Owning your own solar power system will make you aware of how much electricity you're using; solar power systems aren't a panacea; they can cut your electrical bills. Reducing your energy use in general will cut them further, and will likely cut them more. Turn things off when they aren't in use, be it radios, televisions or computers. For things that plug into wall sockets, put them on a power strip and turn that off at the source to eliminate 'vampire' consumption (a typical cell phone recharger, even when nothing is plugged in, trickle charges at a bit under a watt, other devices, like laptop chargers, do the same). While you're at it, swap out any indoor incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents; they typically use a quarter to a fifth of the electrical power.
Something to consider down the road is replacing your appliances with more energy efficient models; energy efficient refrigerators are the top of the list, as are hot water heaters (solar thermal hoot water systems are also worthwhile expenditures). Your solar energy system isn't going to be able to power an air conditioning system, though it'll take the edge off. Swamp coolers are a low power option right now.\
See the list to the right for complete information about how to build your own solar-powered system.
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About the Author
John Horning specializes in reporting on do-it-yourself solar power projects and related topics. Visit his website at DIY-Solar-Power.net.
