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Renewable energy systems can pay for themselves in utility bill savings in from 7 to 15 years. They require an initial investment, like paying for the cost of heating water for the next 7 years in one lump sum. These renewable energy investments can be spaced out through standard bank loans and reduced through various grant programs. But the savings to our planet start as soon as you stop burning non-renewable fuels like natural gas, oil and coal.

Here are some things that Let The Sunshine In can do for you!

(1) Design and install solar water heating systems.  These systems are low maintenance, are designed to reliably survive freezing weather, and can heat 60-70% of the water used in your home year-around. With some slight modifications in living style, even more of a savings can be realized. They generally have a 7- to 10-year "payback period", i.e. they cost about as much as paying 7 to 10 years worth of electric, gas or propane bills for heating your water. But remember, after 7 years worth of burning gas, all you have is burned gas and a water heater half-way toward replacement.  You are burning dollar bills! If you buy one of these systems, after 7 to 10 years, you have paid off the "loan" on the system and no longer have that monthly payment. Invest today!

(2) Design and install wind-powered electricity generating systems.  With the proper site, these systems can pay for themselves in 7 to 15 years.  But the payback period depends on many factors, not the least of which is how much you currently pay for a kWh of electricity.  The systems can be designed to be grid-independent or grid-intertied, depending on customer requirements.

(3) Design and install photovoltaic (solar) panel systems for generating electricity.  Although a bit pricy, these systems can work reliably anywhere there is good sun.  Battery-backup is recommended for grid-independent systems, not necessary for grid-intertie systems.

(4) Design and be a contractor for biogas (methane) energy systems, involving heat and electricity generation.  These type of systems can be especially suited to farms where animals are raised in large numbers.

(5) Investigate, design and install systems for conserving energy usage in residences, light commercial and farming applications.  The cost-effectiveness of various energy-saving technologies can be evaluated to see what makes the most sense for the customer.  Lighting, building insulation, ventilation requirements, peak energy usage and motor sizing are just some of the factors that can be investigated.