December 21, 2024

Which Green Energy System Is Right For You?

January 28, 2015 by

Are you thinking about investing in a green energy system? You should read this article to learn more about the different forms of green energy available.

Solar panels are a popular option, especially in the southwestern United States. If you live in a sunny area, you should have a professional look at your property and assess how much exposure to the sun you get. You can optimize your exposure to the sun by cutting down a few trees if necessary. There are different kinds of solar panels, and the most efficient ones are usually the most expensive too. Take the time to compare the different products available: you will probably find that some mono-crystalline panels are your best option in term of price and efficiency. The number of panels you need will depend on your energy consumption, which is why you need to assess your needs before you think about getting a green energy system.

Getting a small wind turbine should be a good option if you live in an area where the wind is constantly blowing and is at least 10 mph strong. Usually, properties located near a lake or an ocean get enough exposure to the wind to justify the installation of a wind turbine. The size of the wind turbine you choose will determine how much power you will be able to generate with it. Assess your needs and choose a wind turbine that corresponds to your needs. Usually, a vertical wind turbine that can be installed on your roof is the best choice for homeowners.

Hydraulic energy is an excellent option if there is running water on your property. The strength of the current will determine how much energy you will be able to generate with your hydraulic system: perhaps you could make the stream a little larger to increase the strength of the current. Your best option is to go to a hydraulic energy specialist and have him or her build you a customized system that will correspond to your needs and to the resources available on your property. Building a hydraulic system requires you to get permits from your local government: find out more about local regulations before you get started.

If you have purchased a property with a geothermal source located under it, you should look into using this resource. The best way to use geothermal energy is to dig into the ground and channel the energy into the house built above the geothermal source. This means you will have to build a house from scratch. Building a geothermal house can be very expensive but you will never have to spend anything on energy if your house is properly designed. And keep in mind that your geothermal house will make your property very valuable.

Have a professional assess the resources available in your area and take the time to compare different solutions. Keep in mind that a green energy system will help you save money on the long term: be prepared to make payments on your system for the next ten years or so before you really start saving money.

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What You Can Do To Go Green At Home

January 20, 2015 by

Many people have come to realize that it is vital to save energy for the good of the environment. Businesses and corporations have gotten on the bandwagon to promote green energy in their operations. At a smaller scale, there are now many alternatives available for households that want to switch to green energy. Energy is becoming more and more expensive. Not only will going green save the environment, but it will save you money in utility costs as well. Read this article for some great ideas on how you can go green at home.

As your household appliances get old, they get less and less efficient. That means they require more energy to produce the same amount of work. This leads to a lot of energy waste and a higher utility bill for you. Look around your home, and take inventory of the appliances that you see are getting old and inefficient in performance. Your larger appliances inside your home may include your washer and dryer, refrigerator and oven. Other appliances may be your water heater and your air heating and cooling unit. Think about when was the last time you replaced them. Then, prioritize them by what you think needs to be replaced first. Next, start exploring replacements. Look for replacements that have the Energy Star certification. This will tell you how much energy you can anticipate saving over a period of time. Do some research on brands and models, and read reviews. Make a list of models and prices. When you are ready to actually make a purchase, you will have a handy list to work from. Do not replace everything all at once. Do it one at a time so it will not be a burden on your budget.

Small solar panels are now available for powering small devices. These are not expensive, and they are easy to use. This is especially beneficial for devices that run on batteries. With the mini solar panels recharging all the time, you will never have to worry about running out of power on your batteries.

Your clothes dryer uses a tremendous amount of energy to dry a load of clothes. Give your dryer a break, and line dry your next load. This is especially good for drying a load of towels because they usually have a longer drying cycle. Hanging towels on a clothesline is easy to do. Hang them out in your yard to dry on a sunny day, and you will have fresh towels in a few hours without extra effort. Drying whites out in the sun can actually make the white look brighter, so think about drying your white linens on the line as well.

Encourage the members of your family to stick to an energy-conserving mindset. Turn off lights and electronic devices when not using them. Encourage recycling of paper and other recyclables.

Going green is not difficult. Apply these simple tips, and you will play an important part in saving the environment

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What Do You Know About Green Energy?

January 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment

By now, everyone has heard the term “green energy,” but what all does that entail? Is there anything to know beyond solar panels, giant wind turbines, and energy-saving CFL light bulbs? Read on to see how much you know about green energy.

1. Green Energy – exactly what is it? Green energy is energy that can be harnessed with a lot less pollution than conventional means. It is also sustainable, meaning we have the means to make it over and over again, versus energy sources such as oil that have a finite amount available.

2. Why is green energy good for the environment? Green energy reduces our dependance on non-sustainable energy sources and causes little pollution.

3. What are the ways green energy is being used currently? Right now, there is a huge movement towards using greener sources for our energy. Everywhere you look there are more and more green options, from light bulbs, to cars, to public transit, to green utility companies.

4. What legislation is currently bolstering green energy? All over the world, countries are pushing forward laws and tax incentives to businesses and individuals that make efforts to utilize greener methods. In the United States, individual states are also signing laws that require greater green energy usage in the years to come.

5. What are the most popular kinds of Green Energy? The kinds of green energy that are most often used are ones that you have probably heard of already: solar panels for sun energy, wind turbines for wind energy, hydroelectric generators for water energy, and geothermal generators for geothermal energy.

6. Which energy sources are the least sustainable? Non-green energy sources are anything that are not sustainable or cause an undue amount of pollution. Examples would be any energy coming from coal and oil. These sources cause much of the air pollution we experience, which compounds the greenhouse effect.

7. What is the importance of green energy? Green energy is vital because without it, we have no hope of continuing to sustain our populations every-increasing need for energy. Fossil fuels are finite and cause pollution that accelerate the greenhouse effect. With green energy, we have a hope to continue to power our civilization beyond the limit of fossil fuels and to mitigate the harm we have caused to the environment using them.

8. What are the drawbacks to green energy? Each type of green energy has its own drawback or drawbacks. For instance, solar power from solar panels can be hard to get during cloudy days, and wind turbines won’t work if there’s no wind. The good news is that all of this energy can be stored in batteries for when there are circumstances preventing or limiting the generation of power.

Over the last few decades, we as a society have begun to realize just what an impact we have made on our environment. We need to make sure that we keep using and exploring greener ways to power our lives so that future generations can continue enjoying the planet.

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Weighing The Ups And Downs Of Green Energy Solutions

December 28, 2014 by Leave a Comment

If you are reading this article, then you have either made the choice to harness a green energy source for your home, or you are at least considering the possibility. However, you might not be entirely sure so far what the appropriate choices are. The following paragraphs discuss some green energy sources you can use on your property, as well as the pros and cons of each of them.

Panels are a form of green energy production that you can use, coming either in solar thermal forms, or photovoltaic technology. Solar thermal panels generally require direct sunlight and heat a fluid to a boiling point where it can generate electricity. Photovoltaic cells can take the radiation of the sun and convert it straight to power, often stored in batteries.

The advantages of panel technology include the ability to harness a power source that is available almost every single day. Also, there is usually ample room for installation, as part or all of your roofing can be replaced with paneling. Also, once installed, the lifetime upkeep and maintenance costs of panels are very low.

There are drawbacks. Cloudy days might not mean electricity production, depending on your kind of paneling. Also, panels come with significant installation costs at the beginning, although some areas have offsetting tax breaks and even grants available. Locations in extreme latitudes might not have enough sunlight during the winter season to make this choice worth it, and the angle of roofing in relation to the sun’s height and angle do affect the efficiency.

Wind turbines have come far enough along that even residential property owners can make use of them now. Anywhere that sees a lot of wind can certainly benefit from having one or two of these. Plains properties and coastal areas have very reliable wind most days. Once installed, the upkeep costs are minimal, so it becomes an almost free source of electricity.

Wind turbines do have problems associated with them. Many residents or neighbors might consider them a visual affront to their community. Also, turbines have been known to draw and kill birds. The installation costs of them are also very pricey, and without the wide array of grants and tax benefits solar offers. Also, when the wind is not blowing, you are stuck with drawing off the grid.

Two other green energy sources that are available for select residential use are hydroelectric and geothermal power. Both have very specific geographic restrictions though. Geothermal heating requires very stable terrain that can be drilled into deep enough to find the Earth’s internal heat. Hydroelectric requires a natural source of running water through your property. However, if the conditions are favorable for either or both of these and you can afford the installation, they are a stable and continuous source of green energy that is far more reliable and constant than wind or solar.

If it is possible, harness three or even four of these choices in your home and land. Most days you can probably get all of your power from wind and solar, which means you can sell your hydroelectric and geothermal juice back into the grid, helping to recur the installation costs you put into it. Hopefully, this article has given you at least one idea that you can use.

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Use These Green Energy Tips To Lower Your Utility Bills

December 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Use These Green Energy Tips To Lower Your Utility Bills

Energy is becoming more and more expensive in many parts of the world, so it is more important than ever for people to find ways to save money by reducing their energy usage. Switching to greener, more sustainable practices can help you cut costs without having to sacrifice your comfort. For some great tips on how you can do so right away, keep reading!

Much of the energy use of the average household comes from appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, washing machines and computers. When you are shopping for a new appliance, be sure to choose a model that features the “Energy Star” label. This government program certifies that the appliance has met stringent energy efficiency requirements. By choosing one of these models, you can assure yourself of long-term energy savings that can save you quite a lot of money.

To save money on your water bill, try installing water saving devices around your house. A low-flow shower head, for example, lets you take a comfortable shower while using much less water. The new models of low-flow toilets use significantly fewer gallons of water per flush, without the problems caused by the first generation of such toilets. Front-loading washing machines also use a lot less water than the older, top-loading models. Just checking for leaks or drips around the house can also save you quite a lot.

If the doors and windows in your home are not properly insulated, you may be wasting quite a lot of energy in heating and cooling. A drafty or leaky door or window makes your home’s furnace work much harder during the winter. Similarly, your air conditioner will have to use more energy to cool your home during the summer. A simple blower door test can pinpoint any leaks in your home so that you can repair them.

If you are able to develop a few simple habits, they can add up to real savings over the long run. For example, get in the habit of turning lights off when you leave a room. Set your water heater to a lower temperature. Turn off appliances when they are not in use, and unplug them when you will not be at home or at night before you go to bed. Many appliances continue to use energy even when they are turned off, so unplugging them can add up to big savings.

Try to include everyone in the household in the process of switching to greener and more sustainable practices. When everyone is on board and committed to the transition, it will be much easier to ensure that there is no backsliding. Everyone can encourage each other to keep going as well as challenge each other to do even more. Other members of your household may be able to come up with their own ideas that you would not have thought of on your own.

At first, it can seem challenging to try to reduce your energy usage without sacrificing many of the everyday comforts that you are used to. However, with the right information and a bit of practice, you will find that making this adjustment is quite easy. By using the advice from this article, you can start saving money right away.

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Use Energy More Wisely With These Green Tips For Your

December 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Use Energy More Wisely With These Green Tips For Your Home

Being “green” is more than just a passing fad; it’s a way of reducing your footprint in order to leave a better environment for future generations. Using energy more wisely is a great way to make your home greener. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Switch from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent varieties. Not only do these funky-looking bulbs use far less electricity than the incandescent bulbs you probably grew up using, but they have a much longer lifespan–many will last three years or longer! Despite their slightly higher cost, the money you will save on your electric bill, along with the reduced frequency of bulb changes, will easily pay for the higher initial investment.

2. Replace a water heater tank with a tankless option. Keeping 30 to 80 gallons of water hot and ready for use takes loads of energy, which is certainly reflected on your electric or gas bills each month. Rather than storing hot water, tankless heaters heat water as you need it, making them a much greener option when it comes to energy consumption.

3. Use solar panels to generate some of your home’s power. You can set up panels that attach to your home’s regular grid system, or you can use them to power or heat specific items, such as a pool or hot tub. While the initial investment in solar panels can be steep, you may qualify for tax credits that offset some of the cost. Solar energy also adds value to your home and reduces your dependence on your utility company’s power grid.

4. Hang clothes outside to dry. Clothes dryers not only use gas or electricity to produce the heat that dries your clothing, but they add excess heat to your house, making your air conditioning system work harder during the summer. Especially during the warmest months of the year, using a clothes line can reduce the cost of cooling your home and save energy. If you have trouble getting used to the texture of line-dried towels and clothing, tumble them for 10 minutes on air-dry.

5. Replace energy-hogging appliances with efficient versions. Old refrigerators, deep freezes, air conditioners and other appliances use far more power than their modern counterparts. While it may not be possible to swap every appliance in your home for a new one, making smart choices as your old appliances fail can definitely help you to have a greener home. Look for the Energy Star logo when choosing a new model to ensure that your purchase is truly efficient.

6. Install and use a programmable thermostat. These devices allow you to increase or decrease the temperature of your home automatically when you are at work or school, reducing the cost of heating and cooling your home as well as your energy consumption. You can set the thermostat to return to more comfortable temperatures upon your arrival, so you probably won’t even notice the difference.

Creating a greener home is a great way to save you money while helping the planet. Implement these ideas into your own house, and take heart in knowing that you are contributing to a better tomorrow.

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Top Five Ways To Save Money With Green Energy

November 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Green energy could help you save a lot of money. Read this article to find out more about the top five ways to save thanks to green energy.

Invest in a green energy system. There are several types of green energy: solar, wind, hydraulic and geothermal. Assess the resources available to you and choose a quality product that will cover your needs in energy. Once your green energy system is installed, you will not have to pay your utilities anymore. Remain connected to the main power grid and sell the power you do not need to the main grid to cover the payments you have to make on your green energy system. Your system should be paid off within the next fifteen years or less if you produce a lot of energy you can sell.

Switch to a green energy provider. Find more about the green energy providers in your area by contacting your local government. Green energy is usually more expensive than regular energy, but switching to a green energy provider makes you eligible for some interesting tax rebates at the end of the year. You should compare energy prices in your area and do the math to figure out how much the tax rebates will help you save.

Get a small green energy system to cover a part of your energy needs. For instance, you could power your water heater or the water pump of your swimming pool with a couple of solar panels. There are also small wind turbines you can install on your front lawn to generate a part of the power you need. Do not hesitate to contact different green energy specialists to get quotes on customized systems.

Purchase a hybrid car. Even though hybrid vehicles are quite expensive, you will save a fortune on gas. You will only be spending a few cents on electricity to go as far as a three to four dollar gallon of gas would allow you to go. And if you are worried about the performance of hybrid cars, you should test drive one of the latest models. The more recent models of hybrid cars are much better than the first cars available on the market. And you will even be able to afford your own charging station thanks to programs offered by energy providers.

Invest in newer appliances and better light-bulbs. When shopping for these items, look for the Energy Star label. These energy-efficient appliances and light-bulbs will help you reduce your bills significantly. Your savings will cover your initial investments within a year or two. You could also get an energy monitor to keep track of how much power you are using in your home and help your family reduce the amount of energy used. Remember to shut off lights and turn off and unplug the appliances you do not use.

These five tips will help you save a lot of money in the long-term. Do more research on green energies to find out more about the solutions you are interested in.

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Thinking About Installing Solar Panels?

November 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment

These days, going green is in. It is officially “hip” to do your part to help save the environment. One increasingly popular idea people are doing is installing solar panels on their home. Solar panels are great as they convert energy from the sun into usable electricity that can help run a home. There is no question that they do help the environment, and they will lower the cost of your power bill each month. But are solar panels really for everybody? The following article will address some questions you should ask yourself before you decide to make the plunge into the solar world.

The first thing you have to ask yourself is whether or not you can cover the initial costs associated with installing solar panels in your home. True solar panels will reduce the amount of energy that you pay for which could potentially save you money in the long run, but it is important to understand that installing them is not cheap. Even if you can afford the cost of installation, you have to ask yourself whether or not you plan on living in your current home for the next several years, as that is how long it may take you to make your money back. If you are unsure as to your future living situation, it might be a good idea to hold off on installing solar panels any time soon.

Before you even consider installing solar panels though, you should make sure whether or not you are even allowed to. There are some areas in which installing solar panels are actually prohibited for one reason or another. You don’t want to start the installation process only to find out that you’ll have to take them down due to a local ordinance. Make sure you do your research before you begin planning to get solar panels in your home.

Another question you’ve got to ask yourself is if your power consumption even makes it worth investing in solar panels. A large mansion with constant heating, ventilation and air conditioning running means you are using a great deal of power. Chances are a few solar panels aren’t going to do much compared to how much power you use each month. This might not make it worthwhile for you to make such a costly investment if you’re not going to be getting the return you want.

Lastly, you have to have to ask yourself whether or not it is even possible for you install solar panels on your home. Often times, people’s homes are covered by structures that block sunlight for most of the day. This would render your solar panels useless, or at least extremely inefficient. You’ve got to make sure that your roof gets direct sunlight in order for it to be worth your investment.

There is no doubt that solar panels will help the environment, but it is important to note that they are not for everybody. Make sure you ask yourselves the questions we’ve addressed in this article before you decide to invest in solar panels.

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The Myths And Truths About Going Green All Answered

November 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment

In the past several years the term “go green” has become more and more popular. It went from a verb to an adjective, landing itself in everyday conversations. However, those who aren’t entirely familiar with this concept will want to understand it a bit better. This article focuses on some of the common questions and concepts about going green.

What exactly does it mean when someone says “go green”? For some people it brings about visions of vegans hugging trees and altering their lifestyles. You’ll be happy to know that anyone can “go green,” even you! You don’t have to alter your lifestyle to become a friend to the environment. For example, choosing to take a few canvas sacks on your next shopping spree and refusing the plastic bags is a starting point. Avoid using paper towels and plates in your home. Replace them with cloth towels and ceramic plates instead. Choose to recycle plastics, paper and old electronics. These are just some of the simple ways you can make a huge impact on your environment.

You’ll probably be surprised to hear that some countries are on top of it all when it comes to going green. Believe it or not, the United States is one of the least successful! Norway is among the rank of “go green” countries who have taken the first step in reducing carbon monoxide emissions quite successfully. Switzerland is up there in ranks when it comes to lowering air pollution, as they charge for waste and water management services. Other countries that find themselves ahead of the U.S. are Costa Rica, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark.

The United States has doubled its efforts in the past years to become green, but other countries are far ahead of Americans in their successes. Many big name companies based in the U.S. are looking for ways that they can become more friendly to the environment. The U.S.’s going green efforts date all the way back to the early 70s, but unfortunately after many governmental acts and debates, they’re just not quite there yet.

Solar power has become one of the most common types of green energy. It harnesses the power of the sun and converts it to electricity. Wind energy ranks on top as also one of the most useful energy types. Wind turbines help take wind and transform it into mechanical energy or electricity. Geothermal energy has recently become a popular form of heating for residential units. This form of energy is extracted from the Earth. Electricity that is powered by bodies of water is also another popular energy form. It is widely known as hydroelectricity which produces little or almost no waste.

Living a green lifestyle is important in order for our planet to survive. The past decade has given way to some of the most earth friendly countries and incorporated the use of very innovative green energy resources. This article has hopefully helped you understand a bit more about “going green” and what types of energy are beneficial.

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The Beauty Of Solar Panels

November 8, 2014 by Leave a Comment

What is great about the technology available today is the accessibility to items like solar panels for your home. Any home can benefit a great deal from using solar panels to generate power. Go ahead and get as much knowledge about solar panels as you can from this article, so that you will know why you should invest in this technology. Remember to promote getting solar panels as well, so that everyone around you knows how easy and beneficial it is to use solar panels.

When you install solar panels, you don’t have to worry about an electric bill anymore. This is one of the best things you can do to save a lot of money in the long run. When you don’t have to worry about your electric bill anymore, you can just concentrate on other things, like paying off your car or home. Invest a little time and energy to picking out some solar panels for your home. Even though solar panels are initially going to cost you a little money to install in your home, they are going to help you out a lot by saving you on your monthly bill.

Installing solar panels will keep your house energized, even during a blackout. When all of your neighbors are turning on their flashlights and lighting candles, you will be sitting back and enjoying yourself with electricity in your home. Solar panels are powered by the sun, so they are not even phased when the lights go out. If you work from home, then this is going to be great for you because you know you have the security of having power all throughout your home.

There are a lot of payment plan options that you can get these days with solar panels. They aren’t as expensive as you thought they’d be. What is great about solar panels is that a lot of companies are offering payment plan options so that people can afford to install solar panels into their home. When you do this, you buy yourself a little time from having to pay them off right away, and you make an affordable payment plan to instantly have solar panels in your home. Since your electric bill is going down to zero, it is going to benefit you a lot. Once you pay off your solar panels, you’ll stop paying two bills total.

Solar panels and solar energy are part of the future. You should invest some time and energy to installing solar panels into your home so that you can have a promising future by using green energy. If you don’t jump on installing solar panels into your home as soon as possible, then you might miss your opportunity to get solar panels into your home. The time is now more than ever, so make sure you do not let any of the information that was presented to you today slip past you. Use it to save energy today, and in the future months and years to come.

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