Saving energy is a practical way to help reduce the cost of homeownership.As energy costs increase, many homeowners continue to seek alternative energy sources to provide power to their homes and to explore ways in which they can reduce the amount of energy they use.
Some, both on Maui and on the Mainland, have gone “off the grid.” That means they have found another way to generate the electrical power they need and that they are not attached to the local power system, in our case Maui Electric Company (MECO). In an increasing number of cases, this is being done through the use of photovoltaic cells that can convert sunlight into energy. These can either be attached to the roof of the dwelling in panels, or be built directly into the roof.
If this seems exotic to you, energy experts expect that the relative cost of this technology will be reduced significantly as mass production techniques are applied to the production of the cells and the cost of carbon based fuels such as oil becomes more expensive. With the number of sunny days in Hawai‘i, photovoltaic electric power generation could become a practical tool in the effort to make our state less dependent on oil and coal for our power needs.
However, homeowners need not wait until that day to begin taking steps now to make their homes more effective consumers of energy. One immediate action is the installation of a solar water heating system. By using a MECO rebate and federal and state tax credits the cost of a $5,000 solar system could be reduced substantially.
You can also have a home that is energy smart by only buying appliances with the Energy Star label on them. These appliances exceed the federal requirements for efficient energy use.
Other easy options include cooling your home by opening windows to catch the trade winds and using ceiling fans instead of tuning on the air conditioning. For lighting, use the natural daylight, and whenever possible, use compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) for artificial light. CFLs use one-third the energy of incandescent bulb, last up to ten times longer and produce much less heat.
Use landscaping with trees and other plants to give your home shade on the warmer east, west and south facing sides of your home. If you are building a new home, orient the home with the longer sides facing within 15 degrees of true north. This will limit the amount of heat from the morning and afternoon sun and allow you to gain the maximum benefit from Hawai‘i’s cooling northeast trade winds.
Saving energy is good for Maui, the planet and for each and every one of us. It can also be a practical way to help reduce the cost of homeownership.
Premiere Mortgage has offices on Maui and Kaua‘i and provides a wide range of services to the real estate community. Tricia Morris may be reached on Maui, in Kihei, at 874-8800, Wailea, at 891-8900, West Maui at 665-8800, on Kaua‘i at (808) 822-2300, or toll-free at (800) 813-7711.