Energy Solutions New Mexico

The Federal goverment is offering  tax credits for installing active solar energy equipment. Energy Solutions New Mexico is working with local lenders and contractors to find ways that home owners can finance solar systems and pay them back using utility savings over the course of the loan. A HERS rating or an energy audit is a good start to determine what energy improvements are best suited to your situation and what payback period would best match your projected utility savings.

Home Energy Management

The easiest way to save energy is to use less of it. Consider turning your home into a Smart House.  Motion detector light switches are perfect in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Occupancy sensors offer hands free convenience and the assurance that lights will never be left on. Eliminate phantom loads from cell phone chargers, stereos, coffee makers and microwaves by using “smart” power strips. These power strips can sense when appliances are in not use and automatically shut them off until needed.

Not sure how much energy a specific appliance draws? Energy monitors can track the energy use of every appliance in your home, showing cost in dollars and kilowatts. Programmable thermostats turn down the heat when the house is unoccupied or when the homeowners are sleeping. Electric timers can keep energy consumption from getting out of control. Now it’s easier than ever to use less energy.

Useful Links

• powermeterstore.com
• leviton.com

A clean, well-adjusted heating system will save you money on fuel and will prolong furnace life. The cost of annual servicing is modest, especially when compared with the price of a new furnace. There is some maintenance that homeowners can undertake themselves, such as the cleaning and replacing of filters. To ensure safe and efficient operation of a heating system, however, homeowners should have their furnace inspected annually. A qualified service technician is the only person who should make any adjustments.

A carbon monoxide (CO) detector installed near sleeping areas can offer an extra measure of safety but they should not be used as a substitute for an annual furnace inspection.

Energy Tip for September, 2008

An energy audit will show you which areas of your home use the most energy and help you decide the most effective way to reduce energy costs. You can conduct a simple audit yourself, contact your local utility, or call an independent energy auditor for a more comprehensive examination. Check your home’s insulation levels, and check for open fireplace dampers. Look for holes or cracks around doors, light and plumbing fixtures, and other places where air may leak into or out of your home. Make sure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained, and study your family’s lighting needs and use patterns, paying special attention to high-use areas.