hsifeng: (Creative)
hsifeng ([personal profile] hsifeng) wrote2008-10-08 09:03 am
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The Grid: Getting Off It (Step One - Research)


Well kids, I think it is time for me to look into this more seriously. We wanted to wait until we put in the garage (so that the solar panels could go there instead of on the house) but I don’t know if that type of esthetic consideration is realistic anymore. I only hope they can put them on the BACK of the house so that they aren’t so nasty looking in the front.

 

Our friggin electric bill was over $450 in the middle of the summer this year and over $650 in the middle of the summer last year. Nach.

 

I understand there are companies in my area that are doing solar leases as well. Other ‘off grid’ items I would like to look into.

 

1) Home gardening: Seems we might be doing a bit of a ‘community garden’ since we have oodles of yard space[info]tristinmorgan and[info]saoirse42 are interested in pitching in.
 

http://www.hgtv.com/gl-wildlife-other/no-work-garden/index.html

http://www.americanprofile.com/article/562.html

 

2) Reclaiming Rainwater: A great way to water your garden, and with a mulched garden it takes even less water!

 

http://www.watercache.com/

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06702.html


Any other great resources folks would like to point me towards?
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[identity profile] hsifeng.livejournal.com 2008-10-08 06:51 pm (UTC)(link)
If we are going to take a fridge out, it would be the kegorator: There is no way we will be able to operate the whole house off of one kitchen fridge, so it is the logical choice to go if something has to. Have you checked with PG&E on the relative costs of electricity for our appliances to see what we would be looking at in savings if we got rid of it ($29/month per one site)?

As for the overall electricity: Based on the last three months that would be $246/month.

Cost on the roof over the porch has the same issues as the cost of topping the trees. We need to look at a possible ground install or what we can get in currently free roof space on the back of the house.

Looking into the sand filtration system is going to take some figuring since we need to all be happy with the location and the concept before we get too far down that road…
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