DFW Solar Home Tour

Date/Time
10/06/2012
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Tour Host
North Texas Renewable Energy Group
Mellen West
Phone: 2147075161
www.dfwsolarhometour.org

Registration Location
Perry House
3325 Canoncita Lane
Plano, TX 75023
United States

Tour Fee
Free

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Perry House
3325 Canoncita Lane
Plano
TX
75023

Renewable energy features.

Solar PV
Generating capacity kW: 8.8 kW
Installation date: February 2011
Installer/contractor: Hank Kelton – Abbott Electric
Equipment: 44 PV Panels with 44 micro inverters. System monitored by Enphase Energy

Green features:
 Landscaped with native and adapted plants, many of which live on rain-water only, Jan. 2007, March 2008, and Feb. 2009
 Radiant Barrier, 18 inches of attic insulation, attic blanket, hot water heater blanket, and several other energy efficiency improvements installed July 2011.

Host Comments: Although I never really considered myself a “green” person, many of the improvements we have done to our home over the last 16 years have been considered to be so. Most of the things we have done have been for economic reasons. As the cost for natural resources continue to increase, we have tried to make home improvements that would lower our monthly utility costs. As most of our projects have been a fairly large initial dollar outlay it has taken a long time to accomplish many of the improvements. We started with a new 16 SEER AC unit 14 years ago, then doors and windows, new landscaping, and now a solar energy system. The AC unit, doors and windows have already paid for themselves in reduced electric bills. The landscaping has really shown its worth during the last two summers of severe drought conditions. While I watch plant after plant in my neighbors’ yards die due to lack of water, I have not lost one plant and my water bill is much less than most everyone else’s around me. Now if we can just find a trick to keep the bunnies from eating all new plants. Last month my electric bill was $128 while most of my neighbors were in the $400 to $800 range. I believe that those of us that can, should do as much as possible to preserve what is left of our planet so our children and grandchildren can enjoy the life that we have.