JENNA DOSCH/VIEWSolar home owner Cal Oliver said he and his wife, Patty Prins, spent $25,000 to install a photovoltaic system in their house. They said they noticed an immediate savings in their electric bills.
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Gas prices are soaring. Electric bills keep climbing. What can a homeowner do to be more energy efficient?
Consider what Las Vegas residents Cal Oliver and his wife, Patty Prins, have been doing. They moved into a 1,650-square-foot KB Home about 11 years ago, and little by little, have been making it as energy efficient as possible.
"When we first looked at this house, the master bedroom was like being in an oven," Oliver said. "You couldn't stand to be in there."
The first thing they did was install solar screens over their windows. Next came wood shutters on the inside. The couple also put in efficient ceiling fans and had three solar tubes installed for added light.
"It took me about two months to remember not to flip on the light switch when I walked into the bathroom," Prins said. "I was so used to it being dark in there."
Oliver and Prins decided to go solar for their electrical needs about three years ago. With rebates, their photovoltaic system cost about $25,000. It has made an impact on their electric bill. In fact, they saw an immediate effect.
"Our highest was about $40, back when we had record heat," Oliver said.
Just this year, they replaced their air-conditioning and heating system with a more efficient one. And there is a Prius, a hybrid automobile by Toyota, in the garage.
Steve Rypka, a green living consultant, also has made his house into a prime example of living green.
He used photovoltaic solar modules, or panels, to generate all the electricity that he and his wife, Marsala, consume each day. Their power bill is usually $8.40 -- a service charge.
An expert can calculate how many solar panels are necessary for the homeowner's needs.
"I don't like to see people using zero electricity," said Scott Gerz, representative of SolarGenerations, a partner with Sierra Pacific and Nevada Power. "I'd rather see someone with a $100 monthly bill go down to $10. That means they didn't over-invest."
Nevada Power reports that there are 250 homes in the valley that have photovoltaic panel systems.
A photovoltaic solar module converts solar energy into electricity. Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semi-conducting materials. The negatively charged electrons are knocked loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow through the material to produce electricity.
The Rypkas' roughly 2,100-square-foot home has tile and cork flooring, ultra-efficient ceiling fans, carpeting made with recycled plastic bottles, insulation between the rafters and Energy Star appliances.
On a recent tour, Rypka noted that not every home is a candidate for solar energy. Items to consider are the roof angles, orientation of the building, where the most windows are located and if taller buildings are nearby, he said.
"See those vent pipes? Anything like that, that casts a shadow, will affect the panels' ability to (gather sunlight)," Rypka said.
Rypka does an assessment for those considering the change and steers them to professionals for installation.
Homeowners who would like to go solar for their electrical needs must justify the initial cost of $30,000 to $35,000 for the system.
"It's not as simple as going out and buying an appliance," Rypka said.
Las Vegas resident Chris Nasso recalled how solar energy was proposed as a solution a long time ago.
"You see how 25, 30 years have gone by, and it's still not economically viable," he said. "You would think that a town like this would go that route."
TIPS FOR SAVING ENERGY
* Programmable thermostats allow individuals to use less energy when they're not home.
Nevada Power's Web site suggests programming the temperature 6 degrees higher in summer when the house is empty. Any more than that defeats the purpose. Likewise, in winter, program it 6 degrees cooler, the site states.
* Low-flow shower heads are designed to provide adequate water without wasting it. If a house is older and did not come with one, it can be purchased for between $9 and $90, depending on the model.
* Those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen might consider installing a faucet operated by a foot pedal. They can be found online for $350 to $430, plus the cost of installation.
* Water heaters run 24/7 to keep water hot. A more efficient method is an on-demand system. Summerlin resident Cal Oliver had one installed after buying it online at www.faucetdepot.com for roughly $1,000. It came with free shipping.
Installation has to be done by a professional and will cost the homeowner about another $1,000, Oliver said. Venting requirements might increase that cost, he added.
* Residents also can keep their electrical outlets from robbing them of energy. Home improvement stores sell foam pads specifically for blocking outside air.
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