A 10% savings on utility costs is nothing to scoff at! I bet you could find other areas worth doing to reduce utility usage, also.

 My scheme for RE independence is maybe a bit unique. I origionally started with $50, and used that to invest in energy savings, I have since used the interest gained to pay for additional savings, and I also add any monies saved off my power bill on a monthly basis for increasing my "solar fund". Once it is big enough to build a usable system then I'll pop for the solar panels, which is really the only viable option in my location, wind here is pitiful! I am getting close to being able to start my investment in solar now.