Homeowner Options for Saving Money on Energy Costs

I suspect most homeowners would like to save money on their electric bill every month. There are some realistic options for today and the near future. Here are a few of those choices . Maybe one or more will work for you.

Energy conservation in the home

The money saving method with the best return to effort is energy conservation . Turn off everything that isn’t needed. Switch to energy efficient lights and appliances. We all know this, but few of us do it. It’s easy, it’s mostly free. Many electric appliances don’t really power down when you push the off button. They go into a “lets wait to start mode.” The reasons are generally for a faster start. A simple switch operated power strip can take care of this.

Design and build for energy conservation

Design homes and buildings in such a way that physics and natural angles improve or lessen heating, cooling and lighting demands. Utilize natural drafts, breezes, and ventilation. Shade with panels, overhangs, and trees. Provide windows and other natural lighting. Use improved materials, insulation, air and vapor barriers, insulated windows, weatherstripping and better building methods. South facing walls shaded in the summer by trees can be open in the winter to collect heat. Home cooling is by far my biggest energy expense.

Alternative energy sources

Solar energy is radiant energy from the sun. Light and heat are the most visible examples we see from the sun. There is enough solar energy striking the earth to serve our present and foreseeable future needs many times over. Collection methods can be passive or active. Energy efficient building design may be an example of passive solar energy. Photovoltaic and thermovoltaic technology production costs are dropping and efficiency is rising. Solar energy is at or near the cost of conventional energy production on the national grid.

Wind energy comes from mechanically capturing air as it flows from one pressure point to another. Sailboats and windmills have been doing this a long time. You need a fairly large windmill to produce adequate power. Equipment costs are high. Wind energy is viable for the homeowner in limited locations.

Hydroelectric power is derived from mechanically capturing the power of moving water. This is of limited use to most homeowners because few of us have a river running through our yard.

Biomass Energy comes from plant or organic material. A fireplace utilizes biomass energy. A biomass digester can provide methane for heat (It works! I’ve done it). About the only biomass energy most homeowners will ever see is firewood burning in the fireplace.

Human energy. I really like this one. I have this fantasy of rigging my stepson’s television and computer up to a pedal driven generator. If he wants to use them he has to work. Sounds good to me. The wife is a problem though. She has an antique treadle sewing machine and a computer controlled sewing/embroidery machine. Guess which one she uses.

Sources:

U.S. DOE Renewable & Efficiency

Alternative Energy Primer

Gerald worked for many years as a general and electrical contractor before moving into commercial and industrial technical services. He experiments with and utilizes alternative energy sources.


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *