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Wes Golomb
I’ve been interested in sustainable energy since the 60’s. In college I helped to organize the first Earth Day in Boston, I also helped build several solar greenhouses. After grad school where I studied environmental science, I taught high school science, and like any good American teacher, I needed a second job.
My interests led me to energy, and I became the second ‘certified’ energy auditor in New Hampshire and opened up my own business called Warm Homes. We did energy auditing and retrofits, built solar greenhouses and installed solar hot water systems.
Back in 1980, Sears began selling Solar Hot Water, and for a while selling for them I worked. In those days calculators were a big thing, and they offered ‘free’ solar calculators for listening to my spiel.
Sears sold really good quality solar hot water systems some of which are still operating today 40 years later. When Reagan was elected, he removed the solar panels from the White House and cut the tax credits for energy conservation and solar. Instead, of displaying leadership, setting a positive example, and taking what would have been the first true steps against climate change, Reagan built an overwhelming military presence in the mid-east. He propped up the house of Saud, and Sadam Hussein both petro-dictators, in power because of US not indigenous support. This had the intended effect, at least temporarily bring the price of oil down, and the sustainable energy industry to its knees. It also set in motion the rebellion against US domination we continue to see today.
Read More of His Bio
Since that time we’ve seen a similar pattern. When there is a Democratic administration, there is interest, when the republicans are in, not so much. We see this in the extreme today with an administration which denies the existence of climate change and is rolling back most of the environmental progress made the last administration.
Hence the name of this essay, “Solar Coaster”.
Skip forward 30 years, I’m directing the first sustainable energy degree program in the Northeast, my interest in energy has turned into obsession. I did a deep energy retrofit on my house which cut my energy consumption, and added solar (PV) to the roof which generates about 90% of my electricity needs. Somewhere around this time my obsession became obvious to my students who began calling me The Energy Geek, the name as you can see stuck.
Books
Warm and Cool Homes: Building a Healthy, Comfy, Net-Zero Home You’ll Want to Live in Forever
*** VIDEO SERIES INCLUDED WITH BOOK ***
“From an authoritative source, this book provides both information and inspiration for how to make your home part of the solution to our great climate crisis. It will get you thinking — and then get you moving ahead!” -Bill McKibben, Author of The End of Nature
If you spend more than $500 a year for utilities then this book is for you!
Follow the design and building of four Net Zero homes, learn and understand the simple principles they use to make their houses so comfortable and affordable.
About the Author: “Wes is very enthusiastic and passionate about his work. Together, with his dedication to energy efficient building practices and his understanding of the practical obstacles builders face result in a better product for consumers in New Hampshire.”
AN – NH Public Utilities Commission
“His insight into the complex issues associated with the entire energy field is an extreme asset to the task at hand. He approaches everything with a respect for the history of how the energy field has evolved and with measured reflection of the future.”
TG – Lakes Region Community College
“Wes has a knack for making complex material easy for us non-science people to understand”
Student – LRCC
What Homeowners are saying about their net-zero homes:
“The most comfortable house I have ever lived in. It Is comfortable year round.”
MM – Newmarket, NH
“I haven’t had a sinus headache since I moved in.”
RH – Canterbury, NH
“My wife used to have six asthma attacks a year. She hasn’t had any in the two and a half years we’ve lived here.”
JB – Barrington, NH
“We’ve spent under $1500 for utilities in the past two years and got more than $600 back from renewable energy credits.”
KH – Canterbury, NH
Whether you own your own home or are thinking of building or renovating, this book and video series is packed with practical ideas for you that work.
TheEnergyGeek.org