Energy Efficient Solutions for Your Home

EFFICIENCY CALCULATION & DESIGN

Let’s start by understanding how Energy Star plays a key role in our designs and calculations. Using the 1–100 ENERGY STAR score, you can understand how your home’s energy consumption measures up against similar homes nationwide. 

 The 1 – 100 ENERGY STAR score for Single-Family Homes applies to single-family detached and attached homes.  The objective of the ENERGY STAR score is to provide a fair assessment of the energy performance of a property relative to its peers, taking into account the climate, weather, and activities at the property. To identify the aspects of building activity that are significant drivers of energy use and then normalize for those factors, a statistical analysis of the peer building population is performed. 

The result of this analysis is an equation that will predict the energy use of a property, based on its experienced operations. The energy use prediction for a building is compared to its actual energy use to yield a 1 to 100 percentile ranking of performance, relative to the national population. 

  • Property Types. The ENERGY STAR score for Single-Family Homes applies to standalone buildings, or an individual structure that shares one or more exterior vertical wall with other buildings, such as a duplex or townhome. Single-Family Homes have their own lot and provide living space for one household or family.  The score applies to individual buildings only and is not available for neighborhoods.  

  • Reference Data. The analysis for single-family detached and attached homes is based on data obtained  from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE’s) 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS).  

  • Adjustments for Weather and Business Activity. 

The analysis includes adjustments for: 

  • Gross Floor Area 

  • Number of Household Members 

  • Weather and Climate (using Heating and Cooling Degree Days, retrieved based on ZIP code 

Solar First offers products and energy efficient solutions beyond just solar installation. 

ENERGY STAR HOME AUDIT

Our process for better evaluating, projecting and designing an Energy Efficient Solution is a mix of multiple platforms, along with performing a detailed and documented site visit and survey. Utilizing reliable data and information from Energy Star and HERS allows us to formulate a detailed comparison of the current standing of the home, while providing us a calculated expectation of what can be done in various areas to not only improve energy efficiency, but to remain within a set budget.

INSTALLATION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Solar First is licensed and certified in multiple states as well as a large span of network partnerships in many areas. 

EFFICIENCY MONITORING & REPORTING

All of our energy efficient solutions include energy monitoring and detailed before and after reporting. 

Our Services

  • Attic Insulation

    Energy used in homes and buildings is the number-one source of greenhouse gas emissions and in an under-insulated home, the majority of a home’s heat escapes through the attic. Adding insulation to the attic is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency, plus it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Adding attic insulation and sealing air leaks can help cut heating Where homes leak indoor air and cooling energy bills by up to 20%.

  • Hybrid Hot Water Heater

    When it comes to energy consumption, whether it is natural gas or 240V/AC, heating hot water for the home is one of the highest points of energy consumption, just past HVAC; until now. A few years ago, the hot water heating industry changed with the launch of the “Hybrid” hot water tank introducing heat pumps to the market and everyone from Rheem to Lochinvar was on board.

  • Upgraded Electrical Panel

    An outdated electrical panel may not optimize energy usage, resulting in wasted electricity and higher utility bills. Upgrading to a modern electrical panel enables the incorporation of energy-efficient technologies, such as smart meters, digital monitoring systems, and time-of-use controls. Whether you want to modernize an aging electrical system, accommodate new electrical demands, or simply improve your home’s overall safety, an electrical panel upgrade is a smart investment.

  • Home Energy Monitoring

    What is a home energy monitor and how does it work? Home energy monitors (HEM) are Wi-Fi enabled devices that are installed in your home’s electrical panel. Many HEMs only provide the whole home view of your usage. Some HEM devices give you real time data on how energy is being used in your home. A device like the Sense Home Energy Monitor discovers the unique electrical signatures of the electrical devices in your home.

  • Energy Efficient Appliances

    Transform your home's heating with our energy-efficient mini split heat pumps, designed to provide reliable warmth in any room while potentially reducing your heating costs by up to 40%.

  • Energy Efficient Lighting

    Energy-efficient lighting, such as LED bulbs, offers several advantages for homes. It reduces electricity by consuming less energy while providing the same or better illumination. A simple, yet over looked solution with a great impact on energy consumption.