August 22, 2016
In my previous article on energy conversion, I suggested that when energy is converted from one form to another, some energy is lost. I lied. Technically, the energy is not lost. It does, however, get converted to an unusable form – typically heat. Let me start with an example. At my house, we heat with natural… Read the entire post »
August 18, 2016
Why care about energy? When I ask this question in the classes I teach, students give me three answers. “We need it.” “It’s expensive.” “It’s getting more expensive.” Do we need it? Try making breakfast or getting to work without energy. Is it expensive? According to energy.gov the average New Englander spends around $3,000 on energy… Read the entire post »
January 15, 2016
Solar is simple, but like many industries it has its own language. Let me decipher the terminology to help when you’re learning about solar for your home or business. AC (Alternating Current) The form of electricity used in American homes and businesses. Homes are typically 120 and 240 volt, and businesses typically use 208,… Read the entire post »
November 13, 2015
“Do you sell solar panels made in America? I really want to buy American.” I hear this a lot from people considering going solar. I don’t mind the question at all. I support buying American, too. (Even more, I support buying local, but that’s another blog article.) It’s not that easy to buy a solar… Read the entire post »
October 2, 2015
Since I last wrote about the impact of leased vs. purchased solar on home sales, more anecdotal evidence has emerged about just how difficult leased systems are making it for homeowners to sell their properties. For the record, I’m not totally anti-lease. For people who want a slight reduction in their electric bill while doing right… Read the entire post »
September 24, 2015
On December 13, 2012, I published my original “Tree Math” article here on The Energy Miser. Nearly three years later, it continues to be our most visited blog post. But much of the source data for my original analysis has since disappeared from the “Inter-Tubes”. So, allow me to present “Tree Math 2” with updated… Read the entire post »
October 30, 2014
Post-Installation and Beyond Guest post by New England Clean Energy Customer C.J. Siano The office staff that handled the paperwork, the various state filings, and all the rest were on top of it the whole way. I was told it might be up to three weeks from the finish of the project until we could… Read the entire post »
October 29, 2014
The Installation Guest post by New England Clean Energy Customer C.J. Siano We had our roof replaced at roughly the same time as installing solar, and our roofer and N.E. Clean Energy worked together so the solar mounts were properly mounted and flashed and the roof worked with them. Both companies did a great job… Read the entire post »
October 28, 2014
Choosing an Installer Guest post by New England Clean Energy Customer C.J. Siano Thinking of going solar? Here’s a brief guide based on my experience with my 9,945-watt system in Bolton, MA, which went live on October 1. Bottom line? Quality matters, whether it’s the quality of the installation company, the equipment they sell, or… Read the entire post »
April 9, 2014
Guest post by New England Clean Energy Customer Carl Howe Since my solar energy system was installed in Dec. 2013, and turned on in Jan. 2014, I’ve had a lot of questions from friends and neighbors about the process. Here is a summary of how I went solar through the Stow Solar Challenge in Stow,… Read the entire post »
I started writing The Energy Miser in 2011 because I like to analyze energy issues and pontificate about my findings. Got a topic you want me to cover? Let me know.
