Green Builder
Sorlien Electric's Green Ideas
Sorlien Electric is an electrical contractor that has been wiring homes since 1984. They have many ideas for saving energy, saving money and making life comfortable. Here are just a few of the products they recommend to save money and environment:
Lessco Air-Vapor Barrier Boxes: Lessco boxes prevent cold air infiltration/warm air exfiltration from occurring through electrical boxes in exterior walls and in ceilings. This leakage creates higher heat loads and warm air exfiltration can also carry water vapor that can condense in the wall or attic cavity creating rotting action or mold growth.
Radiant Heating (CalorIQue): Constructed of polymer substrates that sandwich the resistive coatings and electrical supply bus bars. Element has 70% of its surface actively producing heat. Because of the thin, flexible elements producing heat evenly across the entire surface the temperature remains low and is never hot enough to burn, scorch or singe. Most heating systems have one or two zones, heating all parts of the house the same. This wastes money by pumping heat into rooms that may not need it, while leaving others too cold. Each CalorIQue radiantly heated room is controlled by its own thermostat so that optimum comfort and economy are always maintained.
Motion Detector switches in bathrooms or rear entries: This saves energy by lights being shut off if there is no movement in the area, you do not need to worry about young children forgetting to turn off the lights when they exit the room.
Lutron Dimmers: The amount you save depends on how many bulbs you use with the dimmer, the amount of time you dim the lights, and by what percentage you dim them. For example, dimming four 75W bulbs by 33% for 3 hours a day saves 26% electricity, translating into $48 in savings over 5 years. Dimmers can help reduce CO2 emissions. In fact, if every household in the US installed one Lutron dimmer, we would reduce CO2 emissions equivalent to that from 370,000 cars. Dimmed bulbs also last up to 10 years longer, reducing landfill waste.
BPS System: Back Up Power Supply provides 24/7 instant backup power for critical loads in single ready to install system. The BPS System easily integrates with, and lets you utilize alternative energy! Harness the power of solar, wind or water and make your own power! All that is required (in addition to the BPS System) is a charge controller and a solar panel or windmill.
Solar System Standby or off Grid Power generator: The BPS-3600-S Solar Power Package is a complete renewable energy and emergency backup power system that is complete with everything you need to be up and running with a self sufficient alternative and renewable energy system. In Backup Power Mode, the ultra quiet system monitors your utility companys electric power (24 X 7). In the event of a power outage the built-in automatic transfer switch quickly (6ms) and automatically provides Backup Emergency Power and can automatically recharge with the power of the sun. When utility power is restored the BpS-3600-S automatically connects with utility power.
LED Recessed Lighting fixtures: The light output of the12-watt LR6 is comparable to that of a 65-watt incandescent. Cree lighting provides efficiency and enables consumers to save hundreds of dollars over the life of the light, without compromising beauty or the environment. Save Energy "Lights out" on high energy usage. Cree technology uses only 12 watts of power. That's 85% less energy spent per incandescent light, and 50% less than a CFL. Save Money On average in the United States, running a 65-watt light for 50,000 hours would cost $325 in electricity alone. Because the LR6 uses only 12 watts, running the light for 50,000 hours will cost only $60 under the same scenario. In addition, you will no longer spend time or money replacing lights. Over the lifetime of one LR6, you will save $265 dollars or more on your electric bill alone. Imagine the savings if every light in your home was an LR6!
The LR6 lasts more than 20 years (50,000 hours) under normal use. That makes life simpler, especially in hard-to-reach installations.
Unlike incandescent fixtures, the LR6 is comfortable to the touch, and it reduces the burden and cost of the air conditioning system.
The new LR6 uses 85% less energy than a conventional incandescent and less than half that of a comparable fluorescent. And unlike any fluorescent, the LR6 contains no harmful mercury.
See something you like, or know what you want in your new home? Please contact us. We will sit down with you, listen to your ideas, and work together to come up with a design and house plan that fits your needs, style, and budget.
