Monday, November 15, 2010

Five Reasons to Install a Solar Array

With all the talk of alternative energy on the news lately, you might begin to wonder how you can be a part of it. There are many ways to become involved from hybrid cars to geothermal heat and cooling. One of the best ways, however, is solar. In fact, here are five excellent reasons for installing solar panels on your home.

1) Save Money - Electricity rates have been going up for quite some time now and they are not expected to reverse this trend. In fact, some experts believe that electricity rates could skyrocket over the next few years. With solar, you insulate yourself from these problems. Once you install a complete system you never have to pay an electric bill again. That is a great feeling. Even if you install a system that only supports a portion of your needs, you are cutting down your electric bill each month.

2) Power Outages Don't Happen - If you have ever lived through a multi-day power outage you know how very inconvenient this is to put it mildly. With a complete solar array, you will always have power even if you neighbors don't (depending on how you have your array configured). You cut your dependency to the power company. In fact, this can feel liberating which might be yet another reason for solar!

3) Increase Your Home's Value - Solar is a very desirable item in the real estate market. Of course, if you intend to move very soon installing a solar system does not make sense. However, if you are going to spend many years in your home and ultimately desire to sell, it can increase your selling price. A 1998 study by ICF Consulting found that a solar system that saves $1,000 per year on electric bills increases the home's value by $20,000.

4) Protect the Environment - Solar power is renewable and does depend on fossil fuels. For this reason, solar is a clean technology. By investing in a solar array you are helping to make the earth a cleaner place.

5) Technology is Cool - This isn't an oft cited benefit but it is a reality. A solar array is a great conversation starter as people have a interest in it. Plus, if you have children or grandchildren it is a great live science experiment. Teaching about the various aspects of the system can lead into many interesting and educational conversations. By talking to people and your children you are helping to spread the word about solar power and helping the earth and others in the process!

Of course, solar power is a complicated subject with many aspects to consider. Take the first step and call an installer to see what if would take to install a small, starter solar system. Your pocketbook and the earth will be glad you did!

For additional information on the topic of solar power visit Abel Onsite.

Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Controlling Your Home's Humidity Level

While the South is well known for its high humidity -especially during the summer-it s not the only region of the U.S. where people have to deal with high humidity levels. For instance, when people in Colorado refer to the "dry cold" of the winter's mountain air they are talking about the humidity just as Miami's muggy, sticky heat is a result of humidity. Since humidity is no respecter of regions, it is often necessary to take control of the humidity level within your home.

The EPA recommends that the indoor humidity level be no more than 30-50% relativity humidity. This relative humidity is the amount of water vapor the air contains compared to the maximum amount it can hold at any given temperature. Consequently, if your indoor humidity level is too high, it should be controlled in one of two ways: by lowering the humidity level with a properly sized air conditioning system or by having a humidifier (or in some cases a dehumidifier) installed.

To effectively keep your home's humidity level comfortable by using an air conditioner, it is of utmost importance to have an AC unit that is the proper size for the amount of space to be maintained. If it is too big it will turn on and off too often and result in there being too much moisture in the air. Of course, during the winter months, when heaters are in use, the same rule applies. If your heater is too big, it will dry out the air so rather than having cold "clammy" air, it is dry and can often make breathing difficult.

How to Tell If You Need a Dehumidifier

If you are not sure whether or not you need a home dehumidifier, there are several signs that you can judge by:

  • Wet stains on walls and ceilings
  • Stuffy feeling in a room
  • Rotting wood
  • Condensation on windows
  • Musty smells
  • Allergies due to the air in your home being too moist which will encourage the growth of bacteria and mold

Additional Ways to Control Your Home's Humidity Levels

If you already have a dehumidifier but your home's air still has too much humidity for your liking, or are perhaps trying to put off the inevitable, there are several steps you can take to reduce the humidity level in your home. These include:

  • Improving the drainage around your home's foundation by making sure that gutter downspouts put water away from the foundation; keeping gutters and downspouts clean and open; making sure that the soil slopes away from your home so that water does not pool around your home and by not overwatering plants near the foundation.
  • Making sure that your clothes dryer is properly vented; not only will this improve the humidity level, but your clothes will drive faster.
  • Using vent fans in the bathroom and kitchen to remove humidity where it starts.
  • Repairing leaking faucets, this will save on your water bill and lower humidity!

For additional information on the topic of humidity and dehumidifiers visit Abel Onsite.

Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.