Green Planet and Me

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As discussed in our wind energy article, switching over to wind energy grants numerous benefits. However, there are many things one should consider before determining which wind turbine is the most appropriate for his needs. Ideally, one could buy a wind turbine system which can be set up and would require very little maintenance for a long period of time.

 
There following are attributes that need to be considered:

 

1. Power requirements: it is important to evaluate your house’s power requirements. Generally speaking, the bigger the blades, the greater the power they generate. While smaller turbines require less space (and may be more appropriate for people with less land to use), they are not as efficient as the larger ones and also require constant maintenance. If you live in a small place and have modest energy requirements, getting a large wind turbine - even if it is a good option in other respects - may not be ideal for you.
   

2. Average wind speeds in your area: the power that a wind turbine can potentially generate directly depends on wind speeds in the area it will be placed in. Before buying a wind turbine, go to the US Department of Energy’s website and look for the ‘Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’ section which provides information on wind availability for various regions of the country. If you reside in an area with weak winds, then a wind turbine may not be suitable for your needs.
   

3. Quality: Since wind turbines can potentially be used for a long, long time, it is essential that the one that is picked requires as little repair and maintenance as possible. Thus, getting a high quality product may be expensive in the short term but not in the long term.
   

4. Manufacturer warranty: as stated, since wind turbines can be potentially used for a lifetime, it is important to pick one that has a long warranty. Furthermore, when a manufacturer offers warranty for a long period of time, it often means that it is highly confident of the quality of its product.
   

5. Brand name: as is always the case when purchasing a product, certain brand names are known to be good unlike product names no one has heard of. Therefore, it is a good idea to go through product reviews. These can be found on various forum sites, internet shops, and DIY websites. Of course, consulting a specialist can’t hurt either and may be the best thing to do considering the investment.
   

6. Advice from people who have gone through the process: nothing beats experience, and so asking the advice of people who have installed or used wind turbines can be invaluable. Forum websites can enable you to contact people whom have gone through the process. Even the best products may have issues, and no one would be more qualified to give an advice than a person who has tried to use a product – for better or worse.
   

7. Setup costs: these include wiring, structural modification to your land or roof and other fittings. This normally uses up to 10-40% of the budget, so clearly is an important consideration.
   

8. Residential usage: some wind turbines are simply too big for usage in individuals’ homes. Naturally you should only consider those that can actually be used.

 
In our next article, we will survey various types of wind turbines and who may benefit the most from them.

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Wind Turbines:

 
(1) GoGreenSolar website: despite the name (GoGreenSolar), this store has several Wind Turbines as well. Moreover, the store will help connect you with renewable energy professionals in your area, and help you get started with green energy.




 
(2) Alt Energy Store: this store has a wide variety of Wind Turbines as well as detailed information on which one might be the best for you.

 
(3) Amazon has several Wind Turbines and related items in its stock. including:

 


 

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Although going green is a noble goal worthy in its own right, and choosing this lifestyle generally helps people save money, these days it is even more worthwhile than before. Thanks to president Obama’s Stimulus Bill, going green can actually help you save a lot more money than before. It’s a win-win scenario: by going green and saving money on energy, you will be getting even more money though tax-cuts. All this while helping to save our environment - sounds like a pretty good deal to us!

 
Here is a summary of things you can do to qualify for getting this money:

1. Install energy-efficient doors, windows, insulation or roof and get 10% off or $500 tax credit.
   
    

2. Install skylights or eco-friendly exterior doors and get 10% or $200 back.
   
    

3. Install central air conditioner units, biomass stoves or energy efficient heaters and get 30% off or up to $1500 tax credit. (Get a free residential solar evaluation)
   
    

4. Buy a hybrid car and get up to $3400 refund, based on the amount of gas saved and weight of the car.
   
    

5. Install a solar-power system or a wind turbine to power your household appliances and get 30% off tax credit.
   
    

6. Install gas, propane or oil furnace or hot-water boiler, and get $150 tax credit.
   
    

7. Use mass transit instead of your own car, and get up to $230 pre-tax money per month.

 
Before making your new energy-saving home improvements make sure they are eligible for the tax cuts or credits. Also make sure you check your specific state’s tax break, as each state laws can be slightly different. And finally, you can always arrange an audit with a specialized consultant, many times also offered by the utilities department free of charge.

 

 

 

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Green Superstores: The following stores offer a wide range of products, and so, we felt we should not classify them in one specific category.

 
(1) BuyGreen.com Your Trusted Source for Green Products: this store offers everything green: from green baby clothes, green furniture, Green games to green building materials

(2) The Ultimate Green Store: your one-stop green shopping destination for home,office and everyone in the family: this store offers a wide variety of green products: for the home and garden, for the office, for babies, even green apparel.

(3) The Alternative Energy Store: this store has free educational information on renewable energy systems and great prices on solar panels and wind turbines for your home.

 

 

 
Tags used: Green baby clothing, Green furniture, Green games, Green superstores, Green Apparel, Solar Panels, Wind Turbines

 

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One great way that we are able to reduce the negative effects of reliance on fossil fuel, is through wind energy. This is a renewable and constantly available source of energy. And several ways have been created to convert this resource in to usable energy without polluting our surroundings.

 
Wind is created when the cold and warm air mix close to the earth’s surface. We can take this wind energy and convert it through the use of wind turbines. These machines create mechanical energy by capturing the vigorous force of the wind and converting through the turbine. The mechanical energy is then used to run a generator that is able to produce electricity. The entire process is a clean, non polluting, way to take an readily available resource and transfiguring it into a usable source of electricity.

 
The advantages of this resource and the ability to convert it into a useful energy for the common people and world are extensive. Wind energy can change the way things have been done for years. We have long used limited fossil fuels and continue to pay dearly for this “privilege”, as can be seen at the gas pumps. Not only is this an expensive proposition, it will come to an end one day, and if we have no other option, it will leave us with a major problem. Wind is a widely found resource that is constantly renewable as long as the sun comes up each day. It is also comparably inexpensive and its conversion does not emit toxic gases.

 
On an individual basis, we can make sure our homes are running as efficiently as possible through proper fitting, double paned windows, proper insulation and upgrading your heating and air conditioning units. Then if one desires, there is the option of owning your own small wind energy system. You will see a decrease in your monthly electric bill of 50% - 90% by installing one of these systems. There are some concerns that must be researched, however, prior to purchasing one of these systems. Do you have enough wind in your area to run one, are tall towers allowed in your neighborhood and will you be in your home long enough to reap the benefits? If you answer yes to all of the above, this maybe a green option for you.

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Back to the products section

There is a great number of eBooks that advise people on how to benefit from solar energy. I give the top 5 (in my opinion) products.

 
(1) Earth 4 Energy - Renewable Energy Solutions - Wind And Solar Power ($49.97): This eBook provides a manual and several easy to follow videos that will teach you how to start generating your own electricity for less than $200! It will literally help you save thousands of dollars on your power bill. Also includes 8 weeks of Money Back Guarantee (so no risk involved).

 
(2) Green DIY energy - Solar & Wind DIY Guides ($49.97): provides a guide that walks you step-by-step on how to utilize Solar energy by building solar panels (according to the website, even complete beginners would be able to follow these steps). Also includes 60 days of Money Back Guarantee.

 
(3) Energy 2 Green - Wind And Solar Power System ($49.99): provides a manual that walks you step-by-step on how to create electricity using Solar Power or Wind Turbines (the website claims it’s so simple even a kid could follow the instructions). Also includes 60 days of Money Back Guarantee.

 
(4) Free Energy Options - Wind & Solar Power - Renewable Energy ($48.95): provides a step-by-step manual that claims to eliminate one’s electric bill completely by utilizing wind and solar power. The product website states that zero technical skills are required. Also includes 8 Week Money Back Guarantee.

 
(5) DIY Power System ($97.00): provides a complete Do-It-Yourself affordable program that enables one to create his or her homemade Wind or Solar Electricity Generators, hand made batteries and bio-diesel (that could run a vehicle). Also includes 60 day Money Back Guarantee.