You are most welcome. The following might be rather specific relative to the topic, but maybe the material will be of some use to some.
A few years ago, I told a retired Navy officer of high rank, that my kids were learning and doing home experiments in several technologies before pursuing engineering fields (long road: construction, electronics, transducers, thermal, etc.). He advised that we should start with old basics like the ground under our feet (physical stuff), the skies (navigation, simple astronomy, historical uses,...), the weather, simpler materials and so forth.
By the way, the conversation started with discussion of Iran's buildup. He said that he feared that our nation no longer had the will to fight. And yes, we see the economic situation.
We've taken the great man's advice since then. It took us into extended low tech. studies of thermal interactions and sharing info with others. We're at over 9,000 ft. elev. with winter temps in the minus thirties (Fahrenheit) and winter wind gusts over 100 mph spraying ice. Here are some of the simple but effective results of collaborative efforts between many (websites of others).
Rocket Stove Mass Heaterhttp://www.richsoil.com/rocket-stove-mass-heater.jsp (posted here a while back by a Free Republic subscriber)
$1000 Solar Water Heaterhttp://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/PEXColDHW/Overview.htm (active, solar drainback heating system--great project to begin understanding)
$2K Solar Space + Water Heating -- One Simple DIY Systemhhttp://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/DHWplusSpace/Main.htm (also a huge number of tutorials for other projects at the site)
We've done some modifications of our own. We are also doing some preparatory projects for small agriculture (low cost garden protection, soil testing and development, yaks, etc.) and developing some small manufacturing ideas (useful tools and simple appliances).
Those heating systems above aren't viable for permits in many jurisdictions because of regulations (IMC, locals, etc., engineering required) that favor established manufacturers. But with some forethought, stealth is easily doable with those. There's no sense in people freezing to death only to suit corruption (see propane and electricity prices just ahead).
With the second phase of the EPA rule in about five years (first phase starting next year), most of the woodstoves currently on EPA's certified stove list will be unavailable or modified and outrageously more expensive. Wood boilers (hydronic heaters) will also be affected.
Residential Wood Heaters New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) Proposal – General Overviewhttp://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-02/documents/proposed-nsps-overviewslides20140218.pdf
Thank you.
9,000 feet MSL? I lived in Flagstaff, AZ @ 7,000 feet, so I am familiar with your situation. HST, it was in the 1970s and early 80s, and the threats to our civilization and society were not apparent.
I gather you are pretty much self-sufficient?