Saint Francis University

REC's Renewable Energy Rules of Thumb:

Start with energy efficiency. You can save money and reduce your impact on the environment.  Buy efficient appliances and light bulbs.

What resource should I use?

Geothermal heating and cooling systems provide constant humidity and comfortable temperatures while using only enough electricity to power a blower that sends the warm or cool air throughout the building.

Hydro is often cost effective but requires running water on your property. 

If you don't have running water on your property, see if you have good wind resource.

There are many different ways to use solar, from passive space heating to water heating to electricity generation.  Often the most cost-effective solar technology is a solar hot water system.  Solar electricity is expensive, but prices are dropping.

If you are interested in pursuing wind, we have answers to frequently asked questions here.
If you are interested in pursuing solar, check out Get Your Power from the Sun [pdf] from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

	Renewable Energy Business Directory You can find installers for various technologies in our directory.  It features Pennsylvania businesses involved in biofuels, hydro, geothermal, solar, and wind energies.
	Pennsylvania Wind Maps Wondering if you have good wind resources?  Check out our wind maps to see what type of resource you may have at your site.
	Our Turbine In the fall of 2009, Saint Francis University installed a 2.5 kw wind turbine at the campus in Loretto.  It is an example of a project that could be constructed for a home.