Although it is an option that many homeowners choose, installing solar panels on your own can be a very time-consuming and difficult process, especially if you have never worked with solar energy before. While most panels or solar kits are not terribly difficult to connect and get working, there are many factors that can help ensure that your panels last while providing you with the maximum amount of solar energy. That being said, most areas have any number of solar installers available and ready to install your solar panels for you so that you do not need to worry about any of these issues.

For most homeowners, the largest barrier to solar panel installation is the price. Although prices have gone down a little over the last few years, buying solar panels outright can be very expensive. Even though you will typically recover your investment in just a few years, it can be very difficult for many to spend that type of money up front. Luckily, there are a variety of programs available across the country that are helping to make the amount that solar panels cost much more manageable for the average family.

Naturally, it highly benefits the solar industry to have as many panels as possible on as many roofs as possible. In order to make solar installation easier for a wider number of people, many companies have developed solar financing and solar leasing programs that can help to spread the cost over a number of months. In the case of solar leasing, you simply pay the leasing company a monthly fee. In most cases, the amount that you save on your electric bill will completely offset the cost of the lease. What this means for you is that almost anyone can install solar panels without incurring a large, unmanageable up-front cost. For more Solar Power Info, browse the resources that we have available on this website.

By: Jason Lee

It’s that time of year again. Everyone is making resolutions, turning over a new leaf, and looking to make this year better than the last. Make this year great by making sure the leaf you’re turning over is green and consider solar power and the benefits it could bring to your home and/or business. 

Solar power is a popular form of renewable energy that helps keep the planet clean. Oil, gas, and coal will produce energy, but require manpower to refine it into a usable form. With solar power, as long the sun is around, you have power. Solar power can be used for many things around the home or office, including generating heat and electricity and it’s great for indoor and outdoor lighting. In fact, the installation of solar powered outdoor pathway lights is one of the easiest ways to use solar energy in your home or business. One of the best uses of solar power is heating water. Homes that have hot tubs or swimming pools should consider looking into heating them with the help of solar power. Due to low operating costs of the solar power, it is very cost effective.

Benefits to solar power include the slowing of global warming, saving homeowners money, energy reliability, and energy security. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, home values rise an average of $20 for every one dollar of reduction in the annual utility bill. Another great thing about going green this year is that it will continue for years to come. By switching to solar power, homeowners may be eligible for tax credits, rebates or other incentives, and you will be reducing the amount of environmental impact you have on the planet.

So start the new-year off right by looking to make this year and the years to come a brighter and cleaner place not just by turning over a new leaf, but by making sure that leaf you turn over is green.

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How old is your home or business building? 20 years? 30 years? 40 years or more? When was the last time you had your wiring inspected? If your building is older than 25 years, you could be at risk for an electrical fire. Electrical fires are frequently caused by old components wearing out and failing, but these things can be hard to detect since so much of it is hidden from sight behind your drywall. So how do you know if you are at risk? Here are a few factors that frequently cause fires in older buildings.

From the 1880s until the mid-1930s, knob-and-tube wiring was the standard in running electricity lines through homes and businesses. Today, these systems are not permitted under business code except in extremely rare circumstances. If your home or business has this old system of wiring in it, odds are you should consult an electrician about replacing it with a modern system as soon as possible. Rodents have a thing for chewing on these exposed wires, making them tremendous fire hazards.

Modern appliances and equipment sometimes require a much higher amperage draw to function than old wires are rated to carry. When you overload a wire with too much amperage, it can get extremely hot, which can start fires inside your walls. If your electrical system is old, consider having it inspected by a professional who can tell you whether or not you should upgrade to wire rated for a higher amperage.

Part of being a home or property owner is improving your property. Those who have a knack for handiwork (or at least think they do) may have tried to modify their wiring in the past. This means there could be shoddy connections, loose live wires, and other serious fire hazards hidden behind your walls. Be extremely careful when cutting into drywall in an older home.

Over time, insulation on wires can age, become brittle, and crack. In other cases, the wires may have been chewed by rodents or screwed or nailed into by accident. This can leave the core of your wire exposed, which leaves it prone to sparking and potential fires.

The wires aren’t the only part of your home that’s at risk for starting a fire; old breakers can malfunction and overload if they are not maintained or upgraded every few decades. Have your old circuit breaker inspected by a professional who can test to make sure everything is still functioning properly, as well as replace any breakers that may not be working correctly.

Today’s electrical code is far more advanced and rigorous than it was in decades’ past. With new technology has come new safety standards. However, older buildings were not required to adhere to these new standards, and many of them have not been properly retrofitted with the latest in electrical tech. Odds are, if you have an older building, your electrical system would not pass inspection today. Let a professional take a look and work with you to eliminate the fire hazards and protect your property from a devastating fire.

The new school year is in full-swing, which means your schedule is about to be totally packed with all sorts of activities. Between the numerous football and volleyball games, fine arts events, and various other school-related events ahead this fall, your time at home will be both precious and a rarity. Depending on how often you’re out cheering your favorite student on, your home could become the perfect spot for a burglar.

Last week, we gave you some really important tips on protecting your home from an invasion when you’re away on vacation. This week, we’re going a step further to help you protect your home while you’re still in town, but maybe just out and about until the late hours of the night. Even if you’re not concerned about a break-in, perhaps you just want peace of mind your babysitters, housekeepers, repairmen are doing their job. You can even check to see if your kids are doing their homework or chores.

Smart security cameras are an excellent way to safeguard your home and family when you’re away, even if it’s just a few miles down the road. Equipped with WiFi capabilities, you have the ability to peek in on what’s happening using the app paired with your system.

LEED) is a program that offers certifications for green buildings. The third-party verification program was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as a means for healthier, sustainable, environmentally friendly, more efficient, buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. In a nutshell, LEED supplies the guidelines for creating a green building. Using individual points-based rating systems that differ by project type, building projects can achieve Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum statuses. Project types can include new building design and construction, building operations and maintenance, interior design and construction, homes, and neighborhood development. For each project type, LEED has a list of credits with specific requirements regarding anything from building materials to bicycle storage. Points are awarded based on the degree to which the requirements are met. There are several credits that include LED lighting is the first choice of any builder trying to achieve an LEED status.

The following LEED credits relate to lighting for new construction:

full-cutoff LED wall packs that are designed to reduce glare by emitting illumination downward instead of outward. Many indoor and outdoor LED lights come with or can be used with dusk-to-dawn or PIR motion sensors to prevent wasted light.

A19 bulbs to powerful EAp2 – Minimum Energy Performance

Buildings must meet a minimum level of energy efficiency to receive points for this credit. The goal is to minimize environmental and economic problems that can be caused by high energy use. As mentioned above, LED lights are extremely efficient and can dramatically reduce a building’s carbon footprint.

dimmable under-hutch LED strip lights with handheld remotes and bulbs, or other dimmers.

SFGATE, “The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warns that, given the current trends, energy-related emissions will increase by 70 percent by 2050. This can accelerate the negative consequences of climate change, including higher temperatures and a rise in the frequency of extreme weather events.” Lessening energy consumption with LED lights and renewable energy sources will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help prevent that prediction.

website, the USGBC states that 92.2 percent of 7,100 LEED-certified new construction projects are improving energy performance by at least 10.5 percent. In addition to other methods of energy improvements, lighting plays a key role. One building can have hundreds of lights. Using LED lights will not only help achieve an LEED status, but they will also contribute to a greener future.