Investing in energy efficiency upgrades for your home is not only one of the easiest ways to decrease your carbon footprint; it’s also one of the best ways to save money on utility bills. However, despite the clear benefits, some homeowners hesitate to install air source heat pumps, add insulation to their home, or switch to solar hot water technologies because of anticipated upfront costs. Fortunately, this isn’t much of an obstacle in the Bay State: thanks to Mass Save, homeowners throughout Massachusetts can finance these projects at 0 percent interest with the HEAT Loan Program.
Continue readingTag Archives: Solar Hot Water
Solar pool heaters: what you need to know
While pool owners are fortunate to have a place to cool down during hot, sticky weather, it’s not without its pain points; in an effort to keep pools comfortable and open for as long as possible, pool owners may spend a good amount of money towards heating the water to swimmable temperatures. If you have a pool and pay a lot to keep it warm, you should consider renewable energy options for heating. While you can rely on warm weather to passively heat your pool, solar pool heaters are a good option to consider if you want to save money while extending pool season.
Continue readingPros and cons of solar hot water
Solar hot water systems are an attractive alternative to traditional water heaters. Before upgrading to a solar hot water setup, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of the technology.
Continue readingSolar thermal energy: what you need to know
There are two key methods for harnessing the power of the sun: either by generating electricity directly using solar photovoltaic (PV) panels or generating heat through solar thermal technologies. While the two types of solar energy are similar, they differ in their costs, benefits, and applications.
Continue readingAlternative Energy Certificates (AECs): a Massachusetts thermal energy incentive
Massachusetts homeowners experience some of the highest energy bills throughout the country; cold winters and humid summers lead to expensive heating and air conditioning costs. This has many Bay Staters looking towards clean heating technologies – such as solar hot water systems or air source heat pumps – as a way to curb these costs.
Continue readingWhat are examples of renewable energy resources?
Renewable energy resources are alternative to fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Options like solar energy, wind, hydropower, and geothermal are becoming more and more popular as their reduced impact on the environment and increasingly attractive economics turn heads in the energy industry.