Homeowner Digest

fateridder asked:


Democrats (mostly) in Congress complain that the President doesn’t have a credible energy policy. I personally don’t know whether he does or not because the whole issue is far too complex for me .

But I feel pretty certain that Congress doesn’t have the knowledge to set an energy policy . Part of my certainty is based on having read an interview with a newly elected U.S. Representative , Ron Klein of Florida . Here is an excerpt from the Town Crier newpaper :

After such achievements as the Apollo moon missions and the Manhattan Project that unleashed the power of the atom, Klein said, anyone who doubts the United States can create powerful new alternative energy sources is selling the nation’s brainpower short. All that’s required is the will to do so, he said, holding up a letter-size sheet of paper to make his point.

“If you are telling me we can’t create a solar panel the size of that piece of paper to power every home in Wellington, I don’t believe it,” he said. “I think we can. I don’t mean tomorrow. But I mean over the next ten years. I think we can do it.”

Assuming that the Congressman meant only that one solar panel could power ONE home , rather than every home , ( Wellington has around 50,000 population by the way ) the misunderstanding of the amount of solar energy falling on a single sheet of paper is absolutely ludicrous . But , Rep. Klein won’t believe it if you tell him that . Granted that he is the only one I’ve heard make such a ridiculous statement , it would be interesting to know how many of our congress people or executive branch honchos , have enough knowledge of the physics of energy , the economics of energy and the diplomacy of energy to make a viable “energy policy” for the U.S.

Anyone agree ?

Solar Power Stuff

krm614 asked:


I posted a question earlier asking about alternative energy sources and it seems to be too expensive to purchase solar panels to offset the electrical cost, now I am trying to figure something else out….

We have a two story home and our fireplace is locate downstairs. The fireplace has an insert an when the fan is running the heat will run you out of our den and it does a good job of heating up the downstairs. Our problem is the master bedroom is upstairs. While our downstairs is pleasantly heated, when we go upstairs it feels like the Arctic! I know heat rises but it doesn’t seem to have enough juice to make it upstairs. What if anything can we do to help the heat rise to the second floor. Any help would be much appreciated.

ALSO…..I know that a wood burning fireplace is not the best for our environment but with alternative energy being so expensive (solar panels, etc.) I am forced to figure out what I can do to try to reduce our cost until there is a better and cheaper alternative.

Solar Power Generation

Janny asked:


I have studied peak oil for about 5 years now and yes I understand the low hanging fruit is gone. I understand the price of oil will continue to rise. I understand and fully agree with finding and using viable alternative energy. The reality is that the entire infrastructure of our country is based on petroleum & petroleum products. Until we can support viable alternative energy, the reality is that we still need oil and for more than just the gas that goes into our cars - it is a matter of survival. Look at the food supply alone from the ground to your table is fully dependant on petroleum products - pesticides, herbicides, packaging, the asphalt that the trucks and our cars drive on to transport it to our stores and homes and the diesel fuel and gasoline -AND- on things powered by our current infrastructure - irrigation, conveyor belts, tractor trailers, plowing/sowing/harvesting equipment, lighting and electricity for preparation plants … can we rule drilling out just yet?
To answer your question “How would disagreeing with drilling and building refineries make anyone a hypocrite?” It’s simple, do you ever eat food from a store? If the answer is yes and you are against drilling then you are a hypocrite. You want to have your cake and eat it too.
A drop in the bucket is better than an empty bucket. A day will come when people will be begging for a drop in the bucket if we don’t fix the problem. I think it will be easier for us to research and develop alternative energy sources if we do so while securing as many energy options as possible.

Energy Alternatives

Nancy W asked:


I would like to convert my house to total wood power, perhaps run a steam powered turbine for electricity. Also thought about solar power but I live in Michigan. Any suggestions?

Solar Power Stuff

frankfieldsjr asked:


1. Do you believe the government focuses enough attention on alternative energy?

2. Should the government focus more money and legislation towards improving existing energy sources or alternative energy sources?

3. What do you feel is the biggest concern regarding alternative energy? (Cost/Efficiency/Emissions)

4. Should the government put price limits on gas?

5. Do you believe that alternative fuels would increase the prices of materials used to make them?

6. Do you feel that the government should cut other spending and use more money to research alternative energy sources and fuels?

7. Do you feel that the government should offer tax deductions to businesses that use alternative energy sources and fuels?

8. Should the government mandate that gas stations offer alternative fuels to their customers?

9. What type of home heating do you use?

10. Have you thought of using an alternative form of heating in your home? If so, what?

Green Power

Runner88 asked:


I live in CT in a 3700 square foot home and i was wondering how much would it cost to buy and install solar panels to power my home with the average CT power consumption? Also what are some other alternative energy sources other then solar, wind, and oil what are economical for the average CT home?

Green Energy

boisk2 asked:


I live in MT. I am looking for grants that would help pay for some or all of the cost to build and hook a wind turbine to power my house. The costs for wind turbine are expensive but I would like to try to find alternative energy sources for my home.

Alternate Energy

Puresnow asked:


I’ve done a little research and the cost is not prohibitive, as far as I can see.

Do you ever have interrupted power?

How much did the panels/windmills cost?

How much was installation?

Do you plan to invest in alternative energy sources again? What, exactly?

Estimate your savings, please.

Solar Power At Home

pixygiggles asked:


From the research that I have done in my area, it looks like the Tennessee Valley Authority requires homes equipped with solar panels to still be connected to local power grids. Granted any power generated is credited to your account; but nevertheless, we still have to sell them the power and in turn buy it back. Also there are limitations on how many solar panels you are allowed to have even though zero energy homes do exist here. Does anyone have any information they could share about this? I am very interested in learning more about alternative energy sources. Thanks.

Home Solar

Jeff K asked:


1. Do you believe the government focuses enough attention on alternative energy?

2. Should the government focus more money and legislation towards improving existing energy sources or alternative energy sources?

3. What do you feel is the biggest concern regarding alternative energy? (Cost/Efficiency/Emissions)

4. Should the government put price limits on gas?

5. Do you believe that alternative fuels would increase the prices of materials used to make them?

6. Do you feel that the government should cut other spending and use more money to research alternative energy sources and fuels?

7. Do you feel that the government should offer tax deductions to businesses that use alternative energy sources and fuels?

8. Should the government mandate that gas stations offer alternative fuels to their customers?

9. What type of home heating do you use?

10. Have you thought of using an alternative form of heating in your home? If so, what?

Alternate Energy