harry said:I want to get into green energy because everyone tells me that it can reduce my bills. I don't see how thats possible outside of hooking up a few appliances or lights to the alternative energy source, removing my stuff from the "grid" so to speak.
Green energy is hot right now, its a really great field and topic. You can reduce your bills by going green only if you also proactice smart conservation. Going green won't reduce your energy bills or energy usage alone, it takes conservation as well.
Right. Patience is a virtue. If you want to "go green" prepared to make sacrifices. Its not as easy as everyone seems to think, especially to do it right.
4:40 pm February 5, 2010
pathpace
New Member
posts 2
2
harry said:I want to get into green energy because everyone tells me that it can reduce my bills. I don't see how thats possible outside of hooking up a few appliances or lights to the alternative energy source, removing my stuff from the "grid" so to speak.
Green energy is hot right now, its a really great field and topic. You can reduce your bills by going green only if you also proactice smart conservation. Going green won't reduce your energy bills or energy usage alone, it takes conservation as well.
4:29 pm February 5, 2010
scotts_mann
Energy Newbie
posts 7
3
stoiceric said:
C'mon you actually believe that? Look, alternative energy in my opinion will never be a viable alternative to grid produced energy for the reason of magnitude. It takes a lot to power your house. More than you think on a daily basis, despite your conservation efforts. In order to produce enough power to live off the grid and power your house you would have to maintain a small field of solar cells and wind power generators, AND have the knowhow to maintain them AND have the knowhow to store the power for a calm, rainy day- when youre not producing power.
I disagree. I think that even if you don't live off the grid, with good conservation, you cna create for yourself enough power to reduce your bills and dependence on the energy companies. Or at least have a non lethal power back up plan for when the power goes out unexpectedly (notice I didn't say 'if')
4:27 pm February 5, 2010
stoiceric
New Member
posts 2
4
acoliarti said:
harry said:I want to get into green energy because everyone tells me that it can reduce my bills. I don't see how thats possible outside of hooking up a few appliances or lights to the alternative energy source, removing my stuff from the "grid" so to speak.
There are advantages to green energy outside the saving of money, of course. You're helping the environment too. I think to save on your bills you either need to wire the solar panel or windmill into your home or else just plug directly into them. But then there are extension cords and such to worry about.
C'mon you actually believe that? Look, alternative energy in my opinion will never be a viable alternative to grid produced energy for the reason of magnitude. It takes a lot to power your house. More than you think on a daily basis, despite your conservation efforts. In order to produce enough power to live off the grid and power your house you would have to maintain a small field of solar cells and wind power generators, AND have the knowhow to maintain them AND have the knowhow to store the power for a calm, rainy day- when youre not producing power.
4:12 pm February 5, 2010
acoliarti
Energy Newbie
posts 13
5
harry said:I want to get into green energy because everyone tells me that it can reduce my bills. I don't see how thats possible outside of hooking up a few appliances or lights to the alternative energy source, removing my stuff from the "grid" so to speak.
There are advantages to green energy outside the saving of money, of course. You're helping the environment too. I think to save on your bills you either need to wire the solar panel or windmill into your home or else just plug directly into them. But then there are extension cords and such to worry about.
3:26 pm February 5, 2010
harry
Energy Newbie
posts 10
6
I want to get into green energy because everyone tells me that it can reduce my bills. I don't see how thats possible outside of hooking up a few appliances or lights to the alternative energy source, removing my stuff from the "grid" so to speak.
2:33 pm February 5, 2010
David Andersen
Admin
posts 25
7
When starting out with green energy, its always a good idea to take it slow, and start small. Otherwise, you're pretty much doomed for failure.
What this means is start with a simple green energy project – a perfect example is a simple solar panel that you can build yourself. There are plenty of good, small scale DIY projects on a site like that are free and cheap to build. You can hone your craft and practice on a lot of the skills you need. Plus, you'll learn alot of the concepts surrounding solar panel technology that you can hence apply to bigger panels and projects.
I'd recommend not buying a guide on solar panel construction for a couple of reasons. First, the guides that are online today make a few assumptions that aren't true. Plus their claims are exaggerated and their parts list cost just plain wrong. I'm also not too keen on the price tag of a lot of these guides, they easily range from $40 to $80. And the information given in the guides doesn't warrant the price tag. (And yes, I did buy a lot of these guides to check them out. Not worth it.)
Also, the guides sold online through affiliates and such aren't well put together. The graphics are confusing, the instructions shoddy and the illustrations wrong in some places. I'm not a green energy expert by any means, by I do know my way around a workbench and schematics.
Solar is easiest to start with, then perhaps move into kinetic energy sources, like windo power or if you live next to a stream, hydro power. The concepts are similar – capture the flow of air or water using a motor/turbine, and convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy. Its a little more pricey than solar panel wiring, but can produce a good amount of power. Its also a great science fair project
Lastly, don't get discouraged. Alternative or green power isn't easy to start off. If it was, there would be a whiole lot more DIY'ers out there doing it! Start small, don't get too down or hard on youself, and keep trying.
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