SonrisasSol

we are committed to sustainable living through a more efficient use of renewable energy,
using eco friendly materials and reclaimed water. our focus is on helping home owners and
small business's move in this direction through providing education, consulting and products.

we think this can best be accomplished through the efforts of individual citizens. we also believe that
using energy, water and materials more wisely does not mean living a less comfortable lifestyle.

per the US Green Building Council, buildings in the United States use
70% of electricity consumption
39% of all energy use
39% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
40% of raw materials use
30% of waste output (136 million tons annually), an
12% of potable water consumption

the obvious benefits to improving the average home or small business are to:
the environment:
enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity
improve air and water quality
reduce solid waste
conserve natural resources

the economy
reduce operating costs
enhance asset value and profits
improve home and business productivity and satisfaction
optimize life-cycle economic performance

health and community benefits:
improve air, thermal, and acoustic environments
enhance occupant comfort and health
minimize strain on local infrastructure
contribute to overall quality of life

before considering expensive active systems such as wind turbines or PV solar systems, we
encourage a review of the existing operation of an existing home or small business to find ways to be
more efficient.

energy efficiency
reducing energy consumption is an essential component of an energy use strategy.

significant reduction in energy and water use can be made by discovering where the problems are
through a home energy audit. energy auditors are trained to locate opportunities for improvement.
audits are not expensive and provide you with an efficiency implementation plan.

energy efficiency is about overall integration. you can create a building that uses a low amount of
energy with standard technology; just by looking at insulation, orientation, lighting design, control
systems and HVAC size.

use the following to easily reduce energy use and save money.
have an energy audit performed on your home or business by a qualified energy auditor
analyze energy usage over a one year period as a base
improve insulation, caulking and weatherization of walls and roofs.
install energy efficient Energy Star™ windows
landscape for shade
update with efficient lighting and lighting controls
switch to efficient Energy Star™ appliances
update heating & cooling systems and water heaters.
get the most productivity from every unit of energy.
get the desired result - comfortable homes, profitable businesses, convenient transportation - with
less energy use, less air pollution, and lower total cost.

annual energy savings from conservation can be substantial and by being more efficient you will lower
the need and cost of adding a renewable energy source. having your home audited and rated may
qualify you for special financing and increase the resale value of your home.

water conservation
water conservation is an equally important environmental issue.

the average american household with three members uses over 300 gallons of water per day, both
inside and out.

inside toilets, clothes washers and showers are the largest water users, representing 20, 15 and 12
gallons per person per day respectively.

by making some minor behavior changes, adding some new fixture attachments and appliances, it is
possible to cut indoor usage in half.

only run full loads of dishes and laundry.
don't hand wash your dishes or clothing. Appliances are more efficient
make sure to fix any leaks.
turn off your faucet while you brush your teeth, scrub your hands, and wash your face.
get high efficiency shower heads. You can still enjoy a powerful shower stream but you will save
thousands of gallons of water per person per year.
get low-flow toilets.. Many cities offer rebates on low-flow toilets, too
upgrade to Energy Star approved laundry machine and dish washer
landscape with local vegetation and low water use in mind.
water catchment systems are a good choice in drought areas. These systems catch the rain runoff
from building roofs which can be used for irrigation.They are simple and efficient.

solutions
after improving the building structure consider the following

passive solar solutions
passive solar hot water systems - home and pool. There are many types of systems, let us help you
choose the right one for your usage and geographic location.

passive solar hot air systems - These systems use the suns heat to warm air, like a convection
oven, which is then transferred into you home.

passive Solar Water Distillers - Stop buying bottled water. These simple systems purify water, for a
small investment - forever.

passive Solar Cookers - Cook with a nuclear reactor

active solar solutions
solar and wind systems need to be designed and installed with your very specific needs and
geography facts

wind systems have primarily been used in rural areas due to their size.

solar photovoltaic systems can be used in conjunction with you local utility or used with a battery
back up system and be completely self sufficient.

determining the correct size and orientation of a system is integral to its success,

seemingly minor oversights can severely impact the efficiency of a system.

use the services of a qualified and licensed professional.