Solar Panels For My House
Does it make sense to put solar panels on my house?
I live in the Twin Cities (Minnesota) I am going to build a home, and I am thinking of going green, I probably won’t do some of the “green things” like using all recycled materials, or even bamboo flooring, but more so, radiant floor heating, all Energy Star appliances (even getting an LED TV), Tankless water heater, french drain water collection (for water the lawn) LED lights, spray foam insulation etc. Does it make sense to get solar panels? I know that building rather thatn buying saves me 25%, but going full on green costs about 40% more.
My ultimate goal it to have a home that is comfortable, cool in the summer, warm in the winter, not a lot of energy loss, and especially low utility costs. I know solar cells are expensive, and I going to build a 3000-4000 sq ft house… what do you think?
Michael, since you’re designing the house, you should take advantage of passive solar building techniques – south facing windows, earth sheltering, a lot of interior thermal mass, etc. Check into using insulated concrete forms for the walls. Next, consider where dollars are most effectively spent for active energy recovery. Rather than gathering sunlight and converting it to electricity, convert it to heat and store it in a hot water tank – which provides both household heat and domestic hot water. How to air condition a house with hydronic heat? Look further into earth sheltered construction, and plan landscaping to provide some shade. You may find your AC needs are minimal or non existent. Do this correctly, and you’ll save tons of $$ in utility bills while the rest of the nation is up in arms about rising energy prices. You should be able to name that tune for about 20 – 25% above normal construction costs. Good luck!
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P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor $29.99 Empowers You to Save Hundreds on Electric Bills Electricity bills are rising. Now you can cut down on costs and find out what appliances are actually worth keeping plugged in. Simply connect these appliances to the Kill A Watt, and it will assess how efficient they really are. The large LCD display counts consumption by the kilowatt-hour, the same as your local utility. You can calculate your elec… |
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Nite Guard Solar NG-001 Predator Control Light, Single Pack $16.97 The Nite Guard solar-powered night predator light is a maintenance-free unit that keeps nocturnal predators away from your birds, livestock and property. Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 3 x 1 x 2, Removal Of: Nocturnal predators, Single, Pair, or Set: Single, Power Source: Solar, Indoor/Outdoor Use: Outdoor, Material Type: Sealed temperature resistant plastic, Includes: Auto on and off… |
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Fulcrum Motion Sensor LED Porch Light … |
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Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 $51.01 the Logitech 920-002912 K750 Wireless Solar Keyboard makes battery hassles a thing of the past in a streamlined, comfortable design. The solar power keeps this keyboard charged and ready-even indoors. And with the advanced 2.4GHz wireless technology, this keyboard allows you to work or play in more places like your comfy couch or even in your bedroom, the long-range wireless connection virtually… |
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Cobra CPI 1575 1500 Watt 12 Volt DC to 120 Volt AC Power Inverter $189.95 This inverter provides household power on the go. It converts battery power to 120 V AC household power, allowing you to power up office equipment and household appliances from your vehicle. This unit is ideal for such appliances as microwave ovens (1000 watts or less), coffeemakers, laptops, TVs, video game consoles, CD and DVD players, cell phone chargers, and more. Power equipment and applia… |
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IOGEAR Solar Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit GBHFK231 (Black) $20.91 Enjoy true hands-free freedom with the Iogear GBHFK231 Solar Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit. This road-companion enables you to wirelessly place and receive calls on your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone while keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the steering wheel when driving. The Iogear GBHFK231 Solar Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit’s integrated solar panel harnesses the solar energy to hel… |
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Cobra CPI 2575 2500 Watt 12 Volt DC to 120 Volt AC Power Inverter $299.95 2500 watts continuous/5000 watts surge. LED function/status surge. USB output. Dc To Ac Inverters: Car Audio & Video: Power Inverters… |
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The Sims 2: Mansion & Garden Stuff $19.99 Design impressive estates and meticulous gardens for your Sims with three all-new styles. Infuse your Sims’ mansion with the intricate beauty of new Moroccan designs, add a touch of retro-modern style with stately and new Art Deco elements, or build in the imposing new Second Empire style. With a host of new architectural and landscaping items to choose from, your Sims homes will look more stunnin… |
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Plan Toys The Green Dollhouse with Furniture $178.00 The dollhouse’s energy efficient design includes a wind turbine, a solar cell panel and electric inverter for generating electricity, a rain barrel for collecting rain, a biofacade, which uses the natural cycle of plant growth to provide shading, and a blind that can adjust the amount of sunlight and air circulation. Also, recycling bins are included in the set.Playtime Ideas:The Green Dollhouse i… |
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Sunforce 50048 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit $279.95 The Sunforce 50048 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit gives you several more reasons to love the sun. It provides the power you need, while helping you save money and protect the environment. This kit is ideal for cabins, recreational vehicles, remote power, back-up power, and 12-volt battery charging. It comes with everything you need to start producing up to 60 Watts/4 Amps of clean, free power in all w… |
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Basement For My First Dollhouse $58.49 PYS1218: Dollhouse is drool worthy to the extreme. Like any smart green home, this dollhouse incorporates renewable energy design features such as passive solar via solar panels on the roof, and a wind turbine. An eco-friendly green plant biofacade is included to keep dollhouse temperatures perfect year round, along with a useful shade canopy that your child can pull down in order to prevent or allow sunlight and wind to flow through the house. Features: -Basement for my first dollhouse. -Dollhouse collection. -For ages 3 years and up. -Environmentally safe materials. -With springtime flower wallpaper. -Single – room basement provides an excellent way for your child to extend their dollhouse. -Basement provides children more playing room. -Assembly required. Specifications: -Material: Rubberwood. -Overall dimensions: 26.57 H x 12.2 W x 2.95 D. |