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Electrical Contractors and Architects Work to Create Positive Energy

Published: 08/04/2010 by Patsy Hamilton for HomeImprovement411.ca

Electrical contractors are the guys to go to when you need work done in your home or office that involves electricity. Together with architectural designers, some of them are working to create buildings that produce more electricity than they use. They call it a positive energy balance.

Two examples are found in Freiburg Germany. The Solar Settlement and the Sun Ship were completed in 2004. They were designed by architect Rolf Disch.

The Solar Settlement is the first example of a complete housing community that produces more energy than it consumes. In order to achieve that, the buildings were designed to capture as much solar energy as possible and consume as little of it as possible.

The latest photovoltaic solar energy cells contain no lead or toxic substances. The housing is resistant to weather and breakage. The panels can be mounted on slanted rooftops or other surfaces.

Any energy not consumed by the building goes back into the local electric company’s main power grid. They are required to pay consumers for any extra electricity generated by their home systems.

Electrical contractors can safely hook the wiring of an existing home to a panel. At the very least, it will reduce the amount of electricity that you have to buy from your local utility company.

Efforts are underway to create new buildings that emit no carbon or other pollutants. New “sustainable” materials are being used in new construction. The idea of buying material locally is being promoted in order to reduce the energy consumed during transportation.

Landscapes are being designed in order to reduce water usage. Plants that are able to survive droughts are being recommended to prevent erosion.

Rock gardens are taking the place of grass in arid locations. Strategically placed trees and bushes are being used to act as windbreaks in the winter and provide shade during the summer.

Electrical contractors and HVAC specialists are becoming familiar with other alternative energy sources. In addition to solar, there is wind, water, hydrogen and geothermal.

Federal, state, provincial and local governments are offering rebates, grants and tax credits to homeowners that make changes to improve their home’s energy efficiency. The idea of thinking globally and acting locally is being used throughout the world.

It is in our best interest and that of generations to come to think about how much energy and freshwater we are consuming on a daily basis. If things don’t change, scientists predict that there will be freshwater shortages and higher ocean levels within the next two decades.

Look for environmentally conscious electrical contractors to complete your projects. If you are thinking about constructing something new, consider hiring an architect with a sustainable design degree.

Not only are sustainable designs better for the environment, they last longer. So in the long run, they save homeowners money.

In order to get the best prices on sustainable designs and environmentally friendly home improvements, talk to several different electrical contractors or post your project here at HomeImprovement411. You will save money, time and help to save the environment.

Patsy Hamilton is a home improvement journalist at HomeImprovement411.ca. For more great useful home improvement articles please visit: http://www.homeimprovement411.ca

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