CONSIDER REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT….and slash utility bills at the same time. With rebates and tax incentives in some areas, renewable resource costs can be offset. Find more info on rebates at: www.dsireusa.org and www.engerytaxincentives.org
SOLAR…You will need 400 sqft of solar panels per 2,000 sqft of house to provide 4-5 kilowatts of energy. Cost of these panels is around $40-60k, before rebates and credits. Check out www.findsolar.com to see about the viability in your area.
COMPONETS…So called inverters allow you to sell extra electricity back to your local utility company. Average cost for a good component is $2500. See Xantrex www.xantrex.com.
WIND…Good turbines last 20 years or more, once you make the investment, wind can give you free energy for decades, of course you will need to check your local zoning ordinances. Generally these will run between $30-70k but the more wind that can be harvested the sooner you recapture your investment. Go to www.firstlook.3tiergroup.com to help find how much wind hits your property; the generating capacity you need in your turbine depends on your wind strength and consistency. A turbine will have static noise; look for a bigger turbine with a low tip speed ratio (TSR).
GEOTHERMAL…These systems use the Earth’s near-constant temperature to eliminate the need for carbon-intensive, oil-base heating. It can also cool your home in the summer. Geo is better on larger lots and is cheaper if it’s part of a house’s original construction. New construction cost is around $25k. Retrofit would run $40k based on a 2,000sqft home. For more info go to www.geoexchange.org.
SOLAR…You will need 400 sqft of solar panels per 2,000 sqft of house to provide 4-5 kilowatts of energy. Cost of these panels is around $40-60k, before rebates and credits. Check out www.findsolar.com to see about the viability in your area.
COMPONETS…So called inverters allow you to sell extra electricity back to your local utility company. Average cost for a good component is $2500. See Xantrex www.xantrex.com.
WIND…Good turbines last 20 years or more, once you make the investment, wind can give you free energy for decades, of course you will need to check your local zoning ordinances. Generally these will run between $30-70k but the more wind that can be harvested the sooner you recapture your investment. Go to www.firstlook.3tiergroup.com to help find how much wind hits your property; the generating capacity you need in your turbine depends on your wind strength and consistency. A turbine will have static noise; look for a bigger turbine with a low tip speed ratio (TSR).
GEOTHERMAL…These systems use the Earth’s near-constant temperature to eliminate the need for carbon-intensive, oil-base heating. It can also cool your home in the summer. Geo is better on larger lots and is cheaper if it’s part of a house’s original construction. New construction cost is around $25k. Retrofit would run $40k based on a 2,000sqft home. For more info go to www.geoexchange.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment