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Alternative Energy Sources in Our Homes

© Diana Tesky

As fuel prices continue to climb attention is focused more and more on alternative sources of energy. Ethanol, and other bio-fuels are increasing in popularity, as is solar, wind, and water-generated power. Although not yet in widespread use, many new homes are coming equipped with such things as solar panels and various means to conserve energy.

I'd love to try some of these out. The idea of nearly free energy sources and self-sufficiency is very appealing. I think it would be great to set up a still, make ethanol, and run a generator off of that for electricity, and set up a wood burning furnace for heat. Really it's not a bad idea considering not only the price of fuel, but also the fact that we are subject to occasional power outages (this has already happened twice this winter). When we lose power, we lose water and heat along with it, and it can get very cold here in North Dakota. With that in mind, for this week's article I'd like to explore some web sites that can help you and me learn about alternative energy sources that can be used in our homes.

The beauty of some of these alternative energy sources is simplicity. Before we became so dependent on petroleum based fuel products, wood-burning stoves were our major source of heat, coal also was used, and anything else that would burn. Cooking was done over the same source of heat. Coal and wood-burning boilers became popular for heating larger areas and supplying warmth throughout a home. These are still viable options for us to take advantage of today.
http://www.woodheat.org/
http://www.woodheat.com/
http://www.woodheat.org/smoke.htm

Wind, and water-generated power is also a simple and time-tested method for supplying electricity. Rural areas with space and wind can effectively set up a windmill, and those with streams running through their property can use waterwheels.
http://www.bergey.com/Channels/6A1.htm
http://www.sierrasolar.com/design/hy_hyd...
http://www-geology.ucdavis.edu/~GEL1/W98...
http://www.rnp.org/htmls/wind.htm

Most people in the United States do not own land or have access to such sources of energy, but almost everyone has access to sunlight. This is where solar panels can be most effective. New houses are being built to maximize their efficiency and take full advantage of the energy from the sun, but almost any home with an unobstructed southern facing surface can implement some solar power.
http://chicagotribune.com/marketplaces/h...
http://people.ce.mediaone.net/sierraclub...
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/interests/...
http://www.homepower.com/

There are pros and cons to the use of each of these energy sources. Sometimes the initial cost to be invested is too great for the average person to implement. Other times there may be consequences or obstacles that weren't counted on. Using alternative sources of energy may take more manual labor on the part of the homeowner. There is also the question of efficiency. Sometimes methods of producing energy are not efficient and not enough power is generated.

The copyright of the article Alternative Energy Sources in Our Homes in Ecology is owned by Diana Tesky. Permission to republish Alternative Energy Sources in Our Homes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.