Carbon Neutral Living...With Style

I am pretty sure everybody is now aware of the issue of global warming and the main cause of global warming is due to the large amount of carbon produced as the byproduct of energy generation.

As technology progresses, people now have options on the sources of energy they are using everyday. Renewable energy is not something that is futuristic anymore. Even better, you can generate your own energy by utilizing these technology below, and I promise, your house won't look like The Jetsons'.

1. Hot-Water Panels

Huh?
Water-Heating technology that is hidden under a roof, of even better, solar panels

How?
Solar thermal system is a series of panels installed under the roof which feature hidden tubes filled with non-toxic antifreeze. Once roasted by the sun, the liquid is pumped down to help heat your water tank. It works just like the hot sensation the moment you open your water hose left outside in the middle of hot summer day.

I get?
Up to 30 percent saving of the cost of heating your water

2. Solar Roof:

Huh?
Technically called Building-Integrated Photovoltaics(BIPV), these solar panels are integrated into traditional slate of roofing tiles. In other words, a sleek looking roof that will make the guy with the metallic body painted car envy.

How?
Not like the typical bulky solar panels, your roof itself will function as solar-energy collector. These sunslates are engineered to be slate-concrete tiles or shingles that blend into roof's appearance and wrk by converting the energy collected from the sun into an electric current hooked to your house's wiring. The great thing is that, when energy produced is greater than demand, it will be channeled back to your utility company, which in the US is obligated to give you credit (not sure in Malaysia).

I get?
Up to 80 off on annual utility cost, plus tax credit of up to $2000(in US though)

3. Wind Turbine( My favorite, but the trickiest thing to have)

Huh?
Small wind turbine like The Skystream 3.7 starts at 34 feet tall, which complies to most residential zoning of height of at least 42 feet here in the US(Might be a problem in linked houses in Malaysia, but certainly no problem if you have your own land)

How?
The mirror reflection of fan. Fan uses electricity to produce wind, where turbine uses wind to produce electricity. The blades, connected to shaft and gearbox, which then connected to generator. When strong gust or steady wind exist, causing the blade and the shaft to spins which the generator will then produces electric current and fed to your house. Same as the solar roof, excess electricity will be channeled back to your utility grid and gives your credit. Skystream will requires wind speed of at least 10mph to produce meaningful current.

I get?
up to 100 percent saving from your energy bill (Free energy!)

4.Water Harvester

Huh?
Below ground water harvester made our of polyethylene tank with various sizes depending on your household demand.

How?
Very simple technology. Rainwater is collected via your roof gutters and channeled to the underground tank. First few minutes of the water from the rain will be discarded as they are the most polluted. The tank has enough storage capacity to last through three months drought. The water is also pressurized for power showers and car wash.

I get?
Saving of up to 60 percent for your water bill.

All of these environmental friendly technology is feasible for country like Malaysia, considering the weather is hot and humid everyday! Imagine the saving that you will get from it as the byproduct of you being a little environmental sensitive.

p/s: I am pretty sure, living a house just like the Jetsons is not a problem too, as you wished you had that kind of futuristic house when you were 4 or 5 years old watching that show ; )