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Empower Your Home, Enrich Your Future
Interest Phase Overview
The Interest Phase is an examination of your renewable energy options. This includes:
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(1) Exploration of various solutions (solar,
battery storage, heat pumps, etc.)
(2) Pros and cons of each technology, and
(3) Initial cost estimates and potential
long-term savings
(4) Key ROI Considerations
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Full details are available to ResEPA Members
Quick Look at Six Popular Solutions
As technology continues to advance and costs decrease, residential renewable energy solutions are becoming increasingly accessible and attractive to homeowners. The market is seeing a shift from early adopters to more mainstream acceptance, with many viewing renewable energy not just as an environmental choice, but as a sound financial investment and presenting a set of steps that increase homeowner's energy dependent lifestyle needs at a more predictable stream of costs and savings.
Solar Power "Facilities"
These are easily identified on rooftops and "Farms" of panels in spaces that serve communities and collectives.
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Their prices have fallen dramatically since 2015, as much as 90%. Note that they cost more in the United States than in other parts of the world. In parts of Asia, the panel materials have become so relatively cheap that they are becoming used as fencing materials.
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It is not unusual for homeowners to think they are too expensive due to the fact that the they have not kept themselves informed about the dramatic price reductions and increases in panel productivity in recent years.
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Please note that solar by itself doesn't make its users "Off-Grid." Owners need to be connected to a utility system with special meters that record power generate, used and unused.
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Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly into electricity. Key components include:
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Solar panels
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Inverters (to convert DC to AC)
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Mounting equipment
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Optional battery storage
These systems use the earth's constant underground temperature for heating and cooling.
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Components:
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Ground loop (horizontal or vertical)
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Heat pump
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Distribution system (ductwork or radiant flooring)
Considerations:
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Property size and soil conditions
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High upfront costs vs. long-term savings
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Drilling or excavation requirements
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Integration with existing home systems
Pros:
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Very efficient and low operating costs
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Long lifespan (50+ years for ground loops)
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Consistent performance regardless of outdoor temperature
Cons:
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High initial installation costs
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Extensive landscaping disruption
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Not suitable for all properties
Battery Storage Systems
Heat pumps transfer heat from one area to another, providing both heating and cooling.
Types:
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Air-source heat pumps
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Ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps
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Water-source heat pumps
Considerations:
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Climate suitability
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Installation complexity
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Energy efficiency ratings (SEER, HSPF)
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Integration with existing HVAC systems
Pros:
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Highly efficient for both heating and cooling
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Lower operating costs compared to traditional HVAC
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Reduced carbon footprint
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Somewhat expensive to install, but they have tremendous ROI
Cons:
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Higher upfront costs
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May struggle in extreme cold without backup
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Installation can be disruptive
Full details are available to ResEPA Members
On-Demand Hot Water Heaters
Also known as tankless water heaters, these systems heat water as it's needed.
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Types:
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Electric
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Gas-fired
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Solar water heaters (as a renewable option)
Considerations:
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Flow rate capacity
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Energy factor (EF) rating
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Installation requirements (venting for gas systems)
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Potential need for electrical system upgrades
Pros:
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Energy efficient
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Saves space
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Provides endless hot water
Cons:
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Higher upfront costs
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May require upgrading gas line or electrical system
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Limited flow rate
These systems use the earth's constant underground temperature for heating and cooling.
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Components:
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Ground loop (horizontal or vertical)
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Heat pump
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Distribution system (ductwork or radiant flooring)
Considerations:
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Property size and soil conditions
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High upfront costs vs. long-term savings
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Drilling or excavation requirements
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Integration with existing home systems
Pros:
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Very efficient and low operating costs
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Long lifespan (50+ years for ground loops)
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Consistent performance regardless of outdoor temperature
Cons:
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High initial installation costs
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Extensive landscaping disruption
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Not suitable for all properties
Residential Wind Power
Small wind turbines can generate electricity for homes in suitable locations.
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Considerations:
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Wind resource assessment
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Zoning laws and permits
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Tower height and noise concerns
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Grid connection vs. battery storage
Pros:
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Can be very effective in windy areas
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Potential for significant energy production
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Tech developments make these smaller and more productive
Cons:
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Highly dependent on location
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Visual and noise impacts
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Complex zoning and permitting process
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Maintenance requirements.
ROI Overview and
Asset Cost/Benefit Considerations
​​We get into the details of ROI scenarios in the "Assessment" section.
Many of these renewable energy solutions can a have a gross investment cost of a small to medium sized new car.
The difference is a small car depreciates from the time you drive away from the dealer.
The asset cost of implementing a renewable energy solution produces a stream of cost savings from the minimal to free cost of the energy produced. There are credits that may flow from government entities and local utilities that offset initial costs.
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Renewable energy investments have one main purpose: to generate enough electricity to offset your bill. It's also possible to use local Net Metering to get credits for excess energy generated as it is "sold" back to the local energy utility and its energy is supplied to the grid.
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​​The cost of electricity will continue to rise at a rate of 3-4% per year from here on out. The higher cost of electricity means the higher avoidance of costs when you use renewable energy.
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Nearly all the returns you receive from renewable energy are in the form of savings, not income, so there is no tax burden on your savings. So at the end of the year, you can look at solar as putting more savings in your pocket than you would if you earned investment income that you would have to pay tax on. With solar, there is simply no additional tax to pay.
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Under this set of circumstances, renewable energy system investmenst offers rate of return equal to the traditional stock market and real estate but without as much risk. At this point, the ROI that solar can offer is dependent to a large degree on future electricity prices rising.​
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Potential Home Appreciation
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Also, it is increasingly recognized that renewable energy solutions intentionally implemented will increase the value of your home.
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Studies (2016 by Livermore Labs (√)) indicate that for every KWhr implemented increases the value or the affected home by $3.11 per watt , or by approximately $15,000 per average home.
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By this example, this editor's 9.41 KWhr Solar Facility increased the value of his home by $29,265! The facility cost $35,000 in 2013 dollars, and it's cost would be significantly lower in 2024 dollars.