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To: gunsequalfreedom
"My amortization goal was one year to payback on investment"

Please explain how you did that because I would like to emulate your success, and I am sure that many others would as well. With domestic paybacks running in the multi decade region, you might have achieved a miracle.

7 posted on 05/07/2012 6:48:09 AM PDT by I am Richard Brandon
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To: I am Richard Brandon
Please explain how you did that because I would like to emulate your success, and I am sure that many others would as well. With domestic paybacks running in the multi decade region, you might have achieved a miracle.

Start with an inventory of everything that draws electricity. One by one replace or reduce the consumption of each. For example, do you really need your fridge set on the coldest setting? It is a bunch of small steps.

Not everything I did is going to work everywhere. For example, the evaporative cooler. Those don't work at all in humid climates. However, in dry climates the energy gobbling A/C is completely replaced with an evaporative (swamp) cooler. A new evaporative cooler costs $550. But you can get them used for $100 and completely rebuild it for $50.The evaporative cooler pays for itself in 2 to 3 months.

For the hot tub, I went with a solar collector I made myself. Ready bought cost $1,200 plus. At first the circulating pump was plugged into regular power but now I've replaced it with a small solar panel so the hot tub is completely off the grid.

Pop in night lights in main walking areas in your house. You don't need to flip on lights every time you walk into a room. Also, put the lights that draw the most electricity where you need them and stop flooding the whole room with light if all you need is concentrated light in one area.

The biggest savings though came when I taped into my neighbor's power without them knowing (just kidding).

10 posted on 05/07/2012 7:12:16 AM PDT by gunsequalfreedom (Conservative is not a label of convenience. It is a guide to your actions.)
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