About Green Energy
It’s an international hot topic: global warming and climate change. It’s affecting everything from unusual weather to animal species endangerment.
Everyone loves using their cars, microwaves, portable devices like smartphones, and other life-enhancing technology, but often, these items are being used at the cost of the environment. It is possible however, to power life without damaging planet Earth. It’s about green energy and doing Earth-Day stuff … every day.
Utilizing green energy isn’t opportunity to use more energy than needed. Turning off lights when leaving a room or donning a sweater instead of turning up the heat remain a plus. Green energy is cheaper, but it’s still best to save energy when and wherever possible. Let’s explore …
Other Green Energy Practices:
- Close the fridge. Interestingly, refrigeration consumes about a third of a household’s total energy. So, constantly leaving the fridge/freezer open can increase the energy needed by up to 25%. They make them now with see-into door panels to avoid holding the door open for options decision-making (yogurt or pudding or …?). Most of us, however, still have solid refrigerator doors. Try to know what you want before opening the refrigerator/freezer.
- Get ‘gassy’ in the home. If possible, consider switching electric or oil heating to gas. Gas heating is more efficient and so better for the environment (and your bottom line). Note: this is not a DIY project. Switching to gas is a complicated job requiring a skilled expert.
- Shut it down. Finished with work for the day? Turn off your home office equipment (computer, printer, etc.). Although smaller and sleeker, these modern technologies still consume a lot of energy, even when not in use. Taking the initiative to shut them down completely saves energy (and money).
- Get ‘electrified’ on the road. Hybrid or fully electric vehicles are better than fuel (emissions) for the environment but explore this avenue/option only if practical: you need a new vehicle, the option is within budget.
- Practices not necessarily ‘green energy’ but definitely eco-friendly:
- Recycling
- Canvas/Paper, not plastic. Cut as much disposable plastic from your everyday life as possible.
Here Comes the Sun
You’ve heard about them, undoubtedly seen them on a rooftop or two: solar panels. Solar panels, of course, use the sun for renewable energy, powering entire homes. Costs for solar panels vary according to a variety of factors: brand, type (sophistication), wattage. An online review will reveal solar panels for sale. It’ll take further research, however, to find the best deals. Prices are based either per panel or per set of panels but expect to pay in the thousands for them—and there are related tax incentives. Internet research will also allow the chance to consider solar panels in relation to geographical location, a grid or stand-alone system, and so on.
Should you decide to invest in this green energy venture, good for you. But be advised: for the average ‘Joe’/’Jane,’ installing solar panels isn’t a DIY project, either. This is not the time to scrimp on labor costs. Again, solar panels cost tens of thousands of dollars. Offers for huge discounts resulting in much less than that are suspect. Therefore, check the credentials of businesses with solar panels for sale.
Generally, good solar panels cost between $7 and $9 per watt. At this price, the quality is pretty high for both mono and poly-crystalline structures. For thin film panels with flexible features, expect to pay a great deal more.
In book three of my series, Broken Benevolence, main character, Cecily Brooks, is environmentally conscious. Whether listening to music, cooking a feast, driving cross-country, or working on a computer, exploring and utilizing ways to do all of it in an environmentally responsible way is admirable. Every little bit helps when doing what’s best for the environment and, by osmosis, others around you—including Mother Earth.
