Power saving and alternative energies
We use a lot of power. We have lots of lights and devices as well as my fish tank which uses stupid amounts of power (1.2kW of lights alone). We have 50W down lights in every room (from the top of my head, a total of ~28). We have a big TV and entertainment devices (which we switch off at the wall every night). We use a lot of power.
Power Options
I have recently been looking into our alternative options for our power. Solar is at the top of my list but we need the cash to spend. With our power usage, to be totally covered by Solar, we’d initially be out of pocket about $22,000. While that seems like a lot, it means that we would have 0 power bills and 0 grid-based power consumption for over 20 years (and we spend more than $1000 annually now). Unfortunately, the NSW government likely to make changes to the maximum $8000 Solar rebate which would make that $22,000 figure increase substantially. Already the Victorian government has made changes to their Solar “incentive” which would mean that I’d get squat if I got this much Solar power in Victoria. Top work guys. In France, the government provides incentives to alternative energy manufacturers as well as lots of other changes towards renewable energy. Meanwhile, we continue to build brown coal power stations.
Renewable Google. Renewgle?
Google have spent a lot of time, money and effort making their own renewable energy sources for their offices and even going as far to present a $4 trillion energy plan to the US government. The have even provided a small power saving calculator and power saving tips. Strange URL and its targeted to the US (Australians don’t have thermostats). Is there anything Google can’t do?
Until Then
Until we go the Solar path (which will likely be sooner than later) we have decided to reduce our power consumption as much as possible. Sites like Neco and Todae have many power efficient products that I will be investing in over the next few months. LED down lights will take our 50W halogens and replace them with 9 or 11W varieties. We already don’t use our air conditioner, but we might have to in summer if we don’t put the DIY double glazing on the windows of our house. These are a few options available but we will continue to turn everything off at night. If we can reduce our usage sufficiently then the cost of Solar will be reduced as we wont need as many panels.
Slowly we are moving towards a non existent footprint.
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