How can I make my house completely energy independent?
ev500cburke asked:
I live in the northeast (Western New York), in a well-developed suburban village. My gas and electric bills exceed $550.00 monthly, and I’m sick of it. It’s a big house, but it’s well insulated, and has 30 brand new double-pane argon-filled replacement windows. The house is about 3,500 square feet, and has a baseboard hot water heating system.
I live in the northeast (Western New York), in a well-developed suburban village. My gas and electric bills exceed $550.00 monthly, and I’m sick of it. It’s a big house, but it’s well insulated, and has 30 brand new double-pane argon-filled replacement windows. The house is about 3,500 square feet, and has a baseboard hot water heating system.
Strictly because of my absurd and ever-increasing utility bills, I want to create an energy independent home, if it’s possible. Wind, solar, hiring trolls to peddle bikes in the backyard… whatever the answer, I’d love to hear from knowledgeable people as to whether this is possible, and if so, how it can be achieved.
Thank you in advance.
Echo
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Rey
The great thing about electricity and gas it allows us to be lazy and we in the U.S are. First go through and replace all lighting with energy efficent bulbs, and put a timer on the water heater not allowing it to run while you sleep or work. Instance water heater are great because they do not try to keep a whole tank of water hot. Look at alternitive fuels to burn for heat like wood pellets or manufactured corncobs that can heat the water for your heating system through the night. Let the house temperature drop through the day while you are gone if possible. Add 12v DC circulation pumps on your heating system that can run off car batteries and put solar panels on the roof to recharge the batteries during the day.(put batteries outside because they create hyrogen gas when charging) You can charge cell phone, laptops, and run small inverters to create 120v for small items off a bank of batteries using car chargers. Put heavy curtains over large windows at night and towels down in front of doors to stop drafts. Open curtains and blinds on sunny days to allow natural sunlight to heat your house. Coordinate showers and cooking times to limit hot water usage. Air dry clothing in your house instead of the dryer, this also add humidity to the air making it naturally feel a bit warmer, and ease on dryness. Add small wood (other) burning stove or fireplace to heat while your home. We take advantage of this stuff and pay the price, if you don’t want to pay you have to stop using it. Hope this helps.
December 25th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Jacklyn
If you can afford it Solar panels on the roof would be great. Fill up the whole back yard if need be! Then go all electric! If you make enough, you could be selling it back to the electric company, and making you some money
December 28th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Gabriella
Your hot water heating system and the size of the home are the problem. This type of heat is the most inefficient. forced air gas would be the cheapest but needs ducting installed. going electric and adding photo voltaic panels would be very expensive $20,000 with inverter and pay back would be long and far away.
December 30th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Carola
if you live in the north east, it is nearly impossible. the only way to make a home energy independent is with solar panels, widmills, and batteries. you simply don’t get enough sun or wind up there to do this
December 30th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Kathryne
It’s possible, but likely to be expensive, and more
complicated than a ‘normal` system.
Lake effect snow, (my sympathies), millitates against
a solar installation in your area.
In winter, (when you need them most), you’d spend a lot of time
clearing your collectors.
Freezing water, (ice storms), might also pose a problem for a
wind turbine installation.
If you do proceed, get experienced advice.
You might look into a ground-water heat pump installation if
you are in a low lying area..
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Jasmin
Expect to put out a small $$$ fortune… Payback will probably not be for at least 10 years ….You really have to be dedicated to do this, but it is very viable.