Scionwood Retreat
An Alternative Approach to Net Zero Energy Home
General Finances
In September of 2006 we started with our reasonably energy efficient 1996 home. It is not a "World Record Setter" but it is good enough. For our all electric home we calculated the total kWh used over the previous 12 months. We divided that by 12. We determined that we would need on average 1100 kWh per month to equal more than our current annual usage. North Carolina Green Power sells access to produced sustainable power from multiple sources. They sell blocks of 100 kWh for $4.00 per block. We needed 11 blocks per month for $44.00 per month. We contracted with NC Green Power for the 11 blocks. The $44.00 charge is listed on our monthly electric utility bill. We pay it. The funds are passed on to NC Green Power. NC Green Power continues to contract with providers to feed sustainable power into the grid. We are happy with our personal, direct, real commitment to addressing climate change. Repeat. Repeat. Simple. Simple for anyone. Happy. Go do it. Do not need a special home or a home with a special orientation, or solar access, or finances, or knowledge of equipment, or how to maintain equipment, and the list go on. Poof you live in a Net Zero Energy Home.
Value of Tax Credits for renewable energy systems
Rebates and Financial Incentives
Federal incentives
N/A except that since NC Green Power is a not for profit our total annual contributions to purchase power is a regular tax deduction
State incentives
N/A except that since NC Green Power is a not for profit our total annual contributions to purchase power is a regular tax deduction
Local incentives
none
Utility incentives
none
Other incentives
None other than our desire to work with others to help maintain the only planet where human beings can live so that our descendants will have a place to live.
Advice
Advice
Just give it a try. It is quick, direct, and easy.
Some participants may want to follow a double track. Commit to energy efficiency upgrades and to purchased power and meet in the middle over time.
There are conversion formulas for fossil fuels to kWh so that you can cover all your home energy use.
We chose to use an in state organization to help build our local infrastructure, but there are multiple organizations out there offering this power and some of it is cheaper than we are paying.
General Finances
In September of 2006 we started with our reasonably energy efficient 1996 home. It is not a "World Record Setter" but it is good enough. For our all electric home we calculated the total kWh used over the previous 12 months. We divided that by 12. We determined that we would need on average 1100 kWh per month to equal more than our current annual usage. North Carolina Green Power sells access to produced sustainable power from multiple sources. They sell blocks of 100 kWh for $4.00 per block. We needed 11 blocks per month for $44.00 per month. We contracted with NC Green Power for the 11 blocks. The $44.00 charge is listed on our monthly electric utility bill. We pay it. The funds are passed on to NC Green Power. NC Green Power continues to contract with providers to feed sustainable power into the grid. We are happy with our personal, direct, real commitment to addressing climate change. Repeat. Repeat. Simple. Simple for anyone. Happy. Go do it. Do not need a special home or a home with a special orientation, or solar access, or finances, or knowledge of equipment, or how to maintain equipment, and the list go on. Poof you live in a Net Zero Energy Home.
| Value of Tax Credits for renewable energy systems |
|---|
Rebates and Financial Incentives
| Federal incentives |
N/A except that since NC Green Power is a not for profit our total annual contributions to purchase power is a regular tax deduction |
|---|---|
| State incentives |
N/A except that since NC Green Power is a not for profit our total annual contributions to purchase power is a regular tax deduction |
| Local incentives |
none |
| Utility incentives |
none |
| Other incentives |
None other than our desire to work with others to help maintain the only planet where human beings can live so that our descendants will have a place to live. |
Advice
| Advice |
Just give it a try. It is quick, direct, and easy. |
|---|