Help stop global warming-and save cash at the same time

Thanks to our wasteful ways, a diminishing supply of oil and natural gas and the super storms in the southeast, we are facing about a 50 percent rise in natural gas prices this month in most states and this is probably just the beginning.

People are evacuating some cities in the south. Will we be evacuating cities in the north as well? Surely there will be more storms. There will be a growing population demanding ever more fuels, and few Americans will choose to live simple, efficient, frugal lifestyles.

For those interested in saving a lot of cash and at the same time reducing their contribution to global pollution and global warming, there are things we can do. First, and probably most important, we can increase the insulation on our homes and buildings.

For starters call the state energy office (651-296-5175) to get free brochures on insulation. If you say you already have adequate insulation, guess again. You don't. You might have what many would call “adequate insulation,” but do you have “super insulation?” Thirty five years ago when I was studying Bucky Fuller and his “world game” of getting rich by using everyday materials, a group of us would discuss super insulation. According to some insulation experts, one can design a house that is partly or mostly earth sheltered, triple glazed and super insulated to the point that human body heat and the appliances within would be almost enough to heat a building in the northern United States to about 65 degrees in the middle of winter. That is a little bit of a stretch for most northern cities but not too far off. With a deep basement or good earth sheltering, good design and super insulation, buildings can be much more efficient than they are. If you have double glazing think about triple glazing. If you have R 20 insulation values overhead, think about R 44. R 50 if you want the max or the point of no return. R 36 in the walls would b super insulation. In most buildings this would mean extra insulation added to the exterior or interior walls. Basement walls down to the frost line should be insulated. Don’t insulate below the frost line.

Insulation is still a great investment. Think about better insulated doors and good weather stripping. If you're thinking of painting your building and you're spending more for heating than cooling, think about darker colors. People living in the deep south should have light colored houses and white roofs or, better yet, specular roofs to reflect infrared radiation (heat) from the sun. In fact, a white or specular roof will reflect heat from the sun back to outer space and reduce the amount of heat the planet absorbs.

Insulating your home and hermetically sealing it are two different things. Completely sealing your home can be deadly. Every building needs proper ventilation. If you don't have it or you are in doubt, you must consult an expert. A building inspector, architect or experienced, licensed insulating contractor can help.

In Japan, one of the most efficient countries in the world, there's a national campaign to dress with warmer dark clothing in winter and less clothing in summer.

After you've done all this, think about solar and or wind energy technology or both. About $6,000 is all it takes to put up the latest-state-of-the-art grid tie solar array on any building, pole, ground, fence, garage or what have you in many states. About the same amount for the latest grid tie wind energy system will produce 3200 watts if you live in an area with good winds. More solar panels can be added if necessary in the future. Everything is modular. This price would include some of the free money that's available from several states. On the first of the year a 30 percent federal tax deduction will be available.

Solar and wind energy technology can run small electric radiators or heaters to add space heating. Solar panels can be plugged in and unplugged and taken with you if you decide to move. Or, of course, they can be left in place or even resold. They last for more than 50 years. Solar energy is now a no-brainer for most buildings unless you're one of the homeowners with trees that tower dangerously over so many of the homes in most cities. If they are ever replaced they should be replaced with fruit trees that are not only shorter, they can be part of what we need so desperately in our cities—edible landscapes.

For more information, visit www.SolarHardware.com.