Ep 4. Renewable Energy

In Ask This Old House season 14 episode 4, titled Renewable Energy, the team explores various ways to harness renewable energy sources for home use. The episode starts with the team visiting a home where they install a solar-powered water heater. The homeowner explains to the team how the solar water heater works and how it contributes to saving energy and reducing utility bills. The team then proceeds to install the solar collector panels on the roof and connect the system to the home's plumbing.

Next, the team visits another home where they install a wind turbine for generating electricity. The homeowner explains that their location is ideal for wind power, and they have already installed some solar panels. The wind turbine will supplement the solar panels and provide enough power to meet most of their energy needs. The team installs the turbine and connects it to the home's electrical system, using a new technique called micro-inverters that optimize the electricity output.

After that, the team visits a home where they install a geothermal heat pump system. The homeowner explains that they have a large garden and want to use the natural energy stored in the ground to heat and cool their home. The team installs the geothermal system, which involves drilling a few boreholes into the ground, digging up a trench, and installing the ground loops and heat pump. The homeowner is happy with the outcome and looks forward to enjoying the energy savings and comfort benefits of geothermal.

Later, the team visits a home where they install a rainwater harvesting system. The homeowner explains that they want to collect rainwater from their roof and use it for watering their garden and flushing their toilets. The team installs a series of gutters, downspouts, filters, and tanks to capture and store rainwater. They also connect the tanks to a pump and irrigation system that distributes the water to the garden. The homeowner is excited to see how much water they can save and how healthy their plants will grow.

Finally, the team visits a town where they help several homeowners install low-energy, high-efficiency home appliances. They replace old light bulbs with LEDs, install energy-saving power strips, and add insulation to hot water pipes and electric outlets. They also show the homeowners how to read their energy bills and monitor their energy usage, using smart home technology. The homeowners are impressed with the amount of energy they can save without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

Overall, Renewable Energy is an informative and inspiring episode that showcases the growing trend of using renewable energy sources for home use. The team demonstrates that there are many ways to harness solar, wind, geothermal, and rainwater energy, and that even small changes in energy consumption can have a big impact on the environment and the wallet. The episode also highlights the importance of education and technology in promoting and managing renewable energy use.