Renewable Faith: Affordable, Renewable Energy

(Page 4 of 4)

November/December 2002
By Mike Tidwell 
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1 CUT YOUR LOAD. Conserve energy and use it more efficiently.

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2 DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Determine which power-generating devices will work best for your household. Call the U.S. Department of Energy at (800) 363-3732 and ask for their free fact sheets on renewable energy technologies. Also, the American Solar Energy Society has an annual Tour of Solar Homes, complete with listings of open houses in each state. Visit www.ases.org/hometr/index.php.

3 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STATE AND NATIONAL INCENTIVE PROGRAMS. For the most comprehensive list of incentives and available government grants, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) or call the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to get contact information for your State Energy Office.

4 CONSULT A CONTRACTOR, IF NECESSARY. To find a contractor, check the geographical index of Co-op America’s National Green Pages, available for $10.95 by calling (800) 584-7336 or free online at www.greenpages.org. Or check your local Yellow Pages. Ask your contractor if he or she can connect you with used options.

5 FIND THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT. For those with the do-it-yourself spirit, look at Home Power magazine (www.homepower.com), which contains nationwide search databases for renewable energy dealers as well as comprehensive solar radiation and wind viability maps.

6 FACTOR IN NET METERING. Thirty-six states now offer net metering, which means that when your PV or wind system generates more power than you need, the meter actually runs backward. During those times, you can sell power back to the utility company, resulting in an even swap for the power you use from the grid at other times.

7 TAKE A BOW. Even if you’re only able to afford a solar hot water heater, congratulate yourself on the tremendous steps you’ve taken to avert climate change and save money in the process.

­—Nate Albee

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Comments

  • Christopher Page 8/27/2009 6:31:49 PM

    I was surprised to hear such an uneducated view of corn used for heating. Did they miss all the info available on biofuels and their negative net gain, not to mention impact on food supply?

    I began reading very excited to hear how historically exceptionally expensive systems are now affordable. Then I read, oh, if you're a) middle class (lower classes still need not apply), can access credit (oops, 35% of the nation's homeowners who were subprimed or foreclosed upon still don't count), and have no children.

    Well, it was a great thought. I wish these very nice, conscientious middle class people well. Hopefully more middles will follow their sage advice. We at the bottom are still awaiting for our turn.

  • Jerry Odom 8/27/2009 3:37:29 PM

    If they are still using a 40 - 60 gallon gas water heater, they may want to look into using an "on demand" heater for their hot water that the sun doesn't heat. Then use the old water heater, with plenty of insulation, as a hot water storage tank for the sun warmed hot water.

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