Wie man Effizienz und Solarenergie kombiniert, um den Nutzen zu maximieren
Switching to solar, weatherproofing your home, and moving away from fossil fuel-using systems can help you reduce your energy bill. This guide provides recommendations to optimize your clean energy investments.
Many Vermonters want to reduce their energy costs. Should you start with weatheringor start with solar energy?
It depends on what energy costs you want to reduce. Weather lowers your fuel costs, so it costs less to heat your home every winter (and cool it in the summer). Solar energy lowers your electricity bills and saves you money when running your lights and appliances.
Technologies that replace fossil fuel systems, such as a ductless heat pump, can help you combine the two. Once you've weatherproofed your home, it's a good candidate for a heat pump. Bonus: They also provide cooling in summer. Then the energy your solar system produces will not only power your lamps and appliances, but also heat and cool your home.
Weatherproofing, adding a heat pump, and switching to solar power can help maximize incentives at the federal, state, and utility levels. And all with the added benefits of making your home more comfortable, reducing your carbon footprint and lowering your energy bills.
Solar systems on the roof enable the houses to produce their own electricity. Weathering reduces draughts (and heat losses) and thus heating costs. A heat pump heating and cooling system allows you to heat your home efficiently with your own rooftop solar system. Below is a side-by-side comparison of these three types of home improvement projects.
| Project type | Average cost | Low-interest financing available | Reduces energy costs | Increases the value of the home | Supports local workplaces | State and/or federal incentives available | Improved indoor air quality | Recommended for all house types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weathering | $12,700 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heat pump | $5,000 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| 5 kW solar system on the roof | $15,775 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
How much a project will cost and how much electricity you will generate from rooftop solar panels will depend on it.
- Your location
- the way you install the panels
- and the size of your system
While adding solar panels won't reduce your electricity consumption, a major benefit of installing solar panels is that you'll have low or no electricity costs after paying off your project. Weathering projects, on the other hand, immediately reduce heat loss and energy costs.
It may be useful to complete your weathering project and heat pump installation before installing solar panels, so you can be sure that your system is the right size for your new electricity consumption. A contractor can be very helpful when it comes to thinking about what works best for your home and budget.
Can't have solar energy on your home? In Vermont, the electricity you buy today is between 55% and 100% renewable, depending on your electric supplier. So if you improve the energy efficiency of your home through weathering and installing a heat pump, your fossil fuel consumption will still be reduced.
Investments in weather protection, heat pumps, and solar energy have become increasingly popular and affordable over the past decade. Homeowners are attracted by the environmental benefits and reduced energy costs. When combined, not only do you have a home without fossil fuels, but you're also more comfortable all year round.
Many Efficiency Excellence Network contractors are also trained to evaluate the potential of installing solar and/or heat pumps for your home.