Photovoltaic panels for electricity
Geothermal heat pump for heating and cooling
Wood burning stove for the family room

Cost can be a big factor in deciding which renewable energy source to utilize. You might be able to implement the different parts in stages, provided you plan accordingly.

As mentioned above, integrating passive solar features must be done when the green home is being designed. Once your home is built, it might not be easy to add passive solar features. So talk to your green architect or builder about this up front.

As with all systems, the bigger the system is, the more expensive it will be. Minimizing the requirements for heating, cooling and electric power is therefore critical. A tight, well-insulated building envelope is a must. The lower the heat loss through walls, windows, roof and floors, the lower your heating and cooling requirements will be. That means, you will need fewer solar collectors, less piping, fewer radiators, spend less money. It’s that simple.

Your electric power requirements will depend on how many light bulbs and pieces of equipment and appliances you will have that require electricity and how much each of them uses. Minimizing those will minimize the size of your electricity generating photovoltaic panels or wind power generator.

Once you have minimized the requirement for electric power, heating and cooling, it is time to look at which renewable energy option is best for you.

The following questions can help you:

1. What is your budget?
2. What time frame for return on investment can you accept? How quickly do you want the alternative energy system to pay for itself?
3. Does your local utility offer rebates?
4. Are tax incentives available?
5. Can you get a reduced mortgage rate when you install a renewable energy system?
6. How much area do you have available for solar collectors or panels?
7. Is the roof strong enough and oriented properly for solar collectors?
8. Do you have space allowance in the basement for the required equipment: storage tanks(s), pumps, batteries, converters, etc?
9. Is it acceptable to have photovoltaic panels integrated into the south-facing (or east, or west) walls?
10. Will you have solar collectors for hot water and photovoltaic panels for electric power production?
11. Is wind power an option? Do you have consistent wind on your property?
12. Does the local code allow wind energy generators?
13. Will the neighbors object to you having a wind mill?
14. Do you have a sustainable source for wood nearby?
15. Are you willing to split, stack, haul wood?
16. Does your geographical location lend itself for geothermal energy?
17. Can you dam your little stream in an environmentally friendly way to allow you to produce hydropower?

Answering the above questions ill probably eliminate some of the options. Educate yourself as much as you can about two or three possible ways to heat, cool, power your green home.

To learn more about building a green home go to

A Green Start
Green Architecture
Building Envelope
Green Building Materials