The Dream of Cheap Electricity
With all the gadgets and gizmos we now use, from cellphones to iPods and laptops to big-screen TVs, electricity use has shot through the roof and more and more people are hunting for ways of getting cheap electricity.
Between 1960 and 2007, electricity consumption in the United States rose from about 4,000 kilowatt-hours per capita to 13,652, a threefold increase (most western nations have seen similar increases in requirements). And that all translates to higher bills.
Where you live in the U.S. determines how much you pay per kilowatt-hour (KWh), from a low of 5.61 cents per KWh in West Virginia to 29.2 cents per KWh in Hawaii.
Fossil Fuels Generate Most U.S. Power
In 2008 (latest figures available), 48% of the USA's electricity was generated by burning coal, 21% by burning natural gas, 20% came from nuclear power and 1% from petrolium. That means 70% of electricity is generated by fossil fuels. As the price of fossil fuels increase, so will the cost of electricity.
Renewable cheap electricity comes from just three sources: Hydro-power (6%), Wind power (1%) and solar power (1%).
We've all heard that continued use of fossil fuels is increasing the rate of climate change. Fossil fuels are also a finite resource and, as resources become more scarce, their price goes up.
Cheap Electricity Alternatives
There's no doubt that cheap electricity comes from renewable resources, so here are the ways that you can turn those resources to your benefit and cut your bills.
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Solar Installations
These have been around the longest and it's now quite common to see solar energy panels on roofs in your neighborhood. solar panels either convert sunlight directly into energy to provide cheap electricity, or they warm water that flows through them. Solar panels, however, are not very efficient and photovoltaic solar energy cells only have an efficiency of less than 20% (but car engines are only about 25% efficient by comparison).
It's also possible to get solar panels that can recharge car batteries and other types of battery. Since this is cheap electricity (as near to free as you'll get - remember you still have to pay for the solar panel), it beats plugging a charger into a wall socket and paying for the electricity used. It's also good for the environment.
Solar power electricity is also inexhaustible and many countries are now looking at building solar power plants to bolster the electricity requirements of their populations. That said, drawing cheap electricity from solar panels you personally own will always save money over drawing electricity from a power plant.
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Wind Power Generation
Home windmills are increasingly becoming a more reliable source of cheap electricity, thanks to advances in technology. Windmills are either attached to the top of your house or are free-standing in your backyard. Prices are around the $5,000 mark.
One appealing benefit of wind power for homes is that you can sell any excess electricity generated to the utility company, so not only does wind power save money on bills, but it could generate a small income too.
Like solar power, wind power is both environmentally friendly and renewable. The down side is that the wind doesn't always blow, so wind power is not a consistent source of power.
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Alternative Energy Solutions
Another increasingly popular home-based method of generating cheap electricity is to use electromagnetic generators (sometimes called Overunity Motors). Electricity generates magnetic fields and vice versa. Plans and supplies for generators that can be built at home are available from a variety of websites.
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Green Investing
Governments around the world are looking for ways to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels and are investing in alternative energy companies. Since these companies don't solely rely on government investment, many have floated on the stock exchange and people are able to buy stock in them.
If using renewable energy resources for cheap electricity at home isn't an option for you but you would still like to do your bit for the environment, then investing in green energy companies is one option to consider.
Cheap Electricity Video:
Final Word On Cheap Electricity
Implementing one or more of the above technologies in or near your home is guaranteed to create cheap electricity for you and to reduce your electricity bill.
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I’m a recent grad trying to learn more about the eco-friendly business and I really enjoyed reading your article. It’s absolutely worth sharing!
i could only wish that solar panels cost only several hundred dollars, i would love to fill my roof with solar panels ,.’