Orlando , Florida ( CNN ) -- The massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has triggered heated debate about where the United States gets its energy supplies . Some say domestic drilling is necessary to avoid U.S. dependence on foreign oil . Others say the country needs to look to other fuel sources . But one man has found his own solution . Patrick Vanderwyden uses solar power to run his water heater , hot tub , air conditioner , fans , and his refrigerator at his home of 24 years . Three years ago , the self-described New Age hippie began a personal mission to cut his energy usage by switching to alternative energy . `` What I do now has an effect on future generations , '' said Vanderwyden , 49 . `` I do n't want to leave future generations with a real problem if I can help it . And I think I can . '' The sun also powers most of Vanderwyden 's transportation . On any given day the conservationist can be seen throughout town quietly driving something with pedals or an electric motor . He has a collection of recycled bikes , an electric cycle and one bike fashioned from spare parts that he calls `` Frankenbike . '' Vanderwyden carefully drives the strange-looking contraption , powered by a treadmill motor , since it can easily exceed the top legal speed of 18 mph allowed for electric bikes , he said . He also has in his arsenal of alternative vehicles a Chevrolet pickup truck with an electric motor . Vanderwyden stumbled upon the truck for sale on the internet auction site eBay . It already had been converted by a New Jersey electric company . He says he reduced his energy use by nearly 30 percent last year compared with the year before . That 's in contrast to worldwide energy consumption , which has continued to rise for decades . `` What was started in the '70s was turned off in the '80s as far as the conservation and the use of renewable energy , '' said Vanderwyden . The U.S. Department of Energy reports that demand for oil has almost doubled since 1970 and the demand will continue to increase for decades to come . Oil accounts for more than one-third of U.S. energy use . The Energy Department statistics show that in 2008 , the vast majority of America 's petroleum use went toward consumer vehicles , commercial vehicles and air travel . Fuel-efficient hybrid cars only account for a small percentage of cars sold today , although the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute predicted that by 2035 , alternative fuel cars will account for more than half of the cars bought . Critics of electric vehicles point out that electricity is mainly produced by coal-powered plants which , in turn , create large amounts of greenhouse gases . Acknowleging that concern , Vanderwyden said he reduces how often he drives his electric pickup truck . Instead , Vanderwyden drives his electric bike charged from his solar panels as often as possible . The conservationist admits his actions are extreme but says if everyone would reduce their energy use a little , `` all of us together would make an impact . '' `` I 'm sad about this oil spill , but at least it 's bringing some attention to this issue again , '' he said . `` I really hope that [ it ] gets people to understand that it 's our demand that ... makes them want to drill a mile deep in the Gulf of Mexico . ''
In 2007 , Patrick Vanderwyden began a mission to cut his energy use . His home is fueled by solar panels , and he owns electric vehicles charged with solar power . He said he hopes more Americans follow his example . 'It 's our demand that makes them want to drill a mile deep in the Gulf of Mexico , ' he said .