Blog - Page 2 of 22 - Renewable Energy NW LLC
Blog - Page 2 of 22 - Renewable Energy NW LLC
CALL: 208-577-6537

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IDAHO! Upgrade Your Water Heater to Save Big!

For many of us, that rumbling metal box in the basement or utility closet is an often-overlooked hero of home comfort. Our trusty water heater keeps showers steaming, dishes sparkling, and laundry cycles flowing… But! It’s also one of the biggest costs in your energy bill too!

So, what if there was a way to make this essential appliance even more efficient, eco-friendly, and potentially save you money?

Enter the heat pump water heater, a technology that’s rapidly gaining traction for its innovative approach to hot water production. Unlike traditional gas or electric resistance heaters that directly generate heat, heat pumps act like sponges, absorbing warmth from the surrounding air and transferring it to your water tank. Think of it as a super-powered refrigerator in reverse, pulling heat from the outside world to keep your showers toasty.

But why make the switch? Here are four compelling reasons to consider upgrading your traditional water heater to a heat pump:

Save Money, Save the Planet:

Heat pumps are energy efficiency champions. By harnessing free heat from the air, they can be two to three times more efficient than conventional electric models and even outperform gas heaters in moderate climates.

Future-Proof Your Home:

With rising energy costs and increasing focus on sustainability, heat pumps are being hailed as the future of water heating. By investing in this technology now, you’ll be ahead of the curve, potentially increasing your home’s value and making it more attractive to eco-conscious buyers. Additionally, many governments and energy providers offer financial incentives and rebates to encourage the adoption of heat pumps, making the switch even more enticing.

Enjoy Consistent Hot Water:

Unlike traditional electric heaters that can struggle to keep up with peak demand, heat pumps provide a steady flow of hot water, even during extended showers or consecutive loads of laundry. This means no more lukewarm surprises or frustrating cold spells, just reliable hot water whenever you need it.

Quiet Operation and Easy Maintenance:

Heat pumps are significantly quieter than traditional water heaters, operating at a gentle hum compared to the rumbling roar of a gas burner. They also require minimal maintenance, with no need for venting or open flames, making them a safe and hassle-free choice for any home.

Of course, switching to a heat pump water heater in Idaho isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Factors like climate, home size, and existing infrastructure need to be considered. However, for many homeowners, the benefits of increased efficiency, cost savings, environmental friendliness, and reliable hot water make heat pumps a compelling choice. 

So, before your “trusty water heater” starts showing its age, consider giving the heat pump a closer look. You might just be surprised at how much this innovative technology can do for your home and your pocketbook!

Why Farms and Ranches In Idaho Are Installing Solar!

Folks in Idaho have long been known for their independent nature and their passion for individualism! So, it comes as no wonder that so many here continue with the pioneer spirit when it comes to leading the way into the future with green energy!

And it makes sense, after all Idaho is a state with abundant sunshine, making it an ideal place for solar energy! Solar PV and solar thermal can provide farms and ranches with a number of benefits, including reducing energy costs, increasing sustainability, and improving resilience to climate change just to name a few! Let’s talk more about those facts…

Reduce Energy Costs

One of the biggest benefits of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal for farms and ranches is that it can help to reduce energy costs! Solar panels can generate electricity for a fraction of the cost of traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels and solar thermal helps reduce the cost of heating water dramatically. This can save farmers and ranchers a significant amount of money on their monthly energy bills!

Improve Resilience to Climate Change AND Market Changes!

Climate change science is up for debate but more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, do seem to be becoming more common. This can damage crops and livestock, and make it difficult for farmers and ranchers to operate their businesses.

Solar energy solutions like solar PV and solar thermal can help farms and ranches to become more resilient to climate change by providing a ready source of power and hot water even when weather becomes unpredictable. For instance, many people don’t realize how well our solar thermal systems work even on cloudy days! Renewable energy can even help farmers and ranchers to reduce their water consumption by using more up to date water pump systems in collaboration with solar thermal.

Government Incentives for Solar

There are a number of government incentives available to help farms and ranches install solar. The federal government alone offers a 30% tax credit for the cost of solar panels! REAP grants and other programs make it so your install is practically paid!

Considering Solar?
Solar energy offers a number of benefits for farms and ranches in Idaho and the Treasure Valley! Solar energy can help farms and ranches to reduce energy costs, increase sustainability, and improve resilience to climate change.

If you want to see how much you could be saving on your energy bill for your farm or ranch, we here at Renewable Energy NW LLC can assess your energy needs and determine how to help you save! Get in touch today!

Idaho Rural Businesses Can Save BIG With Solar!

Attention Rural Idaho Business Owners!

IDAHO SOLAR NEWS: REAP grants are providing unprecedented savings and incentives for qualifying rural businesses in Idaho! These grants and government incentive programs can not only reduce the cost of having solar solutions installed for your business, they can also make it so that these projects can literally pay for themselves before you even flip the switch.

Not to mention the ongoing savings and self-reliance you will gain by making your business more energy efficient!

We know about the challenges you face in working further out of town, and so we also understand how important running your business efficiently can be. That’s why we offer multiple solutions for rural business energy in order to provide optimal power at the best cost!

Renewable energy solutions like solar PV and solar thermal make a whole lot of sense (and save dollars!) for rural business owners in Idaho!

Here are just a few of the many benefits of solar for rural businesses:

  • Reduced energy costs: Solar can help rural Idaho businesses to reduce their energy costs by providing a renewable and sustainable source of hot water and electricity. This can be especially beneficial for businesses that have high energy needs, such as agricultural businesses, wineries, or food processors.
  • Increased energy security: Solar can help rural Idaho businesses to increase their energy security by reducing their reliance on the grid. This is especially important for businesses in remote areas where grid access is limited or unreliable.
  • Environmental benefits: Solar is a clean and renewable energy source that can help rural Idaho businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and other environmental impacts. This is can be very helpful for your business because it can improve the sustainability of your businesses and make it more attractive to customers as well as investors.
  • Economic benefits: Solar can help rural Idaho businesses to create jobs and boost the local economy. The installation and maintenance of solar systems requires skilled workers, and solar can also create new opportunities for businesses in the renewable energy sector.

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to make your rural Idaho business more energy-efficient and sustainable with solar!

Renewable Energy NW LLC has experience in the grant process as well as installing the systems you will need to not only get optimal energy efficiency but also maximum savings.

If you are a rural Idaho business owner, we urge you to consider renewable energy solutions as a way to reduce your energy costs, increase your energy security, and improve your sustainability. Contact Renewable Energy NW LLC today to learn more about our solar solutions and how we can help you get the most out of your investment.

Solar Hot Water Means Cool Savings!

We tend not to think much about it, we go to the tap and turn it on before we edge the faucet over to the H for hot water. But really, hot water in our homes is the next thing to magic! Before modern times we really had it rough and so it’s sort of surprising that such a luxury has become so commonplace. One other thing people don’t think about is the fact that the hot water they have come to rely on is one of the biggest impacts on their home energy costs in Idaho!

See, you’ve got not just the cost of the water but also heating it, and then distributing it to the point in your home where you want it. All that means cost! But there’s good news for homeowners in Idaho thanks to SOLAR THERMAL from Renewable Energy NW LLC!

Here’s some of the skinny on facts and figures!
According to the US Department of of Energy approximately 25% of a typical houses energy load is consumed heating hot water.  A typical house is heating water 24/7 365 days a year!

By choosing solar thermal application you can supply up to 90% of your hot water needs with energy supplied from the sun!  One 20 tube solar thermal panel creates 65 gallons of hot water on a clear winter day regardless of outside temperature (due to the evacuated tube).  The circulation pump uses less than .5 amps and costs less than $1 per month to collect the energy from the sun.  The system collects energy all day at a gain rate of 3-5 degrees gained through each panel and the water flowing at 2-3 gallons per minute.  The hot water is stored in and insulated tank for night time baths and morning showers.  Then the process starts all over again.   That nice steamy shower will feel even better when you know you heated the water for FREE!

Find out more about all we offer! Solar thermal, solar PV, and much more! Net Zero in Idaho is our focus, lowering your power bill is our goal!

Is Now a Good Time to Go With Solar for Your Home?

We met a lot of people who were curious about our whole home energy solutions while we were at the Western Idaho Fair this week!
Some were just curious about how solar thermal worked, others wanted to know the real nitty gritty about the facts and figures on saving money, and of course there were a fair share of people who still didn’t know what solar was – other than those panels they’ve started to see everywhere. We enjoyed talking to each and every one and telling them how we do more than JUST solar power – we look at your whole home power needs and do our best to hit net zero. 

Net Zero! Not just because it’s better for the planet – but because it’s better for your wallet too!
It can be tough to know what to think in today’s world. There’s plenty of misinformation about renewable energy, the local Idaho Power grid, and even companies that seek to profit from the lack of knowledge about the solar industry. That’s not us.  We’ve been installing solar thermal and more in the Treasure Valley for over a decade – from homes to dairies, carwashes, and more!

So is NOW the time to go solar in Idaho?
Now is the best time! Why is that? Well, no matter when you decide to go with green renewable energy you’ll see an automatic savings in your monthly power bills. There are still incentives for homeowners that can help make it even more affordable. And lastly, because the rules and costs of not being energy independent are always changing it’s always a good time to insulate yourself against changes in the market.

idaho solar power
SOLAR PV

SAVE WITH SOLAR!


Harness the power of the sun to fuel your home or business for just pennies a day! Find out how much you can save!
idaho solar thermal
SOLAR THERMAL

MORE THAN HOT WATER!


Solar thermal is a efficient way to heat all the water in your home! More than just hot showers, it can save you from shoveling snow too!
idaho house fan
WHOLE HOUSE FANS

WHOLE HOUSE COOL


Our whole house fans are one of the most efficient ways to cool your home and bring in fresh air!

idaho power independence
ELECTRICAL UPGRADES

SAVING IS SIMPLE!


You don’t have to spend a lot to save a lot! Fact is, there are hundreds of ways to improve your home energy efficiency beyond solar!

IT COSTS NOTHING TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOU COULD SAVE! CALL 208-577-6537