Land

The tax credit from the 2005 US Energy Policy Act will expire at the end of this year.

Homeowners have less then a month left to take advantage of tax credit that was to encourage efficiency in home energy use. Up to 10% of the cost of certain home improvement materials that were used in making your home more energy efficient, such as attic insulation, air sealing products or even Energy-Star qualified windows. Unfortunately, the tax credit of $500(max.) did not get extended by congress this term.

According to the survey done by Opinion Research Corp., done for Johns Manville (Denver-based manufacturer of building supplies) only 23% of homeowners used this in 2006. Also in the study it was found that only 32% of those homeowners questioned actually thought their home energy efficient.

How much of these findings are because of the general public not being informed and people really not caring? Since most people don’t turn down ways to save money that can make you money at the same time, hopefully a lot. If this information is not publicized enough how can the average homeowner take advantage of these programs?…

A survey done by Autodesk and the American Institue of Architects (AIA) showed that by 2012 90% of their architects expect to incorporate some sustainable elements in their designs. This is said to be due to client demand, not government regulation. This shows that if we as consumers demand better options in building/remodeling our homes, we will get it. 88% of those who responded to the survey also stated they are or have had training on focused on green building.

This is definitely a plus or those of us who need to build or remodel our dream off-grid home,as finding a qualified architect versed in sustainable building will be easier. No one said having a off-grid home means you have to sacrifice your needs, just fulfill them with renewable sources.

By increasing our demand we are lowering the cost. Just look at the cost of solar modules in 1982 it was about $27/per watt peak now down to $4/per watt peak. So that in 2003 a residential solar system cost about $8,00- $12,00 per kilowatt peak installed. (according to solarbuzz). If we can do this in design and solar, then all alternative energy sources will be effected as demand for them go up. Each renewable energy source works better for different environments. In South Dakota wind is the power of choice, in California it’s solar, while in Indiana biomass and geothermal are being highlighted.

So each renewable source has someplace/community that is interested in it more then others because of the environment inherit there. Making decisions not only on what’s popular now, but works best in your own backyard is important. Solar seems to be the forerunner right now, but that doesn’t make it right for you. Do research about what is being used in your location, and then look to other locations with an environment close to yours, doing the first round of research will save you not only money later, but you’ll be able to evaluate which experts can truly help you.

Going off-grid/green isn’t something that should be done without research and a desire to do it. It’s fraught with errors to be made, lessons to be learned, money to be lost, and schedules to be lengthened. The only way to make the learning curve go in your direction is to learn as much as you can before embarking on this adventure. If you have already embarked, then keep learning, and learn from as many resources as you can from mainstream to fringe, or even completely off topic, because you never know where the next big idea will come from.…