Alternative Power sources - Are Government Grants Available To Homeowners Seeking Alternative Energy?

Author

Are Government Grants Available To Homeowners Seeking Alternative Energy?

raymond miller

2006-01-12, 4:21 am

Hello,
My wife and I have a 2 story, 4 bedroom home which we recently installed
brand new roof; brand new energy efficient windows (whole house); Siding
with energy efficient insulation underneath. That said, with the rise in
every area of energy this past several months, I project that my savings in
energy costs will be eaten up by the increased cost, essentially breaking
even + or -.

I have long wondered about alternative energy (especially solar) as a means
to lessen the energy costs we incur. We live in a town where there is an
ordinance for everything under the sun. I believe solar is my only available
choice with that in mind. I want to power the house, the Airconditioner
unit, the washer & dryer, freezer, and refrigerator. The furnace is new and
natural gas. so the blower will be powered as well while heat will be from
nat. gas. The hot-water heater is 10 yrs old, so it is on borrowed time (and
is a nat. gas unit). Therefore I would like to replace that with a solar
heat for water.

QUESTION: Does anyone know of state or federal grants or other financial
assistance available to persons looking to undertake (by that I mean have a
professional company do it) such a change. If not, anyone know where I can
look in cyberspace for help? OR recomend any good books on the subject?

Sincerely,

Mr. Raymond A. Miller

Amherst, NY PD (Ret.)

Sincerely,

Mr. Raymond A. Miller

Amherst, NY PD (Ret.)

Proud Past Or Present Member Of:

Operation Just Cause (Organization demanding acounting for ALL
our POW/MIA's

Amherst Police Club

Retired Police Officers Of New York

S.C.O.P.E.

National Rifle Association

N.A.A.C.P. / Local & Buffalo Chapter

Antique Automobile Club Of Americ

South-towns Amateur Radio Club

Buffalo Amateur Radio Repeater Association

National Organization Of Christians & Jews

B H C 81 Supporter

barry@sme-online.com

2006-01-12, 11:21 am

Ray,

Many times, I've found very useful references at the US GPO
(http://www.consumer-guides.info/gov_info/gpo.html for a start)
providing very useful overview of conservation measures, etc., etc.

Personally, I'd not wait for gummint to save me with handouts.

For management of electrical power consumption, one very useful tool is
"Kill-A-Watt"- a plug-in device that you insert into outlet, and then
plug a device in question into. It will tell you actual instantaneous
power and volt-amperes delivered, voltage, current. And, over period of
time connected, total kw-h delivered for the logged time. For under
$30 typically. For 15a branch circuits.

Others may comment on the many proven ways to avoid energy waste, e.g.
house-sealing, air-air heat-exchangers, furnace stack dampers, clock
thermostats, etc., etc. You can choose sequence providing desired
payback, and maybe wait for reimbursement while enjoying the payback.

There is a good argument that reducing waste has much faster payback
than finding alternate sources.

HTH,
J

barry@sme-online.com

2006-01-12, 11:21 am

dold@XReXXAreXG.usenet.us.com

2006-01-12, 1:21 pm

In alt.energy.renewable raymond miller <radioman@localnet.com> wrote:

> Does anyone know of state or federal grants or other financial assistance

I don't know of any assistance for solar heating of domestic water,
although that might be a good return on investment without assistance.

Solar PV electric power has rebates and tax credits available from my local
electrical utility, the state, and federal.

You could start at the web page for your local utility.
http://pge.com has a rebates tab on the opening page.
There are rebates for installing various energy-saving items, like lights,
appliances, heaters, windows, etc.
http://www.pge.com/res/rebates/solar_energy/
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org...bate/index.html

A solar professional can look at a year's worth of electric bills and make
some suggestions regarding sizing and financing. In addition to the
credits and rebates, there can be financing arranged so that the payments
on a loan are lower than your current utility bill.

Where are you located? Still in New York?
Do a Google search for
solar rebates "new york" grants
The first hit:
http://www.akeena.net/solar_energy_...programsny.html
"New York offers one of the best solar energy system incentive programs in
the country. The state offers $4.00 per DC watt for systems up to 50 kW and
a maximum of 60% of the total cost. In addition, the State of New York
provides a 25% tax credit for residential solar energy system installations
up $3,750. Akeena Solar is presently installing systems in the following
counties: Richmond, Kings, Queens, New York, Broax, Rockland, Westchester,
Orange, Putnam, Dutchess and Ulster."

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

SJC

2006-01-12, 3:21 pm

You can look for state assistance here:
http://www.dsireusa.org/

"raymond miller" <radioman@localnet.com> wrote in message news:11sc3uh5lcohqea@corp.supernews.com...
> Hello,
> My wife and I have a 2 story, 4 bedroom home which we recently installed
> brand new roof; brand new energy efficient windows (whole house); Siding
> with energy efficient insulation underneath. That said, with the rise in
> every area of energy this past several months, I project that my savings in
> energy costs will be eaten up by the increased cost, essentially breaking
> even + or -.
>
> I have long wondered about alternative energy (especially solar) as a means
> to lessen the energy costs we incur. We live in a town where there is an
> ordinance for everything under the sun. I believe solar is my only available
> choice with that in mind. I want to power the house, the Airconditioner
> unit, the washer & dryer, freezer, and refrigerator. The furnace is new and
> natural gas. so the blower will be powered as well while heat will be from
> nat. gas. The hot-water heater is 10 yrs old, so it is on borrowed time (and
> is a nat. gas unit). Therefore I would like to replace that with a solar
> heat for water.
>
> QUESTION: Does anyone know of state or federal grants or other financial
> assistance available to persons looking to undertake (by that I mean have a
> professional company do it) such a change. If not, anyone know where I can
> look in cyberspace for help? OR recomend any good books on the subject?
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
> Mr. Raymond A. Miller
>
> Amherst, NY PD (Ret.)
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
> Mr. Raymond A. Miller
>
> Amherst, NY PD (Ret.)
>
> Proud Past Or Present Member Of:
>
> Operation Just Cause (Organization demanding acounting for ALL
> our POW/MIA's
>
> Amherst Police Club
>
> Retired Police Officers Of New York
>
> S.C.O.P.E.
>
> National Rifle Association
>
> N.A.A.C.P. / Local & Buffalo Chapter
>
> Antique Automobile Club Of Americ
>
> South-towns Amateur Radio Club
>
> Buffalo Amateur Radio Repeater Association
>
> National Organization Of Christians & Jews
>
> B H C 81 Supporter
>
>
>
>

Est

2006-01-12, 4:21 pm

This site may be of help in the near future.
http://www.lutec.com.au/

"raymond miller" <radioman@localnet.com> wrote in message
news:11sc3uh5lcohqea@corp.supernews.com...
> Hello,
> My wife and I have a 2 story, 4 bedroom home which we recently installed
> brand new roof; brand new energy efficient windows (whole house); Siding
> with energy efficient insulation underneath. That said, with the rise in
> every area of energy this past several months, I project that my savings
> in energy costs will be eaten up by the increased cost, essentially
> breaking even + or -.
>
> I have long wondered about alternative energy (especially solar) as a
> means to lessen the energy costs we incur. We live in a town where there
> is an ordinance for everything under the sun. I believe solar is my only
> available choice with that in mind. I want to power the house, the
> Airconditioner unit, the washer & dryer, freezer, and refrigerator. The
> furnace is new and natural gas. so the blower will be powered as well
> while heat will be from nat. gas. The hot-water heater is 10 yrs old, so
> it is on borrowed time (and is a nat. gas unit). Therefore I would like to
> replace that with a solar heat for water.
>
> QUESTION: Does anyone know of state or federal grants or other financial
> assistance available to persons looking to undertake (by that I mean have
> a professional company do it) such a change. If not, anyone know where I
> can look in cyberspace for help? OR recomend any good books on the
> subject?
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
> Mr. Raymond A. Miller
>
> Amherst, NY PD (Ret.)
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
> Mr. Raymond A. Miller
>
> Amherst, NY PD (Ret.)
>
> Proud Past Or Present Member Of:
>
> Operation Just Cause (Organization demanding acounting for ALL our
> POW/MIA's
>
> Amherst Police Club
>
> Retired Police Officers Of New York
>
> S.C.O.P.E.
>
> National Rifle Association
>
> N.A.A.C.P. / Local & Buffalo Chapter
>
> Antique Automobile Club Of Americ
>
> South-towns Amateur Radio Club
>
> Buffalo Amateur Radio Repeater Association
>
> National Organization Of Christians & Jews
>
> B H C 81 Supporter
>
>
>
>

Windsun

2006-01-12, 7:21 pm

see www.dsireusa.org

Bob Noble

2006-01-13, 3:21 am

Raymond,
Try alt.solar.photovoltaic on the newsgroups.

I think you are going to find that what you'd like to do isn't feasible.
It would cost you too much to support the loads you want to do.

There are two other things people don't seem to mention when talking about
this stuff.

Power and water do not mix. Even the best systems will need some maintenance
when the inevitable goes wrong and it's going to cost a lot to get repaired.

The other thing is how often you may have to clean the glass to keep them at
peak power.
You'd be amazed how fast they can get dirty.
Do you like to wash windows? :O)

These systems are best used when one is not on the grid and they are the
only choice.
If you get enough grants you may break even in enough time, but one big
maintenance bill can really set you back.

The other thing, if you want to do this to have power when grid power is
off, you'd have to have a huge bank of batteries that will have to be
replaced every so many years, and oh yes, they have to be serviced to keep
them going.

Check out alt.solar.photovoltaic for awhile and see for yourself.
They tell you how it is. Post your question there.

--
Bob Noble
www.sonic.net/bnoble

--
Bob Noble
www.sonic.net/bnoble
"raymond miller" <radioman@localnet.com> wrote in message
news:11sc3uh5lcohqea@corp.supernews.com...
> Hello,
> My wife and I have a 2 story, 4 bedroom home which we recently installed
> brand new roof; brand new energy efficient windows (whole house); Siding
> with energy efficient insulation underneath. That said, with the rise in
> every area of energy this past several months, I project that my savings
> in energy costs will be eaten up by the increased cost, essentially
> breaking even + or -.
>
> I have long wondered about alternative energy (especially solar) as a
> means to lessen the energy costs we incur. We live in a town where there
> is an ordinance for everything under the sun. I believe solar is my only
> available choice with that in mind. I want to power the house, the
> Airconditioner unit, the washer & dryer, freezer, and refrigerator. The
> furnace is new and natural gas. so the blower will be powered as well
> while heat will be from nat. gas. The hot-water heater is 10 yrs old, so
> it is on borrowed time (and is a nat. gas unit). Therefore I would like to
> replace that with a solar heat for water.
>
> QUESTION: Does anyone know of state or federal grants or other financial
> assistance available to persons looking to undertake (by that I mean have
> a professional company do it) such a change. If not, anyone know where I
> can look in cyberspace for help? OR recomend any good books on the
> subject?
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
> Mr. Raymond A. Miller
>
> Amherst, NY PD (Ret.)
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
> Mr. Raymond A. Miller
>
> Amherst, NY PD (Ret.)
>
> Proud Past Or Present Member Of:
>
> Operation Just Cause (Organization demanding acounting for ALL our
> POW/MIA's
>
> Amherst Police Club
>
> Retired Police Officers Of New York
>
> S.C.O.P.E.
>
> National Rifle Association
>
> N.A.A.C.P. / Local & Buffalo Chapter
>
> Antique Automobile Club Of Americ
>
> South-towns Amateur Radio Club
>
> Buffalo Amateur Radio Repeater Association
>
> National Organization Of Christians & Jews
>
> B H C 81 Supporter
>
>
>
>

Est

2006-01-13, 5:21 am

I'm pretty sure Ray
"Steve Spence" <sspence@green-trust.org> wrote in message
news:43c703db_1@newsfeed.slurp.net...
> Est wrote:
>
> Not likely.
>
>
> --
> Steve Spence
> Dir., Green Trust, http://www.green-trust.org
> Contributing Editor, http://www.off-grid.net
> http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn.html

Windsun

2006-01-13, 8:21 am

Bah! you are just a Free Energy Hater!!

"The Lutec 1000 is the first free energy machine to be developed to
commercial stage anywhere in the world. "

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Steve Spence" <sspence@green-trust.org> wrote in message
news:43c703db_1@newsfeed.slurp.net...
> Est wrote:
>
> Not likely.
>
>
> --
> Steve Spence
> Dir., Green Trust, http://www.green-trust.org
> Contributing Editor, http://www.off-grid.net
> http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn.html

dold@XReXXAreXG.usenet.us.com

2006-01-14, 2:21 pm

In alt.energy.renewable Jesse Spencer <jess225107DELETE@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Assuming a $14,000 Honda Civic and a $23,000 Honda Civic Hybrid will be
> in the junkyard at the same time, it doesn't make sense to by the hybrid
> unless you are assuming much higher gasoline prices.

Except that there's a substantial difference between the $14,000 and the
$23,000 Civic to be enjoyed during the lifespan as well.
That would be like conserving energy by not heating the house. That would
save more money than any alternate energy scheme.

(the honda prices are off at bothe ends, but that doesn't matter.)

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8,-122.5

sugna41@hotmail.com

2006-01-17, 6:21 am

Build smaller homes. Best power availible is "Nega Watts"

GeekBoy

2006-01-20, 4:21 am

"raymond miller" <radioman@localnet.com> wrote in message
news:11sc3uh5lcohqea@corp.supernews.com...

I guess you did not order Mathew Lesko's free government money books ;-)

> Hello,
> My wife and I have a 2 story, 4 bedroom home which we recently installed
> brand new roof; brand new energy efficient windows (whole house); Siding
> with energy efficient insulation underneath. That said, with the rise in
> every area of energy this past several months, I project that my savings
> in energy costs will be eaten up by the increased cost, essentially
> breaking even + or -.
>
> I have long wondered about alternative energy (especially solar) as a
> means to lessen the energy costs we incur. We live in a town where there
> is an ordinance for everything under the sun. I believe solar is my only
> available choice with that in mind. I want to power the house, the
> Airconditioner unit, the washer & dryer, freezer, and refrigerator. The
> furnace is new and natural gas. so the blower will be powered as well
> while heat will be from nat. gas. The hot-water heater is 10 yrs old, so
> it is on borrowed time (and is a nat. gas unit). Therefore I would like to
> replace that with a solar heat for water.
>
> QUESTION: Does anyone know of state or federal grants or other financial
> assistance available to persons looking to undertake (by that I mean have
> a professional company do it) such a change. If not, anyone know where I
> can look in cyberspace for help? OR recomend any good books on the
> subject?
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
> Mr. Raymond A. Miller
>
> Amherst, NY PD (Ret.)
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
> Mr. Raymond A. Miller
>
> Amherst, NY PD (Ret.)
>
> Proud Past Or Present Member Of:
>
> Operation Just Cause (Organization demanding acounting for ALL our
> POW/MIA's
>
> Amherst Police Club
>
> Retired Police Officers Of New York
>
> S.C.O.P.E.
>
> National Rifle Association
>
> N.A.A.C.P. / Local & Buffalo Chapter
>
> Antique Automobile Club Of Americ
>
> South-towns Amateur Radio Club
>
> Buffalo Amateur Radio Repeater Association
>
> National Organization Of Christians & Jews
>
> B H C 81 Supporter
>
>
>
>

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