Residential Energy Independence

Posted by Kelly Smith Jul 13, 2008

Residential energy independence. It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Easy to contemplate, a cash outlay to get started; but oh, the long-time returns in energy savings!

Residential Wind Turbines (Try to Catch the Wind...)

This type of technology goes way, way back. What would our concept of the Dutch be without windmills slowly spinning in the breeze? Generally speaking, windmills use the wind's kinetic energy to perform work such as grinding grain.

A residential wind turbine usually refers to a triple-blade mounted on a horizontal axis that generates electricity. Comercial power generating plants construct wind farms for large scale electrical production. Homeowners can install a small turbine to generate from 50% to 90% of the home's energy consumption. Not too shabby.

Solar Panels Have a Smaller Footprint

This is one reason to choose Solar panels over wind power. Wind towers are best suited to lots of at least one acre; photovotaic (solar) panels can be mounted on the roof or right out in the yard (neighborhood associations permitting).

Green Lawns with Reel Lawnmowers

Yeah, you're getting sick of me going on about reel (push) lawnmowers, but I'll just include a blurb for the sake of rounding out today's topic. Not having to drive to the store to fill up that 5 gallon gasoline can is a relief. Financially and time-wise.

Be as Environmentally-Friend as You Want to Be

You might not be able to implement all these things to get off commercial power crack, but the more I research the subject, the more I realize it's not doing one big thing but as many small things as possible to save on utility bills.