4 Tips to Investing in Renewable Power Sources

Saving money on energy bills is important for everyone. By installing a simple and programmable thermostat, electric bills can be cut by as much as 10%. Over the past few years, more and more people have started to look to renewable energy sources for their power suppliers and as an investment opportunity. If you are interested in either option here are some tips to help you along that path. 

Tips for Renewable Energy Investment 

It is cheaper than people think. Tapping into these to get electricity is becoming easier and easier for people and power suppliers. Solar and wind panels are already being installed on homes and are being used on larger sites. India and China already use renewable energy to power some of their factories. 

Power companies are becoming leaders in using renewable energy. A growing number of companies are looking into renewable energy as a way to fend off any problems that might arise due to fluctuations in the price of power. They also see this as a way to reduce their dependence on government entities. They recognize that any power interruption will hurt their bottom line so they are taking action before governments do. 

Developing counties are where the action is. In countries like the United States, the power grid is pretty stable. The same cannot be said in large parts of the world. The constant threat of a black or brown out has lead many areas to look to renewable power suppliers. That means they are investing heavily in finding and perfecting technology used to create electricity. 

Renewable energy is popular. While some people around the planet may not be as "gung ho" about the prospect of moving from carbon based power to renewable energy sourced. In ares where power suppliers often experience is unreliable, having a backup plan is essential. People see the need for cheaper and more reliable power sources now more then ever. 

People in the United States use about 13 times the power we used in 1950. This has caused a number of new energy suppliers to come into the business of electricity procurement and distribution. This is partly due to the fact that we use appliances and devices that use a lot of power. Our beloved air conditioners can take up nearly 20% of our energy consumption. 

It may be hard for some to grasp how renewable power sources are the future of electrify; but it is imperative for companies and individuals to continue to learn more about these renewable power sources so that we can embrace the newer technologies in our homes and businesses.

Alternative Energy - Now And In The Future

Alternative energy sources such as solar and wind have become more a part of our lives as advancing technology has made them increasingly viable. Energy industry deregulation has enabled these renewable energy companies to enter the market and compete with traditional power suppliers.

But how does it affect us as individuals and consumers? As alternative electricity for your business or home becomes price-competitive, you'll begin to consider the advantages of switching over. In the meantime, there are a number of interim ways to cut your energy costs. One that has become increasingly common is the smart meter. Around 50 million smart meters of them have been installed on homes across the United States. That represents about 43% of total residences.

About 19% of your home electricity bill is the cost of air conditioning. Simply installing a programmable thermostat can reduce that expense by approximately 10% every year. Another major factor affecting how much you pay is your water heater, which accounts for 14 to 18% of your total utility bill. Try turning off its breaker when you're asleep or at work. If that results in significant savings, consider buying a water heater timer.

Usage varies by household, of course, but the average American's monthly electricity usage is 903 kilowatt hours. That translates to a bill of about $107. Before considering alternative energy sources, you'll need to know how much they will save you on an ongoing basis and how long it will take to amortize their cost of installation and/or equipment.

Over the next few years, we can expect to see increasing application of alternative energy sources as our society attempts to wean itself from the use of fossil fuels and coal to generate power. But even now, we should all endeavor to do what we can to reduce unnecessary use of electricity.

It just makes good sense, in terms of both our wallets and our environment.

How To Save Money, And The Environment With the Way You Manage Your Energy

Among the rent or mortgage payments, the exorbitant cost of food, medical, gas, car insurance, and water bills, the monthly energy bill can really get you down, especially during the winter. If you are an average American living in an average household, chances are that your monthly electric bill will cost around $107. 

The worst part is that it may seem like there is no room to cut back in this area. However, you are incorrect. There are many ways to seriously cut back on energy bills, and there is an added bonus. The less energy you use in your house, the less fossil fuels will be burned, and the better for the Earth. 

Here are a couple of easy strategies to do something good for your pocketbook and the environment: 

1. Switch to energy efficient light bulbs 

You'll be surprised how fast you make you money back after this initial investment, especially because you'll have to replace the bulbs much less regularly than regular ones. 

2. Talk to alternative electricity suppliers 

Alternative electric suppliers and energy companies try to get their energy not from the burning of fossil fuels but from things like geothermal, wind, and water power. This can help drive down prices, since they are renewable resources, and is very good for the environment. 

3. Use Your Programmable Thermostat 

You can save 10% per year on heating and cooling costs by investing in or properly using a programmable thermostat. This way, the system won't be working while your not there -- and you can program it to kick start automatically an hour before you come home, so its cozy and warm by the time you open the door 

Another great option is to install smart meters in your home. These devices measure the amount of energy used in a week so you can better keep track of your energy budget. Power companies and renewable energy companies have so far installed 50 million meters at homes across the U.S. -- that's 43% of homes overall! 

From alternative energy companies and alternative electricity suppliers for your home to small household applications like light bulbs, you can reduce your bill and footprint at the same time!

5 Reasons Deregulated Energy Markets are Best

The idea and actual practice of deregulated energy markets as alternative energy sources to traditional power suppliers "on the grid" is still relatively new in this country. 

Some would argue the restructuring began in the 1970s when the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) was passed and created a structure for independent power suppliers. However, it wasn't until 1992 when deregulated energy markets really became an institution with the passage of the Energy Policy Act. That legislation got rid of regulations on the price control of wholesale electricity. 

According to the Edison Electric Institute, the cost of generating electrons currently accounts for less than half of the price of electricity, a number that was two-thirds in 1995. Deregulated electricity has played a vital role in that. There are other reasons deregulated energy markets are best for consumers of course, and here are a few of them.

Better Customer Service: When businesses compete in the free market, a beautiful thing happens naturally: the quality of their services goes up. At least for the successful companies that is.

Possibility of Promotions and Loyalty Programs: Competing companies are constantly trying to come up with promotions and loyalty programs to attract or retain your business. Energy companies sometimes do the same thing, except when there is only one option to choose from. In deregulated energy markets, you can even switch from supplier to supplier depending on who has the best deals going on.

Renewable Energy Options: More and more people are going green. Deregulated energy markets give you the power to choose the company that offers the most sustainable option.

Easy and Efficient: Some people resist the idea of deregulation simply because they don't like change and believe switching to a new company would be a long, drawn out process. The fact of the matter is, the change over process is quick and easy. Often times you can keep the one bill from your electricity company and won't even experience any interruption in your service.

Overall Cost: Of course, the biggest and best advantage deregulation has is the lower costs that can be gained by some consumers. When businesses are allowed to compete, good things tend to happen for the buyer.