Energy Efficiency
The vast majority of electricity generated in traditional central power plants is wasted, in the generation process itself, the transmission of the electricity between substations, the distribution of the electricity to homes and businesses and finally in the actual appliances that use the electricity to do some action which we as end users find desirable, such as providing light. It is these end use appliances that are often the most inefficient link in the whole process.
A100 watt incandescent light globe converts approximately 16 watts, of the 100 watts of energy going into it, into light. The other 84 watts are wasted as heat. This means that for each light globe, we need to provide six times the energy we actually want to use, creating six times the emissions. A 20 watt compact fluorescent lamp also converts approximately 16 watts, 80% of the consumed energy, into light, with only 4 watts being wasted as heat. These two lamps provide the same quality of light.
This kind of inefficiency is repeated throughout many of the appliances that are commonly used. These inefficient appliances are generally a little cheaper than the more efficient ones, but the cost of running them soon outweighs this small advantage.
Solar Horizon can help you reduce your energy usage by implementing a range energy efficiency measures as well as providing you with information to help you reduce your consumption through behavioral changes. We work with all our residential solar customers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, beginning with a complementary residential energy savings assessment. For information on commercial energy efficiency please see the Autonomous Energy website.
Energy Consumption and Auditing
Before it is possible to implement any practical energy efficiency measures, it is necessary to first understand where and how energy is being used and particularly where it is being used inefficiently. This can be done by conducting an 'energy audit' which is usually a professional service conducted by an appropriately trained person, or can be as simple as a 'self audit' which involves simply walking around your own home and checking what kind of light bulbs you are using, the star rating of your appliances and whether there are appliances left on when they are not in use.
Solar Horizon offers professional energy efficiency advice free of charge with all residential solar power systems to help you make sure that your investment in solar power goes further.
For commercial professional energy audits please see Autonomous Energy .