Alternative Energy must start with Energy Efficiency.

I am amazed how many people take offense to this opinion. I hear arguments from almost every angle on this issue. Alternative energy suppliers and sellers maintain that regardless of how efficient the home, people will see a lower energy bill. There is some truth to this. Green builders are quick to point out that with out proper efficiency the rate of return on investment is cost prohibitive. Opponents to alternative energy also use this argument. However, there is truth to this argument as well. Opponents point out fairly quickly that most alternative energy sources are not efficient; as in the case of wind generators, they do not work with out wind, and solar PV panels do not produce energy on cloudy days. Again there is some truth to this. Opponents also point out that with the economy in the dump we need cheap sources for electricity. The truth to this is that most Americans right now do not have the extra $10,000.00 plus to put into alternative energy. They need food and medical insurance, of which over half of Americans do not have adequate medical coverage.

The truth is these are all legitimate arguments. However, the easiest steps to alternative energy use starts with energy conservation. No matter how you come at this, if you can't save energy, you are not in a position to take full advantage of alternative energy. Let me put it this way, let's say you buy a 3^rd generation Toyota Prius. You bring it home and you install a turbo charger, oversized tires, install a massive stereo system that requires an extra heavy duty alternator and batteries. Do you believe you will still get the same fuel efficiency as the window sticker says? Of course not, as a matter of fact you would instantly void the manufacturer's warranty. This is exactly what you are doing when you add alternative energy to a non-efficient home. You can not expect to take advantage of the benefits or have a realistic rate of return on investment on any alternative energy source if your home doesn't incorporate energy conservation. Add to that point that energy conservation starts with homeowner habits. If you have 3 kids and several pets your energy consumption is significantly higher. Therefore, if the homeowner doesn't educate their family members to be energy conscious, they stand to risk greater losses. This leads me to ask the simple question, if you are going to invest thousand of dollars in alternative energy, why wouldn't you want to take full advantage of every thing it provides?

Unlike a dear colleague of mine said to me, it doesn't mean starting with changing out the windows or furnace to see the most gains from energy efficient improvements either. I learned early on with buying boats that a $400 dollar survey can point out defects that can cost thousands in repairs long before you buy the boat. Most home energy audits cost around the same and can point out major defects that are costing you hundreds of dollars of energy loss. Add alternative energy without first fixing the areas of loss and you turn that hundreds into thousands of dollars in energy waste.

There is much more to this, but the bottom line is alternative energy starts with conservation.