The Undeniable Benefits of Solar Energy

Over the past years, solar energy technology has evolved immensely. More people are using solar energy than ever -- which is a good thing because each year, 75 million barrels of oil are saved by those utilizing solar energy. But despite all the good solar energy and green energy services offer, people still aren't quite sure if solar energy is worth the investment. Well, we're here to tell you that it definitely is, and here are just a few reasons why.

It's good for the environment: This is one of the most obvious benefits of solar energy. As one of the most popular sustainable energy options, solar energy has little to no effect on the environment. This is compared to other non-renewable energy sources, like oil and coal, which emit harmful gases and contribute to global warming. When people decide to use energy from a renewable source, like the sun, they're significantly reducing their carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment. So when you choose to consider green energy services and invest in solar energy, you're doing your part to protect the environment from further harm.

It's affordable: Many people make the mistake of thinking that solar energy is extremely expensive and only the wealthiest of people can afford it. But that's not the case at all. In fact, solar panel systems are more affordable than ever because so many people have started using them. While the upfront cost of installing solar panels may be a little expensive, the money saved on energy costs down the line will outweigh that initial cost. Within a few short years, the system will pay for itself and then continue to help homeowners save money on energy bills for as long as the system is installed.

It's a secure energy source: Unfortunately, the resources we currently depend on to provide us energy will run out eventually. And then what? When we invest our time and energy into using things like coal and oil, we're just buying ourselves time. But that big, fiery ball in the sky? That's not going anywhere. That's one of the many great things about investing in solar energy -- you know you'll never run out of an energy source. Solar panels use next to nothing compared to the amount of energy the sun produces, meaning we'll never run out of energy when we utilize solar energy.

As you can see, there are a number of reasons to invest in solar energy -- and other green energy services as well. With the right services and equipment, you can enjoy clean, inexpensive energy from the sun for years to come.

Light a Fire This Winter: Need to Know Info About Gas, Electric, and Wood Burning Stoves

The snow is falling now, it's cold outside, and while your electric suppliers are preparing for you to turn up the heat, few things are quite as cozy as cuddling up next to a fireplace. A good fire draws the mind back in time and is so delightful to be around when the weather outside is frightful. These days, we have a few options when it comes to adding the warmth and ambiance of fire to our homes.
Over 150 years ago, wood had fueled almost 90% of the country's needed energy. Now we have fireplaces that provide heat from a few different energies: wood, gas, and electricity. If you're keen on conserving energy this winter, let's take a peek at the different styles of keeping that living room toasty.

Wood
There's something comforting about the traditional nature of a wood burning stove. They've been effectively heating homes for thousands of years at this point and continue to today. A constant source of energy, they cannot be foiled by limitations in gas supply or power outages.
While the wood-fueled fireplace may be the most attractive option, you may not reduce energy costs without thoughtful care. Chimneys are culprits of heat escape during the winter and fireplaces often centralize heat instead of being able to circulate it through your home. There is also annual safety inspection that must be considered. A wood fireplace can be a liability if not adequately cared for.


Gas
The bill from your electric suppliers will likely be the lowest with this option. Gas is convenient and you'll save on energy costs by having the ability to redirect the heat from your gas stove to the rest of the house. If you're looking for ways to save energy in your home, gas fireplaces are a great choice. They work during power outages and there's little cleaning or maintenance to be done, other than inspection once a year.
As with wood-burning fireplaces, installation can be pricey. It can be even more pricey if your gas supplier has to install an additional gas line to connect to your fireplace. Even the price of natural gas, depending on how much the fireplace is used, can be cause for concern.


Electric
As far as immediate installation goes, electric fireplaces are the easiest to install and use, and they're also inexpensive. They don't require the space that wood-burning or gas fireplaces need and some are even portable, able to be plugged into power outlets. They're incredibly convenient.
They can be the least appealing as far as visual aesthetic. Most electric fireplaces look like you're watching a fire burn on television. They eat up electricity and don't heat beyond the room they're situated. If there's a power outage, electric fireplaces are completely useless.


At the end of the day, it's all about the space you have, the look you want, and what you're trying to save on. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, but while your electric suppliers are gearing up for you to run the furnace, remember an old fashioned heating option that'll warm you, hearth, home, and heart.

How Can I Be More Energy Efficient?

Between computers, data centers, lighting, appliances, heating and air conditioning, businesses require a high amount of energy to function. This can lead to steep energy bills from the electric company and a significant environmental footprint. Energy saving technology and techniques can curb this cost, leading to a greener, more energy efficient home and workplace. Follow these simple tips to save energy in your business and home.

Schedule an energy audit. An assessment of your current energy consumption is a great place to start, as it will point to your specific problem areas. Depending on the nature of your business, you might only need to update specific aspects of your space to be more efficient. Be sure to take the energy professional's advice seriously.

Use natural light. By installing skylights and windows, you can rely on sunlight rather than electricity to light your office or commercial space. Reducing energy costs and consumption, natural light will also create a more pleasant working and living environment.

Control air leaks. If you have skylights and windows, be sure to check them for air leaks. You might find that inefficient seals are causing you to waste heating and air conditioning energy. Basic window repair and inspection can keep as much air inside of your home/building as possible.

Switch to solar energy. In addition to providing natural light, the sun is also a great renewable energy source. By installing solar panels, your home and business can cut down on energy costs significantly. This will make the initial investment worth it.

Install energy efficient appliances. By switching to energy star rated appliances, your home and business' savings will add up over time. Consider switching your traditional light bulbs for halogen incandescents, as these can reduce energy use by a third to 80%. When making the choices about which appliances to install, be sure to keep your energy audit in mind.

By making small changes to the way your home and business consumes energy, you will notice lower electric bills overall. Being mindful of your energy use will lead to a more energy efficient home and workplace.

3 Reasons to Use Natural Gas Over Other Fossil Fuels

After a two-year high, natural gas prices have decreased to the lowest level since December of 2014.
"U.S. natural gas inventories remain historically elevated for this time of year, and will look to challenge the latest rise in prices going forward," said Robbie Fraser, a commodity analyst at Schneider Electric.

According to The Wall Street Journal, futures for January natural gas delivery decreased 3.2 cents (0.9%) to $3.603 per million British thermal units (BTU) on the New York Mercantile Exchange. At one point, trading was as high as $3.748 a million BTUs. "In the event that weather moderates and we get another period of normal to low-normal demand, then it’s going to quickly come back into focus," said Zane Curry, director of markets and research at Mobius Risk Group. Despite the market fluctuation, the benefits of natural gas and other renewable forms of energy are consistently positive.
What makes natural gas so attractive?

Affordability
Natural gas still costs much less than other forms of energy, and it often compares favorable to renewable energy sources. In fact, energy savings are a big part of the industry's recent success. That's why working with a reputable energy company can potentially save money in the long run, especially if they utilize alternative sources of fuel. Talk to an electricity provider and renewable energy company today if you want to learn more about alternative plans for power. Already, solar energy users save 75 million barrels of oil each year.

Better for the World
Another added benefit of natural gas is that it's so much more environmentally friendly than other fossil fuels. Although natural gas isn't as clean as wind power and other forms of renewable energy, it is the cleanest fossil fuel energy source. Natural gas also has fewer impurities, is much less complex chemically, and its combustion results in less pollution compared to other fossil fuels.

Produced in America
Wholly 97% of the domestically used natural gas was produced in North America. So along with the other added benefits of natural gas, the use of U.S.-based energy will reduce overall dependency on foreign oil sources. This can result in a better economy because more jobs are created due to high demand for natural gas. Roughly 35,000 jobs are created for every 1% of increased production.

Looking to Shrink your Energy Bill this Season? Here’s some ideas.

It can be the center-piece to your living room and all, yet all things considered, your fireplace is not efficient —and quite frankly— it’s wasteful. As indicated by the Department of Energy, a lit fireplace sucks around 24,000 cubic feet of heater warmed air up the smokestack every hour. On top of it: It's replaced by frosty air that comes the other way through the same opening, making your furnace work overtime to keep your home toasty. Still, we love assembling round the hearth as much as anyone else. Remember to turn the thermostat down a little when you utilize it. Also, open a window in the room a little where the fireplace is and shut the doors to the room so it doesn't suck any excessive amount of warm air from whatever is left in the house. Also, make sure to close your damper when it's not being used.

Regular maintenance on your heating system will pay you back (with efficiency). Sediment builds up, dusty or ineffectively greased up fans, glimmering pilot lights, and free fan belts can add hundreds to your warming costs every year. Getting your heater tuned up consistently by a HVAC technician can do wonders for both your wallet and your general solace. Natural gas–powered frameworks ought to be tuned-up roughly every 2-3 years, while oil-lit units require a tune-up each year, since they burn differently. To make your furnace work more effectively, keep warmed air from spilling into your attics or closets via fixing ventilation work with mastic pipe sealant—a nontoxic, paint-on material—or foil-backed tape. Doing so will lessen your home's air leaks and could save you money on heat bills.

Speaking of attic space, adding insulation does a lot more than just make you itchy. The Department of Energy says you can lessen your heating and cooling needs by 30 percent just by including a couple of hundred bucks of new insulation. This is particularly true if your home is over 25 years of age, from the time before construction regulations turned out to be more aware of energy efficiency. We tend to concentrate on the attic, but at the same time it's smart to assess how much you have in crawl spaces, roofs, walls, and around recessed lighting installations (simply ensure those fixtures are intended for direct insulation contact). Look to see the R-Value is ideal for the cold weather. For the most part, R-values ought to be running between R-22 and R-49 in the attic, less in different areas.

Have any tips or tricks you use to keep your home warm? Share your comments below.