Going Solar Is More Affordable Than Most of Us Think

Most of us still think that solar power is not within reach of the average person in terms of cost; that it is still something more likely to be adopted by devoted environmentalists or government-funded groups. Well that’s not the case anymore according to recent studies.

The results of a poll conducted by Harris Interactive® this past February show that 97 percent of Americans overestimate the cost of residential solar panels, and 78 percent who do not already have PV panels say they would go solar if cost were not a factor. The survey was conducted for residential solar power service firm Sunrun.

According to the survey, 95 percent of the 2,000 adults surveyed were concerned about rising utility rates, “yet homeowners remain paralyzed by misconceptions about what it costs to install solar.” Only 3 percent of respondents “understand that installing solar can cost less than $1,000 upfront” and that 40 percent think going solar costs $20,000 or more upfront.

Another study just completed by professors from Michigan Tech and Queen’s University, Ontario shows solar energy systems are about to reach what industry folks call the “tipping point,” or the point at which solar energy becomes widely available, and as cheap or cheaper than our current electric systems.

Reasons for the change include a recent, massive drop in the price of solar photovoltaic systems. Manufacturers are figuring out ways to make solar more affordable and built with less cost. Since 2009, solar panels are down 70 percent in price. And, variables previously thought to be barriers to solar adoption, like installation, maintenance and power production concerns, aren’t the factors they have been in the past. At the same time, it turns out that photovoltaic technology has a longer shelf life and greater productivity than originally thought.

So now may be a great time to look into going solar at your house. If you are considering solar power panels for your home or business, the solar power specialists at Oak Electric Service are happy to answer your questions, including inquiries about financing and tax credits for solar installations. We invite you to visit our website at www.oakelectric.com to learn more about us; or give us a call at (800) 964-7070.

Oak Electric Installs Whole-House Fans

“Well, we finally have the pleasure of expressing our sincere satisfaction with selecting Oak Electric for the installation of an Air Vent 24” whole-house fan at our personal residence.”—Mark and Tricia R.

Whole-house fans are typically installed in a central hallway inside the house, so they can pull fresh outdoor air into the house through open windows. They are often used to augment air conditioning or instead of air conditioning in mild summertime climates. With warm Michigan weather on the horizon, you may want to look into a whole-house fan to enhance your home’s comfort level.

Here are just a few of the benefits of whole-house fans:

• Efficient, cost-effective cooling
• Lower air conditioning costs and a more comfortable living environment
• Air is exchanged much more rapidly than air conditioning units, so your house interior cools faster
• Ability to draw cooler air indoors, especially when used at night and in the  early morning hours
• They extract heat from objects within a house, such as appliances, furniture and walls

For maximum effectiveness, a whole-house fan must be sized correctly for the structure it will be ventilating. Oak Electric will help you determine if a whole-house fan is right for you.

Here’s more of what our satisfied customers, Mark and Tricia, have to say about their whole-house fan installation: “Everything looks really, really good, and functions perfectly. Mark is writing to you enjoying a significant breeze in his home office now (4500 CFM will do that) … And the project cost was very reasonable. We will recommend Oak Electric without reservation …”

Oak Electric Service is one of southeast Michigan’s leading electrical contractors. We are standing by to answer all of your residential and commercial electrical questions. Give us a call at (800) 964-7070. Be sure to ask about our “Free Electrical Safety Inspection.” We invite you to visit our website at www.oakelectric.com to learn more about us.

Oak Electric Is Your Source for Generator Parts

When it comes to backup or standby generator systems, Oak Electric does it all—sales, service, installation, rental and maintenance. And now, we are pleased to be your source in metro Detroit for a wide range of parts and accessories for residential and commercial standby generators for leading generator brands, including Generac, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler and GE. Best of all, you can now order your parts online on the Oak Electric website at: www.oakelectric.com.

Our online generator parts department offers: surge protectors, voltage regulators, monitors, starters, bellows, control boards and panels, battery chargers and battery warmers, as well as kits for performing scheduled maintenance on your generator system. (All generators require periodic oil and filter changes to ensure maximum performance for years of reliable service.)

With over 3,000 generator systems installed in Michigan, Oak Electric is your one-stop source for generator service and supplies. And remember, we offer 24-hour emergency service for generator and other electrical issues.

If you are considering backup generation for your home or business, the professionals at Oak Electric Service are happy to answer your product and installation questions. We invite you to visit our website at www.oakelectric.com to learn more about us; or give us a call at (800) 964-7070 for a free consultation.

Tips for Operating a Portable Generator Safely

A portable generator can be a good temporary power supply for lighting, vital medical equipment, refrigerators, sump pumps and essential appliances. Following is a partial list of tips from DTE Energy for safely installing and operating a portable generator.  (For complete list, visit the DTE Energy website.)

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid injuring someone or damaging your generator or appliances.

When you use a portable generator, you can only operate a limited number of appliances and lights. Determine what items you need to operate and add up that wattage. That total is your “constant wattage” – the energy you will constantly need to keep the selected items running.

Determine the “start-up wattage.” Motor-driven appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and furnace blowers require up to three times their normal wattage to start or to periodically cycle a compressor. Choose a generator that meets or exceeds your “constant wattage” needs and that also has a surge rating that meets or exceeds your “start-up wattage” needs.

Make sure the generator’s voltage rating matches the voltage ratings of the items you want to operate. Portable generators may be rated for 120 volts only or a combination of 120 and 240 volts. Most household appliances are rated at 120 volts. Some larger electric appliances, such as ranges, dryers and well pumps, are rated at 240 volts. These appliances cannot be operated on a 120-volt generator.

Have a qualified electrician properly size and install your generator or have a local electrical inspector check the installation for compliance with safety codes if you install the generator yourself. A permit may be required for installation.

Take precautions to prevent potentially dangerous “backfeed.” Backfeed occurs when an improperly connected generator begins feeding electricity back into the power lines. Recommended methods for preventing backfeed include installing a transfer switch or using a direct hookup.

Maintain adequate ventilation. Generators emit carbon monoxide. Never operate a generator in your home, garage or other enclosed building. Place it in a dry, outside location.

Water conducts electricity. Avoid dangerous electric shocks. Make sure that your hands are dry and you’re standing in a dry place whenever you operate the generator.

Protect your appliances. Turn off or disconnect all appliances and lights before you begin operating the portable generator. Once the generator is running, turn your appliances and lights on one at a time to avoid overloading the unit.

If you are considering backup generation for your home or business, the professionals at Oak Electric Service are happy to answer your product and installation questions. We invite you to visit our website at www.oakelectric.com to learn more about us; or give us a call at (800) 964-7070 for a free consultation.

Oak Electric is Your Source for Generac Generators

Oak Electric Service is a proud Elite dealer for Generac generator sales, installation, maintenance and service for residential and commercial use.

Generac is one of the most well-known manufacturers of engine-driven generator systems all across the world. For more than 20 years, Generac residential power systems have been helping provide worry-free lifestyles for thousands of homeowners. They have the capability to handle various types of applications, both diesel and gas. Their renowned portable power systems are a good choice for recreational vehicles, general home/residential and light commercial applications, and if you are looking for a more affordable solution than natural gas generators.

When it comes to residential generators, it’s crucial that the unit you purchase meets your home’s unique requirements. Oak Electric’s dedicated and expert team will help you choose the proper Generac unit and design and implement a service plan that  meets your requirements and stays within your budget.

Here are some of the Generac products we offer at Oak Electric:

Guardian Series—The #1 selling home standby generator that can back up your entire home or just the essentials.

Ecogen Series—The only automatic standby generator designed specifically to backup an alternative energy system, like solar or wind power.

Corepower System— An automatic, permanently installed standby generator to back up essential systems at about the price of a portable generator.

Quietsource Series— A premium backup power solution for large homes and small to medium-sized businesses.

If you are considering backup generation for your home or business, the professionals at Oak Electric Service are happy to answer your product and installation questions. We invite you to visit our website at www.oakelectric.com to learn more about us; or give us a call at (800) 964-7070 for a free consultation.

As use of electronics and information and communications technologies for entertainment and work rises, more of us are recognizing the effects of blackouts on our daily planning and looking to residential generators as a way to prepare for outages.

Once considered a luxury fixture for large homes, residential generators are increasingly becoming necessities among small households as well. It’s no wonder that the global supply of portable generator sets nearly quadrupled between 1995 and 2005 and continues to rise. Residential users are increasingly investing in back-up or standby power generators to provide electricity during disruptions caused by supply shortages, equipment failure or weather related outages.

With their declining prices and smaller sizes, residential generators are an increasingly attractive solution for ensuring the safety, comfort and convenience of modern households.

Oak Electric has completed over 3,000 generator installations in Michigan. When it comes to residential and commercial emergency backup generator systems, we do it all—Sales, service, rental, installation and maintenance. We offer the latest technologies from top generator manufacturers.

Oak Electric understands homeowners’ needs and requirements when it comes to generators and makes it our business to satisfy your preferences and requirements. If you are considering automatic standby or backup generation for your home or business, the professionals at Oak Electric Service are happy to answer your product and installation questions. We invite you to visit our website at www.oakelectric.com to learn more about us; or give us a call at (800) 964-7070.

Oak Electric Installs Skystream Wind Generator Systems

If implementing residential or commercial wind power is on your to-do list for 2012, Oak Electric can help. We are established wind power specialists with a growing number of successful wind power installations in Michigan.

Skystream, Swift and ReDriven wind generators are among the systems we have installed for customers.

Basically, here’s how a wind generator system works:

The wind generator connects directly to your home or structure. When the wind is blowing, your home is powered (in part) by the wind turbine; when it’s not, your home is seamlessly powered by your utility as usual. During periods of strong winds, the wind generator can actually produce excess electricity. Depending on your utility, your meter could spin backwards—giving you credit for a later date.

Some things you will have to determine before installing wind power include: average wind speed for your area, local zoning restrictions, and whether your utility has an existing interconnection agreement.

Installing a wind turbine at your location can help you reduce the amount of electricity used from conventional sources, reduce your carbon emissions, lower your electricity bills, and generally make the world a more beautiful place.

At Oak Electric Service, we are standing by to answer your questions about residential wind turbines. Give us a call today at (800) 964-7070. We invite you to visit our website at www.oakelectric.com to learn more about us.