Alternative forms of energy
 

What tool or device do you have in your home that could reduce the use of environments resources like energy?

My bed. When I am in it, I use very little energy resources.

Wood stove, pellet stove, LED light bulbs, programmable thermostat, double wall insulated window coverings, dimmers on almost every lighting fixture.
Hopefully soon a heat pump water heater.

Going to look very closely at the creek during the summer to see if our creek could be used for a small hydro generator.

If I ever get off my a55, I would like to put together a bio-diesel brewing system to create fuel for the car and the oil furnace.

Solar power from a heating cost reduction perspective can still offer a sound payback. Cheaper well engineered systems seem the best from my experience. A lot is just having the proper location for maximum exposure.

We have had a fairly powerful modest size system for over thirty years now. I think because of the increased costs of materials today. An air system should be looked at if any signifigant area of collectors is going to be involved. Keeping it out of the sight of street traffic is perhaps best and if not possible perhaps a distance from the dwelling.

Anything I would ad to My House would need to be done with a Permit from Building and Planning. When you get a Permit Building and Planning sends that info to the County and you will get a letter from the County asking what you are doing and how much it will cost.

After giving that info they will raise your Property Tax because you made an Improvement on your House.

On top of that legally Plumbing and Electrical work are supposed to be done with by a Licensed Plumber or Electrician.

The above extra expenses added to the Cost to buy the items makes the Payback Time for any possible Energy Savings a long one.

I make a good living by supplying "Natural" Gas to the local gas company. :D

Programmable thermostat, CFL bulbs, more efficient water heater, motion sensing light switches for kitchen and bathroom (the two that the kids always forget to turn off) and clotheslines to be put out for summer clothes drying.

Planned upgrades include an 80% or higher efficiency furnace with central air, replacement windows, and insulate the attic.

Double blown insulated attic, 2X6 studded walls with extra insulation and saving for a grid tied solar package for my next build. Figure about a 50 grand for almost equal to the power I'm using now. Already have a mechanically injected diesel gen-set.

Two big, strong teenage boys!!! Rakes vs. leaf blowers, shovels vs. snow-throwers, etc. Good old-fashioned muscle has reduced my family's carbon footprint dramatically.

Now if I could only figure out a way to get them to turn off the lights, close the fridge door........blah, blah, blah.........:(

I use to be one of those strong teenagers that raked leaves for Hot older women. One lady liked me until I tracked dog chit which was buried under the leaves into her house with white carpet. :D

Sweat

The only white carpet in that house was in the bedroom...:eek: