Make Your Own Electricity

Fuel prices are down now, but nobody knows how long it will last. Even the US Department of Transportation warned consumers to get used to high fuel prices. We are in a very unpredictable situation, and it sort of irritates me that problems with fuel price and depending upon unstable countries get a lot of press when fuel is expensive, and then fall away when fuel is cheaper.

But we still see a lot of interest in this: Do It YourSelf Solar Power and Do It Yourself Wind Power. You see, do it yourself solutions solve more problems than just a high price.

They also allow you to produce your own power. I know that anybody who sat in their dark house during the recent storms could appreciate that! Oh sure, people had gasoline generaters, but they were noisy and expensive to run too!

And not everybody knows this, but if you produce more power than you use, you can actually sell power back to the grid! Even if fuel prices are going down, money is still tight these days. Wouldn't it be great to produce enough energy to sell back to the electric company?

Learn more about homemade solar power and homemade wind power.

Grid-Tied Solar Defined

Sell Energy Back to the Electric Company!

A grid-tied solar energy system can do some great things for you, and the prices of products are dropping into the affordable range. Most grid-tied systems are solar or wind powered, and the choice of product would probably be determined by the space you have, and the climate you live in.

You can use a grid-tied power system to supplement your electricity usage from the power company. But you can also produce enough energy to earn credits from your local electric company, or even to sell power back. Either way you look at it, a grid-tied solar or wind powered system can slash your power bills.

And of course, the obvious benefit is that you can use clean and renewable energy and help keep your planet green!

Learn more about grid-tied solar energy!

Record Gas Prices

Gas Prices Continue To Soar

Gas prices continue to soar, and experts say that no top is in sight right now. The national motorist association, AA, says that the national average for gasoline prices is 3.27 a gallon, which matches the alltime high set last year.

Several areas of the country are expected to see $4 a gallon this summer, just when families want to pack up and go on vacation. This is expected to put a damper on travel plans, which will affect many segments of the economy.

This is also bound to encourage people to take steps to make their own cars more gas efficient. In reality, many experts say that newer green cars not only save money, but are designed to be safe cars.
This is because safety comes from car design, and not just from tons of steel.

Save the Earth and Save Money On Gas

It's funny, but sometimes the solutions that save people the most money are also environmentally friendly. I think the reason that more consumers do not use these solutions is that they are just not aware of them. We all tend to think that environmentally friendly solutions cost more money. But this is not always so!

Green Cars Can Be Cheaper

Make Your Car Green: Save Gas and Save Money

Also notice that some of the most environmentally smaller and lighter cars are very safe, and are actually the cheapest cars to insure! It is about the design of the cars, and not all about the tons of steel that go into larger and clunkier cars.

Affordable Home Solar Energy!

Many people assume that home solar energy is still far in the future, like maybe in an episode of the Jetsons or something! However, you have the opportunity to take some your home power needs "off the grid" right now! Most of the time, home solar energy falls into two categories: electricity and water heating.

Water Heating: Water heaters are often the most common home energy starter project. Swimming pool heaters are a very popular project, though normal hot water heaters are available which either run, or are supplemented by, solar power. Solar water heating is hardly a new concept. Remember jars of "sun tea" where glass jars were set outside to let the sun warm them and brew the tea! We also found an great article from Mother Earth News on a 1970's project for a homemade solar water heater! We actually noticed, that even adjusted for today's dollar, the supplies seemed expensive. Solar project kits and supplies are more available today, and the price is dropping with improved technology and demand.

Another point to consider, besides obtaining free energy from the sun, is that the US government offers tax credits for solar energy.

Solar Electric Power: Many people assume that the equipment for home solar power is so expensive that it just isn't worth thinking about. There will be a considerable investment if you want a complete home solar system installed, but keep a few things in mind. You can purchase kits to take a step by step approach for partial electriciy replacement. You can also purchase a range of affordable batter chargers that run everything from cellpones to laptops, and these chargers don't cost any more than regular chargers do!

Also, remember the tax credits mentioned above. I found many affordable home solar supplies here!

Gas Saving Myths and Tips

A Yahoo Article On Gas Saving Tips exposed some myths on saving gas. Most additives that promise gas savings really don't do much good and aren't worth the price. Apparently Consumer Reports, the EPA, and even car companies test many of the new products and haven't been excited about any of them.

A website called Gasbuddy.com allos you to enter your zip code and find the lowest area gas prices. Other real tips include proper tire inflation, driving the speed limit, and not letting your car idle needlessly.

Why Buy a Hybrid Car - Fuel Savings, Less Pollution

Why Buy A Hybrid Car By Ron King
For anyone interested in saving money at the gas pump and helping the environment, the new hybrid cars are an excellent choice. Small and fuel-efficient, hybrids are now being made by more manufacturers than ever.
Although hybrids cost more, and can be hard to find due to high demand, it still pays to choose a hybrid. Consider the following reasons to buy a hybrid next time you are in the market for a new car.
Smaller, More Efficient Engines
The hybrid's fuel efficiency is increased by its small size and the use of lightweight materials. Periodic engine shut-off is another fuel saving feature of the hybrid. When it is stopped in traffic, the hybrid's engine temporarily shuts off. The engine restarts automatically when the car is put back in gear.
Hybrids are powered by the combination of an efficient gasoline engine backed by an electric motor for acceleration. The electric motor is powered by batteries that are recharged automatically by recapturing the kinetic energy usually lost during braking, known as regenerative braking. When the car is slowing down, the electric motor runs backwards, acting as a generator to charge the battery.
With this collection of advanced fuel efficiency features, hybrids can outperform conventional cars in several arenas.
Environmental Friendliness
Another reason hybrids are more environmentally friendly than conventional gas engines is that they idle less and use fuel more efficiently. The hybrid not only gets better gas mileage, it produces less pollution than other, non-hybrid cars. Some hybrids are getting 10 to 20 miles per gallon more than a regular gas engine. They are also capable of reducing harmful emissions by 90%.
Many hybrids use aerodynamic design to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. Low rolling tires made of special resistant rubber reduce friction on the road. The high capacity, nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is reliable and available to power the hybrid when needed. Hybrids also use the latest in power-train technology, for integrated power management that contributes to fuel efficiency.
Popularity Enhances Styles And Choices
More makes and models are now being offered as the popularity of hybrid cars continues to escalate. Buyers can now purchase the Honda Civic and Accord, Ford Escape, and Toyota Camry in hybrids. GMC and Chevrolet are currently making 2 hybrid pick-up trucks. In the near future, Saturn, Lexus, Honda, and Chevrolet will make hybrid SUVs available to the public. Chevrolet has plans to offer its Malibu in hybrid form in 2007.
You can get a hybrid that looks like a conventional car, such as the Ford Escape. Or you can choose a hybrid that looks completely different from anything else on the road, such as the Toyota Prius. With so many hybrid cars on the market, there is a style to suit almost everyone.
Tax Incentives Available
People who buy hybrids can get significant tax breaks from the US Federal government through 2006. The amount of your tax break is determined by your tax bracket and when you file. Some states are also starting to offer hybrid car tax breaks as well. Tax breaks backed up over the long run by lower fuel costs make hybrid cars a good buy.
Fuel Efficiency Becomes A Reality
Although most people have been aware of hybrids only in recent years, the technology has actually been around for a long time. Ferdinand Porsche built the first successful hybrid car in 1899. But hybrids first began to catch on in the 1990s when Honda introduced the Insight and Toyota introduced the Prius.
It's been a long wait, but fuel-efficient transportation is finally becoming a reality with the hybrid. As more of these cars take to the road, our air will become cleaner, and our country will be less dependent on foreign sources of oil.

Visit http://www.eco-car4u.com to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer, visit his website at http://www.ronxking.com
Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
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