Is there an efficient and practical cost effective solution these days for alternate energy for the regular home dweller?
I get upset to the point of going blue in the face paying all of these utility costs, which amounts to 40% of my household running expenses.
Its areal pain paying rates/taxes, land-line telephone, cell-phone, gas & lecky bills and I would like to find alternate cost effective ways to cut down on the utility bills through alternate energy sources.
My house is as green as it can get, insulated, new windows,timers on the lighting with auto-shut-off, using all of the everyday practical solutions to conserve energy, green appliances to save energy. But the capital cost and payback is a killer
I have searched the web, read about small windmills, solar, geothermal solutions, and high efficiency wood burning pellet stoves, but really can’t finger one practical cost effective solution.
Anyone?
Posts: 81 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 09-26-07
Unfortunately there isn't one single cost effective solution to provide an energy alternative. All we have currently are alternates that cost too much up front to make the cost savings viable. What needs to be done is on the supply side of the energy production. You can do solar, wind or wood burning but I guarantee that solar in Toronto isn't going to work out for you and wind will only serve to supplement your power. Wood burning stove would help if you're willing to change your lifestyle and be a constant stove tender and only occupy some areas of the house in cold weather.
You can do some very small things like switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, get an attic fan to use in summer time, install water saving shower heads and toilets, make sure your air conditioning and heat are on a timer, make sure filters are changed, etc... Get exterior shutters for your windows to use in summer if it even gets hot enough in Toronto to make that viable cost savings?
There are some neat new products out there for new homes to save energy, but they just don't pan out to save cost when installed in existing construction.
Anyway, sorry I can't be more of a help, but at this point we need to pressure energy companies to find better ways to produce the energy.
Posts: 3062 | Location: USA | Registered: 06-04-02
I just pulled out my old DVM after seeing an Advert on TV for LED lighting, and I thought ermmm, let me check something.
I pulled out a set of white LED Xmas lights and figured out each one was 2volts each, and in knowing they take little current, I then connected 24 of these in a series cluster bound with duct tapeto a telephone wire plugged into the telephone wall socket (distroying the 2007 xmas lights for outside use ).
Bingo, I had light ... in fact practical emergency lighting, maybe even thinking here to full house lighting.
I shall wait till sundown and see how much light this gives me and wondering how long the LED's will last.
Yes, I checked the phone line, and found when I picked up the receiver the lights went out ... but I dont care, I have found a way to get free lighting.
Now, I must find a way to trickle charge a storage device from the phone line (48 volts @ 50ma) to have enough power to light the LED's
I shall not be beaten into believing alternate energy sources cannot be found cheaply.
I am currently researching practical ways to implement low-power geothermal generators for home use(not just heat-pumps), and by my calcualtions which may be way-off, I figured that all I need is to have a constant 3-5kwh available for free -or cheaply as possible from stored devices and alternate sources.
The search continues
Posts: 81 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 09-26-07
Originally posted by Kainchild: I was wondering Janus. Do you dable in mechanical egineering? I might have another way to resolve your problem if you do.
lost cost, low noise, small in size ... yes by all means, I would be interested. Share your ideas.
I am also looking at how to capture noise, any kind of noise, terrestial or otherwise and convert that to a usable power source.
Piezo electric devices etc, coverting vibration to usable AC/DC power. Since noise is everywhere, unlike sun, heat, cold .. it has possibilities.
Posts: 81 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 09-26-07
Originally posted by Kainchild: I was wondering Janus. Do you dable in mechanical egineering? I might have another way to resolve your problem if you do.
lost cost, low noise, small in size ... yes by all means, I would be interested. Share your ideas.
I am also looking at how to capture noise, any kind of noise, terrestial or otherwise and convert that to a usable power source.
Piezo electric devices etc, coverting vibration to usable AC/DC power. Since noise is everywhere, unlike sun, heat, cold .. it has possibilities.
I mean do you know how to measure gears, springs, and pulleys and can get accurate measurements to produce a specific outcome?
Originally posted by Kainchild: I was wondering Janus. Do you dable in mechanical egineering? I might have another way to resolve your problem if you do.
quote:
I mean do you know how to measure gears, springs, and pulleys and can get accurate measurements to produce a specific outcome?
well ... NO, because I do not fully understand how measuring springs and pulley's produces electricity!
Is this relevent or related to producing power with a very low investment and running cost versus electricity or gas?
I suppose, the old farm windmill may be one idea, although, I suppose it may not be feisable because of the investment, but then that could be a sort of spring & pulley method connected to drive an old automobile 12v generator, that in turn connected to an inverter .... it has possibilities, but not it would seem if you lived in a closed environment or sub-division that does not allow these things.
Kain, I would be interested to hear more about your spring & pulley idea's to produce electrical power
Posts: 81 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 09-26-07
I put the reply on another board which I felt to be more suitable then the physics one. I am going to try and update this post as much as possible. More then likely with corrections :-P.
