Green and less dependent on "grid" corporations ...

Not me.
Not that I don't want to, just that the problem isn't a high priority and my limited resources are better focused elsewhere right now.I do, however, have a new-ish home with lots of insulation and efficient stuffs in it.Even the efficient stuffs that look cool but don't really do much like the heat-reclaiming-from-drain-water thingy in my basement.
The drain water goes down this 6ft vertical tube, and the city water wraps itself around this tube in a coil before it enters the water heater.
This takes the heat from the drain water, and heats up the city water before it enters the water heater.
Heat transfer can be as much as 95% while in action.The problem, of course... is getting it "in action."
In order for the system to actually work... you have to be draining hot water while also have room in your hot water tank to fill up from the city source.
This generally only happens (in my house) while I take a shower for about 5-10min. each day....but the water heater installers had a special going on when my house was built and it was installed for free The house has double-insulation (regular 'pink-stuff' in the walls, plus a layer of pink pressed-styrofoam-looking stuff) and a layer of insulation below the foundation (reducing heat-loss out the basement floor).
I moved from a 1250 sq. ft. bungalow without this into a 1750 sq. ft. bungalow with this... and my heating/cooling bills are either equivalent or slightly cheaper.
I find this more-insulation stuff (and sealing up the house doors/windows/ports in a well-built fashion) to be the best "easy thing" that can be done to make an efficient house.My house is basically in a general city subdivision on city water and city electricity and such.Oh, and the toilet tanks are insulated as well (simple layer of styrofoam-like-stuff, I think).
I'm not really sure what this does, but the installer guy thought it was cool when he pointed it out to me.

Nice! Great idea.I just recently realized that only 60% or so of people turn the water off while brushing their teeth. Who are these idiots who run the water right in front of themselves while not using it in any way for 2-3 minutes? The thought of it makes my mind cringe.Which means, simply by shutting the water off while I brush my teeth... I've been energy efficient and didn't even know it! Keep it up, RAZD. I think it's cool hearing about all the crazy stuff you're doing with this place.