Thank you RETIREDGUY123 for asking this question. My short answer is YES, I have drastically changed my habits. Specifically, I drive an electric car and have already signed a contract to install solar panels on my roof.
I just recently moved to TV I must say one of the first things I noticed was how few homeowners have solar panels. Many homeowners have solar pool heaters and solar lights but very few panels. Hmmm? Of all the states in the country, one would think Florida would have a lot more.
A little background, my last home was in Maryland and whenever I went to Home Depot there was always a solicitor from Solar City around asking customers about their home. I had just bought a home with a perfect southerly facing roof and so I decided to look into it. I can get deep into the economic feasibility of solar but in a nutshell, the payback for my panels after federal and Maryland tax credits was 7 years. After only 7 years, my panels would have paid me back my initial investment. Don't forget that the average solar panels will continue to produce electricity for over 30 years! When you do the math, it's actually a fantastic investment!
Instead of being concerned about how hot your attic gets in the summer wouldn't it be great to turn that around to a positive outcome? Solar Panels usually over produce during hot, sunny days and actually feed the grid when demand is at its greatest. I always enjoyed watching my 'net meter' run backwards during the daylight hours.
So, to answer the question again, yes, I have drastically changed my ways. I have solar panels that will supply my home, charge my electric car, my golf cart and my lawnmower. All from the sun.
I realize that one man's(woman's) actions won't make a dent in this huge problem, but I'm doing my part.
P.S. For those with a Netflix account, please watch 'Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates'. The third episode discusses the development of a traveling wave reactor which is a incredibly safe reactor that uses spent nuclear waste as fuel while emitting zero carbon dioxide. Incredible.
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