Apartment Renter? No Problem! Here's How You Can Still Go Green

It may seem impossible to save energy when you're living in a rental apartment. After all, you only have so much control over what you can do in your space. This is often why topics on saving energy and reducing utility bills are often directed at homeowners.

Fortunately, there are ways that you can reduce your electric bill and save energy as a renter too. Check out these nifty tips on how to save energy in your apartment:


Use LED light bulbs around your apartment. LED lights may be more expensive initially, but you'll thank your past self for making the decision to purchase a box.

LED lights last significantly longer than halogen lights and don't give off as much heat. Not only does this reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses let out into the air, but it also reduces the risk of fire in your home.

Purchase a power strip.
Power strips are a great way to save energy in your apartment. By plugging most of your electronics into one place, you can turn them all off at once when you're not using them.
This can help to reduce carbon emissions as well as reducing your electricity bill. By turning off your unused electronics in one spot, you keep them from sucking energy from the wall when they're not in use.

Use fans.
A lot of an apartment's electricity goes to the HVAC system during the summer and winter months. By placing a fan in your apartment, you can keep your air conditioning or heating at a lower temperature and circulate the air with the fan.

Invest in a programmable thermostat.
If you live in an apartment where you can install your own thermostat, consider investing in a programmable thermostat. You can reduce up to 6% of the carbon dioxide emissions from your home by lowering your thermostat only two degrees during the winter. You can also keep the heating or air conditioning off while you're away from your apartment to reduce energy use even more.

Going green isn't just something homeowners can do; you can save energy in your apartment too! By making simple changes around your home, you can make your utility smaller and reduce the impact you have on the environment around you. Contact Starion Energy today with questions or energy options.

Explaining the 3 Most Common Sources of Renewable Energy

Nowadays, homeowners are looking for ways to both save on energy costs in the home while helping the environment. The best way to do so is by investing in renewable energy sources, but since there are so many available for use, it can be confusing to differentiate between all the options available to you.
So, to help prevent some of the confusion here is a short and simple guide on the different types of renewable energy that are available.

Biomass

Simply put, biomass is the breaking down of organic materials and converting them into other forms of energy. This is the most popular form of renewable energy and the focus on using biomass is to cut down on the release of carbon dioxide into the air. Across the nation, the two most common forms of biomass include:

-Biofuel: Also known as biodiesel, this oil is produced from fats and oils and is used instead of fossil fuels such as gasoline.
-Bioethanol: This fuel is created by fermenting carbohydrates found in crops such as sugarcane or corn.

Wind Power

Considered a very reliable form of renewable energy, this is the simple action of harnessing the wind to create electricity. Many utility companies prefer to use wind power as it is an incredibly consistent source of power and can be almost unlimited with the construction of wind turbines.

Solar Power

Have you ever noticed homes with large sheets of window-like panels on their roof? If so, they are utilizing solar power as an energy source. This is when you use solar cells, created by crystalline silicon that absorbs protons from the sun's heat and transfers them into electrons. Solar energy is so versatile that it can be used for anything from a small residential home to powering a massive commercial plant.

Even if you choose to utilize one of these energy sources in your home, there are still small things you can do every day that will save you money on energy costs, while helping the environment in the long run. For example, planting trees near your home! The reductions in energy use from shade trees can save up to 2.4 tons of CO2 emissions per year!

Besides planting trees and incorporating renewable energy into your home, there are plenty of ways to save energy in your home!  Some quick internet research can help you find cost effective and eco-friendly energy solutions for you and your home.

Global Monetary Experts Say Deregulation Can Be a Key to Boost Economies

Many believe in the spirit of competition and that it is the cornerstone of any healthy, free market economy. That's what the fight for deregulation of electricity markets and energy suppliers across the country is all about. By allowing competition among residents when it comes to choosing power suppliers, deregulated energy markets can help to lower prices and increase customer satisfaction everywhere it has been implemented. One of the world leaders when it comes to economics and monetary policy recently issued a statement supporting this notion. 

According to MarketWatch.com, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released their quarterly "World Economic Outlook Report" for April 2016 and one of the biggest suggestions they make is for governments to increase efforts to deregulate various industries. One that they specifically mention is energy suppliers and distribution. 

“A number of advanced economies still have significant room for further deregulation in retail trade, professional services and in a few network industries,” the IMF report reads. “Product market reforms should be implemented forcefully, as they boost output even under weak macroeconomic conditions and would not worsen public finances.” 

The IMF clarified "network" industries as air, rail and road transportation, energy distribution, telecommunications and postal services. 

In fact, despite energy usage being at an all-time high (it was 13 times greater in 2013 than in 1950 in the U.S.), it's fair to wonder if energy industry deregulation has already helped to decrease the cost of generating electricity. According to the Edison Electric Institute, the cost of generating electrons currently accounts for less than half of the price of electricity, compared to 1995 when it accounted for two-thirds.