LED bulbs use about 90% less energy than traditional bulbs, and they last about 25 times longer. This is no joke, and as technology improves, so do these numbers. Consider the aggregate savings you can experience over the course of time from reduced energy costs as well from not having to replace bulbs as frequently. Think about the positive environmental effects you can achieve just by swapping over the light bulbs you use. They are easy to install and maintain, and it only takes about two or three months to recover from the initial investment in most cases.

You don’t need to invest in a lot of retrofitting or other expensive modifications, and the transition can begin as soon as new bulbs are installed. Working with the right consultant, vendor, supplier or retailer can connect users with more savings as well. This is definitely a winning opportunity that any property owner should consider, and the annual savings can be remarkable. As people and businesses look for ways to help save the environment, this is an easy solution that requires minimal investment or time.

LED bulbs are being installed in buildings around the world, and their quality is identical, if not better than traditional bulbs. Investing now can begin to introduce savings that can span decades.  Factories, schools and public buildings have all been introducing LED systems over the last few years and the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. This is a reliable and efficient option that is saving people tons of money while creating a more comfortable environment to work, study and live in. Let not forget the massive impact on carbon emissions you can make just by swapping light bulbs.

Take the first step and discover how you can find the perfect LED light bulbs for your particular needs for prices that are surprisingly reasonable. You can stop replacing bulbs and throwing money out the window simply by upgrading your lights to include LED. This technology is here to stay, and it will only get better over the course of time. Whether you want to replace home lighting, ceiling or lobby lights or you want to upgrade your elevators, entry, stairwell or emergency systems, using LED bulbs provides better light for less money, and at a smaller environmental cost.

Do your research to make sure you are getting the best prices available by going to your local hardware store as well as searching the internet for the best deals. Make sure to work with a retailer who can provide your home or building with the best solutions, and you can save more money and get started on this project today. Whether you are going to change bulbs one by one or do everything at one time, each old bulb you discard and replace will lead to more comfort, money in the bank and a better future for your children.

Based on your average energy usage, you can choose from several residential wind turbines, and power your home through 100% clean and renewable energy. 

Renewable Energy Source: In comparison to other energy forms, wind energy is 100% clean, green and renewable. The wind turbines are designed to capture energy from wind and convert the energy into electricity. So your home can be powered with electricity generated from independent and natural energy resources available in plenty.

Small and Portable Equipment: A homeowner can always decide the design and size of the wind generator based on his average energy usage. Most of these residential wind turbines are much smaller than satellite dishes. So the hardware can be installed irrespective of the size and structure of your property. However, the turbine must be installed at a location, where it can capture a huge amount of wind regularly.

Lower Energy Cost: As per the information released by the U.S. Department of Energy, the cost of generating wind energy is almost equal to the cost of starting a coal plant. But the wind turbine will generate electricity over a many years without incurring any operational expenses. Also, the portable wind turbines can help you in reducing your monthly energy bills, along with providing a green alternative to electricity and fossil fuel.

No Environmental Pollution: Unlike some other energy generators, the wind turbines do not cause any harm or damage to our environment. Also, the turbines generate energy without any emission. So your family can use 100% clean and green energy throughout the year without contributing towards global warming. Many homeowners even encourage their friends and neighbors to start generating and using wind energy to save the planet.

Help the Society: You can consider using wind power to benefit the society and economy. With more and more people installing wind power generators, a substantial decrease will be noted in the oil imports. At the same time, the wind energy generation will further provide a sustainable income source to many families and small business owners. Further, the amount of funds saved by homeowners by reducing electricity usage will contribute towards promoting savings and investments.

When you decide to install wind power generators at your home, you have to invest funds in buying and installing the hardware. But a wind turbine will power your home through green energy over a longer period of time, without requiring frequent maintenances and operational expenses.

Contented by Alekogreenenergy.com

In this post week look ahead to the technologies, techniques and groundbreaking green innovations that are expected to alter the future of energy usage on our planet.

Solar Towers

Most solar-powered electricity is generated using solar panels, which are assemblages of photovoltaic cells used to directly produce electricity for commercial and residential use, but an important technology for the future will be solar towers. These constructions use an array of mirrors to direct sunlight at a tower, creating a solar furnace to boil water or liquid sodium to power turbines and generate electricity.

There are several existing examples of solar towers around the world including those at Jülich in Germany, the PS10 near Seville in Spain and Sierra Sun Tower in the United States. Several more are due to be completed in 2013 such as Ivanpah Solar Power Facility and Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, both in the United States, which are designed to be much more productive and efficient than the solar towers that are currently operating.

Artificial Photosynthesis

The future of energy production looks certain to feature solar power, but exactly how the power of sun will be captured presents a selection of interesting alternatives. One of the most attractive is the possibility of artificial photosynthesis – copying the natural process that plants and other organisms use to capture the power of sunlight to create energy. In the natural world photosynthesis occurs in various ways, but in general terms plants use carbon dioxide and water in a sunlight-powered chemical reaction that produces sugar and oxygen.

Humanmade photosynthesis is something of a scientific holy grail – the process could result in much more efficient and productive energy than our current solar-powered energy – but already encouraging developments are taking place. Companies such as Joule Unlimited have produced processes that closely replicate photosynthesis to create fuel and electronics giant Panasonic has invested heavily in photosynthesis technology. 2013 could well be the year that this form of green fuel tech really takes off.

Algae Biofuel

Biofuel is recognized as a real alternative to using fossil fuels to power cars and other vehicles, but the problem is that most biofuel has so far been made using corn ethanol. Using corn to produce this fuel is relatively inefficient and uses agricultural land and crops which could arguably be better used to feed people and livestock.

The new alternative to fossil fuels and corn-based biofuel is algae biofuel. Algae can be grown in tanks exposed to the sunlight – meaning much less land is used than in growing corn; the process employs waste water and is much less harmful if spilled than fossil fuels. Once the algae has grown it can be burnt to power engines. Although the burning process releases CO2, unlike burning fossil fuels this CO2 has been captured from the atmosphere by the growing algae so has far less impact on climate change.

Algae Food

Another extremely useful way that green technology can harness the power of algae is in food production. Feeding the world’s booming human population is a major problem – but algae could provide the solution. As with algae fuel the organisms can be grown in land-efficient tanks of waste water, used to make fats, oils and sugars or provide fertilizer and animal feed in agriculture, and the process offers the added bonus of fixing CO2 from the atmosphere thus helping reduce greenhouse gases.

Green IT

As we depend more and more on digital technology for all aspects of our lives and work the importance of green IT, also known as ICT sustainability, is a growing concern. In the coming years the way that computers, servers, information systems and other computing technology is produced, used and disposed of will be increasingly focussed on the principles of green technology.

Along with ensuring that we use sustainable materials and processes for making computers, developers are producing software that guarantees that these machines are running efficiently, programs that work in the background to reduce energy requirements and maximise output while reducing environmental impact.

Recycling e-Waste

A key element of green IT is recycling e-waste: reusing the materials, plastics and precious metals that are contained in our computers, phones, tablets and other digital technology.

The rapid turnover of technology as these items are updated and become obsolete means that there is a growing scrap heap of e-waste, and in the coming years our techniques for recycling these materials will become ever-more important in environmental efficiency.

Alex Morris is a writer for a printer inks firm in Manchester, England. Our ink cartridges are fully recyclable and we encourage green practices throughout our business, including using plant based washing up liquid. There’s no need for superfluous chemicals.

Spending Time Looking Around

Most people tend to fall for the installation advice that their solar system sales associate might give them but you do not have to consider it very seriously. This is because while the sales associate might know exactly how the system works for you, he or she might not have professional skills of installing the entire mechanism.

Insurance and Licensing

It is very important for the solar installation company you choose to have insurance for all of their installers. They should also have the required licensing in the particular state in which they operate because in case there is any accident while installing your solar system, you will not be held liable.

Accreditation from a local body like North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is essential because you are guaranteed of the level of skill and reliability of solar installers. In case the company is not accredited by such a body, they need to be able to prove that they have been working for at least three years. Try getting feedback from their previous clients to find out their level of satisfaction with the installation procedure.

Other Factors to Consider

Another thing to consider before you decide the deal with a solar installation company is whether they are comfortable installing the brand of solar system that you have purchased. The installer should have experience installing such a brand before and if you can find someone who does, then they are definitely a better option for you.

It is extremely important to meet with the team of your solar installers before you finalize anything; make sure you especially talk to the people who will be doing the physical work. Are they confident with the equipment and the location where the system is to be installed? Are they comfortable answering your questions and do they seem like professional and experienced people? There is a lot that you can judge from the body language and information that they provide to you.

Many people who don’t invest this time searching around often end up with possible injuries and liabilities, malfunctioning equipment, rocky operation of the solar system and very little value of your investment. A good way of finding a company is to ask around from friends, family members and co-workers who have a solar system in their home. If multiple customers can provide happy testimonials of the work, the solar installers did then that is one of the strongest points.

What Are Solar Panels?

A solar panel is a collective of photovoltaic cells (solar cells) that are connected to a solar energy system in order to produce electricity. A solar cell is able to create electricity when exposed to direct light, through the photovoltaic effect. The number of panels you need to install in your home, office or other building depends on your average monthly energy consumption, as well as what type of solar panels you decide to use. The main types are as follows:

• Monocrystalline Silicon panels- these panels are the best quality available presently and they have and excellent rate of efficiency. This means that they cost slightly more as well, but this will pay off as you will probably need less of them than other types anyway.
• Polycrystalline Silicon panels- these are only marginally less costly than the previous category and have a lower silicon content. Apart from that they perform quite well in warmer temperatures and have an equally long life, that is 25 years.
• Amorphous Silicone Panels- these are the least efficient kind of panel, but they are inexpensive and suitable for use in large numbers. They are not as long lasting as crystalline panels though.

Optimize the Use of Solar Panels

When making the choice of solar panels MA, it is not simply enough to make the purchase and install them. There are a few steps you can take to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of benefit from your investment, such as:

• Replacing ordinary appliances with solar powered or at least energy efficient ones. This will make sure that you effectively cut down on your costs and also do not put too much strain on your home solar system.
• Improve the insulation and natural ventilation of your house, to cut down on HVAC costs.
• Place your solar panels on a south facing wall or roof, where they can absorb the maximum amount of sunlight and therefore, work to their fullest potential.
• Assess the amount of solar radiation you receive in your area ad decide upon the type and number of solar panels accordingly.

These factors, coupled with the most minimum maintenance and upkeep will secure your investment in solar energy for the long haul.

Save On Your Energy Bill

Despite the expensive nature of solar energy systems initially, they earn back their worth in terms of savings in the long run. You will be able to avoid increasing energy costs, as you will have an independent source. Moreover, if you save the considerable amount of surplus energy produced by solar cells, you can use it at any time and not be subject to power outages or shortfalls either. On the other hand, if you opt for a grid-tied system, you can benefit from selling the surplus energy from your solar panels MA to the utility company.

It’s getting cheaper

If there’s one way to encourage people to switch energy resources at this time, it has to be lower costs. Everyone is looking for ways to cut back in this tough economic climate, and the good news is it’s getting more affordable to choose solar power. Lower costs all began with the lack of subsidies – and lack of demand – in recent years, meaning manufacturers had to make their products cheaper to attract consumers. This was coupled with the fact the technological advancements are making it easier, and cheaper, to produce solar tech. Increased competition has also encouraged lower prices, with western solar providers having to meet the low cost of China and other low cost manufacturers. Solar power is now at a cost level that is similar to other alternative energy sources which can only be good for the whole sector in the long term.

It’s getting easier

It used to be the case that only those with excessive savings and a lot of green knowledge could get their hands on solar panels; but more and more renewable energy providers are popping up and providing everything you need to run your home in an eco-friendly manner. It’s never been easier to get to grips not only with the benefits of solar, but to understand how to set-up within your home enjoy the financial rewards too.

It’s getting better

Not only is solar power getting cheaper and easier to use, solar power cell production is getting more efficient, making your investment more worthwhile. Solar panels are being produced to a higher standard in terms of lifespan and energy efficiency, improving the future of solar energy exponentially – this will only get better still. In particular scientists are working on using hot wires in place of the existing plasma-CVD process, though that won’t mean much to the average solar panel user!

It’s getting prettier

Of course alongside the scientific advancements of solar panels there are aesthetic improvements, attractive to those with an eye for design. Whilst solar panels can appear somewhat as an eyes-sore, advancements have seen the first solar technology that looks like a pane of glass. These breakthrough transparent designs provide new possibilities in solar power technology; perhaps the homes of the future will have solar panel windows? Still in their infancy, glass-like panels are sure to find a place in modern energy solutions of the future.

There is certainly a future for the solar industry and time will only tell how big this future is. As time progresses we will have no poption but to turn to energy sources that dont rely of fossil fuels.

This article was provided as a guest post by R.A. Labone Plastic Injection Moulding who provide parts to the solar industry.

• Solar candle: It looks similar to the real and genuine candle. You can charge these candles by keeping them in sunlight. By using natural solar energy the device gets charged up. This reduces your electricity charges. They can provide enough lighting for the home. If you are looking for an eco-friendly home device which gives bright light to your home then solar candle is the right choice for you.
• Powered H2O shower radio: This smart radio is embedded into the shower and it is proved to be eco-friendly product which doesn’t harm the environment. It is made up of hydrodynamics which automatically generates the desired energy. The generated energy charges the battery which is popularly known as on-board batteries.
• Remote control Leopard: To save energy reduces the usage of electrical remotes and batteries. Technology introduced solar mechanical remote controls. This remote gets charged up by the room lights and by using the sunlight.
• Bedol water mechanical clock: This excellent watch works by using the natural resource of earth i.e. Water. Using salty water, electrodes generate electricity. This eco-friendly home gadget is available in different shapes and sizes. Select the one which comes within your budget.
• Eco cleanser: This is a powerful device which gives clean and fresh look to your dishes. It works by using the ultra-sonic waves and ionizes the food present on the dishes.
• Solar Gas Furnace: This is an effective gas furnace which offers numerous benefits to the users. It is one among the popular green product which helps in green living.
• Light bulbs: If you are thinking to replace light bulbs, opt for a fluorescent light bulb. This helps in preventing the greenhouse gases.
• Paints: If you are planning to renovate your home think about the green home paints. Select the best quality paints that are free from formaldehyde, non-crystalline silica, free from acetone that has low VOC. Make sure that you check these elements before purchasing paints which contributes to a green environment
• Kitchen countertops: Buy the kitchen countertops that are made from recycled materials. Counter tops which are made from glass will be 100% recycled.
• Eco-friendly building products: Use sustainable building products for your home. For instance select wood materials. Timber is proved to the best green material which doesn’t harm the environment.
• Battery charger: opt for the rechargeable battery which doesn’t release harmful gases into the environment.
• Battery free flashlight: This is a handy device which is useful in case of power outage. You can not only save money but can contribute to an eco-friendly environment.
• Solar products: If you are looking to save your electricity bills then switch to the energy efficient eco-friendly solar products. There are different solar appliances for your home like solar water heaters , ovens, cookers, PV modules etc. Make your home green by purchasing these equipments.

Author Bio : Hey All! I’m Lucy. I like adventures and love to travel .Coming to my professional life, I work as a ppi claims agent at a reputed organisation in Manchester.

Seventeen states, including the District of Columbia, have introduced electric utility “retail choice” programs that allow for end consumers to choose from a number of competitive retail suppliers. Here’s a short overview on how these programs work.

Benefits for the consumer.

The principal benefit of the program for end consumers is that, while customers in regions monopolized by one large utility company must pay not only for their electricity based on out-dated models and legacy cost structures, retail choice allows for competing companies to offer better pricing options and service to the consumer. Customers who live in the seventeen states (not including the District of Columbia) which allow for retail electric choice have access to better pricing due to wholesale utility prices that are rapidly falling (partially due to reduced demand), and prices for natural gas that have fallen dramatically in recent years.

How successful is it?

According to the Energy Information Administration, participation rates among consumers are still relatively low in these states. However, this does not mean that take-up of the program has been unsuccessful. There has been a substantial rise in the number of consumers who now buy power from retail marketers, especially in the last few years. This has brought about a “snowball effect” that should prompt more states to bring about retail choice. Between 2008 and the end of 2011, the number of customers who obtained their electric utility from a retail marketer grew by around 53%.

Also, in these seventeen states, which include New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, California, Oregon, and Montana, a majority of commercial companies now obtain their electricity from a competitive supplier. Industrial consumers are also big customers with competitive suppliers. Industrial and business consumers use vastly more electricity than everyday consumers, so it is unsurprising that the program has initially been more successful with these customers.

What Electricity Retail Choice Means for You.

Retail competition has many benefits for the end consumer: you are able, for instance, to choose the electric supplier that meets your needs. Business customers also benefit, because suppliers have the ability to choose a plan tailor-made for the company’s particular needs. Most importantly, any consumer has the choice to “vote with their feet” if they are unsatisfied with their electricity utility supply company. Due to the fact that companies are now competing, the needs of consumers supply an impetus for a move toward a greater variety of products and services, and better service in general. There is a particular emphasis on innovation and the drive for more environmentally-friendly offerings, because this is what the consumer wants. Competition allows for better pricing, as well, not old-fashioned costs determined by an entrenched monopoly.

Electricity retail choice has been very popular in Texas, where Dallas based direct seller of energy Stream Energy is a popular competitor in its market. Participation is also growing in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. In states where retail choice has not taken off, or where the response has been lukewarm, this can often be explained by the fact that State regulators often set the price extremely low for consumers who do not choose a competitive supplier, meaning that the competitive supplier cannot compete.

Electric retail choice programs depend on the vagaries of your particular state’s regulatory utilities, and the health of the competition that is available. However, it is worth doing the research. If a competitor is available, you are the one who stands to benefit.

Natasha Risinger is a community organizer. She writes mainly on subjects that matter to everyday people for a variety of websites.

However, there is one energy saving trick that many people are still not aware of and that is fitting tap and shower aerators. They are relatively cheap to buy, can be fitted in minutes and save a huge amount of water and power.

How Eco Shower Heads Work

The principle is simple. They are designed to reduce the flow of water. Using less water means lower water bills, but it also means lower power bills too. If the water that is passing through the shower is hot water, which it usually is, using less of it means that less water needs to be heated.

Eco shower heads, suck in air and mixes that air with the water that is flowing from the mains. The water and air combined is what is pushed out from the showerhead. They produce powerful jets of water. The additional air can actually produce a more powerful jet of water than normal.

How Much Eco Shower Heads Could Save

The cost savings are surprisingly high. The majority of the saving comes from lower power bills because less water needs to be heated up. The amount of water saved varies, but typically, it is between 45% and 60%.

The majority of current users are hotels and bed and breakfast owners, so most cost saving figures reflect this. For example, a 100-bedroom hotel can save around £9,490 per year. They save over 2.6 million litres of water, and because they have to heat less water save around 23 tonnes of carbon per year. These figures are based on each room occupant spending an average of 6 minutes in the shower. This is for hand held showerheads with a normal flow. For showers with a heavier flow rate the savings are even higher.

For homeowners the savings are obviously less. However, for a four-person family the savings are still over £180 per year. Given that, these showerheads cost from £30 each it only takes a few months for them to pay for themselves.

Eco Shower Heads are Easy to Install

It used to be difficult to install an Eco showerhead. Some of the earliest models came with a mini pump to draw air in and mix it with the water. You also needed to have good pressure to be able to install one. Today, things are much easier.

All of the necessary mechanics are built into the showerhead itself. To fit them usually all you have to do is to unscrew the existing showerhead from the shower hose or water pipe and screw the new one into place. It takes minutes and is a job that practically anyone can do. Some models even work where there is low water pressure.

Sourcing the Best Eco Shower Heads

When buying Eco shower heads it is important to buy high quality heads. Buying the cheap ones is a false economy. The best ones can be bought from firms that sell to the hotel trade. They have to sell high quality equipment because it gets heavily used.

Firms like Save Money Cut Carbon that specialize in selling products that are designed to help you to save power and reduce your emissions are also a good source of high quality Eco shower heads.

Here are 7 ways you can help save the planet:

1) Use a Travel Mug

If you’re like most people, it can be tricky to get through the day without buying at least one cup of coffee. If you purchase one hot beverage every day for five days a week, that’s 260 paper or Styrofoam cups and plastic lids that will end up in the landfill.

Fortunately, you don’t have to cut down on your extra hot, no foam, soy vanilla lattes. Just bring a travel mug for the barista to make your beverage in. Most coffee shops promote customers bringing in their own mugs by offering a few cents off the drink.

2) Skip the ATM Receipts

When withdrawing money from an ATM, resist hitting “Yes” when it asks if you’d like a receipt. For a lot of people, the receipts either immediately go in the garbage, or end up as litter on the ground. One study showed that if each person in the United States didn’t take a receipt, it would save enough paper to go around the earth over 15 times.

3) Collect Rain Water

Use a rain barrel to collect rain water to use for watering your plants. They aren’t expensive and often come with a spout to easily get the water out. You can maximize the amount of water you are getting by placing it under a downspout.

Homeowners could save upwards of 1500 gallons of water during the summer months, just by using a rain barrel.

4) Install a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless Water Heaters can save up to 50% in energy savings because they don’t store 40-60 gallons of water that has to stay hot, even when you’re not using it, so it’s immediately hot when you turn on the tap.

5) Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

There are so many harmful chemicals in manufactured cleaning supplies and detergents that only end up down the drain and eventually into our water supply. They can also be harmful to our immediate health because of toxic fumes.

Instead, you can easily make your own cleaning solutions and laundry detergent with simple ingredients found in your local stores such as vinegar and baking soda. There are many green recipes found online.

6) Embrace a Paperless Office

With all the tools that are available online in terms of storage, email, document sharing, why print out that report at all? Save the paper and distribute all of your correspondence online.

7) “Green” Up Your Home

Houses that are built in the shade require less air conditioning so plant trees along-side your house to keep your home cooler in the summer, reducing your a/c usage.

You might even go as far as installing “green roofing” – planting grass on your roof. Not only does this again help to insulate against the heat, but it helps to insulate against the cold. Hot air rises and the grass helps to prevent the hot air from escaping during those cold winter months.

The planet is a living, breathing thing and unfortunately, it slowly seems to be dying. Humans have taken advantage of our earth for too long and we need to all do our part to save it.

What innovative things do you do to help save the planet?

By: Kole for Ice Melters