Overview

Practical and reader-friendly, the SMART GRID HOME explains how you can adapt and retrofit an existing residence to take advantage of the energy and cost saving technology now available as part of the development of the Smart Grid. Topics covered include reducing home energy consumption by eliminating heat loss and heat transfer, reducing the power-on time of electronics and other power equipment without loss of convenience, automating home electrical systems to maximize energy conservation, evaluating electrical devices for energy efficiency, developing energy conservation strategies for replacing inefficient appliances, and timing the use of electricity in the home to save both energy and money. Throughout each chapter the information needed to take advantage of utility and government incentive programs to offset some or all of the cost is provided. Coverage also includes the selection and installation of renewable energy source electrical generating systems such as photovoltaic solar generating systems, solar water heating systems, and wind turbine generating systems. In addition, the book describes how these home-based renewable energy systems can be connected to the smart grid so that as a homeowner, you will be paid by the public utility. 

Features

• Contains full instructions for measuring whole house and individual appliance electrical use, multiple methods for reducing electrical power consumption, and tips for upgrading to more efficient electrical devices.
• Describes how to evaluate home heat loss and heat transfer and how to reduce both by upgrading insulation, sealing the home against air leaks, upgrading windows and doors, and maximizing the use of passive solar energy.
• Explains how to select and install small renewable energy source electrical generating systems (photovoltaic and wind turbine) to produce electricity for home use and to sell to the local utility for cash or as an offset to electricity costs.
• Each chapter includes an introduction, key terms and phrases, an end-of-chapter summary, and review questions in order to help the reader understand the technology of smart grid home design and retain all the important information presented.
• Contains energy and cost-saving strategies that can be implemented by the average homeowner at minimum cost to both new and older homes.