Homemade Energy is guide that supposedly teaches you how to make your own solar and wind power. Written by Bill Ford – a scientist, researcher, inventor and energy consultant – the guide claims that even someone with limited technical know-how can build the systems. But does it really work? And how does it compare to Earth4Energy?
The Advantages of the guide:
1 – We had fun:
We found the instructions for the wind turbine very well laid out and explained. They were easy to follow, and we really had fun putting the wind generator together. Also, when it was finished, it actually worked, and our neighbors did not believe us when we told them we had built it ourselves.
2 – Cheapest option
Homemade Energy is the cheapest guide out there. Okay, it is only $2 cheaper than say, Earth4Energy, but every dollar helps when you are trying to save on costs.
3 – Easy for anyone to follow:
Bill Ford obviously wanted to appeal to the masses when he wrote this guide. It was super simple to understand, and although the diagrams could be a little confusing at times, it was almost impossible not to end up with a working windmill after following the instructions.
The Problems With the guide:
1 – Lacks features
At only 43 pages long, we found the guide a little short. Yes, it may have been to the point, without being filled with random information, but we would rather have spent the extra $2 on one of the other guides, and received more facts and advice.
2 – Needs to be revised:
We are not sure about other customers of the guide, but we sometimes found the solar plans a little confusing. The diagrams did not tie in well with the the advice, and we had to email Bill for support numerous times while building our solar panels. He may have been helpful in his response, but we think it would make more sense if he updated the guide with the right solar power advice for everyone to use. If he wants to offer free lifetime updates, then he should actually update the guide every now and then.
Overall rating:
Home Made Energy is a guide for beginners that are willing to learn as they go along. The instructions and advice are sound, which is crucial any diy guide. However, Bill needs to keep up with his rival, Earth4Energy, and add more value to the guide, such as providing videos and maintenance instructions, which we – as customers – so desperately need.
Tim McDonald has been making his own home wind turbine and solar power since June 2008. If you are serious about making your own power, reducing your electricity bill and becoming more energy conscious, then he recommends you get the Earth4Energy Sneak Peek – before buying any energy guide.
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