anyone working on green energy around the house?

[jwalk]

Just curious if anyone is clean/ green solutions around the house? I am getting ready to replace my turbines on the roof with solar vents. One of the old turbines is dead so I figure why not.

I would love to go solar for the whole house but COST is an issue. Now with Green Mountain Energy doing net metering at retail cost the ROI should be a lot shorter but the initial investment is still crazy.

[Sgt Beavis]

Are you talking about Vents or FANs?

I've had a single solar powered fan on my roof since 2004. It has been great. It originally cost me $300 but the price is very comparable to regular electric attic fan when you consider the installation cost with an electrician. That fan has been up there for five years and still works great. The temperature change in the attic was very noticeable. My electric bills have barely ever gone over $200 a month for my 1800 sq ft house. The few times that has happened were during the months of July and August when I was paying 13 cents a kWHr and even then my highest bill was only about $210. Keep in mind that I work from home so I'm here all the time and my computers are always running.

[jwalk]

fans! I said vent to not give the impression of a huge attic fan. I hope to see a big difference too. I work from home with multiple pcs always on. Also looking at wether i should install attic foil or more insulation or both.

I have the 2 spinner turbines but one is not spinning anymore.

[bard]

More insulation is usually the correct answer. What R value do you currently have up there? Radiant barrier paint doesn't do much, but it's quick an easy to apply. The foil barrier works better, but is a PITA to install post construction.

[Sgt Beavis]

I agree with bard that insulation of a radiant barrier will be more effective.

The foil is always going to be a PITA but you can also get someone like EAS to use the spray on barrier. It isn't AS effective as foil but it is effective. I think those guys have a deal where they will blow in more insulation for free if you let them do your radiant barrier. I have no idea what it costs but it can't be cheap.

[jwalk]

I'm a sucker for punishment, I intend to do it myself. There is a company here in the lake cities area the sells foil that is probably twice as thick and doesn't cost more than HD.

The prefab trusses will make it a bitch for sure, trying to decide between nailing up or laying flat. I have no idea on Rvalue of the insulation but I know it isn't even even with the top of the joists in some places (Thank you Centex).

[Yellowstang]

Before you add too many vents, make sure there is plenty of eve/soffit (sp?) vents to let air in. If the roof is too "sealed" and the vents try to suck the hot air out, it will pull cool air from the house out also.

You can get a free rental on the blower to add more insulation at Lowes (just pay for the actual insulation), helped a friend a few years back, not hard at all. 2 man job tho, one fills the hopper, one in the attic directing the hose and blowing the insulation around to where it needs to go.

[jwalk]

not adding any new vents, just replacing the turbines.

Thanks for tip on blower