Going Green
Bill Goss
May 06, 2009 12:12 am Alternative forms of energy are one of the most talked about topics these days. The amount of sales and marketing to entice both individuals and companies to purchase products such as solar panels and wind turbines has grown enormously in just the past few years. Using renewable sources of energy, such as sun and wind, is a wonderful way to cut down on our high consumption of nonrenewable resources, like electricity and heat-using fossil fuels, and reduce our pollution output. But it is still important to remember that companies that manufacture and sell these products are in the business of making money and are marketing their products to users in order to bolster their bottom line. Anytime you consider a major purchase, it is prudent to get all the facts relating to the product. Avoid taking the manufacturer's word at face value, just as you would with any other purchase or decision in life. Usually, the most effective way to find out what you are really getting is to talk to someone who has used the product or go online to read reviews about the product. Basically, you should obtain personal references before accepting the seller's sales pitch. The lack of return on investment can be disappointing if you are expecting the highest quoted return from a manufacturer. For example, according to a September 2008 article in The Daily News on wind turbines in the area, some of those interviewed said they were only receiving about 25 percent of the power they had expected. Sellers are always going to use the best-case scenario to arrive at their calculations for marketing purposes. For wind and solar power, for instance, the calculations may come from the highest possible wind speed in a given area (that can easily vary year to year and from neighborhood to neighborhood) and most sunlight possible (that may not take into effect large trees, a neighbor's large home or other shade-producing structures). Claims that a product is going to save you a certain amount of money may not be entirely accurate. Real-life situations prove this over and over again. A Web site that I found helpful for estimating the return on investment of solar panels is www.findsolar.com/index.php?page=rightforme. The Web site helps people find solar professionals, so its estimates may also be on the high end. Keep in mind that it is possible to harness wind and solar power without having to purchase products. The sun can be used in many ways for free. Opening curtains on the sunny side of your home instead of turning on a lamp provides free lighting and heating for your home. In cold weather, keep those same curtains open and allow the sun's rays to hit any object that will absorb the solar heat; when the sun goes down, the objects will give off the stored heat. Jugs of water, soap stones and other stones are great for absorbing heat and dissipating it long after the sun sets. Simply hanging clothes outside to air dry in the sun or inside your home on drying racks (especially by a sunny window or open window on a windy day) will allow you to dry your clothes for free. Use the wind to reduce your dependence on electricity to cool your home just by opening the windows and doors. This will reduce your need for electric fans and air conditioning on warm days, particularly if you can open opposing windows and doors to obtain a cross breeze. You will not only save some energy, but also allow your home to air out and improve your indoor air quality, which can oftentimes be poorer than outdoor air quality. It's important to me that people understand the sales and marketing information from manufacturers need scrutiny. Decisions on investing in alternative forms of energy should be based on a true rate of return. If gas, oil and electricity double in cost, then things would swing more in favor of the alternative and sustainable methods of heat and power generation. Like most things in life, there are always pros and cons to take into consideration. ¢¢¢ Bill Goss is the owner of Quality Systems Consulting Group in Amesbury. His Web site is www.merrimackvalleygreen.com. If you have any questions regarding Going Green, send them to merrimackvalleygreen@comcast.net, and he will answer them in upcoming columns.
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