Alternative energy sources can help you meet some of your home’s electricity needs. What makes sense depends on your property, budget, local utility and the amount of energy you already use.
Start with the home you have
Review a year of energy bills and identify straightforward efficiency improvements. Lowering demand first may change the size and cost of a system. Also check the age and condition of your roof before considering rooftop solar.
Compare options that fit your property
Rooftop solar depends on roof condition, shading, orientation and local rules. Community solar may be an option where available, including for some renters. Small wind needs a suitable wind resource and room for the equipment. Ask providers what is realistic at your address.
Read the full cost and contract
Compare multiple written quotes and ask who owns the equipment, handles repairs and receives any applicable credits. Check utility rules, how bill credits are calculated and what happens if you move. Use savings estimates as inputs and test how they change with different rates or usage.
Compare alternative energy sources using your bill
Gather twelve months of electricity statements and mark the highest and lowest usage months. Bring the actual usage figures when you ask for a quote. Ask the provider to show the assumptions behind the production estimate, including shade, seasonal changes, and how much of the electricity you would use yourself. A month with unusually high usage can skew a comparison based on a single bill.
Ask providers to show their assumptions
Put each quote on the same page. Record upfront cost, payments, expected production, and maintenance responsibilities. Ask which charges continue on the utility bill and what happens if the equipment produces less than estimated. Comparing the assumptions side by side can show which questions you still need answered. Keep a copy of the figures you supplied so each provider can price the same situation.
For more detail, see the U.S. Department of Energy’s energy-saving guidance. Also see Energy Conservation Tips for another part of this series.