Saving Energy-What Steps I Am Taking
With all the talk today about higher energy cost and government lifting the ban on utility cost increases, what steps our you taking to save money? Here are a few things that I decided to do on my own to save money on my ever increasing energy cost.
- One of the first items that I attacked was our heating and cooling system by installing a programmable thermostat. Not only is it a energy saving device but it also has a built-in Wi-Fi module so I can program it from anywhere I have Internet access. Since, your HVAC system is the biggest energy user, start here first.
- The next item that I looked at is the hot water heater. These usually account for 1/3 of your energy use. One thing that you can do here is turn down your water heater temperature. Regardless if it might be gas or electric you will notice savings. If you have a electric water heater (I feel sorry for you) a time clock is a good way to shut it off during hours of non-use. While on this subject, shorten your shower times in half and wash your clothes in cold water to even save more on energy cost.
- It is now time to start replacing all your incandescent light bulbs with the new energy efficient CF L’s or LED light bulbs which can save you up to 60% over the old bulbs.
- If you have a pool or hot tub then you might want to do as I have done my cutting my pool filtration time in half thus saving even more money.
These are just a few basic things that you can do yourself to save energy cost.
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Ways to Decrease Your Energy Bills
Many consumers across the country are looking for more ways to decrease their energy bills, improve their environmental impact, and use self-sustaining energy-generating technologies in their everyday lives.
Renewable energy technologies can help consumers accomplish all of these goals—and more. However, deciding which renewable energy solutions are best for your needs can take some time.
The first step in determining which renewable energy solution is best for your home is to begin by doing research. Often, consumers must choose between two of the most popular types of renewable energy solutions: solar energy and wind energy. Here are some tips for helping you to determine whether a wind energy solution or a solar energy solution is best for you:
Geographic location
Your geographic location will play a huge role in determining which solution is best for your needs. In some parts of the country, solar energy solutions are most likely to generate the most power because these parts of the country receive lots of sun exposure.
However, in other parts of the country, solar power solutions can provide only minimal energy, as these parts of the country may not receive much sunlight. For example, Alaskans may have to have a back-up energy plan for winter months if they choose a solar energy solution, as they spend much of the time in the dark during winter months.
Also, when it comes to geographic location, sun exposure isn’t the only consideration to bear in mind. Consumers may also want to think about the wind that surrounds their homes. Consumers who live in some Western states, rural communities, mid-west states, and areas with plenty of wind are likely to have the opportunity to get plenty of energy from wind powered technologies, such as wind turbines.
These technologies are powered when wind blows through turbine propellers, which then crank the turbine. As the turbine rotates, it builds energy, which is then stored in a battery or used right away. However, geographic locations that do not have much wind exposure may not be able to get as much energy generation from wind-powered technologies, as the wind may not blow hard enough, or frequently enough, to produce energy.
Look at our guide for saving energy–>> Click Here
Building codes and regulations
In most parts of the country, homeowners will be directly impacted between the building codes and government regulations that govern their technology installations and usage. Some renewable energy solutions are easier to implement than others when it comes to passing these regulations.
For example, wind turbines may not be acceptable renewable energy solutions in urban environments where homes are close together, as wind turbines require a good deal of space to safely rotate—and can lead to dangerous situations if the mechanism breaks.
Solar technologies are most likely to be more widely accepted in the majority of locations throughout the U.S. Solar technologies may not only be installed on rooftops (as long as they abide by building codes and regulations), but they may also be installed in… Continue reading
Solar and Wind Energy For Tomorrow Today
Pros and Cons of a Solar Lease Program
The cost of solar grid-tie systems still remains costly for the home owner.
However, a solar lease program can cost you one half the cost of buying your own system. Solar leasing is an affordable way for a home owner to save almost instantly on their electrical cost. But there are some things to consider about a lease versus a completely purchased system. Below, I have laid out some pros and cons about solar leasing. Pros:
Cons:
As you can see, a solar lease needs to be carefully studied by the home owner and balanced out financially if it is a feasible option.
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