As our society matures and we begin to understand and appreciate that everything we do will have an impact on our environment, we are starting to look for better ways of supplying our energy needs. There is an increasing recognition that the world is getting smaller and that what happens on one side of the world affects the other. Thus the shortage of fossil fuels and some other finite resources are forcing us to look for alternatives. Using wind turbines might just be one of those alternative sources of energy.
You've probably seen the huge expanses of giant wind mills scattered around the country. They are now sen to be commercially viable, but the obvious question is: can you put that same technology to work for you on a smaller scale?
A lot of the 'wind experts' say no, you can't. They claim that you can't get enough energy from a small turbine; anything small enough to fit in your backyard wouldn't generate enough electricity to power your home.
The bad news is they are right, the good news is that they are wrong. Let me explain.
While it's true that a small wind turbine won't meet all of the electrical needs of your home it can still supply a portion of the electricity you will need. You can generate upwards of 60% of the electricity your home needs with one wind turbine, on average.
Most of the 'experts' seem to have an all or nothing philosophy, meaning if you can't generate enough electricity to allow you to cut yourself out of the grid than it's not worth it.
Many homeowners, on the other hand, are just looking for ways to go green, to be eco-sensitive and save some money. Thus, saving a little bit of electricity by generating it themselves at the same time as saving a few dollars is well worth it, particularly when you consider that you can build your own turbine for a few hundred dollars.
So if you want to save yourself some money while doing your part to help out the planet, you should consider building and installing your own home wind turbines. Don't worry about the 'experts' they're only worried about their own profits!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wind Energy - 5 Reasons Why You Need It
The economy is taken it's biggest hit in decades over the last year or so. Many families are struggling and the increasing cost of energy is just one more hurtle they must overcome. Using wind energy to help cut your electric costs is one easy way you can help out the planet, and your finances.
Here are the top 5 reasons you should consider using the wind for your electricity needs:
1. Completely free to use and the government hasn't worked out how to tax it yet. Wind is available anywhere in the world.
2. Technological advances in the way electricity is generated from the wind makes it highly reliable source of energy. Just one turbine can save you up to 60% off your energy bill.
3. Wind turbines are now available in smaller residential sizes that can easily fit in your backyard and even on your roof.
4. One home sized wind turbine can create the same amount of electricity as 5 solar panels. You can use the turbine day or night. Solar panels only work during the day when there is sunlight.
5. With advances that are still being made, wind turbines will only continue to get more and more efficient which means that you will be able to benefit from improved electricity creation and storage techniques in the years to come.
Just as wind energy can power a child's toy and give great pleasure and it can also be harnessed for larger wind turbines. In order to protect the environment by reducing your carbon footprint as well as save some money it only makes sense to fully utilize whatever resources we have available to us.
Instead of spending fortunes to find new pockets of oil and then pump it to the surface and refine it (all of which creates a lot of negative impact on the environment) why not spend time and money finding sources of energy that are free to use, renewable, and friendly to the planet? For these reasons using wind and solar energy just seems like good common sense.
Here are the top 5 reasons you should consider using the wind for your electricity needs:
1. Completely free to use and the government hasn't worked out how to tax it yet. Wind is available anywhere in the world.
2. Technological advances in the way electricity is generated from the wind makes it highly reliable source of energy. Just one turbine can save you up to 60% off your energy bill.
3. Wind turbines are now available in smaller residential sizes that can easily fit in your backyard and even on your roof.
4. One home sized wind turbine can create the same amount of electricity as 5 solar panels. You can use the turbine day or night. Solar panels only work during the day when there is sunlight.
5. With advances that are still being made, wind turbines will only continue to get more and more efficient which means that you will be able to benefit from improved electricity creation and storage techniques in the years to come.
Instead of spending fortunes to find new pockets of oil and then pump it to the surface and refine it (all of which creates a lot of negative impact on the environment) why not spend time and money finding sources of energy that are free to use, renewable, and friendly to the planet? For these reasons using wind and solar energy just seems like good common sense.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Can I Make My Own Wind Turbine?
After some rough times over the last year there are many people starting to get ahead. The stabilizing of fuel costs has helped, but the threats of the effects of carbon trading and spiraling cost of coal fired electricity seems to hang over everybody. I've been doing my homework and decided that there are some options for me.
This research has shown me two basic approaches, utilise solar panels or the power of the wind using a turbine.
The technology now is advanced enough so that either of these (or both together) are now viable for home use. Neither will get you off the grid, but a panel of solar collectors and a small turbine can generate enough energy to make it a very worthwhile investment.
Buying a turbine isn't usually the best option since the price is rather high, especially if you have to then get it professionally installed. If you go down that route it will take longer to save enough on your bills to get that money back.
However, it is easy to access plans and build your own turbine at a fraction of that cost.You don't need any special skills or tools and all the parts can be found in any hardware store or on ebay.
For those who build their own turbine they often recoup their investment in just a few months. If they bought theirs it would take several years, on average.
One turbine will generate about 5 times the electricity as one solar panel. Wind turbines can run day or night (as long as there is wind) whereas solar panels will only produce electricity during day light hours (as long as it's sunny).
So, after the research I've done I have come to the conclusion that taking the time to build my own wind turbine and get a couple of solar panels covers me best. It'll be nice knowing that I have some control over my utility costs from now on.
This research has shown me two basic approaches, utilise solar panels or the power of the wind using a turbine.
The technology now is advanced enough so that either of these (or both together) are now viable for home use. Neither will get you off the grid, but a panel of solar collectors and a small turbine can generate enough energy to make it a very worthwhile investment.
Buying a turbine isn't usually the best option since the price is rather high, especially if you have to then get it professionally installed. If you go down that route it will take longer to save enough on your bills to get that money back.
However, it is easy to access plans and build your own turbine at a fraction of that cost.You don't need any special skills or tools and all the parts can be found in any hardware store or on ebay.
For those who build their own turbine they often recoup their investment in just a few months. If they bought theirs it would take several years, on average.
One turbine will generate about 5 times the electricity as one solar panel. Wind turbines can run day or night (as long as there is wind) whereas solar panels will only produce electricity during day light hours (as long as it's sunny).
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Want To Know More About Energy Conservation? Read On...
Energy conservation is good for you and the environment. It doesn't need to be a huge ordeal, or require a massive lifestyle change. Conservation is all about developing new habits, starting small with simple day to day changes that anyone can do.
These involve the whole of life, things that you do at home, at the office, and even while driving down the road. None of them are difficult, all of them small but the end results can be big. The bonus is, not only will the planet benefit but your wallet will benefit as well.
Transport is a big one. Make a conscious effort to walk more, instead of taking the car for short trips. For medium length journeys consider cycling. Obviously you will still need a car for longer journeys so make it a habit to keep it well tuned, replace dirty filters, change your spark plugs, and keep the tires properly inflated. All these things are easy and all ad up to helping your car run more efficiently and therefore burn less fuel. A combination of all the above will save you money and help the environment.
Businesses are not as easy to control, but you can encourage your employer to do things like recycle your water bottles, don't use disposable coffee cups, use recycled paper or maybe restrict what has to be printed in the first place. Maybe you could consider taking a packed lunch in reusable plastic containers instead of eating unhealthy, expensive take-aways.
Finally, what can you do at home? Stop using disposable plastic bags to transport your goods from the supermarket. Turn off lights when you are not in rooms. Get rid of those old incandescent light globes and replace them with modern energy efficient globes which use less energy, last longer and reduce green house gas emissions.
While lighting is a significant power use, heating and cooling are the real power hogs. Here too there are some simple things you can do to reduce expense and save the environment. Before winter sets in get your furnace inspected to make sure it's running properly, as well as change the filters regularly during heating season. Maybe you should consider adding a programmable thermostat to your air con system so you can automatically adjust the temperature down when you're not there or sleeping, which will provide savings in both summer and winter. Another idea is to check that you have adequate insulation in both walls and ceiling, and that caulking around doors and windows is working.
If you have done all that and want to go one step further, you might want to consider investing in alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power. For about $300- $400 and a couple of weekends of your time to build your own wind turbine. Add to that a few solar panels and a couple of hundred more, you could be almost independent of the commercial electricity grid. The fact is you don't need any technical skills or knowledge, just pick up a manual on the net, and it will walk you through these processes quickly and easily.
So, now it is up to you. My suggestion is that you start small and keep building, using the savings to feed into bigger and bigger projects. Here are more tips and info on energy conservation. The key is to start doing something, that will help the environment and save some of your money.
These involve the whole of life, things that you do at home, at the office, and even while driving down the road. None of them are difficult, all of them small but the end results can be big. The bonus is, not only will the planet benefit but your wallet will benefit as well.
Transport is a big one. Make a conscious effort to walk more, instead of taking the car for short trips. For medium length journeys consider cycling. Obviously you will still need a car for longer journeys so make it a habit to keep it well tuned, replace dirty filters, change your spark plugs, and keep the tires properly inflated. All these things are easy and all ad up to helping your car run more efficiently and therefore burn less fuel. A combination of all the above will save you money and help the environment.
Businesses are not as easy to control, but you can encourage your employer to do things like recycle your water bottles, don't use disposable coffee cups, use recycled paper or maybe restrict what has to be printed in the first place. Maybe you could consider taking a packed lunch in reusable plastic containers instead of eating unhealthy, expensive take-aways.
Finally, what can you do at home? Stop using disposable plastic bags to transport your goods from the supermarket. Turn off lights when you are not in rooms. Get rid of those old incandescent light globes and replace them with modern energy efficient globes which use less energy, last longer and reduce green house gas emissions.
While lighting is a significant power use, heating and cooling are the real power hogs. Here too there are some simple things you can do to reduce expense and save the environment. Before winter sets in get your furnace inspected to make sure it's running properly, as well as change the filters regularly during heating season. Maybe you should consider adding a programmable thermostat to your air con system so you can automatically adjust the temperature down when you're not there or sleeping, which will provide savings in both summer and winter. Another idea is to check that you have adequate insulation in both walls and ceiling, and that caulking around doors and windows is working.
If you have done all that and want to go one step further, you might want to consider investing in alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power. For about $300- $400 and a couple of weekends of your time to build your own wind turbine. Add to that a few solar panels and a couple of hundred more, you could be almost independent of the commercial electricity grid. The fact is you don't need any technical skills or knowledge, just pick up a manual on the net, and it will walk you through these processes quickly and easily.
So, now it is up to you. My suggestion is that you start small and keep building, using the savings to feed into bigger and bigger projects. Here are more tips and info on energy conservation. The key is to start doing something, that will help the environment and save some of your money.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Going Green Today - It's Easier Than You Think
With the economy in free fall, many people out of a job, and the approaching winter months with the accompanying high utility bills, now is a great time to consider going green. Following some simple advice can help the planet as well as help your bottom line.
There are a lot of things you can do to go green. Some things are simple and will save you a little money, other things are more involved and will save you a ton of money. It doesn't really matter if you decide to start big or small as long as you start.
I know there are people who are just worried about hanging onto their house and it seems like just too much at this point to worry about the planet. But the thing you have to remember is that one can help the other. Helping the environment can help save you a bundle on your utility bills.
Below is a list of some simple, and not so simple, things you can do to save money. Some will pay off with bigger dividends than others, but they'll all help.
1. Get your furnace inspected to make sure it's running as efficiently as possible, and don't forget to change the filters every month.
2. Install a programmable thermostat. This may not sound like a lot but it can add up big. No one wants to pay to keep their house really warm when they're not home.
3. Take advantage of the tax credit and install energy efficient windows and doors.
4. Build your own wind turbine to supply 60% of your own electricity. It only costs $200 and you don't need any special skills.
I hope this brief list has helped get you thinking. Saving money on utility bills is one great way of going green and it will save you a lot of money too. That way you and the planet both win.
There are a lot of things you can do to go green. Some things are simple and will save you a little money, other things are more involved and will save you a ton of money. It doesn't really matter if you decide to start big or small as long as you start.
I know there are people who are just worried about hanging onto their house and it seems like just too much at this point to worry about the planet. But the thing you have to remember is that one can help the other. Helping the environment can help save you a bundle on your utility bills.
Below is a list of some simple, and not so simple, things you can do to save money. Some will pay off with bigger dividends than others, but they'll all help.
1. Get your furnace inspected to make sure it's running as efficiently as possible, and don't forget to change the filters every month.
2. Install a programmable thermostat. This may not sound like a lot but it can add up big. No one wants to pay to keep their house really warm when they're not home.
3. Take advantage of the tax credit and install energy efficient windows and doors.
4. Build your own wind turbine to supply 60% of your own electricity. It only costs $200 and you don't need any special skills.
I hope this brief list has helped get you thinking. Saving money on utility bills is one great way of going green and it will save you a lot of money too. That way you and the planet both win.
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