The growth of Hawaii’s alternative energy sector over the last few years has been nothing short of spectacular. According to Naomi Hazelton-Giambrone of Pacific Edge Magazine, which sponsors a monthly green drinks gathering of alternative energy professionals, the interest in the subject "has not waned since we started the program four years ago."

Although the get-together features the latest green technology, she says that rather than focusing on the latest gadget or solar panel, a house or business owner should start by looking at energy conservation as a first step in saving money.

Keith Cronin, president of SunHedge, a Honolulu-based energy consultancy, agrees that energy conservation is "not the sexiest topic, but it can make a huge difference in your monthly bill." Cronin strongly suggests replacing older, energy-gobbling appliances such as refrigerators and air-conditioning systems, which can account for a large percentage of wasted energy. "Even adding better insulation to a building," says Cronin, "can make a huge difference in a monthly bill."

Myron Thompson, president of Smart Energy Hawaii, a company that installs solar systems for residential and commercial customers, recommends as a first step replacing old-fashioned incandescent bulbs with CFL, or the newer, LED lighting systems. Nowadays, says Thompson, the price point for LED lights is making them cost-effective.

Large commercial buildings and apartments with bills of more than $10,000 per month might need an even more in-depth energy audit, which entails installation of a device that can calculate exactly where your electricity is going. Specialized firms such as eGauge can provide sophisticated audits that allow customers to log on to a website and track their energy consumption online.

Cronin says that spending money on a PV, or photovoltaic, system is not always the best option. "Sometimes simpler is better," says Cronin, who strongly suggests that for some families a thermal or solar heater could make more economic sense than an expensive PV system. He reckons this is particularly true with a family with children, who understandably need clothes washed on a frequent basis.

How do you determine whether a thermal system is better to invest in rather than PV?

Thompson says that "in most cases, solar hot water is the best solution for the residents of Hawaii, especially since the payback times are usually around two years or less." Using PV to power a heat pump may be a solution in some unusual situations.

He stresses that every household is different and that the main deciding factor is the amount of energy consumed by each of the appliances in the home. By understanding this, the homeowner can make intelligent choices in reducing energy load.

The main thing, he says, is to consider the low-hanging fruit before spending money on expensive technology.

Simple conservation measures, combined with a solar water system, can shave 50 percent or more off your energy bill.

———

Mike Meyer, former Internet general manager at Oceanic Time Warner Cable, now manages IT for Honolulu Community College. Reach him at mmeyer@hawaii.edu.