home energy Archives - Renewable Energy NW LLC
home energy Archives - Renewable Energy NW LLC
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IDAHO! Ditch the Tank! Embrace the Heat

OR – Why You Should Switch to a Heat Pump Water Heater!

For years, the trusty hot water heater in your basement or garage has faithfully delivered warm showers and clean dishes. But like a loyal old dog, its time might be coming to an end. And while the thought of replacing it might seem daunting, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to upgrade to a more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option: the heat pump water heater.

If you’re not familiar with them, heat pump water heaters might sound a bit futuristic. But they’re quickly becoming the smart choice for homeowners looking to save money and reduce their carbon footprint. Forget the old tank-style behemoths; these sleek, modern units use a fraction of the energy to heat your water.

So, how do they work? Instead of directly heating water with electricity or gas, heat pump water heaters extract heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to the water in the tank. Think of it like a reverse air conditioner. This clever process means they can achieve the same hot water with significantly less energy.

Let’s dive into the compelling benefits of making the switch:

Slash Your Energy Bills: This is the big one. Heat pump water heaters are incredibly energy efficient, often using 50-70% less energy than traditional electric water heaters. That translates to significant savings on your monthly utility bills. Imagine what you could do with that extra cash!

Eco-Friendly Hot Water: By using less energy, you’re also reducing your environmental impact. Fewer fossil fuels burned means a smaller carbon footprint and a healthier planet. It’s a win-win for you and Mother Earth.

Faster Recovery Times: While they might take a little longer to initially heat the tank, heat pump water heaters often have faster recovery times than traditional electric models. This means you won’t run out of hot water as quickly, even during peak usage.

Potential Rebates and Incentives: Many utility companies and government agencies offer rebates and incentives for homeowners who install energy-efficient appliances like heat pump water heaters. This can significantly reduce the upfront cost of the upgrade. Check with your local utility company for available programs.

Increased Home Value: Upgrading to a heat pump water heater is a smart investment that can increase the value of your home. Buyers are increasingly looking for energy-efficient features, and this is a great selling point.

Quieter Operation: Compared to some older water heater models, heat pump water heaters operate much more quietly. You’ll barely notice they’re running.

idaho home energy savings

Switching to a heat pump water heater is a smart move for Idaho homeowners who want to save money, reduce their environmental impact, and enjoy a reliable supply of hot water. While the upfront cost might be a bit higher, the long-term benefits make it a worthwhile investment. So, ditch the tank and embrace the heat – your wallet and the planet will thank you for it!

Ready to make the switch? Contact Renewable Energy NW to discuss your options and get a quote. We can help you choose the right size and model for your home and ensure a proper installation.

How Our Latest and Largest Saved Thousands!

Powering Efficiency into Savings: How Renewable Energy NW Helped This Idaho Homeowner Slash Their Energy Bill

We are excited to share with you one of our latest and largest renewable energy installs! We applied our full arsenal of affordable energy solutions to provide a working solution with mind blowing results, but first a little background…

Did you know that the average Idaho household consumes roughly 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month? What if you could significantly reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources and dramatically lower your monthly bills? That’s exactly what Renewable Energy NW helped a local homeowner achieve!

The Challenge:

This homeowner was facing a significant energy challenge with an average daily usage of 68,800 kWh over the past year. That translates to a staggering monthly bill every month that was just unacceptable. We knew we could do better!

The Renewable Energy Solution:

Renewable Energy NW took a comprehensive approach to tackle this energy challenge.
Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:

Energy Efficiency Measures:
Upgrading to 2 new high-efficiency 24 SEER heat pumps significantly reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling.

Replacing traditional well pumps with variable speed models minimized wasted energy for both domestic water needs and irrigation.

Installing a whole house fan and 2 solar attic fans provided natural cooling solutions, further reducing reliance on air conditioning.

One Electric Hot Water heater was replaced with a new Heat Pump water heater saving an estimated $400 per year.

Replacing a swim spa, a notorious energy guzzler, eliminated a major source of energy drain.

Solar Power & Battery Storage:
Renewable Energy NW installed the maximum allowable residential solar PV system in Idaho – a 25 kW system with panels facing east and west for optimal sun exposure throughout the day.

To maximize self-reliance and store excess solar energy, 3 Franklin Iron Phosphate batteries, each with a capacity of 13.4 kWh, were added to the system.

The results speak for themselves!
The homeowner’s latest utility bill reflects a dramatic shift: a mere $10 monitoring fee and a credit of $47!

This incredible outcome demonstrates the power of combining energy efficiency upgrades with a robust solar PV system and battery storage solution.

Ready to explore how Renewable Energy NW can help you achieve energy independence and substantial cost savings?

Call us for a free consultation to discuss your renewable energy options. Don’t wait to take control of your energy consumption and start saving today!

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!

Why Consider Solar Thermal for Your Idaho Home?

Lots of people are familiar with traditional solar power, but may not know what solar THERMAL is! Solar thermal is a renewable energy technology that uses the sun’s heat to generate hot water or to heat your home. Solar thermal systems can be used to provide all or a portion of your hot water needs, and they can also be used to supplement your home’s heating system.

There are many reasons why you should consider adding solar thermal to your home. Here are just a few:

  • Save money on your energy bills. Solar thermal systems can save you money on your energy bills by reducing your reliance on fossil fuels. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that solar thermal systems can save homeowners an average of $2,000 per year on their water heating bills.

  • Reduce your carbon footprint. Solar thermal systems are a clean and renewable energy source, which means they don’t produce any emissions that contribute to climate change. By installing a solar thermal system, you can help reduce your home’s carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment.

  • Increase your home’s value. Studies have shown that homes with solar thermal systems sell for more than homes without them. This is because buyers are increasingly looking for homes that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

  • Increase your home’s comfort. Solar thermal systems can help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This can lead to a more comfortable and energy-efficient home for you and your family.

  • Increase your home’s security. Solar thermal systems can help make your home more secure by making it less attractive to burglars. This is because solar thermal systems are often installed in hard-to-reach places, such as on the roof.

If you’re looking for a way to save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase the value of your home, then solar thermal is a great option. Solar thermal systems are a clean, renewable, and efficient way to heat your water and your home.

Here are some additional things to consider when deciding whether or not to add solar thermal to your home:

  • The cost of installation. The cost of installing a solar thermal system varies depending on the size of your home, the type of system you choose, and the installer you hire. However, the cost of solar thermal systems has been declining in recent years, and many state and federal government programs offer incentives to help offset the cost of installation.

  • The amount of sunlight your home receives. Solar thermal systems work best in areas with a lot of sunlight. If your home doesn’t receive a lot of sunlight, you may need to purchase a larger system or consider a different type of renewable energy technology.

  • Your home’s heating and cooling needs. If your home has a high demand for hot water or heating, then a solar thermal system may be a good option for you. However, if your home’s hot water and heating needs are relatively low, then a solar thermal system may not be worth the investment.

Overall, solar thermal is a great option for homeowners who are looking for a way to save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase the value of their home. If you’re curious about solar thermal for your Idaho home get in touch! We would love to chat with you about all we can offer!

It’s Never Too Early to Plan to Save!

Fool’s Spring, the Spring of Deception! Call it what you will, while we’ve seen a little warm snap in the Treasure Valley over the last few days – and a fairly mild Winter overall so far – Spring isn’t on the way just quite yet! But! That doesn’t mean that it’s too early to start planning to save on your energy bills this year.

Here at Renewable Energy NW LLC we’re already getting excited for the warmer seasons – if for no other reason than it means less frozen fingers and toes while we work! Growth in Idaho continues to be fairly steady and it’s always a little nicer to work installing solar thermal flooring when the temperatures are above freezing. Whether or not that same sentiment will continue into the Summer as we’re up on roof tops putting in solar PV is a whole other story!

One thing that won’t change regardless of season is the fact that we’re one of Idaho’s longest running and most experienced green energy company! We’ve installed over 2,000 panels all across Idaho including the Treasure Valley, Magic Valley, and beyond. What’s more, we’ve worked with all sizes and types of clients – from huge multi-acre dairies to single-family homes, apartment complexes, and more. And we don’t just do solar thermal – or solar PV! – we offer whole house energy solutions from floor to ceiling!

If you’re looking to start fresh this year with a new home, or are looking for ways to start saving in the home you’ve been in for years, we would love to talk with you! Whatever you energy problems are we have the solution!

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