Awareness of the need to convert to green energy in order to forestall climate change is growing. Once people know the benefits of green energy, how practical is it to make the change? Technology is constantly bringing forward new and improved ways to generate green energy. This article can introduce you to some of these, so that you can consider whether green energy is practical for you.
Solar power has benefited by improved technology the most, because it was the first on the scene. Whether it is practical for you depends on your location and how long you plan to stay in your home. Dry, southern areas such as the desert in Arizona and California make solar energy very practical. Northern cloudy areas make solar less practical, but if a home gets full sunlight and has space for enough solar panels, it can also work there. Prices have come down for solar panels, but it is still a big investment and needs to be pro-rated over a period of a decade or two to be financially feasible for most people.
Hybrid electric cars are becoming very popular. Every time the price of gasoline goes up, more people decide they are the way to go. The hybrid is practical because you can use both gas and battery power. There are not a lot of electric charging stations out there. If your batteries are low, you can still use gas. These cars are very good on gas mileage. Their initial price is higher than a standard gas-powered car, but there are tax rebates available which help. Over time, the great gas mileage will make the hybrid car a good buy. All-electric cars have not become popular yet and probably will not be until battery technology advances and there are more charging stations. Natural gas powered cars exist but are not in general use yet. All these cars offer a good way to lower carbon emissions and help the environment.
There is a lot of exciting research in bio-fuels, with things like algae replacing corn in the future. But these technologies are still developing.
In many localities power companies offer a free energy audit of your home. A professional will come and evaluate your energy consumption and suggest ways to improve energy efficiency. This is worth doing if it is available in your area. It can lead you to substantial savings in your electricity and other energy costs. A lot of the efficiencies available are in conservation. Installing efficient light bulbs, double paned windows, more efficient Energy Star appliances and possibly a more efficient furnace can cut your electric bill and save you a lot over the long term.
Now that you have become interested in green energy, you will find that there are many possibilities to explore. You needn’t invest a large amount of money at first. Some added insulation in your attic, or caulking leaky windows, is inexpensive and can help a lot. You can install just enough solar panels to run your refrigerator or another appliance and see how it works for you. Exploring green energy options is exciting. It can pay off for you and for the environment.
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