Even though a lot of people do care about the environment, the recent economic downturn has forced us to focus more on our own financial survival than saving the planet. The good news is that you can do both at the same time. You can save the planet while saving energy!

There are many ways to conserve resources, some are straightforward and trouble-free but don’t do a lot while some others will make a bigger impact but can be costly and time consuming to apply.

You can use wind power and/or solar power to provide extra electricity to your home. While it would take quite a few turbines or solar panels to supply all the electricity needed, every little bit will help.

If you’re not quite to the stage where you wish to start installing turbines and solar panels, there are still some straightforward changes you can make beginning today.

Here are a few easy to follow, simple to do, ideas:

1. Turn off lights and other electricity using appliances when not in use. Even on standby mode t.v’s and DVD players use electricity. If you are not using them for extended periods of time, just unplug them.

2. Check that all filters in your furnace and air conditioners are clean. A grimy filter cuts down on efficiency considerably which means your unit will work harder and use more electricity.

3. Use nature as much as possible. When it’s warm and there is a nice breeze, shut off the A.C. and open your windows. In the winter allow as much sunlight into your home as possible by opening curtains during the day but be sure to keep them closed in the evening to keep the cold out. m

Also, make sure to keep that sunlight out in the hot summer months.

These tips are simple, and commonsense, but they will help you with saving energy and you can start today.

To learn more about solar energy facts, or information on using a residential solar power system visit Best Solar Energy Facts for all you need to know about renewable energy

I am not making light of the recession when I say that perhaps something good will come of it. I know a lot of families are under pressure just to keep their head above water, and I feel awful for them. But the reality is that we are all learning new ways, like using wind power, to save cash.

After the economy turns around, and it will sooner or later, we can all be doing great if we keep on using the money saving habits we began using when things were troublesome.

If you want to lower your utility bills at this time, and in the future, building your own wind turbine can help. It’s a straightforward project you can easily do in a weekend.

A wind turbine is just a more high tech adaptation of a wind mill except for now we can convert the energy from the wind into electricity and store it to use at a later time.

Turbines come in different sizes and shapes, you aren’t just stuck with a huge windmill in your backyard. As a matter of fact, a lot of them can be mounted directly on your roof. Two of my neighbors have only just added them.

You can definitely build your own turbine and it won’t cost you more than a few hundred dollars. The parts, and instructions, are readily available online or off. You won’t need any special skills or knowledge either.

One small turbine probably won’t generate all the energy your household needs on a daily basis, but it can cut your electric bill significantly. Many homeowners have seen a savings of over 75%.

Using wind power to save money on your electric bill is an easy, inexpensive thing you can do starting immediately. Make it your weekend project, build your own wind turbine and begin saving on your electric bills today.

To learn more about solar energy facts, or information on using a residential solar power system visit Best Solar Energy Facts for all you need to know about renewable energy

Knowing a little bit about solar energy facts these days is becoming essential in helping to save money in your home or workplace. Here are just a few tips to help you better understand what solar energy and wind power can do for you.

With so much talk currently about using the solar power and wind to help lower, or get rid of, your electric bill you might be wondering if it’s worth all the hype. Do domestic wind turbines actually work?

The apparent advantage of using any type of renewable energy sources are that it will save you money while diminishing the negative impact on the planet.

We are becoming increasingly aware of the consequences of some of our lifestyle choices on the overall well being of our world, and we’re beginning to look for ways to change. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be difficult.

Straightforward changes can go a long way. If you have been playing with the idea of building and installing your own turbine to power your house, you couldn’t have chosen a better time.

Due to advances in technology the parts that you need to build a smaller and more effective turbine, can be bought in your local hardware store or online.

Of course you will still require a step by step, easy to follow guide that will walk you through the process, but these too are readily available either online or offline.

The materials required to build a small turbine for your home can be purchased for a few hundred dollars. Building the unit shouldn’t take more than a few days.

This little bit of time and effort can pay off big. Homeowners have used this method to lower their utility bills considerably, many by as much as 80%.

When all’s said and done, now is an exceptional time to build your own home wind turbines and help save the planet and save some of your hard earned cash. There is more than one meaning to ‘going green’!

To learn more about solar energy facts, or information on using a residential solar power system visit Best Solar Energy Facts for all you need to know about renewable energy

This year you don’t have to dread winter, well at least you won’t have to fear the high utility costs, there are numerous low-cost and simple steps you can take around your house that will help you cut energy bills.

The biggest benefit is if you take the time to make these changes the cost savings will last not only this winter but all year long and countless years to come.

You actually do have a lot of choices. Your energy savings efforts can be as big or small as you want.

Here are a few of the easiest yet most effective changes you can make right now so that you’ll be saving tomorrow:

1. The first thing you want to do is to check that your house is energy efficient. You do not want to let cold air in or warm air out. If your home doesn’t have the proper amount of insulation or if you have leaky doors and windows you are wasting a lot of money.

There are a lot of inexpensive steps you can take to fix this problem. You can add insulation, caulk around windows and doors, and install window insulation kits.

2. Now that you know your home is tight, it’s time to make sure your furnace is running correctly. Have it inspected and repaired, if that’s what you need to do. It’s crucial to make certain the furnace filters are clean so replace them monthly during the winter.

3. Take your energy needs into your own hands, literally. Build some solar panels or a wind turbine for your home. They are small enough to mount on a rooftop yet they can produce up to half of the energy you need.

This can be simpler than you believe, all you need to do is purchase a manual that will demonstrate how to construct your solar panels or wind turbine, purchase the parts, and invest some time putting it together and you’re ready to go.

Don’t panic about your utility bills this winter. Simply use one or all of these techniques and you may cut energy bills for many years to come no matter what the season.

To learn more about solar energy facts, or information on using a residential solar power system visit Best Solar Energy Facts for all you need to know about renewable energy

Getting into this winter season many families are understandably worried. It’s a difficult economy and a lot of individuals are anxious about their employment and keeping up with rising costs. However there are many cheap, or free, steps you can take to lower utility bills. Here are some of the easy, yet effective, changes you can start making today.

Number One Make certain your heating system is all set for the wintry weather. Have a capable HVAC expert check and clean your unit. Once the heating season starts make sure to change your filters monthly. If the filter is dirty it will restrict airflow which will use more energy since it has to work harder.

2. Put in a programmable thermostat. You can set it to automatically adjust the temperature at specific times of the day and specific days of the week. That way the temperature in your home will automatically go down during the day when nobody is home, or overnight. You can also set it to raise the temperature shortly before you get up in the morning.

3. Look after your fireplace. Make sure the chimney is cleaned and in good repair. If you use your fireplace more than once a week you should have it professionally cleaned yearly. What’s more add a cap or screen at the top of your chimney to keep birds from building nests.

4. Caulk around your windows and doors. The more heat loss you can prevent the less your furnace will have to run, and that will save you money all season long. Using window kits is another way to prevent heat loss from older windows.

5. By using renewable energy and wind power, (think home windmill) along with the above winterizing guidelines will more than put you in front of the game; on lowering your long term electric bills.

Now is a good time to make some easy changes that can make it easier for you lower utility bills this winter. Take a couple of minutes now to save hundreds not only this winter but throughout the year and for years to come.

To learn more about solar energy facts, or information on using a residential solar power system visit Best Solar Energy Facts for all you need to know about renewable energy