Steps for Going Green Painlessly

Do you want to save money on energy or live more sustainably but do not want to spend money?

We have great news: Much of what you can do is either free or low cost and can pay for itself if not immediately, then in mere months.

Here are some suggestions in order of expense with links to the appropriate blog pages:

Save money on the energy you already use by finding the lowest cost provider. We also can audit your utility bills and find you possible refunds.

In case you were concerned about how your local distribution utility (LDC) would react, you should watch this news report about how BG&E reacted to one of their customers who switched suppliers.

2. Lease, but don’t buy solar electric panels. Our zero-down lease is designed to make your monthly solar lease payments cost less than the electricity you buy, and as the cost of electricity increases through the years, your costs remain constant so you save even more. Plus, your system will be monitored and maintained with a performance guarantee. Zero-down and monthly savings on power means an instant improvement in cash flow – that’s better than FREE!

3. Monitor your energy usage. As this case study demonstrates, just being aware of how your energy is being used can help you save hundreds of dollars per year. However, the commercial meter discussed in the article is expensive overkill. Most residences and small businesses are better served using the Google Power-enabled TED family of energy monitors like the one to the right:

4. Retrofit your air conditioner with an inexpensive water misting system to help it exchange heat more efficiently. This inexpensive device can pay for itself in a single summer of use and you can install the misting system yourself in less than 1 hour. Sample savings calculations are shown at: Cool-n-Save Water Mister

5. Implement these various cheap tips from an old CNN article. Some of them cost less than $ 10 and will pay for themselves in a month or two.

6. Save water to save money with various home fixes shown at this site. In Maryland, Howard County’s Office of Sustainability determined that over 30% of municipal energy use goes towards pumping water, both fresh drinking water and waste water. Therefore, saving water will save energy and vastly reduce CO2 emissions. You might also want to consider a gray water recycling system which pumps your shower water back into your toilets for “one more use,” or a rainwater harvesting system, which is mostly the same equipment (on a different circuit, of course!)

7. Treat your windows. We sell a patented window treatment system which retains solar energy in the wintertime and shields your window from heat in the summer. It also insulates your windows from drafts. We bet your curtains can’t do all that!

8. Invest in a solar water heater. Solar water heaters are the most efficient solar energy products on the market, making more efficient use of the sun’s energy than a solar photovoltaic panel, at less cost per unit of power converted. With available Federal Tax credits, State grants and possibly even local government and utility incentives, including the sale of your Solar Renewable Energy Credits, the final installed cost of a solar water heater can be less than the cost of a replacement conventional (electric or gas) water heater, especially if you re-use your existing water heater as a solar water heater storage tank with the correct water heater retrofit kit.

9. Still feeling guilty? Buy Renewable Energy Credits to offset your carbon footprint with clean, made-in-the-USA wind energy. A “green indulgence!”

By Guru

11 Comments to “Steps for Going Green Painlessly”

By Jet, July 17, 2011 @ 8:36 pm

I am about 50% energy sufficient i signed up for an online course http://tiny.cc/n3azv
and have never looked back.I don’t have a lot of money and last winter was a cold one.
I knew i had to look for a cheaper way to power my home.

I built a solar power array (Diy Solar Panel setup) it save me a lot of money but i also need wind power as well.I learned how to turn an old car alternator(After a few modifications)into a wind turbine electrical generator.

If i can do it anyone can.I bet you could. http://tiny.cc/n3azv

Reply
- By Guru, July 17, 2011 @ 9:12 pm
  
  So,do you get 10 or 20 watts out of that fan? Lol.
  
  Prices for solar components are dropping but relatively predictable. Selling courses claiming you can make your own solar panels for a fraction of the price by assembling the components yourself is like claiming you can build your own Jeep Wrangler by buying the parts yourself over the internet and assembling it in your backyard.
  
  1) The sum of the parts will NOT be less than the whole product costs;
  2) You will not have a warranty or other support on the finished product;
  3) Do you really believe it is as easy as others claim it is?
  4) Do you really think you can do it right the first try without burning down your house?
  
  Under Freedom of Speech protection, people can sell any kind of book in the United States, but Buyer Beware!
  
  My suggestion: Don’t waste your money or precious time on this book or any similar “deals.”
  
  If you don’t want to put any up-front money into your own solar system, consider a ZERO-DOWN solar lease at:
  
  http://www.marylandgreenpower.com/greenpower/smart-meter/zero-down-solar-leasing-free-solar-panels/
  
  Reply
By Jenny Xuver, July 19, 2011 @ 2:56 pm

Experiences & versatile professional accustomed to work on own inactive in verity of Diciplines. Excellent Communication skill with positive and care full approch even under pressure. Looking for a dynamic organization that can provide advancement opportunities in carrer.

Reply
By Jorge Villasenor, July 23, 2011 @ 4:28 pm

Hi, I am from Mexico and would like to Know your thougths on Enigin products and distribution system. Do they work? I´m interested on selling products that would save energy, money and would make this a better world. Thanks

Reply
- By Guru, July 24, 2011 @ 10:20 am
  
  There are Enigin distributors in Guadalajara and maybe elsewhere in Mexico.
  
  Personally, I quit because I did not see much original, value-added product but a new Enigin (distributor? representative? partner? franchisee?) has taken my place in Baltimore, MD. Contact him for his opinions: +1-410-900-3576.
  
  However, you might want to consider that you can get a meter (the TED Google-connected meter) for less than 1/10 of the price of the Eniscope but with very good and sufficient metering and power logging capabilities (look for the link above), and all the other products are produced by 3rd party manufacturers (ACES is the Airco Saver, the motor controlling iMec products are produced by Emerson Electric in the USA and Fairford in the U.K., LESS occupancy sensors equivalents can be purchased from Sensorswitch in Connecticut, USA for less than 1/2 Enigin’s price, etc.) So, what are you getting from Enigin for that large investment they are asking from you?
  
  Finally, if you want some good air conditioner technologies which will work excellently in your climate, for residential applications check out the Cool-n-Save linked in the article above, or for commercial / industrial / institutional applications I HIGHLY recommend the air cooling to water cooling chiller retrofit system shown at the following link:
  
  http://www.ecosmartinc.com/catac12.php
  
  Also, the ACES (AircoSaver) can be purchased at:
  
  http://www.ecosmartinc.com/catac14.php
  
  The very effective residential air conditioner misting system can be purchased at:
  
  http://www.marylandgreenpower.com/greenstore.html
  
  (You can also join their free affiliate program and make referral profits at that site)
  
  Here are some terrific energy saving lighting technologies:
  
  http://www.ecosmartinc.com/catlite.php
  
  A variety of solar power we can sell you at wholesale prices:
  
  http://www.ecosmartinc.com/catsolar.php
  
  These products have real impact and create a better world, plus you do not have to invest money to earn a profit.
  
  Those are the facts as I see them. I hope you make the right decision and save yourself money.
  
  Reply
  - By Jorge Villasenor, August 4, 2011 @ 11:58 pm
    
    Thanks Guru for your information I ´liked the ecosmartinc website. I am looking for green products. Do you know if I partner with them they will train me? Thanks
    
    Reply
    - By Guru, August 5, 2011 @ 8:56 am
      
      Please feel free to contact Matt Ross about becoming a distributor, or just request export quotes via our website. I sent Matt your contact information.
      
      Reply
By Abhi Sheth, September 13, 2011 @ 5:40 am

Rainbow Solar – the Solar Panels consultancy is here to fill the need of providing complete information on Solar Panels in a simple and easy to understand way and give guidance as to what would be best for the individual’s home. We offer you competitive Solar Quotes so that you can take decision on buying best Solar Panels in Australia.

Reply
By Dave Goldberg, March 16, 2012 @ 12:44 am

Great article and the video on youtube is good too

Reply
By Angela Skinner, April 25, 2012 @ 10:33 pm

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Reply
By llll, May 12, 2012 @ 8:30 am

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Reply