Author Archives: MaryElizabeth Mooney

About MaryElizabeth Mooney

MaryElizabeth is a Content Marketing Specialist at EnergySage. She's an expert in PR and marketing, gravitating toward work in energy and the environment space. When she isn't researching and writing about renewable energy solutions, she can be found on the trail (skiing or hiking) or at a concert.

solar panels with air source heat pumps

Benefits of solar-powered air source heat pumps

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If you’re already considering installing solar panels, you’re probably familiar with (and looking forward to!) the positive impact it will have on lowering your monthly electric bill. But what if you could also substantially decrease your monthly heating and cooling bills with your new system? You can maximize your energy bill savings and reduce your carbon footprint by pairing your solar panels with energy-efficient air source heat pumps.

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pros and cons of air source heat pumps

Pros and cons of air source heat pumps

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Choosing how you want to heat and cool your property is an important decision, especially regarding your energy bills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), heating and cooling make up roughly 53 percent of energy consumption in the average U.S. home, adding up to about $93 billion per year. Because these technologies make up such a large portion of energy costs, homeowners are increasingly looking to upgrade to newer, smarter, and more energy-efficient technologies like air source heat pumps (ASHPs). In this article, we’ll dive into some of the most important advantages and disadvantages of ASHPs to keep in mind as you’re evaluating what heating and cooling technologies are best for your home.

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solar charge controller

Guide to solar charge controllers: what you need to know

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If you’re considering installing an off-grid solar project with a battery attached, you’ll want to look into a solar charge controller for your system. Charge controllers act as a gateway to your battery, and ensure that you don’t overcharge and damage your energy storage system. In this article, we’ll cover what a solar charge controller is, and how the two major types—pulse width modulation (PWM) and maximum power point tracking (MPPT)—compare.

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Utility bills

What is a utility bill?

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Utility bills are a regular occurrence in most people’s lives – and can add up hundreds of dollars a month in expenses! Generally, you’ll get utility bills for things like electricity, gas, and water (typically each month) to your home or business. We’ll break down what utility bills you’re likely receiving, what makes up the final utility bill you see at the end of each billing cycle, and ways to save on your utility bills in the future.

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solar pool heater

Guide to solar pool heaters: what you need to know

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Pool owners are fortunate to have a place to cool down during hot, sticky weather, but owning a pool is not without its pain points. In an effort to keep pools open for as long as possible, pool owners may spend a good amount of money on heating the water to comfortable swimming temperatures. If you have a pool and are finding yourself paying a lot to keep it warm, you should definitely consider renewable energy options for heating. While relying on warm weather to passively heat your pool is a good solution during the height of the summer, solar pool heaters are a great option to consider if you want to save money while extending pool season earlier into the spring and later into the fall.

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Enphase battery warranty review

We read Enphase’s IQ Battery warranty so you don’t have to 

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Let’s face it – warranties aren’t the easiest (or most gripping) documents to read. There are often a lot of details and fine print included that can be hard to digest, leaving many to wonder: what does the warranty actually cover? Am I vulnerable? Anything I might be missing?

To make it as easy as possible, we’ve read warranty documents for the top solar battery manufacturers, talked to them to confirm what is and isn’t included, and plan to point out the most important aspects of each in a series of articles. In this article, we’ll review the warranty of a well-known manufacturer in the solar industry: Enphase Energy.

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solar light

Guide to outdoor solar lights: what outdoor solar lighting solutions are available?

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Solar power can be used in many ways. Aside from a traditional rooftop solar panel installation, you can Solar power can be used in many ways. Aside from a traditional rooftop solar panel installation, you can take advantage of solar energy with outdoor solar lights that capture, store, and then use the sun’s energy to light your property. There are a wide variety of outdoor solar lighting options that fit most needs. In this article, we cover the basic types of outdoor solar lighting that you may want to use on your property.

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solar christmas lights

Guide to solar Christmas lights: what you need to know

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One of the best parts about the holidays is seeing all of the light displays in your neighborhood. Some places even host competitions and ask people to vote on their favorite houses. Whether you are decorating to impress, or just to have fun, there is a good chance that a string or two of Christmas lights is part of your plan. They may not look like much, but they do use electricity–if you keep your string lights up for several weeks, you may end up with a surprisingly large electric bill after all those presents are unwrapped. 

Luckily, there is a pretty quick and easy way for you to keep your electricity bills down while still having a brightly decorated home–solar Christmas lights! Solar isn’t just for your rooftop: it also offers a renewable alternative to conventional holiday lights. Solar Christmas lights are a great option for energy-conscious holiday decorators.

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heat pump faqs

Frequently asked questions about air source heat pumps

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Air source heat pumps are an efficient and effective electric heating and cooling system for your home or business. They can be adapted to work with a pre-existing ducted heating system but don’t require ducts, and ductless systems are easily installed in almost all buildings. They can also be integrated into smart home systems and can even help new construction avoid needing a natural gas line. In this article, we’ll outline some key questions to ask to help you determine if air source heat pumps are right for you! 

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