2. Trends in Cutting Utility Costs:
Solar Panel System
Energy-Star
Appliances
Light Emitting Diode
(LED) Bulbs
3. Solar Power: Alternate Means of
Energy
In 2014, 186,000 residential systems were installed in
the United States, the third consecutive year the market
grew by more than 50% (Esswein, 2015, p. 67).
4. Why Change to Solar Panel
Systems?
Reduced dependence to fossil fuels
Increased efficiency
Rising energy bills
Declining solar panel costs
Ease of installation throughout the
United States.
Federal renewable tax credits
State and local incentives
Financing
5. Types of Solar Panel
Installations
Stand Alone
The system must produce all the
electricity the house needs.
Grid-Tied System
The grid serves as a backup at
night or whenever the system is
not producing electricity.
When it produces more energy,
the system feeds the grid for a
credit.
6. Leasing or Buying?
Leasing
• Solar companies will supply the systems and
collect all the subsidies while the homeowner
pays a fixed amount for a guaranteed
electricity
• Homeowners receives the 30% federal
renewable energy tax credit
• Receives State Incentives
• Receives City Incentives
• Receives Utility Company Incentives
• Solar and renewable loans are now available.
Buying
7. Trend in Energy Star Appliances
Energy Star is a program designed to
promote energy efficient products to
consumers.
The Energy Star ratings are a
comparison between the latest Energy
Star models and the latest standard
models.
8. Energy Star Refrigerators
Guidelines When Buying a New
Refrigerator
• Use at least 15% less energy than the
standard models
• Larger models use more energy
• Stand-up refrigerators are more efficient than
side-by-side refrigerators
• Models with manual defrost use less electricity
than automatic defrost models
• Through-the-door dispensers and automatic ice
makers use more energy
9. Energy Star Washers
Advantages of Front-Loading
Washers
• Are 51% more efficient than the standard
models
• Use 50% less water than the standard models
• Use less detergent
• Larger load capacity
• Less drying time
• Quiet operation
10. Energy Star Water Heaters
Reduce the Water Heaters’
Energy Consumption
• Are 15% more efficient than the standard
models
• Better insulated
• Installing low flow shower heads and aerators
• Lowering the heater’s temperature to 120
degrees
• Washing clothes in warm water
11. Trends for Light Emitting
Diode (LED) bulbs.
Indoor and outdoor illuminations, automobile
interiors, and consumer electronics are the
main reasons for the increase in LED bulbs
purchases last year.
12. Why change to LED
bulbs?
More efficient than incandescent
More energy savings
Have a long useful life
Can be dimmed to full power
Does not emit radiation
Suitable for hard-to-reach spaces
Declining prices
13. Where are designers using the LED
Bulbs?
ACCENT LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HOUSEHOLD LIGHTING
