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.

DIY Wind Power - What You Need To Know

Most of us are looking for ways to save money and if you have been around for a while you know that the DIY route is often the best. The key is getting the right information, before you start. If you have heard about wind power, then this article might be for you. I will briefly explain what wind power is and what a wind turbine can and cannot do.

It might seem obvious but a wind turbine is a simple devise that converts energy from wind into electricity which can then be used immediately or stored for later use.

This technology has developed in recent years and most suggest that this will continue to advance and make this process even more efficient in the years to come. However, even now the process is efficient enough to allow this form of energy to be used for households, and the excess fed back into the power grid.

This new technology is beginning to catch on and a few people who have installed their own wind turbines have seen significant savings on their utility bills. These savings will continue to grow!

Commercial sales and installation are now available, but the prices tend to be prohibitive. However, if you have a few basic DIY skills, you can build and install a small turbine at your home very cost effectively, with most of that cost being recovered in the first year.

There are now a range of manuals available on the internet that you can buy that will walk you through the process of building your own turbine and you don't need any special skills or knowledge.

The parts you need to build your own turbine can be purchased at any hardware store for less than $300. The whole assembly process will take anywhere from a few days to a week depending on how much time you can devote to the project everyday.

All in all DIY wind power is a great way for you to save money on your utility bills as well as have the feeling of pride and independence that comes from doing something yourself and saving the environment as a bonus.

Cut Energy Bills Now

Every season has its challenges, and every year the utility bills keep rising. Don't be one of those people who talk about changes but never get around to doing anything. As they say, doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity!

The reality is I can't help you earn more money, but I can give you some suggestions about how to cut energy bills. There are many things you can do, some are big, expensive options which will give a high return, while other projects are smaller and easier, but these will give more limited returns.

The best approach is probably to combine both types of projects, starting with the small, and investing the money saved into increasingly bigger projects. That way you get the maximum savings staggered over a longer time period, without the pain of big setup costs.

Some of the smaller projects include adding a programmable thermostat which will help both during summer and winter, caulking around windows and doors, and turning off electrical equipment that is not being used.

These are simple and inexpensive things you can easily do and while they won't save you a great amount these new habits will save you money and teach your family the need to be more responsible with energy use. The key is to channel these savings into bigger projects.

Some of the bigger projects include:

1. Adding insulation to your attic and ceiling space. This will drastically reduce the amount of warm air that is lost during winter and increase the efficiency of your cooling during summer.

2. Replace old, drafty windows and doors with newer energy efficient models. Double glazing is expensive but here are easier and cheaper ways to achieve the same end.

3. Build your own wind turbine. This technology is now available for domestic use and if you get enough wind, saves you heaps. Some sources suggest this can be done for $300 with a few basic skills and a couple of weekends to invest!

Some of the projects on this list may even make you eligible for a tax credit of up to $1,500.

The bottom line is this: it doesn't matter if you choose to make big changes or small changes as long as you make changes. By investing some time and a little money you can cut energy bills not only this winter but for many years to come.

Electricity From Wind - What Do I Need?

As the political debate heats up it seems that there are very few options if we want to stay environmentally sensitive, and save money. Solar and wind energy are the obvious choices. So, if you want to get electricity from wind and save some money, this article is for you.

Using wind power is hardly a new concept. Man has utilized the power of the wind for thousands of years, designing wind mills that do everything from grinding wheat to pumping water.

The difference is that now we have technology that can convert wind energy to electrical energy more efficiently than ever before. We now have the ability to choose whether to store the electricity we create for later use, or feed it back into the commercial grid.

The key to using wind power to generate electricity is the wind turbine. The commercial variety are giant three finned windmills that stretch for kilometers following natural ridge lines to catch the most wind. This technology has now been downsized for domestic use.

The internet offers a wide range of turbines, some free standing while other models fit on your roof. The fact is when you cut down on the size you also cut down on the electricity producing capacity. Another factor that must be appreciated is that some areas do not get enough consistent wind to make it viable.

Most experts suggest that if you get consistent wind you can generate enough electricity from an average sized turbine to at least cut your electricity bill in half. What is more those savings will continue for years to come which means it can really add up to a significant amount of money.

The obvious drawback is the setup costs. An off the shelf turbine IS expensive, especially if you have to get it professionally installed as well. But, you don't have to be a professional to build your own wind turbine. Some simple tools, a good design purchased off the net, and you can get most of the parts at any electrical hardware store for around $300. Then all you need is some time to put it together, with most suggesting that you can do it in a couple of weekends.

Thus, for a relatively small investment of time and money you could build your own wind turbine and save yourself a lot of money while getting electricity from wind and lowering your carbon footprint. How cool is that?

Tips On How To Cut Energy Bills

As the temperatures rise here in Australia, the bush fire risk goes up and so does my power bill. The air conditioning unit seems to stay on almost permanently, the pool pump hums continually and the kids stand in front of the open fridge trying to work out what they want! In the aftermath of the global economic crisis, I am coping but I'm always looking for helpful hints to reign in my electricity costs.

My research tells me there are lots of things I can do. Try these for starters:

1. The pool is a great way to stay cool in summer, but it would be much better if I could use it for longer and it didn't cost me any more. So I'm looking at getting a solar system for heating the water to give me a longer swimming season. Then by using an insulated pool blanket I can reduce the heat loss.

2. Leaks around windows and doors are an issue both in summer and winter. By using some expandable foam and/or caulking compound I can cut down on heat loss during winter, and heat getting in during summer.

3. Water heaters seem to chew up a lot of energy. Consider lowering the temperature on the thermostat and/or increasing the insulation around it so the heat doesn't escape as quickly. Solar hot water services are also a proven way to reduce your bill.

4. My family seems to want the house to stay nice and cool even when they are not in it! The way around this is to use a programmable thermostat so you can choose when to heat and cool your home, so that you are not wasting energy when you are not there.

5. Add insulated curtains or blinds to your windows to regulate the temperature. During winter keep your blinds open during the day to let the sun in and warm things up and close them at night to keep the cold out. During summer do the opposite! Just learning new habits will save you money!

6. Consider acquiring a humidifier. You will find that ultra dry air feels colder than moist air so you can actually turn your thermostat down a little and add moisture and you will still feel comfortable while using less power. But this is not much help during summer.

7. Instead of just trying to minimise use, maybe it is time to think about building your own wind turbine to generate your own electricity. Some sources quote that it only costs $200 to $300, you need just a few basic skills, and it can be done in a couple of weekends. Depending on how much wind you get you can drastically reduce your usage.

8. Another use of solar energy is to use it not just to heat water but also to generate electricity, so that when it is not windy you still have power that can be used straight away or stored in batteries.

So, what is stopping you from starting to do something now to cut your electricity bills? Another bonus: all these measures are good for the environment, so don't put it off any longer.