Are you thinking about putting solar panels on your roof to save money? Did you know that it takes 50 years to recover that investment? People have been raving about solar panels. That to me is not about saving money? Not at that schedule for repayment. I doubt any recovery system will last that long.
But one company, who has been bragged about as an energy saver and job producer by government officials, went bankrupt. They laid-off 600 people and the federal government loan program lost 500 million dollars. Then each one of the officials of that bankrupt company pleaded the Fifth Amendment before a congressional committee when asked questions about what happened to the money. How did they qualify for such a large loan guarantee and then go belly up so soon? Then three more solar companies were given even larger guaranteed loans in the past few weeks before this law, claiming these guarantees were going to run out. Then to cap it off, the government spent millions on a study to see if clouds affected solar energy – the clouds did. Heavens, they could have asked kindergarteners.
We need to save energy. In most cases the best thing to do is to have a blower test completed to determine how porous your home may be. Many electric coops offer that service to members or can arrange it.
Check your attic insulation, just a few additional inches of insulation can save you money on fuel and pay for itself in few years, not 50. A quality two-pane window can really help versus single-pane. Storm windows can also keep out the cold and keep the A/C and heat inside. Even caulking, everywhere you have leaks is going to beat solar energy. If you only put up plastic over sliding doors that you aren’t using will return more energy savings than the cost – it isn’t pretty, but it is effective.
Remember, most space heaters are meant to be used temporarily. They are expensive heat sources compared to a furnace. The most economical heating-cooling system right now is a heat pump, one that uses wells for heat and cooling sources. Many of us in this region use wood heat to supplement our heating. Fireplaces are some work, but they also subtract from the energy you have to buy.
Some good friends of mine were building a house a few years ago, I suggested they go by the electric coop office and learn all they could about putting savings in as they built.
They had an argument with the builder about putting cellulose insulation in their new walls. They won. I was over at their large house for a Christmas party, they were heating the entire two story house with an insert in their fireplace with a very low temperature outside. My son-in-law and daughter do the same thing in a well-insulated house.
Just because people have solar panels on the roof is no sign they are saving money. They aren’t.
Insulate, caulk and close all the gaps because winter’s coming. God Bless you all till the next issue, Dusty Richards.
Western novelist Dusty Richards and his wife Pat live on Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas. For more information about his books you can email Dusty by visiting ozarksfn.com and clicking on ‘Contact Us’ or call 1-866-532-1960.
