Reducing My Utilities Bills: Starting to do my homework on a solar system

All about ways I am trying to reduce my utilities bills in particular my electric bill. I am looking to exchange ideas successes/failures to help others. I would like to save on electric, gas, telephone, gasoline and water...
I want the ideas mostly to be DIY although many larger ones may not be. So, even people with a very modest budget can help themselves financially (save money), help the country be more energy independent and help the environment in a cost effective manner.
I am occasionally venting at the politics on both sides of the spectrum and what they are doing to make it harder for many families to do things that save them money and help the environment.
Also I am trying to promote energy independence for the United States as good for the country, the enviroment and the people. But, I want it done in a way that does not punish hard working people and families. I want to start with my own home and my long term goal is to not pay any utilies bills for my home and produce enough extra to pay me to cover additional costs and CO2. To make that reasonably possible I am working to reduce my family's power use while maintaining a good standard of living. Showing that good family economics and and the enviroment can work together well.

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Summary of progress

Estimated saving last year...

2008 vs 2007
- Electric $724+.
- Gas Offset all the increases in 2008 - 15% usage reduction
- Water $90
Money invested $200 in 2008

2007 vs 2006
- Electric $3000+.
- Telephone $1000+.
- Gas Offset all the increases in 2007
- Gasoline $750
- Water $700
Money invested $551 (Excluding fridge) in 2007
- ROI 55% or more per mo in 2007
- ROI 35% or more per mo in 2008
Total Progress (since 3/07)
- 100% reduction in household CO2/reduction for normal outdoor lighting (all solar outdoor lighting).
- 100% conversion to CFLs or LEDs (except appliance lights).
- 45% of all lights are attached to an occupancy sensor switches (auto off/manual on).
- 45% reduction in household CO2/reduction power
- 45% reduction in auto CO2/reduction in gasoline use (would have been more but my commute has grown)
- 25% average reduction in water usage

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March 01, 2009

Starting to do my homework on a solar system

I am starting to get quotes, figure out the tax credits and also figure out how fast the systems can pay for themselves.

Eventually I want no electric bills. But, am I better of replacing the fridge in the kitchen or the air conditioner first. That where I am thinking.

How do I pay for it?

Aaron

Posted on March 01, 2009 at 09:24 PM | Permalink

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Comments

It goes Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

You can also perhaps include Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake and Eris.

Sorry.

Posted by: Joe Otten | March 02, 2009 at 07:34 AM

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Reducing My Utilities Bills

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