Save Energy

Reducing your demand for energy can significantly lower the cost of your solar energy system. For example, swapping incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) can decrease the number of solar modules needed to power your lighting by 75%. Every dollar you spend on energy efficiency measures will save you roughly $3 to $5 on your solar energy system's cost.

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Get Energy Efficient

At Southern SunPower, we believe it's important to incorporate conservation and efficiency into all of your energy choices before installing a solar energy system. Unlike other installers, we help you assess your current energy usage and then make recommendations in order to help make your property more energy efficient before you go solar. Here are some of the ways you can make your home or business more energy efficient.

add insulation to targeted areas
seal draft-prone areas
use compact fluorescents lightbulbs (CFLs)
use power timers
use motion sensors to turn off lights
use power strips
use insulated or double pane windows and doors
add thermal window shades/curtains
switch to energy efficient appliances
replace heating & cooling system air filter
set back the thermostat at night

Home Energy Audits

Energy Assessment Diagnostic Tools A home energy assessment is a series of tests designed to locate energy leaks in your home. It will help you reduce the amount of energy you use and lower your utility bills.

The assessment will help you eliminate unnecessary costs by finding areas where expensive energy is escaping. Finding and fixing poorly insulated areas will make your home more energy efficient, which will save you a lot of money over time.

You can perform a simple energy audit yourself (see the links to additional resources below), or have a professional auditor carry out a more thorough assessment. To determine the energy efficiency of a structure, a professional auditor uses a variety of specialized techniques and equipment, such as blower doors, which measure the extent of leaks in the building envelope, and infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation.

Resources from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA):

Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Assessments
Professional Home Energy Assessments
An Energy Conservation Guide for Do-It-Yourselfers
Saving Energy Fact Sheets
Energy Savers Blog: Water Heating

Phantom Loads

A phantom load is the energy an electrical device uses when it is turned off. Devices with phantom loads usually have remote controls, continuous digital displays, rechargeable batteries, or an external power source, like some printers and iPod chargers.

Examples of devices that use phantom loads are microwave ovens, televisions, garage-door openers, stereos, coffee makers, computers, clock radios, and cell phone and tablet chargers.

A single appliance's phantom load (also known as "standby loss") may be small, but it consumes that enegy around the clock. The average U.S. household uses 50 watts of energy - continuously - on phantom loads (which is 4% of the average home's electric bill).

The following suggestions will help you save about $200: unplug devices that are not being used (including fully-charged devices), buy and use Energy Star appliances, and turn off power strips when you go to bed, work, or on vacation.

Eliminate Your Power Bill

Imagine being more concerned about the cost of filling up you car's gas tank than the power bill.

With a solar electric (i.e., photo-voltaic) system, it's possible to bring your power bill close to zero, or eliminate it all together.

That's a reality more people are experiencing every day due to the drop in technology prices in recent years, and with the generous tax cuts that are still available. Contact us and get started today.