If you are interested in making the world a better and less polluted place, then you have probably explored the many methods for adding green energy to your home. The problem with most conventional forms of alternative energy is the high cost associated with installing them. If you are still interested in doing something for the environment by incorporating green energy into your home, but you do not have large cash reserves to afford the initial investment, there are some unconventional green energy efforts you can make. This article is meant to provide you with a few suggestions about incorporating green energy into your home.
If you are looking for cheap and unconventional ways to start your green energy revolution, you should begin your search by looking at do-it-yourself web sites. You can find blueprints and instructional videos on how to make projects that will boost your green energy production. One of the best projects you will find on these web sites is the construction and installation of a solar water heater. A solar water heater harnesses the suns rays in a parabolic reflective dish. It focuses the rays on a water tank that is then funneled into your existing water heater. In this way, you can avoid using excess electricity or natural gas that your water heater uses by filling it with solar heated water. This can be an inexpensive project if you take it on yourself.
Another project that is extremely unconventional is the construction and use of a solar oven. You can find instructions on the web, and the materials for a solar oven can run less than fifty dollars. By producing a solar oven, you can decrease your dependence on conventional ovens, reducing your use of electricity or natural gas. If you have small children, they will love cooking with the solar oven.
If you have a fire place, you should look into heating your home by burning alternative fuels. Though it sounds a little unsavory, you can burn cow patties in your fire place instead of wood. Not only does this help conserve wood, it recycles cow patties in a useful way. This may sound counterintuitive, as burning is typically bad for the environment, but you have to remember that your natural gas is also a burning process. The electricity that you get in your house is generated by burning coal. While it may not sound right, you are just replacing one burning with another when you burn these types of alternative fuel sources.
Finally, you might consider hooking a bike up to an electric generator. Though this will not generate much electricity, it is great exercise and can be used to charge batteries.
Hopefully this article has given you some suggestions that you can put to use in your home. Remember, there are dozens of ways to make your existence a more environmentally friendly one. Try to make some small changes, and then use your savings to support the cost of other green initiatives. Good luck to you.