LG Electronics Art Cool™ Premier Duct-Free Air Conditioner

Over the last 5 or so years we’ve been installing more and more duct-free air conditioning systems in order to meet demanding budgets, schedules and complicated renovations. Duct-Free air conditioners (often referred to “mini-splits”) have become the go to solution for lots of our customers on tight budgets and the results are often very impressive.

Duct-free air conditioners offer several key advantages over more traditional air conditioning systems including:

• Cost – Duct-Free or “Mini-Split” air conditioners can be 25% to 75% cheaper than more traditional air conditioning systems.
• Design Flexibility – One of the biggest benefits to duct-free systems is the flexibility of the installation. As the name implies, these systems have no duct work which means installation takes up less room for large unsightly duct work.
• Quiet Operation – Duct-Free A/C units are often VERY quiet and so quiet in fact that they are almost impossible to detect under normal use.

The new Art Cool™ Premier Duct-Free System from LG Electronics incorporates all of the benefits listed above with a new, more energy efficient model that takes duct-free units to the next level. LG recently sent us their all new Art Cool™ Premier Duct-Free System Model LSN090HYV so that we could test and evaluate it in our new woodworking shop. Why test it in a shop? Well the main house and office already has full house air conditioning so we thought this was a great way to show how easy it is to renovate a space with a duct-free air conditioner.

Features and Specifications

• Heating and Cooling
• Revolutionary Inverter Technology
• Larger Cross-Flow Fan & Enhanced Outlet – Increases Airflow by 29%
• 4-Way Swing Disperses Air Quickly
• Ultra quiet
• Stylish design
• Quick and easy to install
• Up to 28 SEER
• Five-year warranty on parts; seven-year warranty on compressors
• Inverter (Variable speed compressor)
• Energy saving
• R410A Refrigerant
• Gold Fin™ Anti-corrosion
• Self-cleaning indoor coil
• Cooling/Heating/Fan mode
• Jet cool/Jet heat
• Chaos Wind
• 4-Way Auto Swing
• Ultra quiet operation
• Sleep mode
• Dehumidifying mode
• Auto restart
• Auto Changeover
• Built-in low ambient standard, down to 14ºF (cooling mode)
• 24-Hour on/off timer
• Condensate sensor connection

What Is A Duct-Free Air Conditioner?

A duct-free (ductless or mini-split) air conditioner is an air conditioning system that has no duct work. The system includes a normal compressor unit that sits outside and then an air handler that gets mounted in the finish space instead of a more traditional air handler that might be in the attic. The wall mounted air handler blows cool air into the room that it’s installed similar to a window air conditioner except it’s not located in a window.

As you can see above our new LG system includes an outdoor compressor (shown in the photo just above) and an indoor air handler (shown in the photo of the shop above). The main power for the unit (220V) runs to the outdoor unit. The power for the interior unit is run from the outdoor unit along with the refrigerant lines.

So once the unit is installed it’s very similar to having a regular A/C unit in your home minus all the duct work and huge capital investment.

Installation & Operation

As with any regular air conditioning system you’ll need to hire a licensed mechanical contractor to install a duct-free system like the LG Art Cool™ Premier Duct-Free System Model LSN090HYV. Installation consists of installing the outdoor compressor unit that we previously discussed, installing a new electrical supply to it (shown ab0ve), installation of the indoor air handler, and then running drain lines and power lines from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit.

A typical installation can be done in one day with very little disruption to your home. Our installers needed about 6 hours to completely install the system and have it up and running. The placements of the interior and exterior units are the most critical decisions. Several factors should be considered:

• Proximity of the outdoor unit to the indoor unit. Typical installations require the two units to be approximately 50′ apart for standard electrical and coolant lines. Lines up to 75′ can be used in some situations.
• The most efficient and easiest installations occur when the inside unit is hung on the same “wall”as the exterior unit is located.
• Proximity of the outdoor unit to the house electrical service. Power for the exterior unit requires a dedicated circuit that runs from the unit directly to the house electrical sub-panel. Keeping the distance to a minimum can help keep cost of installation low.

Once the unit is installed and tested by the mechanical contractor the system is controlled via a easy to use remote control. The remote also acts as a thermostat as it reads the room temperature and decides when to turn on and off the unit. The remote lets you set the temperature, fan speed, timer, and much more.

Efficient and Quiet Performance

One of the most common comments I get about duct-free A/C is how quiet they are. The LG Art Cool™ Premier Duct-Free Air Conditioner is extremely quiet registering only 39 dB inside and 51 dB outside. To put that in perspective a typical “window shaker” A/C runs about 60 to 70 dB. This model is so quiet you literally have to look at the moving fin in order to know it’s running or stand in front of it and feel the cool breeze.

The LG Art Cool™ Premier Duct-Free Air Conditioners are extremely energy efficient. The model that I have can run at 28 SEER which is exceptional and likely the head of the pack for duct-free units. When you consider that the Government requires all A/C units to meet SEER 13, we feel as though the SEER 28 is an amazing accomplishment. In fact, many duct-free systems are working hard at making SEER 20 ratings (wiki).

Final Thoughts

Duct-Free (mini-split or ductless) Air Conditioners are making a huge splash in the construction and remodeling industry. Air conditioning once thought to be a luxury in many areas of the Country is now very attainable with the amazing performance and affordable price points. Traditional air conditioning for a Ranch Style home might range from $8,500 to $15,000 while a duct-free system might only run $2,000 to $4,500. It’s clear that these new systems are putting lots of pressure on traditional A/C sales.

The LG Art Cool™ Premier Duct-Free Air Conditioners are a great option if you’re considering this type of system. The units are very quiet, very efficient and best of all they do a great job cooling your home. Best of all they can be used for both new construction and renovation projects. I would highly recommend the LG Art Cool™ Premier Duct-Free Air Conditioner to anyone needing A/C in their home.

If you’d like more information about LG air conditioners or help locating a contractor to install one in your home then check out the following link: http://lg-dfs.com/contractor-locator.aspx

New homes are becoming larger and larger so it’s easy to see why more luxurious garages are being needed to accommodate them. If you are like most individuals, you use your garage for one of two purposes: re-build or preserve cars or store miscellaneous items (sometimes a combination of both). Either way, there are many things to consider once you decide to build a dream garage for your home.

The good news is that an average garage is not as expensive to build as you might imagine. However, it isn’t recommended that you be frugal in this department. Too many times home owners don’t want to spend a lot of money on their dream garage and what ends up happening is that the final product doesn’t cohere with their house. If you are somebody who is serious about constructing a dream garage, then keep reading- this article will be your guide.

Consideration #1: Attached Garages vs. Detached Garages

There is a huge difference between garages which are attached to a home and ones which are not. It is important that you understand these differences so that you know how to construct yours. To begin, attached garages are convenient- especially in harsh weather conditions. However, they also limit your creativity and design options. This probably isn’t ideal if it is your “dream” garage. If you are searching for impeccability, a detached garage is definitely the best road to take.

Consideration #2: Entries

Where your entries are located in your garage is another big area to consider. In the past, the standard as been a huge garage door facing the street, attached to a home, and an entry which leads into either a utility or laundry. For several reasons, this layout can save a lot of money. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to follow the status quo- be creative and choose entries which work for you. Always include entry ways when you are drawing up the design to your dream garage.

Consideration #3: Size

How big do you want your garage to be? Before you answer this, consider how many vehicles (if any) you are going to store? Are you going to need a garage which serves as a dual purpose one? For example, some individuals build dream garages which serve as holders for their vehicles, a place to partake in leisure activities, or a private sanctuary (which is a second home in a sense). Whatever your uses may be, you’ll need to determine whether you want a single or a double car garage.

Consideration #4: Orientation

Do you want your garage to face the street? Well, you don’t have to. You can opt to have your vehicle entrance offset from the road. This can take away from the monotony of a regular garage and make you seem different. Some individuals adjust their entrances 45 to 90 degrees from its original position.

Consideration #5: Living Quarters

Some individuals love building some sort of living quarters inside of their dream garage. The good news is that you can do this too and you don’t have to worry about it taking away from the integrity of your garage. However, understand that it can be a challenge to incorporate this into your design. Living in your garage can also be a way to save money. Instead of building your office in your home (which would cost a fortune), you can have it build in your garage. It’s less of a hassle and costs significantly less.

Consideration #6: Style

One of the main reasons for owning a dream is having one which looks good, right? As a basic rule of thumb, you can make your property look very nice if your garage matches the style and color or your home. However, don’t think that you always have to or are being forced to do this. Let your imagination flow.

About the Author

Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer providing valuable tips and advice for consumers find the best rate on car insurance. Her husband calls her the waking infomercial because she loves surfing the internet and looking for deals. She also helps people learn how to save and manage their money and writes articles on what most would consider very confusing topics. She resides in Texas.

An energy efficient home can be a true money saver. A weatherproofed house can keep the elements out, significantly cutting heating and cooling bills. Especially during the cooler months, energy costs for an under-protected home can be excessive. In many cases, it would be considerably less expensive to have the home examined and to properly weatherproof.

For homeowners who are struggling with energy consumption and want a professional opinion, hiring an energy auditor may be the answer. Among other tests, Building Performance Institute (BPI) energy auditors perform tests to better understand the efficiency of a house based on things like air leakage. They can inform homeowners of leaks and other problems, along with suggestions on how to improve these issues. To become a BPI energy auditor, a potential auditor must show competency by passing both a written exam and a field exam.

For those proactive residents who choose to go at it alone, there are a few things to check:

Check all windows and doors for air leaks. Bad leaks can be very obvious. In older homes, one might even notice visible gaps or spaces between the frame and wall where air leaks in or curtains might move slightly on windy days. A cold, drafty wind can put a damper on a good mood as well as hike up heating costs, so be sure to remedy these problems as soon as possible.

As with windows and doors, check any vents, ducts, and pipes that run into the house. Drier vents and other similar devices that run from the interior to the exterior may let air in and out of the house, so be sure to seal around these.

If you have a window air conditioning unit, take it out during the winter months. Window units, in addition to being bulky and unattractive, can also let heat exit the home.

Seal off unused rooms and windows. If there are cooler areas in the home that won’t be used during the cooler months (such as utility rooms or basements) consider sealing them off with plastic. Blocking unused rooms with help to keep heat concentrated in the rooms where it is most needed. It will also keep you from heating rooms that don’t get used.

Even simple changes around the house can help to save on energy costs. Whether you make it a DIY project or reach out to a professional for help, keeping heat in and drafts out can be a project worth finishing this year.

Love Christmas and all the presents that come with the holiday season only to find yourself struggling with where to put everything before your holiday break is over? And what about the items you keep stashing away every year like unused gift wrapping supplies and old family ornaments that just end up gathering mildew in your damp basement?

Well, forget all that stress, mess and loss. Get organized this holiday season by investing in seasonal storage space where you can find storage unit types to target the climate you need for your personal possessions.

In fact, here are seven reasons you should consider investing in places like Uncle Bob’s Self Storage where you can find all varieties of storage unit types just to fit your needs and budget today:

1)      Put an end to the loss of your precious family heirlooms the boast tons of sentimental value, items that simply cannot be replaced or repaired.  Finally store them in a safe, controlled environment once and for all for future generations to enjoy.

2)      Get monthly rentals with no hassles, and save up front with online special offers.

3)      Enjoy easy access to your storage area, no fuss.

4)      Rent space and get truck rental fees waived, saving you money to spend on other things.

5)      Get your storage unit, all your boxes and other moving supplies, even rent your moving truck – all at one location – locally or online in a click.

6)      Choose from over 400 Uncle Bob’s Self Storage facilities throughout the USA with a simply online locator tool for free and let your fingers stop doing the walking through the Yellow Pages.

7)      Grow your storage space as your needs grow starting with lockers and moving up to sheds, warehouses and even huge commercial areas.

When you go green by investing in seasonal storage units, you eliminate unnecessary waste of decaying household items that can be enjoyed for generations to come. Let professional movers and storage experts help you take care of what is most important to you while you focus on other pressing matters. And finally get organized and have peace of mind knowing you have invested in your future, and your family’s future, going green, no less. Now that’s a win-win!

Guest Post by Scott Anthony

Guest Post by Sarah Parker

In today’s society there is no excuse not to recycle your old appliance parts and e-waste. It’s our collective responsibility to protect the planet and health not only for ourselves but for future generations. When it comes to fixing and donating old appliances, there are many environmental and charitable advantages, both for landfills and for the environment in general.

Old appliances and electronics (also called e-waste) fall under the category of hazardous waste. This means that they are toxic, corrosive, flammable and all-around nasty. If one were to dump an old appliance in a landfill in would sit there for all eternity whilst polluting the soil, water and air. Examples of appliances that we need to make sure we recycle are dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, stoves, washer and dryers, cell phones, televisions, computers, and DVD players. Of course there are many other household gadgets that need to be carefully disposed of as well, such as fluorescent light bulbs and batteries.

Landfills are the oldest form of waste treatment we have, but the ever increasing amount of appliances and e-waste the public consumes is a growing threat to their sustainability. In the United States, consumers are constantly purchasing and upgrading their gadgetry in order to “keep up with the Joneses”, oftentimes discarding old products in their trash bin where they end up sitting in a landfill. In California it has been illegal since 1994 to send them to the landfill, yet people still do.

An incorrectly disposed of appliance will cause serious environmental problems. It’s byproducts, which can be solid, liquid, or gas, will seep down into the water table. We will eventually consume them, either through drinking the water or eating contaminated fish and other types of seafood. Pollutants and heavy metals will run into the soil, damaging plant life and eco-systems, as well as travel many miles through the atmosphere if they are burned . The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) estimates that as much as 400 million tons of hazardous waste ends up in landfills each year.

There are several types of pollutants that come from appliances and e-waste. CFC’s, including HCFC’s and HFC’s, destroy the ozone layer and cause greenhouse gases which leads to global warming. Refrigerators made before 1995 contain a particularly large amount of CFC’s. Other things that contain CFC’s are air conditioners and dehumidiyfiers. Foam found in refrigerators and freezers made before 2005 also contributes to global warming and the destruction of greenhouse gases. In addition, some made before 2000 contain mercury.

Mercury is highly toxic and has a particular horrible effect on living things. It makes its way into the food chain by seeping into the water table and can lead to deformities in developing embryos. It also damages the nervous and immune systems and effects coordination, taste, sight and touch. It is particularly prevalent in fish and seafood.

Of course, there are always many needy families that would love to have your old working appliances. They will probably be more than happy to come and pick up the appliance from your home, which your back will thank you for A good place to connect with people is through online sites such as Craigslist and Freecycle. You can also donate to charities like the Salvation Army and Goodwill. Again, they will be more that happy to come and take your heavy fridge or monstrous washing machine, and you can feel good about providing someone less fortunate with a household necessity. Additionally, some communities and municipalities offer rebates for turning in your old appliances and replacing them with new, energy efficient ones. Again, they will pick them up for you and even swap the new appliances for the old ones on delivery.

Another environmental bonus to recycling old gadgets and appliances is that through the process you can recover and reuse useful materials such as steel, plastic, glass and oil. In fact, up to 2/3 of all appliances are made of steel. This means that fewer new resources are required, which saves energy because it uses less to recycle than to create new products. In this way we help to preserve our natural resources. Additionally, new products are more energy efficient than older ones, so even if you think you will just wait to replace your appliance until it’s broken, by replacing it now you will actually be saving a whole lot of money and doing the earth a favor. For example, a fridge made as recently as fifteen years ago uses seventy percent more energy than a modern one.

NewAir AC-12000E 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

The folks at Air & Water recently sent me a cool new portable air conditioner to test and review. The NewAir AC-12000E is a portable room air conditioner that uses environmentally friendlier R-410A refrigerant and boasts auto-evaporative technology.

The timing was perfect as I’m in the middle of building a new workshop at home and there’s no A/C available from the main house. This portable air conditioner is a great solution for the new shop!

Specifications

• Product Dimensions: 14.37″ (L) x 15.55″ (W) x 29.33 (H)
• Product Weight: 59 pounds
• Product Color: Silver
• Applications: Medium-size bedrooms, dens, dorm rooms or home offices
• Recommended Room Size: 300 to 425 square feet
• Cooling Capacity: 12,000 BTUs
• Power Consumption for Cooling: 1166W / 11A
• Air Volume (on Maximum Speed): 470m3/h
• Dehumidification Capacity: 1.2L/hour
• Voltage/Frequency: 115V, 60Hz
• Compressor Type: Rotary
• Refrigerant Type: R-410A
• Number of Fan Speeds: 2
• Timer: 1-24 hours
• Working Temperatures: 64 – 90° F
• Exhaust Pipe Dimensions: 5″ x 59.06″
• Control Type: Electronic with remote
• Window Kit Material: Plastic
• EER: 10.2
• Certifications: ETL-listed
• Warranty: 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
• R-410A refrigerant results in low energy consumption and increased AC performance
• Built-in dehumidifier offers increased comfort and helps prevent mold and mildew growth
• Keeps medium sized rooms and offices cool and comfortable
• Requires no permanent installation – window kit sets up in minutes

My Thoughts On The NewAir AC-12000E Portable Air Conditioner

As I said in the opening I’m in the process of building a new workshop located over the garage in our  home. The attic space above the garage is very warm in the summer so having an air conditioner is a really important necessity for the space. The new shop is about 375 sq. ft with only one window at the far end of the space.

The NewAir AC-12000E is really easy to set-up and get running. It took me about 10 minutes to un-pack the unit and set it up in the new shop. The unit can be vented in one of two ways. You can use the window kit that I used shown in the photo above or you can connect the 5″ diameter vent hose to a louvered vent. It plugs directly into any regular 15A or 20A residential outlet.

Another set-up consideration is condensation produced by the air conditioner. Window units are never a problem as they just drip outside the window but these portable units don’t have that luxury. The AC-12000E can deal with condensation in two ways. The unit can collect the condensate in an internal tank or you can pipe it outside. If you use the internal tank the unit will operate until the tank is full at which time it will shut down until you empty the tank.

This unit does a wonderful job quickly cooling down my shop. It has a nice built-in thermostat so you can set the room temperature and it automatically switches between fan and A/C mode. The unit does come with a remote control if you want to control it from across the room which is also a nice feature especially if you install it in a bedroom or living room and want to control it from the bed or couch.

The controls are really easy to use. You control the temperature, fan vs A/C, even set a timer to have the unit turn off after a certain amount of time. This unit definitely offers lots of great features and versatility.

Overall I really like the NewAir AC-12000E portable air conditioner. It’s really easy to set-up, it cools really well and it’s relatively quiet. If you’re looking for a portable air conditioner I’d recommend you give the NewAir AC-12000E a chance. I think you’ll be very pleased with it’s features and performance.

You can buy the NewAir AC-12000E from Air & Water Inc. at this LINK.

Rely on Premier Building Systems SIPs

Fife, Wash., January 27, 2011 – In each of the past three years, structural insulated panels (SIPs) from Premier Building Systems have been used by homebuilders awarded prestigious EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA). This year, EVHA Gold Award winner Clifton View Homes used R-25 Premier SIPs in the walls and R-40 SIPs in the roof as part of a comprehensive package of energy efficient actions. An EVHA Silver Award winner, Scott Homes, used Premier SIPs for tight, well-insulated walls. www.pbssips.com/bc

Premier SIPs are an advanced building technique using prefabricated insulated components for walls, roofs and floors. They consist of two outer skins of oriented strand board (OSB) and an inner core of insulating expanded polystyrene (EPS) laminated together to form a versatile building panel that helps maximize energy efficiency in homes, multi-family residences and commercial and institutional buildings.

Builders use SIPs to reduce air leaks and provide greater insulating capability than traditional building methods. For similar thickness walls, SIPs have been shown to be 47% better at resisting heat flow than stick-framed construction, according to research conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“Government regulations and homeowner demand are creating a greater focus on energy-efficient construction,” says James Hodgson, General Manager for Premier Building Systems. “SIPs are not the only structural solution for ultra-efficient homes and buildings, but dollar-for-dollar, we believe they provide the best value.”

Premier SIPs figure prominently in several other recent award-winning green buildings, as well as a range of green-certified projects. These include the Green Builder magazine 2010 House of the Year (Sun Gazing House, Park City, Utah) and the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) 2010 Building Excellence Awards (Jacob Manch Elementary School and Sarann Knight Apartments, both in Las Vegas, Nevada).

The EnergyValue Housing Award program is managed by the NAHB Research Center and presented in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), U.S. Department of Energy through the Building America program, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

About Premier Building Systems

Premier Building Systems leads the construction industry in the research, development and manufacturing of high-performance, energy-efficient structural insulated panels (SIPs) and related materials. The company is a leader in working with design professionals, contractors and code officials on innovative SIPs applications. For more information about Premier’s products and services, call (800) 275-7086 or visit www.pbssips.com/bc.

We’ve got no problem paying a premium price for top quality tools, but we also think it’s always a good idea to save money whenever and wherever you can. The truth is that the way most of us buy tools – by walking into the local Home Depot, Lowes, or other home improvement store and picking up what we need at full retail price – is the most inefficient and expensive way to buy. Big box home improvement stores have to make a healthy gross margin to keep those stores staffed, lit, conditioned, clean, and safe.

That’s not to say we’re a hater on the big box. Big home improvement stores provide two key features: convenience and selection. If you’re in desperate need of a tool, you have little option but to pay full retail. But, if you can put a little time into planning, there are some alternatives. Here’s how we see them.

1)  Beg and borrow – By far the best way to get your hands on the tools you need is to ask your friends and family. Of course, you don’t want to be a leech, so make sure you give something back. Maybe you could help them with a project of theirs, or lend them some of your tools that they don’t have.  One of the best ideas is to coordinate your major tool buys with your friend group. One of you buys the hardwood flooring nailer while the other buys a wet tile saw. This way, no one has to own or store a bunch of tools you might only use once.

One rather innovative way to borrow is to see if your area has a tool library. While not very common, some counties have tool libraries that will allow you to borrow tools subject to an agreement. Check out Santa Rosa County’s Tool Library for one example.

2) Rent – You’ve probably visited the rental center at the local big box at some point in your life, but if you haven’t visited recently, you should. Rental centers are renting more and more tools. Especially for large tools like compressors, chipper-shredders, cement mixers, etc., this can be a very good option for reducing costs. Most tools rent for about 10% of the cost of  the tool for a single day, or about 25% of the cost of the tool for a full week. You can see Home Depot’s Rental Center selection right on their special web site.

3) Buy Online – Big online retailers like Amazon.com and Toolking.com offer HUGE tool selections online, usually with free shipping over a certain amount. For example, Amazon offers free shipping on almost all orders over $25.00. Amazon frequently has prices about 5% lower than what you can find in stores, but in many places you also avoid sales tax by purchasing online, which can mean a full 10% savings on your purchase. Plus, you save the gas by not driving to the store!

4) Use a Coupon – If you haven’t noticed yet, many online retailers are offering coupons online these days. You can find a whole list of home improvement coupons over at One Project Closer. They feature great deals and discounts from many retailers. For example, you can get Craftsman discounts on their Sears coupons page, or you can get Ryobi and Ridgid discounts on their Home Depot coupons page. This is a great way to get tools on the cheap – usually 10-15% off. If you purchase from an internet-online retailer, you can save even more by avoiding sales tax.

5) Time Your Purchase Around Sales – You can also time your purchase around sales. The best deals of the year usually come on Black Friday weekend, but almost all home improvement retailers also offer deals on all major (and minor) federal holidays. In our experience, the second best time of year to purchase tools is about 2-4 weeks prior to Father’s Day.

That’s it. Five good ways to save money on your next tool purchase! Happy shopping!

Installing solar panels may seem like a decision that only “tree-huggers” and environmental extremists would make, but this is far from the truth. In reality, solar panels can actually help you to save quite a bit of money, more than making up for the cost of the panels and installation. This makes them perfect for any homeowner who lives on a budget, who is saving for their future, or who is conscientious about spending — in other words, virtually anyone who owns their own home.

Of course, the biggest advantage to installing solar panels in your home is the reduced utilities bill. You can use solar energy to heat your water, and even to provide electricity for your home, reducing or even eliminating your electric bill, depending on the size of your solar power system. The more solar panels and the larger batteries you have in your system, the more power you will produce, and the less you will have to depend on your local utility company for power.

Generally, solar panels are set up as a supplement to your current power system. For most people, that means that your power needs will draw from your solar power system first, and from your utility company second. In this scenario, your utility company will therefore serve as a backup, for instance, during seasons when you have fewer sunny days, or when your power needs spike temporarily. However, if you make more power than you need, the utility company essentially buys the excess from you, which will reduce your bill even farther.

Therefore, although installing a solar power system represents a large up-front cost, your reduction in utility bills over the next few years more than make up for the cost of the solar panels and installation. Depending on how much you spend on the system, and how wisely you design it, you could find yourself spending next to nothing on your monthly power bill.

There is one more thing to consider, when looking at the ways your solar panels will save you money: tax rebates. Currently, if you install a solar power system in your home, you will be able to get a rebate for up to 30 percent of the cost back on your taxes. This means if you installed solar panels in 2010, you will be able to claim the tax break when you file your 2010 taxes this spring; and if you install a system this year, in 2011, you will be able to claim the rebate next spring, when you file your 2011 taxes. For those of you who calculate your taxes and be sure to only have as much taken out as needed, this may actually mean more money in your pocket on every paycheck this year.

Obviously, the environmental concerns, though convincing for many people, are not the only factor to be considered in your decision to install solar panels. True, solar energy is cleaner than the power provided by your utility company, and solar panels can help you to reduce your carbon footprint in a big way. But unlike many green practices, which allow you to do your part for the environment in exchange for a higher cost of living for yourself and your family, installing solar panels can actually help you to save money in the long run. And that is the deciding factor for many families!

James Rice is a freelance writer for SunRun. SunRun is the simple and affordable option for homeowners who want to switch to home solar power. SunRun pioneered affordable solar panels with the first residential power purchase agreement in 2007, and is the best at it today.