Coupons4LV.com  -  Tree Hugging Frugalitarian

So you have a laptop and you use it at home and at work – currently it runs a little slow.
Here are a few things that I have picked up over the years to make it run faster and reduce bloat.
Disclaimer: I am no expert – though I am an engineer who has been know to figure out a few things here and there.
 
Hardware Suggestions:
If your computer is old, replace it – they are so inexpensive these days – no one has time to wait for a slow/old computer.
Get a docking station so you are not cord fumbling.
Get wired external keyboard
An external monitor is a great addition – they are worth it so you don’t have to struggle with a small laptop screen.
Use a wired mouse dedicated for home keep it plugged into docking station (most laptop integrated mice are inferior) – go wireless if you want, but I like not dealing with batteries and Bluetooth issues.
Run a cat 6 cable from your router directly to your docking station, wireless signals not as fast nor as reliable. May have to drill a few holes here and there, but it is worth it. (sometimes can't put the router in same room as docking station)
Corded docking station connection will free up some bandwidth for you mobile devices / fire stick etc… too – they will run a percentage faster overall – as your pc will have a phantom draw of bytes while turned on.
Make sure your router and cable modem is not too old, if so replace so they are not the weak link.
Make sure to disconnect from wireless networks if you are using a hard line – then it won’t fumble around looking for wireless networks when you are home.
 
Free program suggestions:
Decrapifier – gets rid of the “Crap” programs on your computer – peer review analyzes what most people delete.
Malwarebytes – run it weekly or so, or buy the auto version and will be real-time
Pdfexchange – use instead of ram bloating adobe pdf viewer – has more features too, like being able to make measurements
Dopdf8 – print from any program on your PC to pdf file, eliminates lots of paper usage.
Autotab Discard for chrome – keep your tabs open, I usually keep about 20. This guy will freeze each tab to free up memory. Click on the tab to un-Hans Solo it.
 
Try the above tips for a few days/weeks and report back with your findings, I think you will find that things will be better than before implementation.

I had been waiting a few years – but figured the time to get on board for solar is now. share.solarcity.com/coupons4LV
So long as your home has some decent sized roof sections SE or SW exposure it will likely meet the litmus test.

Also, you should make sure your roof is not nearing the end of it’s useful life. If you have an architectural GAF roof, it should last around 25 years or so.
Figure if you have less than 5 years of useful life left, either replace your roof prior to the solar install, or wait till you ready to replace your roof.
Keep in mind that the solar panels may likely extend the life of the shingles where they cover as the shingle will degrade from solar exposure over time.
 
SolarCity software program on the reps computer analyzes the roof, lays the ideal panel locations and makes sure that the overall system efficiency is above a certain threshold. You approve the rough draft the panel locations on the roof from a rendering. (Sometimes you will have some options depending on your roof-line)  Trees and surrounding shade generating items are factored in to the analysis. System efficiency calculator enables them to mount panels on roof sections that aren’t as efficient from a solar harvesting perspective – so long as there are enough panels that have high efficiency (by being directly pointed in the Southerly direction). Micro-inverters make this happen, they are able to optimize each panels performance and make it so the system doesn’t depend on every panel getting the same amount of light.  
 
With PPA (Power purchase Agreement) from Solar City – you can decrease your homes carbon footprint. All while not outlaying a dime. Currently I am in a 3 year contract with an energy supplier at a very aggressive rate on Kwh with PPL(our local electric company), but by switching to solar power, my monthly bill will remain the same, and I will reduce the burden on fossil fuel burning power plants. (Solar City will sell back any excess power generated to the grid) After 2018, it is highly likely that our rate per kw will be even more competitive – as I don’t expect the price per kwH from the electric company PPL to decrease. Inflation makes all rates rise(typically at around 4% per year), and I expect price per kwH to keep increasing over the next 20 years. The 20 year PPA with Solar City fixes the power rate per kwH which protects you against inflation and market volatility.
 
I also did some research and it appears that homes with solar sell 20% faster and for more money that those that don’t …
 
So essentially, I pay the same for power for the next 3 years, then the system should be net positive for our home moving forward.
An old friend once told me, think long term. “If it is not right long term, then it is not right short term.”
 
Solar City also gives you the option of buying the system outright after 5 years if you sign up on a PPA, then every year anniversary. It may make sense to buy the system at a certain point, especially if your power bill is high. You will have to crunch the numbers for your given set of parameters.
 
The apps are neat too, everything can be monitored from your phone/computer and it is turnkey warrantied for 20 years.
 
Thus far, the rep from Philly drove up and went over some rough panel position plans and crunched the numbers to makes sure that our home was a good candidate for solar.

Next they setup a tech to come and do some detailed measurements: roof, meter location, attic, circuit breaker panel – the process took about 2 hours. (and you don't need to help, ha!) There were a few forms to esign online a day or so later on the MySolarcity website, and their concierge assisted me over the phone for one document.  
 
Next step is for them to come and install the system, I will update this blog entry when that happens and add some pictures.
 
To get started on a system for your house click here:
share.solarcity.com/coupons4LV

Update 12/22/16 - system was installed yesterday in 1 day! These guys did a great job and have good attention to detail. Next step is the electrical inspection which will be done next week. Additionally, they also installed a free NEST thermostat which is a local incentive from our power company PPL. The phone control and learning features are really neat.  

Update 3/30/17 - system has been online for a few months now and working well. Can monitor the whole system from a phone which is neat as well. Below are some screen shots of the app.
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