Question by Becky: I will be building a home soon. What should I look into adding to make it as self contained as possible?
I will already do this cool AC thing I heard about (can you tell me the name or give me a website? cause I can’t find it). You dig multiple wells and run pipes down each one. Run water through the pipes and it cools off to the temp under ground (low 70s) then when it comes back up you blow air across it like a radiator and it cools off the house. (When your house is cold it actually warms up instead).

I will also have a tank less water heater so I can cut back the light bill there too.

I want to use as little energy as possible so that I can in turn CREATE my own energy to make up the deficit.

Any ideas I haven’t thought of yet?

How do I make the energy in a cost effective manor? Solar panels won’t work because they cost WAY more to maintain then the money saved on the light bill. I need, maybe a mixture of stuff?
Related Question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090620214018AA54kEu&r=w

Best answer:

Answer by oil field trash
Insulate, insulate, insulate. That is the biggest bang for your buck.

6 inch outside stud walls so you can get in more insulation.

build it tight to minimize air infiltration.

wide eaves or porches to keep direct sun from the walls

if you are going to have a fire place or wood stove, be sure it has direct outside combustion air.

look into solar hot water heaters, they are simplier than electric solar power and cheaper.

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