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Does anyone use solar or wind power for utilities or have a grey water system for their home?My husband and I have "future " plans to own land and build our own small home and to be eco friendly as we can.I want to use solar wind eco water systems etc..just as much as I can learn but would like to find out if anyone else has these features or any other features such as those?
To me its awesome to be green,,earth friendly etc.Not only does it make sense but it also keeps money in your pocket.My next purchase if ever feasible is to nab rain barrels for water plants and our small garden.
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I don't have them Donna. You'd need to check the local building regs. Did you see the presentation Savannah posted about making a rain barrel for under $20? It's a start.
http://billeater.com/content/get-rain-barrel-planting-season#comment-1360
I'd love to have solar panels too. I'd do it on my next house because that will be our last move and where we retire to. We want to do the same as you and have some land out in the country. We would love to be self sufficient.
I don't know anything about grey water. What is that?
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Grey water system is when the water you used to shower with or the dishwater or washing machine water is reused,,goes through a filter and is used as the water to flush your toilet.Not to ingest or drink or anything,,but it would be soapy water to flush your waste instead of using clean water each flush!
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Grey water system is when the water you used to shower with or the dishwater or washing machine water is reused,,goes through a filter and is used as the water to flush your toilet.Not to ingest or drink or anything,,but it would be soapy water to flush your waste instead of using clean water each flush!
That's a sensible idea. Have you looked into how much this costs, Donna? That would save a fortune on water bills. Ours is creeping up and up every month and I'm wondering how long it would take for it to pay for itself in savings.
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Plus you won't need to scrub the toilet so often with all those soapy bubbles floating around LOL. That's a great idea! Any more word on what that costs?
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I'd considered solar, but within my city limits, it's a zoning change that requires a hearing, and the hearing notice goes out to all of your neighbors. Just got one of those notices the other day. There's enough people that would raise a stink about the look of the panels on the roof that I doubt it would be worth the trouble.
Grey water seems more plausible, and while it's very green, it doesn't really save enough money to pay for itself very quickly.
So, I'm going to stick with things that make the house more energy efficient for now. Already did the radiant barrier, now I need more insulation. The Texas sun is a killer!