How do I build home alternative energy sources utilizing wood?
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Question by Nancy W: How do I build home alternative energy sources utilizing wood?
I would like to convert my house to total wood power, perhaps run a steam powered turbine for electricity. Also thought about solar power but I live in Michigan. Any suggestions?
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4 Responses to How do I build home alternative energy sources utilizing wood?
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Yes it is do able. It’s a large investment up front but over time selling back the extra electric to the power company plus all yours is free it will pay for itself and you will be independent.
AN outdoor wood furnace will run you $ 3,000-20,000 depending how big a operation a standard home plus electric plant, figuring installation of the hot air blowers and a custom furnace plenum, water tank swap over and all other installs say $ 7,000-8,000. I prefer the brand CENTRAL BOILER! this are rugged an made to last. See link below.
Here are also sources on modern steam engines and a few folks that have done it. I hoped this helps!
halton13316
April 1, 2013 at 11:35 pm
There’s a reason we don’t use wood as a main source of power anymore. It burns too quickly and doesn’t produce enough power to generate useful ammounts of electricity. If you go solar though, you can take a large dent out of your electricity bill, but it’s very hard to be completely grid independant.
Ian M
April 1, 2013 at 11:56 pm
Make sure you have lots of property with lots of trees that you can cut down or it just might cost you more than conventional power sources.
It’s also a lot of work to cut, haul, chop, cord, stack and everything else involved with wood power and heat.
Have you thought about wind power?
parsonsel
April 2, 2013 at 12:38 am
IF you are doing this to have fun – then okay. THERE IS NO WAY you can come out ahead or even close to even, financially. Wood is a poor energy source – you would be much better off burning kerosene or similar.
True, you can sell back any excess electricity you generate but it will take a lot to generate any meaningful income. Do not forget your cost of maintaining all of this equipment and can you live with the outages that will occur during maintenance and breakdowns??
kayak
April 2, 2013 at 1:08 am