Air Conditioning Rebates from Trane

Posted on August 15, 2011 by AWilson

Air conditioning rebates from Trane offer homeowners up $1,150 off the cost of a new high performance air conditioning system.  Trane offers a variety of air conditioning, heating and air quality products to the Southwest Florida community.  Best known for quality, reliability and product innovation, Trane air conditioning systems are a premium product in the industry.

Trane systems which qualify for a rebate for the Fall 2011 promotion include the XL20i, XL16i and XL15i.  Please remember, the rebate amount depends on the size and system purchased.  All systems can be combined with additional qualifying air quality products or thermostats to increase rebate total.

  • XL20i:  Trane’s XL20i system has a SEER rating up to 20 and is know for it’s durability, quiet comfort and dual compressor set up.  This air conditioner actually acts as two, featuring one compressor for extremely hot weather and one for milder temperatures.  To maintain efficiency, the ComfortLink system will connect key parts of the system is ensure the system is charged, calibrated and configured correctly to maintain indoor comfort and system efficiency.
  • XL16i:  With a SEER rating up 18.5, the XL16i system is best known for excellent performance and two stage cooling used to prevent indoor temperature swings during extreme weather conditions.  This system also has ComfortLink capabilities and offers the same durability and air quality as the XL20i system.
  • XL15i:  This air conditioning system is part of the Super Efficiency class of Trane products.  The XL15i offers the same durability and air quality of all Trane systems and has a SEER rating up to 16.
All qualifying air conditioning systems can combine rebates offered by Trane, FPL and the Federal Government.

Contact the FL Green Team to learn how you can take advantage of Trane’s rebates this Fall!

The goal of the FL Green Team is to provide members of the Southwest Florida community with information to make their home more energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy through education, energy upgrades and innovative testing.

 

Posted in Air Conditioning, Trane Products | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Home Energy Audit: How Efficient is My Florida Home?

Posted on July 12, 2011 by AWilson

A Home Energy Audit includes a series of tests to help homeowners determine where their home is wasting energy.  To decrease your monthly electric consumption, you must first determine how much electricity you are using and through what appliances.  The goal of a home energy audit is to analyze current energy use and provide cost effective solutions to improve you home’s efficiency.  Upgrades offered by a home energy audit can fit in to any family’s budget and cut electric bills from 10-100%!

What tests are used in a Home Energy Audit?

CREST: Developed by Noah Blanco, CREST is a computer program that simulates your home’s electric bill.  The home energy auditing program takes into account daily routines and energy upgrades you have already made to your home (for example, recently replaced you air conditioner or added window tint).  A list of recommended appliances and upgrades to make on your home is generated after the program has analyzed your energy habits so you can decide which fit your budget and which to save up for.

Blower Door Test:  If your ductwork is less than 10 years old, a State Certified Energy Rater will depressurize your home to test each air conditioning register for leakage.

Duct Blaster Test:  For ductwork that is over 10 years old, a duct blaster test would be used during your home energy audit.  Each air conditioning register is sealed off to measure the leakage rate of your home’s duct system.

HERS Rating (Home Energy Rating Systems):  Information gathered from the duct blaster test or blower door test is combined with the insulation R-value, type of windows, orientation of the home, overhangs, natural shading, etc is loaded into a computer program called Florida Energy Gauge.  This allows you to compare your home’s energy efficiency to home’s of comparable size.

Manuel J Calculations:  To determine the proper size air conditioning system for your home, taking heat load into consideration before determining the “right” size.

Can anyone conduct a Home Energy Audit on my home?

There are two levels of Florida State Certified Energy Raters.  Only Class 1 State Certified Energy Raters can conduct HERS Rating tests.  These raters have gone through 1,000s of training hours to achieve this prestigious certification. Also, most of the testing needs specialized equipment so it important the company you use has the required tools.

How much does a Home Energy Audit cost?

A home energy audit from the FL Green Team is FREE!  That’s right, free!

What are some examples of upgrades a Home Energy Audit would suggest for my home?

Home energy audits show air conditioning and ductwork as the largest energy consumer in your home so it is important to have a properly sized and efficient air conditioner working with a leak-free duct system.  Solar hot water heating or a waste heat recovery unit are great options for water heating.  Window tint, insulation and other solar applications are additional ways to cut your electric bill and services offered by the FL Green Team.

To learn how to make your home more energy efficient, schedule a Home Energy Audit today!

The goal of the FL Green Team is to provide members of the Southwest Florida community with information to make their home more energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy through education, energy upgrades and innovative testing.

Posted in Air Conditioning, Ductwork, Financing & Rebates, FL Green Team, FPL, Home Energy Audits, Home Energy Efficiency Tips, Insulation, Rheem Rebate, Solar Electric (Photovoltaic), Solar Energy, Solar Hot Water, Solar Pool Heating, Trane Rebate, Window Film | 1 Comment

Solar Electric System Powers the FL Green Team Headquarters

Posted on June 29, 2011 by AWilson

A 12.6 KW solar electric system powers the FL Green Team headquarters and showroom in Fort Myers, Florida.  The 72 Solar World solar electric panels mounted on our roof provide all of the electricity for our 21,000 square foot building and warehouse.  The solar electric panels make the FL Green Team a carbon neutral facility, meaning we produce enough electricity to offset our consumption on an annual basis.  Two 6,000 watt Sunny Boy inverters inside of the building, convert the DC current produced by the solar electric panels to AC current electricity.  The solar electric system is “grid-tied” so if the system produces more electricity than used, the meter will run backwards and the utility company will buy the excess power back.  The solar electric system works most efficiently on cool sunny days, however as long as the sun is shining, electricity is being generated.  The electric bill for our entire space is sometimes as low as $8!

Can a Solar Electric System power my home?

 

The answer is, Yes!  The philosophy of the FL Green Team is to make your home as efficient as possible before installing a solar electric system.  By replacing your air conditioner, adding window tint, using solar water heating system and insulating your attic, your electric consumption can be cut in half.  Which, when considering a solar electric system, means you only have to produce half of your previous electric consumption.  The solar electric system will in turn be smaller and more affordable forhomeowners.

Incentives & Rebates for Solar Electric Systems

The Federal Government offers 30% of the cost of a solar electric system as a tax credit.  FPL is offering homeowners a rebate up to $20,000 to install a solar electric system.  Funds for the FPL Solar Rebate are limited so you must act quickly.

For more information on solar electric systems or how to reduce your home’s energy consumption, schedule an appointment with one of our energy raters.

The goal of the FL Green Team is to provide members of the Southwest Florida community with information to make their home more energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy through education, energy upgrades and innovative testing.

Posted in FL Green Team, Solar Electric (Photovoltaic), Solar Energy | Tagged | Leave a comment

Solar Water Heating in Florida

Posted on June 22, 2011 by AWilson

Many homeowners are making the switch to solar water heating systems.  In Florida, solar energy is commonly used to heat pools and spas.  Energy prices are continually rising and more homeowners are turning to solar water heating systems to heat their home’s water and even provide electricity.  Businesses are also following the trend to save money on electrical costs with solar water heating systems and solar electric systems.  Here are a few common questions homeowners ask our energy raters when deciding if solar water heating is right for their home:

Will a solar water heating system provide enough hot water for my family’s cleaning and bathing routine?

With a solar water heating system, you will actually have more hot water than before.  A properly sized solar water heating system will eliminate the need to wait for the water to “heat up” between showers or loads of laundry.  Solar water heating systems are installed in addition to your regular water heater so even on cloudy days, you will still have hot water.  In order to maximize your savings, you should try to use the most hot water in the late morning and early afternoon.  This is when the solar water heating system is operating the best.  For example, rather than washing multiple laundry loads in one day, it would be best to do one per day.  This will reduce the amount your regular water heater must operate and use the water from the solar water heating system for your household chores.  Water heated by the sun can reach temperatures over 212º F !  The average temperature for household use is between 120º and 130º F.

How long does it take for a solar water heating system to pay for itself?

The payback period on a solar water heating system depends on the number of people living in your home.   For a family of 4, the payback period is about 4 years.  It may be more useful to think of a solar water heating system as an investment with an annual return.  Without a solar water heating system, you pay your electric company to heat the water for your home.  With a solar water heating system, you don’t pay to heat the water, rather you pay for the system.  A solar water heating system is one of the best investment available today because it guarantees a return on investment.

Current Solar Rebates in Florida: FPL Solar Rebate & Federal Tax Credit

Right now, FPL is offering homeowners $1,000 for replacing your current water heating system with a solar water heating system.  The Federal Government provides a solar tax credit equal to the 30% of the cost of the solar water heating system.

Contact the FL Green Team to learn more about solar water heating systems or to take advantage of the solar rebates!

The goal of the FL Green Team is to provide members of the Southwest Florida community with information to make their home more energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy through education, energy upgrades and innovative testing.

Posted in Financing & Rebates, FL Green Team, FPL, Home Energy Audits, Solar Energy, Solar Hot Water | Tagged | 1 Comment

Solar Water Heating vs. Waste Heat Recovery

Posted on June 16, 2011 by AWilson

What appliance is used 365 days a year in your home? Your home’s air conditioner or refrigerator?  You could say the air conditioner does not get used every day, as there are some cooler days when your air conditioner is turned “Off”.  So which appliance gets used every day of the year, no matter the weather outside?  The answer is your water heater.  According to FPL, LCEC and the Florida Solar Energy Center, your water heater is the second largest annual electric consumer in most Florida homes.  Second only to the air conditioner.  So what can you do as a homeowner to save on water heating costs?

There are two main options when deciding to make your home’s water heating methods more energy efficient: Solar Water Heating or a Waste Heat Recovery Unit.

Solar Water Heating

A solar water heating system will handle about 90% of your home’s annual water heating needs.   The system is composed of a solar water heating panel about the size of a plywood sheet.  This solar panel circulates the water, heating it with the heat from the sun. The solar water heating system also includes an 80 gallon water heater tank to store heated water for use of up to 2 days.  The solar water heating system also includes a circulating pump, which is completely operated by a mini-solar PV panel.  This small solar electric panel makes the pump independent of you home’s electricity.  With this small panel, the solar water heating system will operate even if there is a long power outage.  For a Solar Water Heating system to perform at it’s highest efficiency,   a Southern exposure is the key.

Rebates & Tax Credits for Solar Water Heating Systems

FPL is offering $1,000 to homeowners who install a new solar water heating system.  The FPL Solar Rebates are only offered for a limited time but can be combined with other incentives.  The Federal Government provides a 30% tax credit on the total cost of a solar water heating system.  With these two incentives, from FPL and the Federal Government, it is easy to go solar, go green and start saving 90% on your water heating costs!

Waste Heat Recovery Unit

A waste heat recovery unit will handle about 70% of your annual water heating needs for your home.  The system is a “box,” about the size of a shoebox, mounted outside by your air conditioner.  It is not a water heater itself, but a measure to heat the water inside your existing tank.  The waste heat recovery unit eliminates the need for your water heater tank to use the electric heat resistance.  This is done by the waste heat recovery unit when your air conditioning system is running.  The “wasted heat” that is dissipated and released into the air by the outdoor unit is transferred through the heat exchanger into the water in your existing water heater tank.  However, for the system to work effectively, the air conditioner must be continually running.  On average, 5 gallons of hot water is produced for every ton of air, per hour.  For example, a 3 ton air conditioning system will produce about 15 gallons of hot water per hour of run time.  Also, Waste Heat Recovery systems start to lose efficiency when tied to an air conditioning system rated 17 SEER or higher.  As the newer, more efficient air conditioning systems run less to remove the heat from your home, the heat received from the air conditioning system decreases. If you are considering replacing your air conditioning soon with an ultra high efficiency system, you would be better off with a Solar Water Heating system.  Currently, there are no tax credits or rebates offered for adding a waste heat recovery unit to your home’s air conditioning system.

The goal of the FL Green Team is to provide members of the Southwest Florida community with information to make their home more energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy through education, energy upgrades and innovative testing.

Posted in Air Conditioning, Financing & Rebates, FL Green Team, FPL, Heat Recovery Units, Home Energy Audits, Home Energy Efficiency Tips, Solar Energy, Solar Hot Water | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Cut Your Electric Bill 50%: Solar Water Heater & Air Conditioning

Posted on June 13, 2011 by AWilson

Castillo Family Case Study

In 2008, a Solar Water Heater was installed by the FL Green Team for the Castillo family of Fort Myers, Florida.  The family of 4 lives in a 6,500 square foot home with a barrel tile roof.  Before installing a solar water heater, their electric bill totaled $500 per month.  After installing the solar water heater, their electric bills dropped as low as $288 in December and $395 in June!

In June of 2010, the Castillo family replaced their air conditioning systems with 18 SEER Rheem Air Conditioning units.  Air conditioning costs represent about 50% of a family’s monthly electric bill.  An inefficient air conditioning system can costs homeowners hundreds of dollars on their electric bill each month.  Also, parts and labors costs can quickly add up when constantly repairing a new unit.  After the air conditioning installation, their electric bills dropped again, as low as $200 some months!

This table provides a monthly breakdown of the Castillo Electric Bill.  The red box indicates the installation of a solar hot water heater and the blue box is when the upgraded air conditioning systems were added.

Can my family Cut our Electric Bill 50% with a Solar Water Heater and Air Conditioner?

First, homeowners should have a Home Energy Audit completed on their home.  Our State Certified Energy Raters will show you exactly where you are spending money in your home and provide cost effective solutions to make your home more efficient.  Since air conditioning represents about 50% of your monthly electric bill, this is typically addressed first.  We will help you decide if air conditioning replacement is right for your particular situation.

Water heating is the second largest portion of your monthly electric expenses, about 15-18% of your bill.  Replacing gas or electric water heating systems with a solar water heater can drastically reduce monthly expenses.  Currently, there is a FPL Solar Rebate that will pay you up to $1,000 for installing a new solar water heater for your home.  The Federal Government also offers a 30% tax credit to homeowners who install a solar water heater.

To learn how to Cut Your Electric Bill by 50%, please contact the FL Green Team or request an estimate.

The goal of the FL Green Team is to provide members of the Southwest Florida community with information to make their home more energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy through education, energy upgrades and innovative testing. Please click here to learn more about our company and services.

Posted in Air Conditioning, Financing & Rebates, FL Green Team, FPL, Home Energy Efficiency Tips, Rheem Products, Rheem Rebate, Solar Energy, Solar Hot Water | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Is a Solar Water Heating System Right for My Home?

Posted on June 9, 2011 by AWilson

Solar water heating systems are considered to be “the world’s most efficient household appliance.”  Each month hot water costs about $18.00 per person in a household.   For a family of 2, a solar water heating system can provide about 90% of the hot water needed.  A solar water heater can produce about 80% of the hot water required for a family of 4.

Is a Solar Water Heating System right for my home or business?

Direct sunlight is required to efficiently heat solar hot water collectors.  An area on your roof that is unshaded between 9 am and 3 pm works best.  Solar water heating collectors are not as sensitive to shading as solar electric (PV) panels, but it is important to recognize shading from trees or surrounding buildings and houses.  We will help you determine the best location for your solar water heating collector to ensure maximum efficiency.

What size should my Solar Hot Water System be?

Solar energy professionals from the FL Green Team will help you select a solar water heating system that is properly sized for your home or business’ needs.  A small solar water heating system with 50-60 gallons of storage is typically used for a household of 2-3 people.  A household with 3 or more residents will require a tank holding 80 to 120 gallons.  Depending on the number of people in your home, water conservation efforts and daily habits these number can vary.  On a cloudy day, the solar water heating system will use any available sunshine to help meet the hot water demand and the rest will come from you electric water heater.

What Rebates or Incentives are available for Solar Water Heating Systems?

FPL is currently offering homeowners $1,000 to replace their existing gas or electric water heater with a solar water heating system.  Business owners can receive up to $50,000 for the installation of solar water heating equipment.  The FPL Solar Rebate program has limited funds, so you must act quickly.

The Federal Government offers a 30% tax credit on the cost of an installed solar water heating system or solar electric system.  Learn the details of the solar rebate by visiting Energy Star.

To learn more about solar water heating systems or to schedule an appointment, please contact the FL Green Team today!

The goal of the FL Green Team is to provide members of the Southwest Florida community with information to make their home more energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy through education, energy upgrades and innovative testing.

Posted in Financing & Rebates, FL Green Team, FPL, Solar Energy, Solar Hot Water | Tagged , | 3 Comments

FPL Solar Rebate: Solar Hot Water & Solar Electric

Posted on June 7, 2011 by AWilson

On June 21, the FPL Solar Rebate will be offered to home and business owners who install solar energy systems for their homes and businesses.  The cash back rebates are part of a five-year pilot program approved by the Florida Public Service Commission.  Funding is limited, so don’t delay!

Reed Wilson, owner of the FL Green Team has been a state certified solar energy contractor in Southwest Florida for over 30 years.  Our energy raters will help you select a properly sized solar system for your home to ensure efficiency.  We currently participate in residential rebate programs offered by FPL including air conditioning replacement and ductwork testing.  The FL Green Team staff understands the FPL Rebate process and will assist in filing the proper solar rebate forms.

What does the FPL Solar Rebate mean for my family?

Water heating represents about 14% of your home’s electric bill each month.  According to the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a solar hot water system can provide about 85% of the hot water used in your home.  The FPL Solar Rebate program offers $1,000 for all new solar water heaters installed for FPL customers who currently have gas or electric water heating.

Solar electric systems can power your entire home and do not require large battery packs.  New PV systems installed for residential FPL customers are eligible for a rebate of $2 for every watt of DC output, up to $20,000.

Financing is available for qualified homeowners on solar hot water or solar electric systems.  We guarantee your savings on your electric bill will exceed your monthly payment on your new solar system.

What are the FPL Solar Rebates for businesses?

Solar Hot Water:  A solar water heater can cut a business’ water heating costs between 50- 85%.  The FPL Solar Rebate offers business customers a rebate of up to $50,000 per site for installing new solar water heating systems. Businesses with multiple locations can receive up to $150,000 each year.  The rebate is available to all existing business customers who currently have electric or gas water heating.

Solar Electric: Installing photovoltaic (PV) systems on your business can qualify for a FPL Solar Rebate of up to $50,000 per location and up to $150,000 for multiple locations.  This program is available to all current FPL business customers.

Please contact us to schedule an appointment to see how you can participate in the FPL Solar Rebate program or for more information on solar energy.

The goal of the FL Green Team is to provide members of the Southwest Florida community with information to make their home more energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy through education, energy upgrades and innovative testing.

Posted in Financing & Rebates, FL Green Team, FPL, Solar Electric (Photovoltaic), Solar Energy, Solar Hot Water | Tagged | 3 Comments

Should I Schedule a Duct Cleaning?

Posted on May 31, 2011 by AWilson

Duct cleaning services can cost as much as or more than replacing your entire duct system.  If your A/C system has a good filter, your air conditioner and ducts will stay clean.  All dust and debris will be trapped at the filter location, stopping contaminants from reaching the air handler coils, blower wheel, and of course the ducts. We recommend High Flow Air Filters to keep your air conditioning system and the air you are breathing in clean and healthy.

Many duct-cleaning services make offers that are too good to be true and can actually cause damage to duct systems during their visit.  Duct contamination is rare but can cause severe health issues if ignored.  Most contamination can be avoided by monthly cleaning or by replacing return air filters, annual cleaning and servicing of your HVAC system.  You should have an air conditioning maintenance at least once a year to ensure your unit is clean and running efficiently.  To see a complete, extensive article on duct cleaning from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), please visit http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html.

Dateline NBC went undercover to expose common “bait and switch” tactics used by dishonest duct cleaning companies.   While some companies complete an thorough job, others take advantage of homeowners.

The goal of the FL Green Team is to provide members of the Southwest Florida community with information to make their home more energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy through education, energy upgrades and innovative testing. Please click here to learn more about our company and services.

Posted in Air Conditioning, Annual or Semi-Annual Maintenance, Ductwork, FL Green Team, Home Energy Audits | Tagged | 1 Comment

Waste Heat Recovery Units – Don’t Pay Twice

Posted on May 26, 2011 by AWilson

A waste heat recovery unit can keep you from paying the electric company twice.  Right now, you are paying the electric company to run your air conditioner and you are paying your electric company to heat water for your shower, dishwasher and laundry.

A waste heat recovery unit installed between the air conditioning unit and the water heater will take the excess heat from your A/C and use it to heat your water.  Energy Star states water heating represents about 14% of a homes electric bill each month.  A waste heat recovery unit is one way to help reduce monthly electric costs.

Waste heat recovery units are simple devices.  A small pump is connected to your water heater.  Then when your A/C turns on, the coolest water from your water heater is brought out to the heat exchanger where it is heated by the hot refrigerant from your air conditioner.  Then the heated water is returned to your water heater.

According to HotSpot Energy, high SEER air conditioning units still take the same amount of heat from indoors and move it outdoors even though they aren’t using as much electricity as older units.  In a climate like Southwest Florida, with a cooling season of 80% or higher, high SEER HVAC systems with waste heat recovery water heating is a smart investment.

To schedule a home energy audit, click here or to learn more about HotSpot Energy, click here.

The goal of the FL Green Team is to provide members of the Southwest Florida community with information to make their home more energy efficiency, comfortable and healthy through education, energy upgrades and innovative testing.  Please click here to learn more about our company and services.

Posted in Air Conditioning, FL Green Team, Heat Recovery Units, Home Energy Audits, Home Energy Efficiency Tips | Tagged | Comments Off