If you are considering investing in alternative sources of energy, alternative construction methods, or other alternative forms of energy saving products or home improvement projects you may first want to become more educated.  You can obviously find tons of information by surfing the internet, but you can’t beat getting the information from the experts first hand through live classes, recorded webinars or books.  Level 5

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A great way to lower your heating bills is to install a Corn, Pellet or Multi-Fuel Stove.  They are clean burning, burn waste material, easy to use, usually controlled by a thermostat, , produce less ash, and require less storage space for fuel than traditional wood stoves.  They are also more efficient and don't require you to split or haul firewood.  However, Corn, Pellet and Multi-Fuel Stoves have mechanical components so there is more maintenance and risk of down-time, they need electricity to run fans and motors, make noise, and are more expensive than wood stoves.  Corn, Pellet and Multi-Fuel Stoves are available in a vraiety of sizes that can heat spaces as small as a one bedroom apartment to a large multi-family buiilding, and can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your heating bills.  Level 8

With recent technological advancements residential sized photovoltaic or solar electric systems are becoming more and more cost effective.  There are a variety of system types:  Off-Grid (RV, Cabin, Home), Grid-Tied, and Grid-Tied w/ Battery Back-up one of which can serve your particular needs.  These are the most common at home, alternative energy systems, since they can dramatically reduce your electricity bills no matter where you live.  Your local climate, energy efficiency, site orientation and available space will determine whether a solar electric system can provide all of your electrical needs.  Many power companies provide subsidies, there are grants available and some tax breaks that can help to defray the costs of a photovoltaic system.  Level 9

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Here is an inexpensive way to enter the world of Alternative Energy!  By investing in a Solar Charger and a Power Pack you can have limited power capabilities with you almost anywhere and any time.  If your power fails in the smallest storm, if you frequent remote locations and still want to use your laptop or other small electronic devices, or if you just want to use the sun to run your TV at night then this combo is just what you need.  The small solar panel will charge the power pack by day for you to use whenever you need.  Level 8

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The sun bathes the earth with energy every day, but only a fraction of this energy is ever harnessed to heat our houses.  Installing a solar air heater can dramatically reduce your heating costs by supplementing your current system regardless of the type and pay for itself in a little as three to six years.  This payback period can be significantly reduced if you take advantage of the Federal Tax Credits that are now available.  During the day the solar air heater will pull air from in your house, heat it up by as much as 30° and then return it back indoors.  This hot air in turn warms up the walls, ceiling, floor and other items in the room.  This sun warmed air will keep your conventional heating system from coming on as often during the day and even into the evening as the heat stored in the room slowly warms the air in the room. A single collector can heat up to 750 square feet and will last for many years.  Thus over the life of your solar air heater it will pay for itself multiple times.  Level 7

Solar hot water is the non-glamorous solution to further reducing your dependence on fossil fuels and reducing your energy costs.  They are fairly expensive investments but they typically pay for themselves in just five to ten years.  That works out to be a 10% to 20% return on your investment!  After that you will coninue to enjoy considerable savings year after year.  Like Solar Electric Systems, there are various types and sizes of systems to meet your needs and climate conditions.  Solar hot water systems are definitely not just a viable in the sunny south.  They can save home owners all over the United States hundreds of dollars a year.  Here too, there are various rebates and tax incentives available.  Level 9

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If you happen to live in a “good wind area” and have enough property, a wind turbine could be a great option for you to generate your own electricity.  These home sized systems are becoming more and more popular, even though they can be very pricy.  These clean energy systems are fairly basic: the wind spins a propeller that is attached to a generator, which produces electricity.  At present, this is the most widely developed type of alternative energy.  Care must be taken to avoid improper placement which can endanger birds, or cause your turbine to under perform (not enough wind).  Some also argue that wind turbines are ugly and ruin our natural vistas.  However, this can also be said of the high powered transmission lines that cut across our landscape.  Level 10 

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If you happen to be an avid Do-It-Yourselfer live in a fairly windy area, a home-built wind turbine may be an option for you to generate your own electricity.  These home sized build it yourself systems are becoming more and more popular.  These clean energy systems are fairly basic: the wind spins a propeller that is attached to a generator, which produces electricity.  At present, wind is the most widely developed type of alternative energy source.  Care must be taken to avoid improper placement which can endanger birds, or cause your turbine to under perform (not enough wind).  Some also argue that wind turbines are ugly and ruin our natural vistas.  However, this can also be said of the high powered transmission lines that cut across our landscape.  Level 6