Generate Your Own Energy
A direct way of using renewable energy is to install renewable energy generating
equipment like solar panels or small wind turbines. These systems can be cost-effective,
particularly in rural areas where the only alternative is extending long electric
distribution lines to serve the house or another small load. Many Texas ranchers use solar
panels to pump water in a cost-effective manner. Others choose to augment their existing
utility power with solar panels; in this arrangement, they reduce their electric bill by
generating a portion of their own power needs.
Making
Your Own Clean Electricity
This is a U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) web site. Generating electricity using your own small
renewable energy system fits the circumstances and values
of some home and small-business owners. Although it takes
time and money to research, buy, and maintain a system,
many people enjoy the independence they gain and the knowledge
that their actions are helping the environment. renewable
energy system can be used to supply some or all of your
electricity needs. Some people, especially those in remote
areas, use the electricity from their systems in place of
electricity supplied to them by power providers (i.e. electric
utilities). These are called stand-alone
(off-grid) systems.
Renewable Energy Vendors & Services
SECO does not link directly to vendors, but you
can visit the Texas Renewable Energy
Industry Association web site and select the Search
Our Members tab. There you can search by the type of renewable
energy that interests you. You can also find vendor contact
information on the Texas Solar Energy Society web
site and select the Find Vendors link for their
database of vendors who provide products or services related
to renewable energy. Of course, when talking with a vendor,
always be sure to ask for references.
Buy
Green Power
If you live in an area where you have a choice of electricity providers, choose a
provider that emphasizes their commitment to renewable energy. All electricity companies
competing in Texas are required to disclose information about how the power they are
selling you is generated via a content label (which looks something like the nutrition
labels found on many foods). You can use these content labels to compare power offerings
from competing electricity providers.
If you live in an area where you don't have a choice of your electricity supplier (for
example, if you are served by a municipal utility or rural electric cooperative that
hasn't opted into competition) you may still be able to purchase a green power option from
your existing supplier. Many utilities, including those in Austin and San Antonio, are
offering more than one choice to their customers. Ask your electric company if they offer,
or plan to offer, a green power option.
Can
I Buy Green Power in Texas?
This U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) web site lists organizations
that offer green power in Texas. The information includes
utility green pricing programs, retail green power products
offered in competitive electricity markets, and renewable
energy certificate (REC) products sold separately from electricity.
Included are Green
Mountain Energy Company, CPS Energy (San Antonio), Austin Energy
Green Choice, El Paso Electric, TXU Energy, Reliant Energy, First Choice Power, and Gexa
Energy.
How
Clean is the Electricity You Use?
In the United States, electricity
is generated in many different ways, with a wide variation in
environmental impact. Traditional methods of electricity
production contribute to air quality problems and the risk of
global climate change. With the advent of electric customer
choice, many electricity customers can now choose the source
of their electricity. At this U. S. Environmental Protection Agency web site, you can use the Power
Profiler to generate a report about your own electricity
use.
Find a Home Energy Rater in Texas
If you want to improve the efficiency of your
home, especially if you have high energy bills or your home is
uncomfortable, consider contacting a professional to conduct a
home energy audit. Your first step should be
to contact your electricity provider to see if they offer free or
discounted energy audits to their customers. If not, you can
hire a home energy professional, such as a certified Home
Energy Rater, to evaluate your home’s energy
efficiency. Many home
energy raters work with small businesses as well.
What
to Look for in a Professional Home Energy Auditor
This
U. S. Department of Energy web site gives tips on what to look for in a home energy
auditor. Professional
energy audits generally go into great detail. The energy
auditor should do a room-by-room examination of the residence,
as well as a thorough examination of past utility bills. Before contracting with an energy auditing company, it is suggested that you take the following steps:
- Get several references, and contact them all. Ask if they were satisfied with the work.
- Call the Better Business Bureau and ask about any complaints against the company.
- Make sure
the energy auditor uses a calibrated blower
door.
- Make sure
they do thermographic
inspections or contract another company
to conduct one.
Find
a Home Energy Rater in Texas
This ENERGY
STAR database lists home energy raters who have qualified at least one ENERGY STAR new home in the last 12 months. Many home
energy raters work with small businesses as well.
Texas HERO
The Texas Home Energy Raters Organization
(HERO) is a not-for-profit professional organization that
promotes the benefits of energy conservation initiatives and
monetary incentives to homeowners, homebuilders and
businesses. Texas HERO consists of independent energy
management professionals located throughout Texas.
Many home energy raters work with small businesses as
well.
RESNET Home Energy Ratings
Residential Energy Services Network
(RESNET) sets the standards for raters, rater trainers and
energy auditing software that are used in the housing
industry. A rating is required to qualify the home for an
energy-efficient mortgage and for a home to be labeled as
ENERGY STAR®. RESNET can help you find a rater near
you. RESNET is a national
network of mortgage companies, real estate brokerages,
builders, appraisers, utilities and housing and energy
professionals whose mission is to improve the energy
efficiency of the nation's housing and to qualify more
families for home ownership by expanding the national
availability of mortgage financing options and home energy
ratings.
Design for Renewable Energy
When building a new home or remodeling an existing one, pay attention to details such
as passive solar design (taking advantage of the sun's ability to heat the house in winter
simply by proper house orientation and window sizing), roof overhangs (which can be
designed to keep the sunlight out in summer and let it shine in during the winter),
daylighting (allowing the sun to provide much of the home's lighting needs during the
day), and other factors. Here are some materials that can get you started.
Make the Most of the Sun and Wind
Often, we can use readily available renewable energy to accomplish tasks that we've
grown accustomed to completing with electric or gas power. For example, we can reduce our
reliance on electricity and other fuels by trying our hand at solar cooking, drying our
clothes outside, even using the sun's energy to make tea! Here are some ideas to get you
started.
Solar water heaters are another great
technology that is vastly underused in Texas. While these devices don't generate
electricity, they do reduce the need for electricity or gas for your water heater. Solar
water heaters can provide 50-80% of the hot water needs for typical homes and businesses
in Texas. Here are some materials to get you started:
Additional resources:
- Fact Sheet - Energy Conservation in the Home
- Residential
& Business
Energy Savings Links
This is a State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) web page with links to energy-saving organizations, services and online resources. . Look here for information on:
- professional home and business energy raters
- electric service providers
- green power providers
- low-income assistance
- lots of energy-saving tips for homes and businesses
- Ask
an Expert!
This DOE Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Information Center answers questions on EERE's
products, services, and technology programs, refers callers
to the most appropriate EERE resources, and refers qualified
callers to the appropriate expert networks. You may
contact the information center by calling
1-877-337-3463 or by completing
an online form. A customer service specialist or energy expert
will respond to your inquiry.
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