Richard Perez

Biography:

Richard Perez, publisher and "digital janitor" for Home Power Magazine has been living off the grid since 1970. He wants to change the way people make electricity and is an advocate of small-scale renewable energy that can solve many of our environmental and human problems.

Past Shows:

	Living off the Power Grid
	Saturday August 7, 2004

During Saturday's show, Richard Perez, publisher of Home Power Magazine, talked about America's energy situation and how we can liberate ourselves from the power grid. Perez himself has been living off the grid since 1970, utilizing a combination of wind generators, photovoltaic (solar cell) systems, and a gasoline-powered generator to provide all his electrical power. Perez said he produces all the power he needs and can store up to 4-5 days worth of electricity in batteries for use during times when his power production is low.For consumers interested in becoming less dependent on the U.S. power grid, Perez suggested reducing thermal and electrical loads by:Replacing single-pane windows with double-paneIncreasing the R-value of insulation in walls and roofUsing energy efficient appliancesPerez said Energy Star compliant appliances consume only 1/3 to 1/2 of the electricity of older machines made just 10 years ago. He also suggested replacing incandescent light bulbs w ... More
Host: Art Bell

	Home Power
	Tuesday August 26, 2003

"Technology has given us the ability to make electrical power anywhere, on any rooftop or in any backyard," said Richard Perez, the publisher of Home Power. Perez, who was Tuesday's main guest, has been living off the grid since 1970, in a remote mountainous area in Oregon. The current power grid is an overtaxed and aging system he pointed out. Rather than sink more money into it, he argued for the use of home power through solar panels. These panels, either mounted on a roof or the ground, produce energy through their photovoltaic cells that is stored in large batteries. Interestingly, when the batteries reach capacity, the power can be fed back into the standard electrical grid, and a residents' electric meter will actually spin backwards, Perez explained. Another bonus of this situation, he said, is that the excess power can be distributed locally to neighbor's homes, alleviating the expensive process of sending electricity long distances along power lines. While not ev ... More
Host: George Noory