $50 rebate on Air purifier
• $10 on Advanced Power Strip
• $500 rebate on Heat Pump Water Heater (when purchased through your retailer)
• Up to $600 rebate on Central Air Conditioning Cycling to save money. Also covers Air Source Heat Pump and Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps
• Instant discounts on CFL Light bulbs
• Attic Insulation Rebate
• Air Sealing Rebate
• Wall Insulation Rebate
• Duct Sealing Rebate
• $50 back on old working Refrigerator and Freezer recycling

Questions about ComEd Energy Efficiency Rebates, call 1-877-928-8776.

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The sun is finally out again. I did not realize that finding an eco friendly or green sunscreen was a difficult task, especially when one is on vacation.  EWG reports that UV filtering ingredients in sunscreen have been proven to cause bleaching in the algae that lives on coral, thus killing the entire structure. EWG only recommended 8% of the sunscreens they tested.

The Food and Drug Administration revamped sunscreen rules in June 2011. The new rules should help demystify the sun blocking properties of sunscreens.

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Last Update: 8/2/2018

Why an Electric Vehicle (EV)?

• They are more green. EVs convert 77% of electrical energy into power at the wheels.  Gas cars only efficiently use only 12-30% of energy in gas.
• Driving the average EV using grid-supplied energy creates carbon emissions equivalent to a 122MPG gas car in California.
• EV charging for home owners is easy. Those in apartments and multi-family dwellings need to ask owners to install chargers, otherwise you will need to charge at a public facility.

Tesla Delivery Center – Fremont, CA

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Seasons are changing, just in time for a crazy good rebate on air conditioners, heaters, insulation, and more. A very lucrative, new limited time California energy efficiency rebate is available where you can receive rebates from Energy Upgrade California program. PG&E, SCE, San Diego Gas & Electric – SDG&E, or BVE are covered by their home upgrade incentive. Energy Upgrade California is focused on a whole house approach to saving energy, measuring the actual savings. San Francisco Bay Area information line 855-464-8484. This program ends when funding dries up.

The goal of the program:

• Get rebates, financing, and incentives to reduce the cost of your home upgrade
• Reduce energy use
• Live in a more comfortable home

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New rebates have been added.

Utility Company Con Edison has a bunch of programs and incentives to help save energy and money.

• Con Edison has $20 rebate on eligible Dehumidifiers. $35 rebate on eligible Washing Machines. $50 rebate on eligible Dishwashers
• $30 rebate on Energy Star A/C
• Up to $1000 rebate on energy efficient heating and cooling equipment. Exp 12/31
• Get a free programmable thermostat for your central air conditioning system.

Questions?, call 1-877-870-6118.

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New AEP Ohio rebates have been added.

Utility Company AEP Ohio has a bunch of programs and incentives to help save energy and money.

• Free Home Energy Profile
• Have AEP Ohio haul away that old refrigerator or freezer energy hog for FREE and get $50
• $50 rebate for buying energy Star qualified washing machine, freezer, refrigerator, electric water heater
• Instant discount on qualified ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) you purchase at participating retailers.
• Solar energy fund grants are also available for solar panel installations.

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