It’s Time to Get Serious about Saving Energy (Money)
When fuel topped $4 a gallon, it got my attention. It’s not just your fuel bill; it has raised the cost of everything you purchase. What can I do? What can you do?
Truth #1: the sun rises every day. Heat from the sun is FREE. All it takes is some design to take advantage of this bonus. Next, insulate the structure to hold on to the heat for as long as possible. We are not talking rocket science here, but it makes no sense to spend a lot of money on high-tech geothermal systems and condition a leaky structure.
Consider foam insulation for the exterior walls. Although expensive relative to fiberglass, the performance far exceeds the glass batt. We wrap the exterior wall with rigid foam to cover all the thermal weak spots. It’s like a parka for your home. The object is to insulate the home that you can heat it with a hair dryer. My goal is a self sustaining home, a home that maintains a moderate temperature with no fossil fuel imput.
Whether you agree with the issues around climate change or not, we can all agree that fuel costs have soared. We at Sunrise Homes have made a moral choice. We will do all we can to change the world one home at a time. When you come to us for a new home or remodeling project, expect us to push you to consider making the commitment to maximizing your energy efficiency. It doesn’t cost, it pays.
Let me hear from readers. Write and tell me what you have done and how it has worked. I look forward to sharing your stories.
Tags: Saving Money on Energy
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:57 am
Hi Don,
It’s nice to see that you’ve started a blog. As a Sunrise customer having built two homes with you, I can attest that energy conservation was a very important consideration in selecting Sunrise Homes and deciding to build my own home. Utilizing 2 x 6 construction to allow for higher R-value insulation, selecting lots with good southern exposure, as well as ensuring the use of quality windows, doors, and heating systems are all possible when you build a home from the ground up.
I’ve been very interested in green building/living and have posted several articles and videos on my own website and blogs to show what other people, communities, companies, and countries are doing to reduce their dependence on oil and utilize greener choices.
Check out my links. The Unite Bristol Video player has a great piece on Masdar, the Dubai project for a self-sustaining community as well as a great series by Andres Duany on New Urbanism. Drop me a note and let me know what you think.
Sincerely,
Bob Merrick
http://www.unitebristol.org
http://www.bob4bristol.blogspot.com
August 12th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hello Don,
I understand the tax credit for solar panels is supposed to run out. If it’s not reinstituted, would solar panels for hot water still be cost effective? Joyce
August 18th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I don’t know the expiration of the credit program. Check on Google for the latest, although these programs change all the time. The credits for a photovaltaic system (one the makes electricity instead of hot water) are sizable. For example, we had our contractor price a typical 7kWh/year system and the credit from the CT Clean Energy Fund was $27,219 out of a total cost of $50,969. At full price, we are looking at paybacks of 40-50 years assuming current energy pricing, so the credits put it back to a reasonable level.
I have a friend who spent his entire career in the utility business and he says that it wouldn’t surprise him to see elec rates quadruple! If that happens, you are looking at a 12 year payback with no subsidies. It looks better all the time. Most of my customers don’t care about the payback so much. They want to do it because they think it is a good thing to do. I can’t fault that logic.