1. 1 Comparing Different Home Heating Fuels and Alternative Energy Systems Saving Home Energy Part 3

2. 2 Supplement Current Heating System – Short Term Options After servicing, cleaning and tuning up your current heating system you might consider a supplemental heating system –Electric space heater to use when you are in one room –Wood stove or pellet stove used when you are home to heat one or more rooms –Passive solar collector attached to a window to provide supplemental heat to a south facing room.

3. 3 Pros and Cons of Different Fuels and Energy Sources Easy to use Easy to use Inexpensive to use Inexpensive to use No additional equipment required No additional equipment required Minimal mechanical knowledge required to operate Minimal mechanical knowledge required to operate Low risk of fire, smoke or carbon monoxide Low risk of fire, smoke or carbon monoxide Reduce carbon footprint Reduce carbon footprint Restricted to certain sites due to sun, wind or water resources Restricted to certain sites due to sun, wind or water resources No widespread infrastructure to service equipment No widespread infrastructure to service equipment Complicated operating understanding Complicated operating understanding Physical needs to carry and store fuel Physical needs to carry and store fuel Insurance implications Insurance implications

4. 4 Compare Heating Fuels and Heat Distribution Systems Fuels Fuels –Oil –Natural gas –Propane –Electricity –Hardwood –Softwood –Wood pellets Heat Distribution Systems Heat Distribution Systems –Hot air –Hot water –Radiant heat  Radiators  Radiant floor or ceiling –Space heating

5. 5 Fossil Fuels 80% of homes use oil heat 80% of homes use oil heat Huge infrastructure to support installation and maintenance service Huge infrastructure to support installation and maintenance service Low fire potential in home Low fire potential in home Emissions are low especially with new 90% to 95% efficient systems Emissions are low especially with new 90% to 95% efficient systems

6. 6 Fossil Fuels Not a renewable source of fuel Not a renewable source of fuel Increased Carbon Dioxide in atmosphere Increased Carbon Dioxide in atmosphere Negative impact on carbon footprint Negative impact on carbon footprint Huge fluctuations in costs from $2.50 per gallon to $5.00 per gallon in one year. Huge fluctuations in costs from $2.50 per gallon to $5.00 per gallon in one year. These fuels must be imported into Maine These fuels must be imported into Maine

7. 7 Renewable Fuels Firewood logs Firewood logs Wood pellets Wood pellets Other formed wood products Other formed wood products Corn Corn Hay pellets Hay pellets Etc. Etc.

8. 8 Renewable Fuels - Wood Firewood and wood pellets are available throughout Maine Firewood and wood pellets are available throughout Maine Wood can regrow if sustainable harvesting is practiced Wood can regrow if sustainable harvesting is practiced Firewood stoves can provide heat in a power outage Firewood stoves can provide heat in a power outage Not dependent on sources outside of Maine for wood Not dependent on sources outside of Maine for wood New technologies are making wood burning more convenient New technologies are making wood burning more convenient Outdoor wood boilers less risk of house fires but increased air pollution Outdoor wood boilers less risk of house fires but increased air pollution

9. 9 Wood Heat Safety Check chimney to be sure it can support your wood stove. Check chimney to be sure it can support your wood stove. –Insurance companies require separate flue or chimney Install with proper clearance from combustible materials. Install with proper clearance from combustible materials. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to protect your family Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to protect your family Use dry hardwood to stoke your stove Use dry hardwood to stoke your stove Use care when closing off the damper or air supply to the fire. It can cause excess creosote production. Use care when closing off the damper or air supply to the fire. It can cause excess creosote production.

10. 10 Evolution of Heating by wood Fireplace Fireplace Fireplace stove insert Fireplace stove insert Masonry Heater “Russian Fireplace” Masonry Heater “Russian Fireplace” Wood stove Wood stove –1990 EPA particulate emission standards Catalytic converter wood stove Catalytic converter wood stove “Secondary burn” wood stove “Secondary burn” wood stove Wood furnace – hot air Wood furnace – hot air Wood boiler – hot water Wood boiler – hot water Outdoor wood boiler Outdoor wood boiler –www.epa.gov/woodheaters Pellet stove Pellet stove

11. 11 Other Renewable Fuels Corn Corn –Has a high heat value per ton –Needs a special corn burning stove –Most corn is grown in the mid-west and needs to be imported into Maine –Can be delivered in bulk or in bags Hay Pellets Hay Pellets –Research is currently being done on hay pellets for heat –Not readily available

12. 12Electricity Most Maine homes are connected to the power grid to power their electrical appliances Most Maine homes are connected to the power grid to power their electrical appliances Using electricity for heating homes is very expensive, suggest use another type of fuel to heat the home Using electricity for heating homes is very expensive, suggest use another type of fuel to heat the home Most sources of public power are from coal or natural gas burning plants that negatively impact our carbon foot print Most sources of public power are from coal or natural gas burning plants that negatively impact our carbon foot print Consumers can opt to purchase “green” power that positively affects our carbon foot print Consumers can opt to purchase “green” power that positively affects our carbon foot print –Maine Public Utilities Commission link

13. 13 Electric Heat Better used for supplemental space heating needs

14. 14 Heat Pump Ground source systems have usually been installed in Maine. Ground source systems have usually been installed in Maine. Air source systems may not work as well in our cold climate but new technology is being developed to make it more practical for Maine. Air source systems may not work as well in our cold climate but new technology is being developed to make it more practical for Maine. Need electricity to circulate heated fluid Need electricity to circulate heated fluid

15. 15 How Heat Pumps Work Condensing Condensing –From a gas to a liquid –Collects heat Evaporation Evaporation –From a liquid to a gas –Releases heat

16. 16 Solar Energy Heating Heating –Passive Systems  South facing  Thermal mass –Active Systems  Circulate air or fluid  Storage system Electricity Electricity –Collectors –Inverters –Battery storage Organizations Organizations –Maine Solar Energy Association

17. 17 Passive Solar Building faces south Building faces south Unobstructed view of sun Unobstructed view of sun Consider with new construction Consider with new construction Thermal storage & ventilation needed to moderate wide temperature variations Thermal storage & ventilation needed to moderate wide temperature variations Supplemental source of heat for nights or cloudy days Supplemental source of heat for nights or cloudy days

18. 18 Window Passive Solar Collector www.builditsolar.comwww.builditsolar.com for more ideas www.builditsolar.com Small window units can provide supplemental heat during sunny days Small window units can provide supplemental heat during sunny days Can be closed at night or on cloudy days Can be closed at night or on cloudy days Larger Trombe or solar walls can be retrofitted to older homes Larger Trombe or solar walls can be retrofitted to older homes

19. 19 Attached Greenhouse The dream of many gardeners is to have an attached greenhouse to start plants early in the spring The dream of many gardeners is to have an attached greenhouse to start plants early in the spring It is true on a sunny day there will be a net gain in heat from an attached greenhouse It is true on a sunny day there will be a net gain in heat from an attached greenhouse However at night the greenhouse needs to be either shut off from the house or insulated to prevent heat loss. However at night the greenhouse needs to be either shut off from the house or insulated to prevent heat loss.

20. 20 Active Solar Heating Whole house heating Whole house heating Domestic hot water Domestic hot water

21. 21 Active Solar Thermal Heating Need electricity to circulate heated air or fluid Need electricity to circulate heated air or fluid Can be used for space heating or domestic hot water Can be used for space heating or domestic hot water Need storage system Need storage system

22. 22 Solar Electric Solar electric systems, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems, convert sunlight into electricity. Solar electric systems, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems, convert sunlight into electricity. Solar cells—the basic building blocks of a PV system—consist of semiconductor materials. When sunlight is absorbed by these materials, the solar energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms. This phenomenon is called the "photoelectric effect." These free electrons then travel into a circuit built into the solar cell to form electrical current. Solar cells—the basic building blocks of a PV system—consist of semiconductor materials. When sunlight is absorbed by these materials, the solar energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms. This phenomenon is called the "photoelectric effect." These free electrons then travel into a circuit built into the solar cell to form electrical current. Solar cells Solar cells

23. 23 Solar Electric con’t Replace appliances with most energy efficient versions & assess consumption Replace appliances with most energy efficient versions & assess consumption Calculate electricity needs and determine size of system to install Calculate electricity needs and determine size of system to install Storage Storage –Batteries –Grid (Net Metering) http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/y our_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=1 0720 http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/y our_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=1 0720 http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/y our_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=1 0720 http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/y our_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=1 0720 Maine Solar Energy Association Maine Solar Energy Association –http://ellsworthme.org/MESEA/ http://ellsworthme.org/MESEA/

24. 24 Small Windmill for ME? You have enough wind? You have enough wind? –Wind analysis of your site with a year’s worth of data (at least 9 mph wind speed) –www.windpoweringamerica.gov/ click on their wind resources map www.windpoweringamerica.gov/ Tall towers allowed in your area? Tall towers allowed in your area? You have enough space for your tower You have enough space for your tower Certified Electrician may be necessary for loans or rebates or if you plan to connect your system to power grid Certified Electrician may be necessary for loans or rebates or if you plan to connect your system to power grid

25. 25 Small Windmill for ME? cont. You determine how much electricity you need/want You determine how much electricity you need/want –Current electric bill more than $150 per month –Costs range from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on how much electricity needs to be generated and the average wind velocity Need battery storage and alternative backup for windless days unless you connect to the grid Need battery storage and alternative backup for windless days unless you connect to the grid Determine if it works economically for you Determine if it works economically for you A good reference for developing a home windmill site: http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/pdfs/small_wind/small_wind_me.pdf

26. 26 Micro Hydro Power Must have reliable running water with drop in height to generate energy Must have reliable running water with drop in height to generate energy Need to obey laws regarding dam development, water utilization, etc. Need to obey laws regarding dam development, water utilization, etc. Installation technicians are very rare. Need to be a self starter willing to learn how to manage this energy source. Installation technicians are very rare. Need to be a self starter willing to learn how to manage this energy source. Layman’s Guide to Developing Small Hydro Sites http://www.microhydropower.net/download/books.php

27. 27 Cost Analysis of Changing Energy Source / System in the Home How much are you spending now? How much are you spending now? –Oil –Electricity –Wood What quantity are you using (mBTUs or Kwhs)? What quantity are you using (mBTUs or Kwhs)? How much per mBTU How much per mBTU Reduction in annual cost for heat or Kwhs for electricity Reduction in annual cost for heat or Kwhs for electricity Cost of the system Cost of the system Estimated life for the system Estimated life for the system Annual maintenance costs Annual maintenance costs Additional costs or value of time Additional costs or value of time

28. 28 Fuel cost per mBTU Amount used mBTU Annual maintenance cost Total Annual Cost Current System (oil) $2880$150$2390 New System (pellets) $1880$250$1690 Annual savings in energy costs $700 Total cost + installation = $2500 or 3-1/2 years repayment

29. 29 How Do I Pay For Energy Improvements? Own savings Own savings Low income assistance Low income assistance Loans Loans Alternate income (renting portion of house) Alternate income (renting portion of house) Rebates Rebates Tax Incentives Tax Incentives

30. 30 Financial Incentives State of Maine When Funds Are Available Solar Photovoltaic Solar Photovoltaic –$2 per watt with $2,000 cap Solar Thermal Solar Thermal –25% with $1,000 cap Wind Wind –$500 per 500 watts with $2,000 cap –Additional $2,000 for site and height Federal 30% No Cap 30% No Cap –Solar Photovoltaic –Solar Hot Water Systems –Small Wind –Geothermal Heat Pumps Conservation & Efficiency Conservation & Efficiency –30% with $2,500 cap

31. 31 Rent a Room or Part of Home Issues Issues –Tenants –Insurance premiums –Written lease –Duration of lease Resources for more information Resources for more information –Ten Tips for Landlords – NOLO www.NOLO.comwww.NOLO.com –Tenants Rights in Maine  Pine Tree Legal Assistance http://www.ptla.org/tena nts.htm http://www.ptla.org/tena nts.htm

32. 32 Energy Resources http://www.extension.umaine.edu/energy/ default.htm http://www.extension.umaine.edu/energy/ default.htm http://www.extension.umaine.edu/energy/ default.htm http://www.extension.umaine.edu/energy/ default.htm http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/ http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/ http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/ tips/