News - Vaha

Converting to LED Could Save us Billions

A study of the major lighting applications by the US Department of Energy revealed that switching to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting has the potential to save us billions of dollars.

The report, Adoption of Light-Emitting Diodes in Common Lighting Applications, divided the major lighting applications into nine subgroups: A-type, directional, MR16, decorative, downlight, troffer, high-bay, streetlight, and parking garage. There were three major conclusions from the study:

In 2012, 49 million LED lamps were installed in the nine subgroups. 41% of these installations were A-type lights and yet they have a penetration rate of less than 1%.
Just in the 2012 calendar year, the 49 million LED installations accounted for 71 trillion British thermal units (tBtu) in energy savings and $675 million in corresponding energy costs.
If all nine markets were to switch instantaneously to LED lamps, annual savings could reach 3,873 tBtu. This would result in savings of approximately $37 billion.

If all nine markets truly did switch overnight, we would be able to cut the annual spending on lighting energy in half.

In addition to being extremely cost effective, LED lamps possess a multitude of benefits. The DOE shared that LED lights are long-lasting, provide directional lighting with minimal light pollution, function well in cold temperatures, reduce radiated heat, are unaffected by vibration, and produce uniform illumination and safety improvements in a smaller packaging size. Overall, LED lamps are a fantastic investment and possess an infinite amount of potential as its technologies are improved. The Department of Energy is hopeful that buyers in commercial, industrial, and residential industries will accept the technology and make the decision to commit to a greener and more efficient lifestyle.

To learn about additional ways to save on your energy costs, check out our tips and tricks.

SDG&E Announces Dramatic Increase in Energy Costs

Depending on your energy usage, you might see a significant spike in your monthly electricity costs.

San Diego Gas and Electric announced a rate increase of up to 30% effective after September 1st. This rate hike will only affect individuals in the top two tiers of energy consumption, which equates to approximately 25% of households. Consumers in Tiers 3 and 4 will be expected to pay an additional 15-30%, which makes the previous average annual increase of 6.7% seem negligible at best.

SDG&E released a report discussing the factors driving the energy costs. The two major changes inflating the costs are increased environmental initiatives and enhancements to the electric system. Currently, 20% of SDG&E’s electricity derives from environmentally friendly sources. However, the utility company’s objective is to reach 33% by 2020. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, SDG&E is adhering to stricter environmental laws, thus requiring the use of increasingly expensive energy means.

The electric system is also experiencing improvements. The investments in the system are designed to better safety features, reliability, and security. The additions include smart switches to automatically re-route power after a blackout, 144 weather stations to monitor winds in high fire risk areas, technology and backup power to manage solar and wind energy, and support for electric vehicle demand (SDG&E).

The price increase may seem daunting but the September 1st release date was set to give homeowners ample time to make any necessary changes to reduce their energy use. SDG&E included its own list of recommendations on easy ways to save. For more ideas, check out our own suggestions so you’re ready for the rate hike. At Vaha, we firmly believe that there’s no reason to pay way you do for your energy bills. Learn what you can do to combat those high costs.

Solar Leases on the Rise

Now, more than ever, homeowners are opting to lease solar panels for their rooftops rather than directly purchasing a system. System installations are estimated to rise by more than 50% this year and by an additional 38% in 2014. In the past, solar panels were strictly a means to reduce carbon emissions. However, with the rapidly decreasing costs of production and installation, solar systems have transformed into an instrument to lower monthly electricity bills and increase savings. Instead of being subjected to the whims of utility companies, homeowners now have an affordable alternative to utility.

In the past year, 91% of system installations were financed through leasing programs. Homeowners are finding that signing a 20-year solar lease is simply an intelligent financial decision.

“The leases save homeowners about 20-40% with absolutely no payment down. It’s basically free money. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to do it,” explains Vaha Energy’s Chief Operating Director, Gaye Tomlinson.

Through Vaha Energy’s diverse range of leasing programs, homeowners have several options. Individuals can choose to put absolutely nothing down and receive cheaper energy for the next twenty years. Alternatively, homeowners can also choose to pay a small upfront fee and lock their rates for the duration of the lease, without worrying about price fluctuations.

Solar leasing programs, to put it plainly, are a smart means to save on electricity bills. For no costs, homeowners can save thousands and hedge against utility rate hikes. Word of this financial opportunity is spreading and solar leases are expected to maintain nationwide growth.