Reply #68: If you can make extra, yuo can make ok money [View All]

[comtec]

Because "green" energy pulls a premium. That's why if you state, all green power sources, they charge you more - because they are assholes like that!

That aside, you can make some money (some say 100+ the reality is much less than that a month) but it really depend son your usage.
here are some general rules:
use low-impact refrigeration and freezing.
use your basement (if you have one) as much as possible for cool (veggie + fruit) storage
don't use AC, use blinds/curtains over windows as much as possible
use Solar heated water!!! (In my alt. energy class my instructor told us we can make one (VERY simple design) for 150 USD and it
provides a lot of water, since you can choose the tank size yourself!
Solar heated water stays warm for quite a while so even at night you can have a nice, warm bath or shower
and you aren't using energy to heat it up!
as a side, you can install a small turbine and use the radiant heat of the water (cycling with cooler water to keep a complete
cycle) to generate a small amount of energy - generally to run the pump when needed inside) - tho I dont remeber the specifics
of it.
Use low-wattage devices and Natural Sunlight as much as possible - Suntubes are low impact sunlights that provide light
Use laptops in stead of desktops
Grow your own veggies! (if you have the space, always taste better than store bought)

that should greatly reduce your energy bills, even if you aren't trying to use Solar panels to supplement your energy needs!
Living off the grid is amazingly difficult, but possible, and with all the low-energy technology out there now, it's very possible (however V E R Y expensive)

When looking at the rather outrageous cost of these tools, keep in mind the dirty energy sources you AREN'T using. That should help a bit.

Remember in the end the point of green energy, etc isn't so much convince (not relying on eh grid) but for reducing our individual carbon footprint.