| As Americans, we've wrestled with the idea of | | | | electricity and vehicle fuel? I think we can. No one |
| energy independence for many years. As usual, | | | | wants a cold shower, and electricity is essential. If |
| the idea is brought to the forefront of discussion | | | | something is essential, I wouldn't want to depend |
| in reaction to something like an oil embargo or a | | | | on others to provide it. Here's how we might |
| natural disaster that curtails energy production and | | | | achieve energy independence in these areas: |
| forces the price of commodities to soar. As a | | | | - wind power |
| nation, we're reactionary by nature. As individuals, | | | | - photovoltaics |
| we don't have to be. | | | | - home energy conservation |
| Okay, but why would we want to achieve | | | | - solar water heating |
| independence in terms of energy? Is it such a big | | | | - solar air heating |
| deal? Some think it is. I'm one of them. | | | | - outdoor wood furnace/boiler |
| In my situation, I've conquered the home heating | | | | - bio diesel |
| bill. It's one of my approaches to self reliance. I | | | | - telecommute (to reduce our vehicle fuel |
| use scrap wood to heat the house. To that | | | | demand) |
| extent, I've achieved significant strides towards | | | | - alternative fuels (waste oil and hydrogen) |
| energy independence. So, what does that get | | | | Sometimes achieving complete self sufficiency is |
| me? Try this on for size: | | | | expensive, but there are options that will help us |
| - essentially no cost to heat the house except | | | | lower the cost of things. Consider the following: |
| electricity (my next conquest) | | | | - older technology |
| - elimination (or nearly so) of my largest energy | | | | - used equipment |
| bill | | | | - do it yourself installation |
| - no change in home heating costs - ever - my | | | | - homebrewed technology |
| scrap wood fuel is free | | | | - sharing resources Energy independence is |
| - availability of my fuel source is unlimited - scrap | | | | worthwhile simply because we depend on energy |
| wood is everywhere | | | | so heavily for nearly everything in our lives. We've |
| - fuel can be safely stockpiled for many years of | | | | all seen price fluctuations in goods and services |
| secure home heating | | | | simply because of oil price fluctuations. If you |
| - low investment to make use of the scrap wood | | | | want to limit those effects, you need to reduce |
| fuel sources Does that sound like it's worth | | | | your dependence and become more independent |
| bothering with? I think anytime you can eliminate | | | | with respect to energy. |
| your largest energy bill, it's worth bothering with. | | | | Think of it this way. If you aren't concerned |
| Especially if doing so requires a low initial | | | | enough to start taking steps to attain energy |
| investment. Part of my approach to wood heat | | | | independence, lower your energy costs and |
| includes a homemade hydronic heating system | | | | provide higher levels of energy security for |
| that heats my home from an indoor wood stove | | | | yourself, then why would anyone ever be |
| insert using baseboard heaters and a water-to-air | | | | interested in helping you with such matters? You |
| heat exchanger (coil) in the furnace air plenum. | | | | have to take the first step and realize that |
| Can we create our own sources of hot water, | | | | independence is something that's worthwhile. |