photo credit: Bach Tran As we study about building our own solar panel energy for home solar power, we realize how amazing a renewable resource this is in conservation of energy, saving money, and even adding to the life of our planet. While people and businesses employ solar panel energy systems in their homes, they also become more aware of the need for appliances that are also energy efficient or perhaps even solar powered appliances. More and more people building homes with home solar power are looking at ways of converting their water pumps and heaters, lighting and heating, and yes, even appliances to this same level of energy efficient living.
Because they can be the most costly energy wise due to their ever running nature, replacing or converting appliances to be solar powered or energy efficient is not just the “green” thing to do, but it is also the economically smart thing to do as well.
One of the first appliances to take into consideration for being solar powered is the refrigerator. For one, it is one of the few appliances that you must keep running at all times. Second, one of the fabulous things about solar powered refrigerators is the two in one factor. You can have both a freezer and a refrigerator that act as one solar powered appliance, at a minimal amount of the cost. The freezer and refrigerator are controlled by a thermostat which gives you total control over their temperatures. The noise output is minimal because of its natural consistent flow. Just like traditional refrigerators, solar powered refrigeratos also come in many different sizes as well as colors, helping you to create your ideal solar powered kitchen.
Another option is energy efficient appliances. Not every appliance has adopted solar power yet, leaving energy efficient appliances as the next best thing. When checking into them though, it is best to look for the Energy Star label to ensure you get the maximum amount of energy efficiency. These energy efficient appliances provide you with everything you would expect out of a quality appliance, while conserving the energy required to make it run. Some examples of energy efficient appliances are: dishwashers, chest freezers, stoves, washers and dryers, and microwaves. The up front cost for an energy efficient appliance is typically a bit more than their traditional counterpart, but the potential life long benefits they can provide more than outweigh their initial investment.
Most of today’s appliances have energy efficient models, guaranteed to function on the minimal amount of energy. The decrease in your electric bill might not be seen immediately, but over time the savings should become evident.
If you are not ready to make the investment in solar powered or energy efficient appliances, there are still other ways of reducing your energy output. Some examples include:
- Drying clothes on a clothes line outside in agreeable weather, or even inside.
- Washing dishes by hand. While this is a common way people save money on their energy bill, it has been said that filling up your dishwasher to capacity and running it at fewer intervals on the energy saver mode, saves even more.
- Washing clothes less frequently, with fuller loads. It takes considerably more energy to run the clothes washer several times for small loads than it does to have those loads combined into one. This is true even if using cold water.
- Unplugging as many smaller appliances as possible such as: TV’s, microwaves, chargers, etc.
One day we will all have solar powered appliances. Until then, making steps to include solar panel energy where possible, practicing small energy saving habits, as well as investing in energy efficient appliances or solar powered appliances will go a long way in preserving our planet and our wallet. When practiced consistently, these small steps will go a long way in conserving energy and saving money.
Until next time, Let the Sunshine in!
Lauren
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Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.
Allen Taylor
Lauren,
Well done, I have seriously thought on how I can have solar powered utilities. Thanks to your article, I am more confident this is possible. And Thank you for the sunshine.
Frank
What a great idea! Solar powered appliances would be a terrific way to go green. Replacing or converting appliances to be solar powered or energy efficient is not just the “green” thing to do, but it is also the economically smart thing to do as well.
I never realized that there were solar powered appliances. That’s very cool! Thanks for the information.
Great explanations on why we should convert our home appliances. Plus some nice and practical alternatives for people who can’t afford solar-powered equipments for their homes.
Excellent post, I feel there is a need for government and industry to come together on the advising costs benefits such as payback etc,
Nice article, I think it is great that they are starting to make some of the larger household appliances solar powered. And I think George is correct, the government needs to offer cash incentives so that the consumer can afford to purchase these items.
I have never come across solar powered appliances before. I would love to know more details about these.
I will have to join the list of ‘uninformed’… I really had no idea that solar powered appliances existed. I am very excited by the thought that we can harness the sun’s energy to power the appliances that we have all become so dependent upon. Thanks for the info – will keep following your blog.
I see a lot of solar powered appliances here in AZ. There is so much sun that it makes a lot of sense. Great heads up on a big issue facing us all.
I like the article. I do not agree that the govenment should get involved. Free enterprise without government will get us where we need to go faster. When you take money from someone there is always a price to pay. That is the dependency we are trying to break away from.
Ken,
I completely agree about what you say about the governments involvement. Unfortunately though, if people do not take personal responsibility NOW, we might end up in that sorry state in the future.
I have lots more to share about how to take simple steps day to day, so that we can keep as clear of the governments dictating what we should and shouldn’t do as much as possible.
Thanks everyone for reading!!
Lauren
Renewable energy is the future, why depend on fossil fuels when we can go renewable.*:.
Renewable Energy got into more focuse in this decade because everyone does not want to depend on Oil.”*
renewable energy should be developed more coz fossil fuels are not good in the long term.*:
depending on fossil fuel is always a bad idea, we should always concentrate on renewable energy .,,