Zero Is The New Black

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When we were renovating our new old farmhouse, we were sorely tempted to go all out. Put in that geothermal heat pump. Install a solar water heater. Hook up that wind turbine and sell energy back to the utilities rather than the other way around. Light up the house with sun tunnels. In other words, do what we could to get off the grid as much as possible.

And then reality set in. Namely, finances. While we’d have loved to do all of the above, after updating the home to modern standards, not a whole lot was left in the ol’ bank to afford our off grid dreaming. So, what did we actually do?

• Yes, we installed a very efficient heat pump. But no, it was not a geothermal one, as we were quoted approximately $7,500 more than we could afford.
• Yes, we replaced our hot water heater with one substantially more efficient than what was already in place. But no, it wasn’t a solar unit.
• No, we didn’t put up a wind turbine, even though our location makes it a feasible energy source. Unfortunately, the installation cost versus our local energy costs shows that this project just didn’t make much economic sense right now.
• And the sun tunnels? Well, lets just say they weren’t the highest priorities on the list to start with, and you saw how the list has went so far…

So as you can see, we fell a little short of the dream. The intent was there. Even the feasibility of our plans was there. The money, alas, was not. But, that doesn’t mean I’m abandoning the idea. It just means I’ve got to be a little more involved to finance it.

Another of my obsessions is money, investing, debt reduction, yadda, yadda, yadda. So I thought, if we’re investing so we don’t starve in retirement, why shouldn’t we do a bit of investing to be able to afford to go off grid. Equally laudable goal I believe, and a little complimentary to boot — after all, if our energy footprint isn’t so expensive, retirement suddenly becomes cheaper as well. So that’s what we’re going to do.

But what to invest in, that’s the big question. I’m thinking that picking up shares of, say, Exxon just wouldn’t feel quite right. So even though I have an idea or ten, I’m going to do a little research and see if I can come up with a few more appropriate avenues. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear ‘em!