Re: starting small , then increase

 
The question requires more information to answer. Basically how much
do you have to spend and do you want stand alone or grid connect

 

Drew Cutter wrote:


Have you ever looked at decent insulation or even ultra-insualtion to
reduce your carbon footprint ?

It's the only truly 'green' thing to do. Tackle the actual problem, don't
fiddle around with half-baked expensive, energy and resource sapping
solutions.

Graham

 

Drew Cutter wrote:


WRONG !

Relatively little energy is lost through windows (unless it's pathetic 2mm
glass) and they provide (though leakage) essential ventilation that would in
its absence cause condensation throughout a house with mould growth leading to
possible respiratory diseases.

I have seen this FIRST HAND.

Describe in detail your existing windows. At worst a galzing change may
trabsform then at quite low cost.

Double glazing is hugely oversold. Its payback time is LONG but it is good for
preventing condensation on the window pane.



If you're on-grid STAY on-grid. You will NEVER beat the grid for efficiency of
generation and total minimisation of carbon footprint impact.

INSULATE, INSULATE, INSULATE.

I despair that stupid Yanks think they can outrun the physics by installing
stupid costly inefficient resource hungry PV panels for that cuddly 'feelgood'
factor. It's the most insane idea since Belezebub.

It's the UL:TIMATE LIE.

You want to use minimum energy ? I'll tell you how and PV solar (except for
lighting) doesn't even enter the equation.

Graham

 

Drew Cutter wrote:


First point, if you don't mind. Please don't 'top-post'. It's the typical style
for
email but makes following peoples' thoughts on Usenet a liitle more difficult
since
it places the answer before the question.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style

Now, as for your very estimable intentions to reduce your overall energy
requireemnts, have you considered doing a proper ausit of all energy inputs and
outpurs together with the most effective ways to reduce these ?

It will pay dividends big time.

Almost always, 'alternative power generation' is one of the very least worthwhile
options. Notably because of its high cost and high resource usage. Its benefit is
mainly to go give you a cuddly 'feelgood' factor than achieve much of any real
practical use.


Graham

 
Not a lot of money, what are you like on skills?

Insulate first

Solar 1; Start with a solar thermal

Solar 2; Shift your lighting to a stand alone system.