Read Between The Lines

How much of what we read can we trust to be written as the truth? That is the premise for my writing this article entitled "Reading Between the Lines" to air my feelings concerning what I consider to be an unethical practice. That practice being the method an author uses when writing an article about a subject that does not provide the reader with the full unbiased truth about the subject for which the article has been written.

Today more then ever we must be vigilant when we look over offers  presented  to us either via the internet or by any other means. When I write something like,"Read Between The Lines" as I did in the title of this post it is meant as a warning because the offer being presented may, in some way, not be worthy of our attention.

Earlier today while going through my email, I found an e-book. This was a product that sounded as if it may contain something that interested me enough to want to read and perhaps study more closely. I was impressed with the sincere style this individual was using to explain his situation and his solution to a problem that most heads of households must face every month. So being a homeowner myself, I chose to read on in the hope of learning something of value.

The author of this mailing was talking about how he and his neighbors were being over charged for electrical use by their local utility company. He had experienced an increase because the utility had changed the metering system and that change resulted in an adjustment to the amount being charged. The situation certainly is possible and of course the outcome could have favored either party involved. 

The author proceeded to offer his solution to the problem,which was to build his own solar panel. He was commenting about the high cost of a commercially produced and professionally installed system. He felt certain that he had developed a system that would take a big bite out of his expensive utility bill within the next month.. And, he wanted to share his good fortune with everyone interested  for an amount that was just under $50.

The author was suggesting that any individual could build their own solar panel. That is a true enough statement providing you have the desire, the tools and the mechanical/electrical ability to complete such a project. The end costs would be staggering, however. If you don't believe me, go and check the prices of screws, bolts, and aluminum framing materials at your local hardware store or big box stores. You will soon realize that you would need to purchase your materials at wholesale prices and in such large quantities that you would have to start your very own solar panel construction company.

A project like this suddenly seems overwhelming when you consider your time involved trying to locate the materials needed to be purchased. Much of your time will be required thinking about your electrical requirements. How many panels will you need to build? How many batteries will be needed to store your electric for use at night and on cloudy days? What interface components will be needed to connect everything that the your system will require? Will you be selling back to your utility company any excess electric your system produces?

This project would become an expensive hobby, and  could be a point of contention between you and your spouse. The time alone, which at first you may estimate at being a few days could easily become several weeks, several months, and maybe take a year or more to adequately study all that is required. Will your spouse be willing to sacrifice the time spent with you to such a project? And, during all that time the electric meter from your utility company is spinning continually.

At the closing of this email, the author suggests locating damaged commercial panels or perhaps finding a warehouse full of discontinued panels to be purchased and used in your project. Before you pull out your phone and attempt to make contact with any suppliers, be aware of the loss of efficiency those outdated panels provide. While their efficiency may equal that of any panel you may personally build, the numbers of panels needed for your project will be far greater then the number required from panels being built commercially today.

You simply cannot compete with the new technology. So why not locate a contractor in your area, schedule time with them to discuss your ideas. Set up a plan which will be completed in stages and that will in time meet your goal of producing your own power.

The alternative is of course to pay the money this author is requesting from you in order  to be permitted to download his e-book. This book will not be capable of explaining all the necessary requirements you will need. Consider the fact that you must be in compliance with your local building code, and that is the only way to satisfy your insurance company in the event of a possible fire caused by an ill prepared and poorly implemented electrical plan.

Our desire as a homeowner is to provide a safe, efficient, cost conscious method of powering our homes. Taking the time to read between the lines with any article, contract, or product description will save you time and money.

Finally, do an online search using any name you can find from the article you are reading whether it is a product name, company name or the author's name. Don't stop with just one entry from your search, but check on to the next two or three pages of search results. You may be surprised at what you find. But, remember that you can not always believe what you read. Be sure to read between the lines. When doing so, if you develop a feeling about the author's intentions that perhaps he may be trying to pull a fast maneuver on you be careful and keep your hand off of your wallet.

It's a jungle out there, so please be careful.