Green technology not only are good for the enviroment but can be great for your wallet. The saves that can be made by changing how we do everyday tasks can be quite large. While not every change makes sence for every person most can agree on at least some of the green technologies and ideas. From Carpooling to new light bulbs everything has it time a place.

Batteries

  Batteries can help and hurt the enviroment in many different ways. Alkaline batteries are the most common type of battery in stores. Why? Because the price tag is lower at only a few dollars a package. The problems with Alkaline battery are:

• Do not last as long.
• Use Once throw out.
• Lifetime Cost.

  Most people do not realize the full cost of a product. Price is one issue but look at the end of life also. This chart shows one of the largest problems with batteries. Waste, and there is a lot of it. One person may use only 20 batteries in a year and the does not seem so bad but take another look at the chart. In just the Unites States there is way to many batteries being disposed of each year in landfills.

  Note the difference in the number of batteries. This first chart shows that while one persons use does not amount to anything the entire country does. The chart also shows the amount saved by using rechargable Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. The cost of recharables is more at the store but the savings can be huge however.

  The cost of rechargables at the store can seem to be much higher but when looked at from a different prospective it is very much different. The total cost of ownership is a true number to look at when deciding on a product. For example the cost of owning rechargable batteries has a huge cost saving over the cost of one time use alkaline batteries.

  As the charts show the cost of using Alkaline batteries is much greater than using rechargable batteries. Rechargable batteries also last long because instead of the voltage slowly decreasing over the life of the battery they hold their voltage at almost peak the entire time. When the rechargable battery reaches the end of its life the voltage drops to almost nothing at one time. This results in more usable life of the battery especially in devices like digital cameras. Instead of throwing out batteries all the time which adds to your garbage bill pick up some rechargable next time. Many devices eat batteries up so switch to a rechargable not only because it is good for the enviroment but because it is great for your wallet too.

Solar Energy

  What isn't to love about solar energy. The Price tag. Lets be honest about solar, it is not cheap. The cost savings over the life of a solar system is great but the cost of the system is so high that it does not make much sense to switch over yet. For those that solar is the only option something is better than nothing but it is not cheap. A small system of 1.44 KWatt hours can cost $30,000. The average home uses between 7 and 9 KWatt hours. The huge difference mean low power appliances. Cuts have to be made everywhere to save enough to live off the grid. While solar electricity is not a great option, solar heat is. The conversion process from light to heat is much more efficent currently than the process of converted light to energy.

  Converting light is done in a couple of ways the first uses techniques to collect light is particular wavelenghts into energy. The problem is that not the entire spectrum of light is used. Only a fraction of the light spectrum is used, and this mean less total energy per square meter. At only 10 to 20 percent conversion most of the energy is lost. There are many technologies in the works to increase the total amount of energy converted by collecting energy from more of the light spectum. Another option to collect energy is just like somethings kids do. A magnifying glass focus sunlight and creates heat. It is the same idea just on a larger scale. The conversion is more efficent and more energy is collected.

  Heating with solar energy is much more efficent than using solar for electricity. Solar Heat is a great option the one thing to keep in mind, if there is not enough sun there still is no heat. Having a backup system is still mandatory. A pellet system would make a great backup system the only issue is a electricity is still needed for a pellet stove so a backup energy source if still needed. Always a catch for every solution.

Home Effiency

  Boosting your homes effiency can safe lots of money with little cost. Most people do not think that it is worth the time or money to increase the effiency because of the short term gains. While the first year or two may not be enough to cover the cost it is the long term the is really important.

  If you can add a extra layer of insulation in your attic and your recover half the cost to install the first year and the rest the second year is it worth it. Years 3 plus are all money in your pocket. I think that makes it worth it. Change is good sometimes. Spending a little to save a lot over a long period is worth it just check into to it. Instand gradifcation is not always what is seems.

  Change you light bulbs, and this does not have to be all at once or right away. Think about this if you... if you slow change out all your burnt out bulbs to Compact Flouresents or LED bulbs and use only 1/5 the energy by making the change is it worth it. The cost of a CFL or LED Bulb is much more but the trade ups are less energy is used plus the bulbs do last much longer. In the long run going with more efficent bulbs saves more that the increase in cost to purchase. The long term savings could let you go on that trip you have been talking about.

  Geothermal can save lots of money as heating warm air is cheap than heating cold air. Many people do not notice geothermal as an option simply becuase they don't see it. One of the big advantages beside lowering heating and cooling costs is also that it does not create unsightly large eye sores. As another cost saving option Geothermal for many can save huge sums of money of the lifetime of there heating and cooling bills.

  Solar heat is another option that works well even in lower light days. Providing heat at a relitivily cheap cost. Home heating is expensive and most homes use oil. While oil is convenient the cost is not going to go down only up. As we use this limited resource the supply will only go down and demand is what is it. Solar will be available for a very long time comparitivily. It produces no green house gasses and is available in most of the world. While some places close to the poles could only use solar 6 months out of the year it is technically still available during half the year just not the half it is most needed.

  Caulk and weather stripping around doors and windows can reduce air loss around these openning in your home. Maintaining a good seal can save countless amounts of energy leak out. Reducing loss, can reduce your energy demands and in turn save lots of money. Don't forget to check every where around your home. Heating, cooling and lighting can increase the amount of money spent even before you have any fun.