Energy Production and Conservation

1. How can I find green power options in my area?
The U.S. Department of Energy has a listing of green energy utilities on the Green Power Network website.
2. How do I know that the energy I am paying for really is from renewable resources?
You won't be able to guarantee that your home is directly powered by renewables. Instead, power generated by renewable resources is added to the mix of power that serves all customers. As more renewable energy sources are tapped there is less reliance on fossil fuels. By choosing green power you are telling utility companies that where you get your electricity from matters to you and you are encouraging them to replace fossil fuel plants and nuclear reactors with facilities that use renewable fuels and cleaner technologies.
3. How can I stay cool in the hot summer while using less AC?
Air conditioning is not an absolute in a warming world. A good architect can design homes in hot climates that require little air-conditioning. But most of us aren’t building a new house or even moving any time soon, so here are some quick tips:
During the day: Shut curtains, shades or blinds on the sunny side of the house. If you are considering new window coverings, look for venetian (or horizontal) blinds in highly reflective light colors that halve the heat buildup in your home.
At night: Turn off the AC and create a convective cooling system with your windows and a couple fans. Crack open the windows on the lower-story. Don’t throw them open wide, just an inch or two—this will create a strong draft. Place portable and window mounted fans in your upstairs windows, facing outward to remove the rising hot air.
Install a ceiling fan: Consuming only a tenth of the energy of AC, a ceiling fan will make the room feel up to ten degrees cooler. They’re no more difficult to install than adding a new light fixture and, let’s face it, a lot more attractive than an air conditioner stuffed in your windowframe. Furthermore, with the reverse-direction setting in the winter, you can pull warm air down from the ceiling to help keep cosy. Be sure to look for an Energy Star rated model for maximum savings.
Add low-e film to your windows: If a ceiling fan isn’t for you, try adding “low-e” (for low-emissivity) film to your windows to reduce solar gain. The key is to use films with a “solar heat gain coefficient of .55 or less (less is better). Many films can be removed in the winter and their installation is far simpler task than replacing all your windows.
Use exterior shading: Try some inventive gardening and decoration. Use plants to filter the light that reaches your home and paint the exterior in lighter, more reflective colors to reduce solar gain. The full summer canopies of deciduous trees and shrubs will cool your home when you need it but let in warm light when the leaves have fallen. You can also reduce light entering west- and east-facing windows with vertical shading from screens or trellises.
For bigger projects, such as installing geothermal heat pumps or putting in Energy Star windows, see how you can get money back on your taxes with “New Energy Efficiency Tax Credits.”

What Are Smarter Cities? / Make Your City Smarter / Energy Production and Conservation

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