Living off the Grid

October 6, 2008 4:35 AM EDT

With electrical consumption in the U.S. up 54% in the past twenty years, rising fuel costs, and growing concerns about the environment, who wouldn't want to make better use of one's energy while saving money and reducing one's CO2 emissions?

"The imminence of carbon credit legislation is just one incentive for becoming better environmental citizens," says Brian Longpre, CEO and Managing Director of Disenco Energy, a green power source alternative company. "Fortunately, there are a number of relatively painless ways to put less stress on the energy grid and maximize energy consumption while actually saving money." Mr. Longpre offers the following suggestion to eco-minded consumers on how to reduce their carbon emissions:

    --  Bulbs: replace incandescent bulbs with long-lasting compact
        fluorescent bulbs (CFL).

    --  Hit the lights: Whenever possible, turn off lights and
        appliances when leaving the house and avoid using "sleep mode"
        for personal computers.

    --  Double-glaze or draft-proof windows: These measures can reduce
        energy consumption and make an enormous difference in your
        winter heating bills.

    --  Don't double-up on appliances: Try multitasking your devices;
        for example, your cell phone or iPod can be used as an alarm
        clock.

    --  Warm showers, not hot baths: Hot water requires big pushes on
        the energy grid; short, warm showers are more energy efficient
        than long, hot baths.

    --  Avoid peak grid times: Certain home appliances like the
        television and fridge are inviolate, they're on all the time.
        With other devices, it's when and how one uses electricity
        that makes the greatest environmental impact. Avoid using the
        dishwasher, washer, and dryer at peak grid times; try using
        these appliances only in the evening when demands on the power
        grid are the least.

    --  Use a green-alternative power source: A simple replacement for
        domestic boilers or furnaces, Disenco's HomePowerPlant (HPP)
        enables homeowners and small businesses to dramatically reduce
        their annual energy bills by approximately 35% each year,
        while shrinking their household annual C02 emissions by up to
        66%.

"The HPP gives consumers the chance to produce all their heating and hot water needs from a single source, with surplus energy automatically sold back to their respective city's power grid," explains Mr. Longpre. "In other words, this combined electricity and hot water appliance acts as a small power--and revenue!--generator for the home." For more information, visit www.disenco.com.

Source: Disenco Energy

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