anyone have any alternative energy sources? I would like to find out more about the windmills and solar panels. We live in the country, so we have oil heat. We never go through both tanks in a winter, and I filled them both when the price was reasonable. I also had six cords of wood delivered for the woodburner. We just finished stacking it. I plan to use that as a more primary heat source (we live in Northern PA) than the oil, as we normally go through 2-3 cords a winter as a supplement. I bought the wood now, because I have the extra money, and I wanted to do it before that goes up. Also will check insulation for needed improvements. I am also considering getting rid of a few cabinets in my kitchen and bringing up an antique cast iron wood/coal burning stove I bought several years ago. Its cream enamel and beautiful.. Still tossing that idea around, as I would lose some storage. (of course, I probably have too much junk anyway)
Also getting a HUGE pressure canner for my 40th B-day next Tuesday from my mom (I have a small one) so I can actually can my soups and stuff, so if I make a big batch, I could can instead of freezing, saving that space for other stuff.
So far, I have been able to stick to my budget, not by cutting back on important things, but by cutting back on stuff we dont care too much about...like library books, dvds rented from the library, buying 4 12 packs of scott tp cheap at a sale plus coupons...buying frozen salmon instead of fresh (we got our NY fishing licenses so maybe we could catch our own this year), silly stuff like that. Also some stuff the family loves, like home made noodles and pierogies.
anyone else trying to plan ahead or know anything about the newer alternative energy sources??

There was a thread on here before that talked about this. I don't remember where, here or the House and Garden spot, not sure. Anyway, here is the link from that thread, tho.

Power-Save Solar Systems

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

When I lived in Wisconsin about 20 years ago, we had passive solar panels. When it was sunny, it produced heat. They did not store the heat. They helped a lot. We also had a woodburning stove. That helped too. My bil sold both products to us so we got them at a great price plus we got a rebate for the solar panels on our taxes.

I know some states give really nice rebates for upgrading with energy efficient items. Others don't do a thing. I would think the library would be a good source of information. National Geographic is publishing a new magazine available in both print and online called Green that might have some good ideas. I'm liking the idea of rain barrels but I haven't quite convince my husband yet.

we have rain barrels and have had them for many many yrs. we live in the middle of no where and there is no "city" water here. the barrels collect the water that we use for watering the veggie garden that we grow every yr. they also provide water for our flowers and flushing the toliet at times. we try to save all the water we can since we are in a drought. we also have a wood cook stove that we use for heat and cooking. our oil tank is only filled every other yr.the only time the furnace comes on is when we are gone and the fire dies out. so very little oil is used. we also line dry all our cloths. summer and winter. can soups, veggies, make jellies out of all the good stuff we grow. we live rather simple and because of that, we have earned the nickname "the Waltons " from some of the people who lives below us. not a problem for us. lol. we are the ones who are warm and eating very will in the winter when ice storms puts everyone else in the cold. and guess where alot of them come to for heat and food when their power is out? yep. right up here to the waltons. lol

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«·´¨*·.¸¸. Jo ¸¸.·*¨`·»
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Thanks for the link...too bad PA offers nothing, some states are free