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The Road to Solar Home Energy

By Solar energy | October 17, 2008

Home Energy Audit Results

According to my energy provider, in our area, air conditioning and heating account for 50% of a home’s energy bill. So it made sense that our home energy auditor first looked at our air conditioning/heating system.

He made sure the air conditioning unit was the correct size for our 1700 square feet of conditioned space. Using special equipment and a calculator, he found it cost me $1.07 to run my air conditioner for one hour. And on hot Texas days that thing runs a lot!

He also gave me some shocking news about my electric heat. Due to those little “heat strips”, it cost twice as much to heat my home as it does to cool it. It the cost per kilowatt hour stays the same, I will pay $2.14 for each hour my heater is on this winter.

His helpful tip for air conditioner/heating use?

Install a programmable thermostat, set the temperature for 78 degrees in summer and 68 degrees in winter.

Hmmm…how many solar panels would I need to run my air conditioner?

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