Alternative Energy at Home

Rising utility costs are causing everyone to think about energy conservation and alternative energy sources. With tax incentives and quickly falling prices, there is no reason that every home and small business in America cannot have some sort of alternative energy source. The average electric energy usage in the US today is 936 kilowatt hours per month (source: US Energy Information Administration http://www.eia.doe.gov/basics/quickelectric.html). The average price is about 10 cents per kw/hr (id). That equates to an average electric bill of $93.60 per month not including taxes and fees.

For most, alternative energy is about saving money. For some its about independence and for others it is about reducing carbon emissions. Your motivation may affect your decisions but, no matter the reason, there are a variety of options which are affected by many factors beyond our control. In this article I will examine briefly examine energy usage and conservation and will discuss options for energy production.

The first step in understanding alternative energy is assessing your usage and your needs. In the case of energy, needs would be those items you would use in the event of a complete power outage. Heat, refrigeration, light and air conditioning come to mind immediately but you may have additional needs. Although electrical outages are most common, we must all plan for interruptions in gas service also. While electrical outages are generally a nuisance, complete power interruptions can be deadly in many climates.

I would be remiss if I did not say that conservation is the first crucial step in any energy plan. This topic is beyond the scope of this article and I hope to write about conservation soon. In the meantime, the EPA and most states have tremendous resources for conservation tips. If you cannot afford to weatherize your home, many states, municipalities and utility companies have programs to assist you in this. www.dsireusa.org has a state by state listing of tax incentives and utility rebates.

Assessing Your Needs, Step 1

Among the greatest factors in determining the proper energy source is the amount of energy you need and the cost of that energy. The first step is to get out your old utility bills. If you do not have them, many companies offer copies online. A year will give you the best picture but a sample from each season will suffice. For each month, write down the average temperature in your area and the gas and electric usage. Divide your usage for each by the total cost. Simply taking the utility company's stated cost will not work because there are additional charges for delivery, tax, etc.

Your Priorities

For me, producing energy is about reliability, independence and personal responsibility. For others, it may be about cost savings or carbon emissions. If your goal is solely reducing carbon emissions, it may be best to look into purchasing electricity produced by utilities that use only carbon free sources. These sources often cost a little more but it may be worth the cost if this is your sole interest in alternative energy. (See my hub on America's Energy Future discussing the different approaches to energy production).

Now it is time to see what sources are best for you. In many cases, this will be obvious. If you live in New Mexico, solar comes to mind immediately. If you live in Kansas, wind power may be the best option. For most, a mix of conservation, solar, wind, microhydro and other alternative sources will work best. As I will discuss below, some options can provide conservation and energy production at the same time.

Photovoltaic Solar Electric Generation

Wind Energy

Microhydro Energy

Local Fossil Energy

Biomass Energy