subject: Alternative Fuels for the Home [print this page] Alternative Fuels for the Home Alternative Fuels for the Home
Home heating, cooling, water heating and gas for appliances are some of the major costs homeowners spend every year out of pocket. Part of it is gas prices, but a lot of it is also the fact that when we turn on the heat, or the television we rarely think of it in terms of how much gas am I using and how much money does this translate into.
Alternative fuels both help with costs and make us more conscious of our habits. Solar appliances are, in my opinion, the most affordable and popular option because, well, the sun's available everywhere. Solar cookers for long meals, portable solar water heaters, solar ice makers, solar powered chargers are all examples of ways you can use free sunlight to live quite comfortably.
Costs are a major factor when deciding to switch. Now there are grants that can help people who want to switch and an Internet search with some persistence is all you need. There are also countless blogs that have DIY energy ideas that you need a weekend, and some materials to make. There are videos as well, if you are like me and cannot follow instructions.
Use masonry heaters or wood pellet stoves to heat your home instead of electric or gas heaters especially if you do not need to heat up the entire house or apartment.
Wind power systems, geothermal systems, using methanol or biodiesel based fuels are also options you can look at as long as you have appropriate converters, appliances, and don't live in a neighborhood that has some kind of law against it.
Head down to the library to get a book, try an easy project or two, calculate how much you save, and keep going from there. My favorite is a bicycle-powered food processor to look up.
