This article is meant to address solar and wind power solutions for the financially challenged and thrifty consumer.
Renewable energy has the potential to last as long as the sun shines. Since wind is generated by thermal differentials caused by the sun, it can be thought of as byproduct of solar power. What can you do to harness this free energy source without breaking your budget? Well, here are several affordable suggestions.
- Use a clothesline. Yes, you may have read this elsewhere already but that’s because it’s a time tested solution that really works. You could go to the effort of installing solar panels to run your clothes dryer, or you could just let the sun and wind dry your clothes directly and save money and energy.
- Get a solar cooker (cheap) or solar food dryer (as cheap as a clean screen from a door), if your local weather permits it.
- You may or may not be able to install a wind mill on your property. However, you can likely increase the natural air flow around your air conditioner or heat pump. The temperature difference between air conditioner/heat pump and the outside air immediately determines its efficiency. If the air conditioner/heat pump is kept in the shade, this will help it cool your home in the summer more effectively (saving you money) since the air it takes in is cooler and thus not as much power is needed to “condition” it to make it even cooler. It should be noted however that a lack of air flow around the pump, such as natural air convection blocked by those shade trees and bushes, can trap the waste heat in the air right around the air conditioner. Removing blockages to air flow to keep the air conditioner or heat pump from living in its own heat bubble in the summer can reduce the electric demand of that equipment by over 30%. All of that saved electricity saves money, and all it takes is letting the wind blow on by. Just try to balance shading the device verses trapping air around it.
- Install removable solar screens. In the winter, take them down to allow maximum natural sunlight (free solar heating) into your home. In the summer, put them back up to keep out unwanted heat. There are many films and blind systems out there to explore.
The greatest advantage of these tips is that you don’t have to invest in a solar panel or wind turbine (though still a good idea) to enjoy the energy and financial savings. If you do want to use this option there is no better time to buy. Wind power has become much more affordable than solar electric but it does depend on your living situation and zoning restrictions.
