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Declaring energy independence! I'm fed up and I want to disconnect from the
power company!
in New York State.
How to guide, Step by Step Process.
- I'm fed up with electric bills!
- I'm fed up with utility rip offs, hassles and just plain
crumby service!
- I'm fed up with rules, regulations and others telling me
what I can and can't do!
- I'm fed up with frequent power outages!
The Steps:
- Make a plan to work toward disconnecting from the grid. Don't ask for
a disconnect until you have a strategy. Listing all the options and most
importantly an independent power system.
- Research the options .
Many exist. Some may apply to you and some may not.
- Learn from others who already live off the grid what it is like. It
might be right for you and maybe not. We have a
video of testimonials that might interest you.
- Look at your existing electric bill. How many kilowatt hours do you
use each month? Divide the kilowatt hours (kwhr) by 30 days per month. If
the resulting number is greater than 10 kw-hr per day then follow the
suggestions in the next column to reduce your load. If your load is more
than 10 kw-hr per day and this is a single family home then most likely
you can't afford the PV/ wind system to power those loads. However, with
careful consideration, replacement of old inefficient appliances with new
energy star models and energy conservation it is possible to reduce loads
with little sacrifice in lifestyle.
- Get the picture? The first step in going off the grid is CONSERVATION!
The consequence of not doing conservation first is a solar power system 10
to 20 times more expensive than it needs to be just to power energy
waste!
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- Do an energy load analysis.
Click here to download
our load profile form. Basically you list your loads see how many
watts each thing draws and you determine how many hours per day each thing
is on. Multiply these and total. If the result is greater than 10,000 watt
hours per day then:
- How old is your refrigerator? If it is more than 3 years old it is an
energy hog! Replace it. New energy efficiency standards are now in place
that mandate super efficiency in new appliances. Consider Energy Star
rated models. Consider gas refrigeration instead of electric.
- Are you still using regular light bulbs? Replace them with compact
fluorescent (CF) ones. They last 6 to 7 years and use 1/4 the power for
the same light output (we had one last 17 years!) Many different shapes
and colors now make them indistinguishable from regular light bulbs.
- Are you using electric for cooking, heating, hot water, clothes
drying? Switch to natural gas in cities or propane in rural places. Use a
solar dryer (clothes line). Consider a solar domestic hot water system for
your hot water.
- Don't heat with oil!! Oil burners have a large motor that uses much
electricity. Heat with gas instead.
- Transformer boxes left plugged into outlets eat power even when the
device they run are turned off. Plug these "always on" loads on a switch
able power strip available in any hardware store, so you can turn off your
entertainment center or computer by the switch on the power strip. This
turns off the transformers.
- Oh how hum drum! Turn off the lights when you leave the room!
- Consider using spot lighting instead of area lighting.
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For more free information or help determining what size system you need
Contact Us
Click here to surf back to our
HOME PAGE .
Great Brook Solar NRG LLC, 819 County Rd 28, South New Berlin, NY 13843 Phone:
607-847-6366 by Dave Austin, proprietor.
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