March 15, 2018
Does it matter which company installs your solar? Some people think it doesn’t. I beg to differ. Never mind the differences in quality between companies. What does the company itself stand for? Most people prefer to give their hard-earned money to a company they respect. Business practices, including how company management treats customers and employees, say something. Two of… Read the entire post »
December 5, 2017
Shopping for solar is fun. Figuring out which solar company to sign up with can be confusing and frustrating. When comparing proposals from different solar companies, it’s helpful to look at the assumptions used in their calculations. Very small changes in those assumptions can make one solar quote look far better than another in terms… Read the entire post »
November 7, 2017
For you AC/DC fans, this post is not about Malcolm and Angus Young. 🙂 Q. What do AC and DC stand for? A. In the electricity world, “AC” means Alternating Current, which is the type of electricity transported on the utility grid and used in American homes and businesses. The current flows in both directions. “DC”… Read the entire post »
November 2, 2017
The short answer is that “inverter clipping” means your solar inverter is limiting slightly the amount of electricity going from your solar energy system into your household for use, because it reached its maximum capacity. Here’s a longer explanation. For background you should know that, like solar panel ratings, inverter ratings are approximate. Many inverters… Read the entire post »
October 24, 2017
A homeowner recently told one of our consultants, “It doesn’t really matter which company installs my solar, because you’ll all be out of business eventually anyway.” Wow, there are just so many concerning things in that statement. First of all, while a number of solar companies have closed their doors or left the local market,… Read the entire post »
May 11, 2017
(This is the third in a series of three mini-split articles I’m posting this week.) I conclude my series on Ductless Mini-Splits with a quick word on efficiency. It’s the high efficiency of Mini-Splits that helps the planet — you’re using less power to cool your home. And if you power your Mini-Splits with solar,… Read the entire post »
May 10, 2017
(This is the second in a series of three mini-split articles I’m posting this week.) My last post covered how ductless mini-split cooling (and heating) systems can eliminate the annual A/C installation nightmare. But what do these systems look like in your home, you ask? Indoor Here are a couple of pictures of “indoor units”… Read the entire post »
April 10, 2017
Ever wonder what “going solar” really means? I have to be honest, there are a lot of steps. But, we make it as easy as possible for you by managing the entire process, doing as much ourselves as possible, and guiding you on the steps required of you. Our Solar Installation Process infographic offers an… Read the entire post »
February 15, 2017
Depending on where you live and which solar incentive programs you participate in, your utility (or your solar company) probably installed a meter on the side of your house, after your panels went up but before you turned on your solar energy system. They may have added a second meter, or replaced the one you… Read the entire post »
October 13, 2016
In a recent blog post, I discussed energy efficiency. The specific examples I used were my new furnaces (95% efficient) and a car (15% efficient). Now, I’d like to discuss solar panel efficiency. Solar panel efficiency is a measure of how well a panel converts sunlight to electricity. How efficient are solar panels? While scientists… 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.
