Thoughts about alternative energy for the home....

[drifter106]

Knowing full well that utility rates will be something that continues to rise in the foreseeable future, has anybody around here looked into solar or wind power? Know of anybody using it? From what I have seen the initial setup cost is pretty steep but after 4 or 5 years it would pay for itself. But then what are you gonna have to replace in your unit to keep it going :rolleyes::rolleyes:? Both solar and wind have their respective place, just not sure which one is the most efficient. Any thoughts?

[fishingpox]

I think solar is the way to go. However,your community may have restrictions on it due to neighbors not wanting to see your new ugly panels atop of your house. Another thing to think about would high winds be able to blow tree limbs and such on your panels to destroy them. If you have the room solar panels do not have to be on the roof.

[Cane Pole]

I burn wood. It is really hig effecient. You get heat from wood 6 times.

1. Cutting tree down
2. Cutting tree into lengths
3. Splitting the lengths
4. Stacking the wood
5. Burning the wood
6. Cleaning the stove/fireplace

Relax with a little David Allen Coe's "Put Another Log On The Fire"

Invite Greenpeace and PETA over. Roast wiener dogs and burn logs.....

Life is so good.

[CrappieHound]

CP...LOL! You come up with some stuff, bud!

We have to do something as far as alternative energy. Every Congress since the 70's is to blame for this dang problem. They LET it happen, saw it coming and still did nothing...money was the problem, money that was being shoved in thier pockets. Dem.s and Rep.s alike everbody has contributed.

The car industries until recently have been in bed with the oilc companies. You just know they have. We are still running on oil based engines. This technology is old school but the new will come...slowly. The markets are forcing it now.

One thing I don't like about Obama is he doesn't want to build nuclear power plannts. He hasn't even addressed it in any of the debates that I watched when McCain brought it up.

Solar is good but I don't know about the durability as far as limbs and debris damaging them. I do know that the technology is getting better and cheaper. I would like to have some panels myself. Tell TVA to take a hike...well a short hike.

Can't believe Tom can't come up with something to fix this problem


The Hound

[crappiefarmer]

Starting to check into wind a little for the farm and small units. A small unit costs around 15 grand. that will power your home. The windmill is hooked to your meter and when the wind is blowing, turns the meter backwards. At the end of the month, any gains that are made are credited to your account for future use. In peak months, if the wind has been low, then you may have to pay a little but the mill will have still generated some power and you will probably have acquired enough credit to keep from paying much if anything. I have even heard of the power company sending you a check for power generated. That is how the big ones work. They pay the windmill developer for power generation and you as a landowner get part of the money. CF

[john h]

give me a can of beans a day and ill heat the whole state

[big "E"]

Two friends of mine recently started a business selling these type of products. They have water heaters, and all kinds of smaller investment types alternative energy stuff. There are a lot of tax credits available when you invest in products like these but there should be more. Wind is good if you have more than 7mph average winds. Anything under that and it's under utilized. Solar is the way to go in most cases but like previously stated your neighbors wont like it especially if you have one of those lovely HOA's in your neighborhood. They may want you to paint it white to match the fences lol.

[ShellQuacker]

I looked into getting a wind generator. Not only are they expensive, they are quite large. Then, the expense of the batteries and replacing them, made the whole idea economically unfeasible. Coal is pretty cheap power and hard to compete with.
We do burn wood, as we have a lot of second growth trees that need thinned, and plenty of blowdowns from hurricane Isabel.

[Cane Pole]

give me a can of beans a day and ill heat the whole state

You keep it warm here....:p