can i build a fuel cell to power my home?

Answer 1

Yep. Fuel cell technology is getting to the point where consumers can have them in their homes.

Check the fuel cell store (link below) for parts, storage tanks, and info on getting fuel. (No, I'm not affiliated.) They're a bit pricey, though - you'll pay about $10,000 for a 1KW system. They also have components so you can build your own, and you'll have to buy hydrogen.

At the last link is a great article about a guy who did all the research on buying or building a fuel cell for his home. It's got pros and cons, technical aspects, and a discussion of buy versus build. It's a great, comprehensive article.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I think it unlikely.
As you will know, a fuel cell is a device which converts the internal energy of hydrogen (normally) directly into electricity and which avoids the thermodynamic limitation imposed by the Carnot principle. The conversion process is therefore capable of a much higher efficiency that would be obtained if the hydrogen were to be burned in an I.C. engine. The snag arises when a significant power output is required. Also, as mentioned elsewhere, problems arise with the storage of the fuel. Hydrogen is VERY explosive.

Have you thought of a heat pump as a viable alternative?

Answer 3

Far more cost effective and ecologically sound would be to run a generator on 100% bio fuel (such as bio diesel). Most H2 for fuel cells is taken from fossil hydrocarbons, the carbon from these is then back in the atmosphere or otherwise used (nonetheless it is no longer fossil).

Answer 4

you could build a sort of fuel cell for certain aspects of your house i think

for example if you wanted to heat your water cheaply, you could run th ecold water pipes out onto the roof, bend them to make a series of 's' shapes if that makes sense! like this:

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etc etc! insulate all these pipe, then get a piece of thick black rubber and stick some tin foil, shiney sound up on the underside of the rubber. then wrap all your pipes with this stuff and hey presto you have a really rubbish/un-efficient, but home made fuel cell thing!ta!

Answer 5

The technology is from the 1860's or about then so I'm sure you could do it...read and learn and if all you get is 12 volts for a nite light at least it works, I do things the hard way sometimes just to prove I can, and nobody but me is even aware. Read on it, study it, make it happen! Just don't spend the grovery money on it, the wife hates that...

Answer 6

Fuel cell can be used to power any thing but there still roadblocks which still dont allow it to be so common:-

1. storing of H2 & O2 is not easy.
2.mixing them gives lot of energy which can become a explosion if not controlled properly
3. The energy thus derived will be costlier then normal elecrticity cost. as H2 & O2 are costleir & not easily available....

Answer 7

Far better to insulate your home, move to low-power LED lighting, use solar panels, and a water-wheel on a stream running through your grounds, to drive an alternator, if you have one!

Answer 8

if you have a cow farm or access to cow farm then you can build very efficient energy solution based on almost unlimited free fuel.

Answer 9

Just pay the gas and tricky bills

It will be much cheaper in the long run

Answer 10

yes