Idaho Solar Archives - Page 8 of 19 - Renewable Energy NW LLC
Idaho Solar Archives - Page 8 of 19 - Renewable Energy NW LLC
CALL: 208-577-6537

Not Your Grandpa’s Solar!

The incorrect assumption that a large investment is needed is one the primary reason why solar energy is not still not used by many people all over the world. Not only is this idea not right in regards to what solar PV (used primarily for solar power) offers but it’s even less true about solar thermal.

Now, that’s not to say that it’s 100% free or that there are no up-front installation costs involved, but it is to say that this isn’t your grandpa’s old solar array. For instance, did you know that solar thermal can pay off in 3 years against natural gas, 2 years versus electric and 1 year versus propane? True story!

One of the things we love is hearing from our customers about how switching to solar has changed the way they live:

“My June 2009 gas bill was $49. June 2010 was just $4.50! The gas company got so worried they came to check the meter – I just showed them my solar thermal panel!”

Effective. Efficient. Affordable. Sound too good to be true? It’s SCIENCE!
Are you ready to see how solar can help you save? Give us a call today at 208-577-6537 for your FREE site estimate!

Straw Houses and Solar Savings

It’s hard not to get excited when we see so many people saving with solar here in Idaho! What’s more, it’s helping change the way we think about how we build homes and commercial buildings in relation to their environment; that is leading to innovation. 2016 has been a year of amazing growth for the RENW team and we feel very fortunate to continue to have the opportunity to work with others in our great state who have a passion for building a better Idaho.

We’re 1,000 panels install strong thanks to all of our great realtors, builders, dairies, and of course all of YOU!
Amazing! Let’s keep growing strong with solar!

Some of the people who helped make it happen include:
Earthcraft Construction Legacy Homes Paradigm Construction Company Berkeley Building Company, Inc. Flynner design+build Northern Construction Keath Bennett Realtor & Builder United Dairymen of Idaho and all our great partners!

One such project you likely heard of was the straw house in Boise! We got to be part of this wonderful project first hand with our partners at Earthcraft Construction and were thrilled at the reception it received from the local community. Designer Mark L. Hixson is no stranger to straw homes and the many benefits this style of ultra-green construction can provide, having first built his first straw house in 2010.

“It’s cheaper to build, the heating and cooling costs are ten times less than a normal home,” Lung said. “It’s sustainable, you are using a waste product (and) supporting local farmers.”

Falling in line with recent home design trends like the tiny house movement this latest build features a 980 square foot home with a dynamic design with a annual heating and cooling cost right around $65. That’s not a typo dear reader – that’s a 6 and a 5, no 0 behind it to heat and cool and home for the entire year. With figures like that you can see why we’re more than just a little bit excited about the amazing things going on here in the Treasure Valley!

Want to talk more about the straw house and how solar thermal is changing construction in the Northwest?
We’d love to talk to you more! Call for a free estimate or come see us this July 28-31, 2016 at the Canyon County Fair as we kick off the Summer of Solar!

We’re Building A Better Idaho!

We are loving 2016! Beyond it just being a very active year for solar thermal we’re thoroughly enjoying the opportunities we’ve been given to work with some of the valleys most progressive home builders.

solar thermal homeThe RENW team just finishing up this rooftop install in conjunction with Flynner Homes.
The home itself is facing South for optimal energy collection and features a slightly sloped TPO membrane seal roof and will be using energy from the sun to heat water 365 days a year!

We also just finished another solvar HVAC install with Earthcraft Construction!
We love their attention to detail and passion for using advanced technology to build energy savings right into their homes. One of our favorite project has been the straw bale homes they’ve been creating –  these systems will heat/cool the home and provide the hot water as well! The home owner is adding 10 Solar Photo Voltaic panels and estimated total cost of energy for the home is $60 – that’s $60 is per YEAR!

But solar isn’t just for saving on your home energy costs! Harmony Organic Dairy in Twin Falls is already saving since they made the switch to solar thermal! The system we installed for them will create over 1,000 gallons of 170 degree water every single day for cleaning and sanitation uses. The dairy was awarded a USDA REAP grant covering 25% of the installed cost of the project! Sustainable organic milk? Now that’s good for the body and the soul!

These teams of future minded companies are helping to build an even better Boise and Treasure Valley! The RENW team would love the opportunity to speak with you about how harnessing the power of solar can help you cut your energy costs this year – just call 208-577-6537 for your FREE solar site estimate today!

Curing the High Energy Cost Blues!

Solar Quiz Time!

On our Facebook Page we asked: How much hot water do hospitals use?

With many hospitals across the country at an average of a +60% occupancy rate the number of people calling a hospital home, at least for a short period, can be a staggering number. Figure in all of the hot water used by those individuals as well as the volume of water for cleaning and laundry purposes and it’s not hard to see that hot water figures in as a large cost of a hospitals overhead.

The average cost per inpatient day is $2,025 for nonprofit hospitals and $1,629 for for-profit hospitals.

With hospitals using an average of 35 gallons per day per patient and considering that solar hot water can provide as much as 50% savings on energy costs, the benefits to these institutions to make the switch to a sustainable solution could be immense!

We’ve worked with a variety of residential installs, as well as large commercial projects for car washes, universities and dairies throughout Idaho; we would love the opportunity to discuss how our solar HVAC solutions could be used in the health care industry as well.

No matter what size project you have in mind – from a tiny house up in the foot hills, or a huge agricultural operation we have the experience and skills to help you save starting from day one! Call us at 208-577-6537 today to get a FREE estimate of your solar needs!

How Can Solar Help You?

We’re very fortunate to have been blessed with a busy Spring season so far this year and we love that we’ve been able to provide such a wide range of services to our Idaho solar customers. From a smaller one or two panel installs combined with a solar attic fans and solar PV, to a huge dairy installation, things have really been hopping!
Some people might not realize we can help with more than just their hot water needs – we love working with our solar power partners (Evengreen Technologies, Gem State Solar) to provide Holistic Solar Solutions and create more net zero homes in Idaho.
Let me ask you: If you didn’t have any utility payments what would you do with all your extra money?
A nice vacation?
A new vehicle or just a little extra peace of mind in the bank?

Did you know, typical payback on the Holistic solar solution is between 6 – 8 years, at an estimated 5% escalation rate on energy costs. There is a VERY high likelihood that the energy costs will double in the next 5 years.

There are tons of possibilities! Give us a call at 208-577-6537 to find out how solar can help you!

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