Will Rogers was reported to have said “Buy land. They ain’t making any more of the stuff.” And the same is true for oil. I’ll tell you something that is sure to start an argument at a cocktail party. (I can’t wait) The price of oil being high as it is could actually, in the long run, be a good thing. See, I told you. You want to argue with me right now, don’t you, but hear me out.
If you are a transplant to mountain living, I’m sure that the crisp smell of clean mountain air with just a hint of pine made it worth leaving behind the 7-11 (where you can get a gallon of milk anytime of the night or day). Like everyone, everywhere, the high cost of oil is having a trickle down effect into every area of your life.
You want to sleep well at night so you’ve changed all of your light bulbs from the old wasteful incandescent to the new CFLs. Then you made sure that your home was well insulated and fixed that gap on the front door where the wind used to whistle in. Good move, but there’s more that you can do.
WHERE TO START”
1. Get out your bill and figure out what you are spending now. If you’re like me you might need some sort of utility bill Rosetta Stone to translate your bill into English. (Isn’t the Kilowatt Hour a variety show sponsored by PG & E?)
Make a worksheet. List of all of your appliances and if they have one of those yellow stickers with average yearly energy costs on it, write that down. Are they Energy Star rated or do you have a vintage 1952, June Cleaver model of a Lady Kenmore? Though it may still work fine, it’s time for an upgrade.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Alternative energy is a pretty broad term and usually refers to something other than what Chevron pumps out of the ground. We are going to look at saving you some money but there are many other benefits, such as taking some control (over what we spend on oil) out of the hands of large corporate interests and preserving the earth for future generations.
The most common alternative energy options for most homeowners are solar, wind generation and geothermal. Solar entails installing photo voltaic cells on your property to generate power while the sun is shining and this will require a sunny piece of property. The cells don’t necessarily need to be installed on your roof, but do need a prolonged period of sun to be cost effective.
Wind power is generated from a wind turbine usually mounted on a pole and can generate power during night hours and stormy days when the solar is not a peak efficiency. This requires an appropriately windy piece of property to be effective.
I first learned about the principles of geothermal power from Stumpy, a black Labrador retriever. Every time the temperature exceeds 102 degrees, he digs a big hole next to the rosebushes to lay in and stay cool. When I arrive home, he’ll look up at me from his cool spot as if to say, “Hey, it’s hot and I’m wearing a black fur coat.”
Stumpy knows that the earth acts as a buffer, resisting drastic temperature changes. A geothermal system uses a network of pipes which run through your property to warm your home in the winter and cool it in the summer, kind of like Stumpy did but without a big pile of dirt on the patio.
Where can you find assistance with all of these options? You might be surprised. Try your local power company.
LMUD, serving most of Lassen County, is involved in a Smartbuilt Home program, offering substantial rebates for new construction and now, through the Smartbuilt Home Retrofit program, they are offering more rebates than ever for energy efficient upgrades to homes and businesses.. PG&E also has a wide array of incentives for upgrading to save energy. If you are even considering a new appliance purchase, check with your local electric company to find out which models carry the rebates. Each companies offers will vary.
If you are a PSREC member, they (in partnership with Cooperative Community Energy) can send someone to your home for a site inspection and help with a system recommendation, complete with a financial analysis. (Make sure that you have your worksheet ready.) There is a $150 fee but they will also help with the permitting process and point you towards the available rebates. There is money available to help replace that “June Cleaver Kenmore’! Membership in the cooperative also entitles you to discounts on home solar equipment.
When a member installs a solar power system, PSREC uses a “net-metering” process so during times when you generate more power than you use, the excess is made available to the grid so you can be credited back for the difference. You might even receive a check at the end of the year for your surplus. These programs are not only for home systems but the PSREC encourages business customers to participate as well.
Lastly the PSREC can assist in the installation and financing (30 years – interest free) of a Geothermal system as long as your lot property qualifies. They have assisted in over 400 systems to date. For details call 800-555-2207 or on the web, go to www.psrec.org.
There are many options for rural homeowners to not only feel good about your responsibility to future generations but to save a buck as well. When you look at the available rebates, tax incentives and the increase in value to your property, not to mention the ENERGY SAVINGS, it is a pretty easy decision to make.
