As if by magic ...

Today's Globe, in the Real Estate section, features a terrific article that illustrates very well, in a very practical way, the message I'm trying to get across: the RE-framing and positive description that I believe the Journey 2 Sustainability deserves. Granted, the individual described is obviously wealthy (a successful person in business and otherwise!), and has the capital and the time to do what he's doing, but the bottom line is that the renewable energy systems he's incorporated into the house have an estimated "payback period" (I hate that term) of ~7 years (at today's fossil-fuel-based utility prices of course. If anyone thinks those are going to remain flat for the next 7 years, let me know). So the "payback" is more likely going to be between 4 and 5 years. And oh, he estimates that he saved ~40% on the cost of the actual house by having it factory built, shipped to the site in pieces, and assembled in one day. Just guesstimating, but I'll bet that savings was MORE than the $84K cost increment of the renewable energy system. So the NET cost of building a much higher quality, energy-efficient and renewable energy-powered home was close to zero, if not actually LESS than a "conventional" home.
The best part is that there is an article like this just about every other week, it seems, in the papers that I read (Globe, Portsmouth Herald, NYT, Wash.Post). If you search their Archives under "renewable energy" you'll find plenty more to inform and inspire you. And if you have questions, I'd be happy to try and help!