Question by ecogreenie: DIY solar power in house?
Need ideas for solar power and other natural uses of energy for adding to my old farmhouse..CHEAP WAYS
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Answer by radiorog8
i have recently done a little research on this, unfortunately cheap is not an option as far as i have been able to determine, internet searches will help
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Jim S says:
September 18, 2012 at 4:55 pm (UTC 0)
“Radio” is correct. None of the “natural” options are cheap, but you do have choices. If you have an adequate number of days with sunlight you can go with solar panels. If you have natural breezes most of the time you can go with wind power. There are new wind turbines for home use that make little or no noise. Neither of these is “cheap” but the internet has many DIY options. Both will require a converter and a method of storage. Don’t expect a dramatic payback. The return on these devices is over a period of years and hedges you against future increases in commercial power prices. If you invest enough up front to generate enough power you may be able to return power to the commercial grid and earn credits. Good luck.
roderick_young says:
September 18, 2012 at 5:29 pm (UTC 0)
If the old building isn’t well insulated, get the thickest insulation you can buy. Not only will it be cheap, it will pay you back after the first couple years.
If you’re actually on a lot of land, consider mowing the fields and piling all the debris in one place to compost, then extracting heat from the compost pile to heat a room in your house.