Excellent article; thanks for the pep talk to go more green by embracing more electrical options. Tankless water heaters are an option since people's electricity bill is about 25 percent related to keeping water hot at all times. Consider, too, solar water heater (which is what we have; actually, is a hybrid of half solar and half electric). I am very interested in BATTERIES and how we can get affordable, dependable rechargeable batteries for SOLAR Energy to harness that energy you make during the day so you can use at night, rather than "give" to the power companies during the day for near nothing and buying back from power companies in the evenings at a higher cost. Drying clothes outside on line (solar drying); clothes drying inside hanging up over a bath tub; soaking dishes in a tub. There are all kinds of ways we can use solar energy... or reduce our energy consumption. Will consider the heat pump option (we use propane gas because we own our tanks and we call around to see who is offering propane at the most economical cost. We fill up once a year during the hottest months (July or August) and use that propane all year long... I do see have a carbon-emitting SUV; but, I have drastically reduced the amount of miles I drive (by working remotely when I can). Every bit helps and I appreciate all of your research/commentary that we are going greener. Agree; we need to step up our efforts; the ozone layer is depleting and ice caps are melting. The Almighty dollar will not matter if we have annihilated ourselves. Going green can be profitable, too.
Anne, this is such great feedback. I'm thrilled to hear about your solar hot water. You make such an important point about hot water representing such a big chunk of an electric bill. It is the second most expensive home function after heating and cooling! I should have put that in the piece! I'm glad you added it here. You've offered a lot of great suggestions! Thanks for adding so richly to the conversation!
Excellent article; thanks for the pep talk to go more green by embracing more electrical options. Tankless water heaters are an option since people's electricity bill is about 25 percent related to keeping water hot at all times. Consider, too, solar water heater (which is what we have; actually, is a hybrid of half solar and half electric). I am very interested in BATTERIES and how we can get affordable, dependable rechargeable batteries for SOLAR Energy to harness that energy you make during the day so you can use at night, rather than "give" to the power companies during the day for near nothing and buying back from power companies in the evenings at a higher cost. Drying clothes outside on line (solar drying); clothes drying inside hanging up over a bath tub; soaking dishes in a tub. There are all kinds of ways we can use solar energy... or reduce our energy consumption. Will consider the heat pump option (we use propane gas because we own our tanks and we call around to see who is offering propane at the most economical cost. We fill up once a year during the hottest months (July or August) and use that propane all year long... I do see have a carbon-emitting SUV; but, I have drastically reduced the amount of miles I drive (by working remotely when I can). Every bit helps and I appreciate all of your research/commentary that we are going greener. Agree; we need to step up our efforts; the ozone layer is depleting and ice caps are melting. The Almighty dollar will not matter if we have annihilated ourselves. Going green can be profitable, too.
Anne, this is such great feedback. I'm thrilled to hear about your solar hot water. You make such an important point about hot water representing such a big chunk of an electric bill. It is the second most expensive home function after heating and cooling! I should have put that in the piece! I'm glad you added it here. You've offered a lot of great suggestions! Thanks for adding so richly to the conversation!