Comments on: 10 Ways to Prep Your Home for Solar http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/ A blog about residential solar power, brought to you by CalFinder. Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:36:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Should I Hire a Home Energy Auditor? http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/comment-page-1/#comment-663 Should I Hire a Home Energy Auditor? Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:47:35 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/#comment-663 [...] is hard to find a good reason not to have a home energy audit, especially if you are preparing your home for a solar installation. Audits generally cost about $300-$500 but can provide several ways to reduce energy consumption [...] [...] is hard to find a good reason not to have a home energy audit, especially if you are preparing your home for a solar installation. Audits generally cost about $300-$500 but can provide several ways to reduce energy consumption [...]

]]> By: Dan http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/comment-page-1/#comment-573 Dan Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:56:51 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/#comment-573 Indeed Paul is right, and I appreciate his input. The energy audit is an excellent idea and, admittedly, I did not address the importance or significance of each step. Readers would do well in heeding Paul's advice and having areas of inefficiency assessed and addressed as necessary. Indeed Paul is right, and I appreciate his input. The energy audit is an excellent idea and, admittedly, I did not address the importance or significance of each step.

Readers would do well in heeding Paul’s advice and having areas of inefficiency assessed and addressed as necessary.

]]> By: Renee http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/comment-page-1/#comment-568 Renee Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:42:18 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/#comment-568 Paul makes several interesting points. One being to keep in mind the order that you take these steps. This is where an energy audit can help, in terms of determining the areas that should be prioritized. Paul makes several interesting points. One being to keep in mind the order that you take these steps. This is where an energy audit can help, in terms of determining the areas that should be prioritized.

]]> By: Paul http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/comment-page-1/#comment-557 Paul Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:32:10 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/#comment-557 You don't differentiate between prepping for solar hot water versus solar electricity. Quite different work! But, you are right that you should address various efficiency solutions before going solar. Replacing your windows is one of the LAST things you should do. The difference between different windows - even between single pane and triple pane - is almost certainly less than almost anything else you can do to improve your house. First thing I would recommend is to see if there is a certified energy auditor in your area who can inspect your house. For a few hundred dollars (we paid <$300 for one in Maine) you can get someone who will really analyze your house to find the most cost effective solutions. Insulation, caulking, proper ventilation, power strips, CFLs, etc are all likely to make it to the top. If they do a blower door test, I guarantee you'll be surprised by where you have leaks. It is money well spent. You don’t differentiate between prepping for solar hot water versus solar electricity. Quite different work! But, you are right that you should address various efficiency solutions before going solar.

Replacing your windows is one of the LAST things you should do. The difference between different windows – even between single pane and triple pane – is almost certainly less than almost anything else you can do to improve your house.

First thing I would recommend is to see if there is a certified energy auditor in your area who can inspect your house. For a few hundred dollars (we paid <$300 for one in Maine) you can get someone who will really analyze your house to find the most cost effective solutions. Insulation, caulking, proper ventilation, power strips, CFLs, etc are all likely to make it to the top. If they do a blower door test, I guarantee you’ll be surprised by where you have leaks. It is money well spent.

]]> By: 10 Ways to Prep Your Home for Solar | Solar Panels Blog http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/comment-page-1/#comment-548 10 Ways to Prep Your Home for Solar | Solar Panels Blog Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:06:29 +0000 http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/going/10-ways-to-prep-your-home-for-solar/#comment-548 [...] Original post by Residential Solar Power Blog [...] [...] Original post by Residential Solar Power Blog [...]

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