How much would it cost to reduce the carbon footprint of your house?

Question

if i were to install solar power? and a wind turpine, fully insulate my walls and ceiling, double glazing etc? how much would it cost and would there be any monetary benefits?

Answer 1

NOTHING JUST TURN THE LIGHTS OFF.

Answer 2

The following things (just examples, not the whole list) will save you money:

Better insulation and windows.  Sealing cracks.  Programmable thermostat.  Compact fluorescent lights.

The following things will save you money, in the long run.

More efficient furnace and air conditioner.

Solar and wind power are not yet cost effective, although in the best cases (it depends on local conditions) they're close.  Some people choose to pay a bit more for a more environmentally sound solution.

Answer 3

I am glad you are interested in reducing your carbon footprint.  The costs of each measure vary from house to house but there are some general rules to guide you.

Insulation, double glazing, low energy light-bulbs and a more efficient boiler (if yours is old) will achieve a great deal and save you money quite quickly.  So will room thermostats set so that the living room is at a comfortable temperature in the winter and the rest of the house is heated less.  Sensible habits like keeping doors closed and turning lights off when you do not need them plus not leaving your toys (TV & PC) on standbye will also help.

I am also investigating installing solar heating in order to reduce my carbon footprint but I am not expecting to get a sufficient pay-back to justify the cost until fuel prices rise some more, which is inevitable anyway.  In other words it is a long term investment but not very long.

Best wishes and go for it.

Answer 4

it would cost a lot.. BUT there are loads of things people can do NOW that cost nothing or will actually SAVE them money - such as turning off lights when you are not in a room - turning down heat at night or when  you are away..etc

the cost to do the things you mentioned depend on where you live... in some places there isnt enough wind to make a wind turbine work.. in other places you can produce excess energy and SELL it back to the grid.. - thus making you $

start small - work up to big

Answer 5

That has a lot of variables certainly though you would expect compensation in the form of savings from your insulating and glazing much sooner than the exorbitant costs of solar and wind.

Each house or location has to be evaluated as to expected energy consumption, Amount of solar or wind energy expected.

Sites like I source can give you an idea of the proccess needed.