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Our Solar Energy Quest

By Solar energy | June 29, 2009

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Our Solar Energy Quest

Our quest to incorporate solar energy into our home progresses, however slowly. Sometimes improvements seems as slow as molasses in January. But we know the necessary preparation for integrating renewable energy options begins with energy conservation measures.

We are in the 11th month of our energy conservation journey. Since last August we have been searching, learning, and implementing all energy conservation measures feasible for our particular circumstances.

Averaging our energy use for the first ten (10) months of the process, conservation measures (rather than efficiency measures) produced a 26 percent decrease in our home energy use. That’s a 26 percent decrease in our energy bill as well!

As I write this post, well into month 11 of our test year, our South Texas heat climbs to around 104 degrees daily. Our thermostat setting stays between 83 and 85 degrees in the day and 80 degrees at night. The air conditioning still runs a lot.

I’m beginning to worry about my percentages.

We hope to end the 12-month experiment with at least a 25 percent energy decrease. We will see. All results will be published here on the blog in hopes that our learning will help others.

next phase, year two (2), of our quest involves energy efficiency (rather than conservation). The research is begun.

Stay tuned! And as always, we would love to hear your energy conservation success stories. Share your comments and/or blog links in the comment section below.

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