claiming pure stupidity-"help"

[Larry Lawler]

well, iam now in Texas-mesquite texas to be exact, a suburb of Dallas,
Texas- relocated here for work - bought the nicest house i ever imagined
i ever could- 2400 sq feet -all one level with a pool and spa in the
back yard- only trouble is that i've realized energy prices in Texas are
exactly DOUBLE what i was paying in minnesota where i moved from ! SO -
iam hoping someone could suggest - i want to make the most use out of
solar or even wind energy- for conserving energy- or actually using
energy at a cheaper cost- so---- i know there are different things -
solar systems to heat the pools and spa,- hot water heating systems for
the home and systems to help with lighting and such- BEING A NOVICE -
who would you guys recommend ? iam looking to invest a nest egg i have
of $13,500.00 in cash that i have left from the purchase of the new
house for this -please suggestions ? real-tried and true testimonials?
what to stay away from - what to go for? thanks so much , SIN_cerely -
larry

 

[Anthony Matonak]

... i know there are different things -
solar systems to heat the pools and spa,- hot water heating systems for
the home and systems to help with lighting and such- BEING A NOVICE -
who would you guys recommend ?

....
Forget solar PV (electricity). It's too expensive for what you want.
Focus on solar water heating, solar air heating and conservation.

Conservation can give you the most bang for the buck. Start by
figuring out where your electricity goes (energy audit) and then
how to reduce that. Buying or borrowing a kill-a-watt meter can
help here. Some things are no-brainers, like using CF lights.

Solar air heating is the next most cost-effective. A handy person
can build their own solar air heating panels out of off the shelf
materials available in any hardware store. In Texas you probably
won't have to worry about heating the place much but might want
to focus on insulation, weatherstripping, shading and the like.

Anthony

 

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...
Focus on solar water heating, solar air heating and conservation.

Conservation can give you the most bang for the buck. Start by
figuring out where your electricity goes (energy audit) and then
how to reduce that...

Solar air heating is the next most cost-effective. A handy person
can build their own solar air heating panels out of off the shelf
materials available in any hardware store.

You can buy Dynaglas "solar siding" at greenhouse supply stores...

Dallas is easy for heating... 910 Btu/ft^2 of sun falls on the ground and
1260 falls on a south wall on an average 43.4 F January day with a 54.1
daily max... 2220 falls on the ground and 720 falls on a south wall on
an 85.3 average July day with a 74.1 min and humidity ratio w = 0.0149.
I'd invest in air-sealing the house, with a blower door test.

Then you might get into solar hot water.

Nick