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During the winter, your heat bill can sky-rocket. You can save money on heating by following these simple strategies in this literature. Even if you can save a few cents here and there, it can add up significantly.

Most people leave heat on throughout the day when they’re at work or school. This definitely drives up the cost of your heating bill. Turn off the heat when you’re not home. Even if you’re gone for a few hours, turn it off. You really don’t need to leave it on since you aren’t there. Also, only heat rooms that you are using. For example, if you are going to bed, turn off the heat in the living room.

Check around your apartment for any cracks or openings and fill them in. Find them and caulk them immediately. This also means making sure that your windows are closed. Don’t leave windows open in the winter. Buy portable heaters. These are very useful since you can bring them around the apartment. There are good portable heaters that don’t drain too much electricity. Consider electric blankets. These are pretty handy because they plug directly into your outlets. You can control the temperature of the electric blanket as well. They are definitely less expensive than heating an entire apartment or room.

You could also take the traditional path and wear more clothing. I suggest long-sleeve shirts and long pants. This way, you can still have the heat on but at a much lower temperature. Some people walk around in tank-tops in the middle of the winter while blasting their heat to 100 degrees. Maybe they should put on something more reasonable and turn down the heat to a comfortable 65 degrees. No wonder their heating bill is so high…

By following these suggestions, you will trim off your heating bill by at least half. It’s all about properly managing and balancing your heat usage with what’s available and at your disposal.

Tags: reduce energy, plugandsave, energy saver, save power, cheap energy, cut electric bill, save energy, save money, save fuel, plug and save

When the time comes to invest in new cookware, consider the importance and power of even heat distribution. Even heat distribution can not only help to ensure that you save on energy costs but also that your foods are cooked properly.

What components create the power of even heat distribution?

Less required energy contributes to the power of even heat distribution. In some cookware, especially larger fry pans and saut? pans, you need to turn the burner up - whether it is gas or electric - in order to heat the outer edges of the pan’s surface.

The problem with that is that it causes a hot spot in the center of the pan while bringing the perimeter up to temperature; the bigger problem is that the center will always be hotter than the edges. However, in cookware with the power of even heat distribution, a more moderate setting of the burner can be used and the edges of the pan will still achieve the same temperature as the center of the pan.

As a result, you have another component of the power of even heat distribution: your cookware will be of a uniform temperature. That means that all of the food that you cook in a pan that offers even heat distribution will cook at the same rate - whether it is at the outer edges of the pan or in the center.

Even heat distribution means that you will have to spend less time moving the food that you are preparing from one area of the pan to another so that you can be sure that it is all ready at the same point in time.

When you know that the pan you are using to prepare meals has the power of even heat distribution, you will have the added benefit of knowing that there is a lower risk that some of the foods that you are preparing will burn while others remain underdone.

In other words, the power of even heat distribution should not be difficult to understand. With even heat distribution, you will have fewer hassles while preparing meals for yourself or for your family.

Swiss Diamond cookware provides the power of even heat distribution. It also provides a number of additional benefits.

Among these benefits are:
1. A state of the art nonstick surface that has been reinforced with diamond crystals;
2. A dense, smooth nonstick surface that will not peel, warp or chip even if you use metal utensils while cooking;
3. Fat free cooking - because of its nonstick surface, Swiss Diamond cookware does not require the use of butter or oil to prepare your food; and
4. Easy cleanup. Simply wipe out your Swiss Diamond nonstick cookware and place the pan in the dishwasher to clean.

With Swiss Diamond cookware, you will be able to experience for yourself the power of even heat distribution. You will not have to worry about some spots becoming hotter than others; you will be able to know that the pan is an even temperature at the center and at its outer edges. You will quickly find with Swiss Diamond cookware that many of the stresses and hassles of cooking are no longer an issue.

Choose Swiss Diamond cookware: discover the power of even heat distribution - along with a state of the art nonstick technology - for yourself.

About the Author:

Robyn Cook is a partner in the swissdiamondstore.com website, the webs only exclusive reseller of Swiss Diamond Cookware,http://www.swissdiamondstore.com. After being a user of Swiss Diamond Cookware for many years she started the swissdiamondstore.com

Tags: cheap fuel, energy survey, reduce energy, save power, plug and save, solar power, how to save energy, cheap electricity, wind power, save energy

When it comes to cooling our homes and businesses, the cost of air conditioning just seems to keep going up and up. This year is no different. We like the cool comfort of dryer less humid air and we are willing to pay for it. However, there is no reason to just give your money away to the utility company. Older homes are typically thought of as energy wasters. However, newer homes from the 70s and later also have issues when it comes to energy efficiency. More often than not there are mature trees surrounding the older homes. New construction generally stands in a flattened area with new landscaping. If you have ever lived in this new construction, you know immediately that there is a difference in the temperature of your rooms because there is no shade. Check the thermal envelope of the home. If you are asking what a thermal envelope is, it is everything that protects the indoors of the home from the elements and the outdoors. This includes the wall and roof assemblies, insulation, air/vapor retarders, windows, weather stripping and caulking. If you are considering buying a home or you just need to remodel and improve your existing home, know as much as you can about the shell and what is protecting you and you will be ahead of the game when it comes to lowering utility costs.
There are some common sense things you can do to cut your energy costs and keep your homes and businesses cool at the same time. For even more tips; check out http://www.portable-air-conditioner-4u.com.
Have your utility company come out to do an energy audit. They will do a walk through and determine where you have wasted energy or leaks in your home
Check your attic, garage walls, and basement to make sure you have the proper R values for insulation. If you dont add some, its usually quite easy
Have your central air conditioning unit serviced yearly, and have them plug any leaks that may occur throughout the year. Keep your unit outdoors clean and clear of debris, shrubs, etc.
What is the age of the furnace? Furnaces that are less than 12 years old can save you 25 40% on your utility bills
What is the age of your hot water heater? This appliance is the second most energy waster in the home. Newer models will also be more efficient.
Install a programmable thermostat to keep the temperature cooler or warmer when you are not at home. These thermostats are great in winter and summer
Install blinds or heavy drapes. They keep the warm air in and cold air out.
Put in double paned windows and clean out all air ducts
Install a ceiling fan in every room of the house. You can rotate the fan blades in either direction in winter and summer. Moving and circulating air helps you feel cooler even when the air is not conditioned
make sure shrubs are trimmed for proper ventilation
Plant a tree for natural shade around your home. Properly positioned trees can save you up to 50% on your utility bill. If you live in a trailer house, shade trees can save you up to 75%.
Clean all air filters regularly
Apply a reflective light coating on your roof. Dark dull colors will absorb heat and your home will be hotter.
Check electrical outlets for leaks, and if you have them put in foam insulation
If you have recessed lighting, you may have a lot of leaks of energy
Make sure you are cooling your home with the proper size of air conditioner. If you have the wrong size, it wont be energy efficient either. If you follow some simple ideas, you will be cool and comfortable in your home in the summer and warm in the winter.

About the author:
Beverly Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying portable air conditioners, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, air filters and more. Her many articles can be found at http://www.portable-air-conditioner-4u.comShe gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.

Home Security: Your yard is the first line of defence.Roger OveranoutHome Security: Your yard is the first line of defence.

You may not believe it but most burglars do not plan their break ins. They are crimes of opportunity. They pick what appears to be a simple target. If they see a greater risk than they anticipated, they move onto a safer target. Therefore the more effort you take to keep your home from seeming to be a simple target, the safer you will be.

A multilayered structure is the best way to approach arranging your home security, and the first layer is the landscaping and other features of your yard.

Landscaping and Yard Security

A few simple changes to your landscaping can help to protect your home from would be burglars. They are looking for a home they can get into and out of quickly; the more time they spend in your home the more chance of getting caught. Their best target is a home surrounded by tall hedges and shrubs, which restricts visibility from the street and your neighbours’ houses.

Trim your shrubbery and trees so that your doors and windows can be seen by neighbors, and from the street, by forgoing a little privacy you will not be providing a hiding place for a burglar. If you have more than one floor, prune trees away from upper floor windows to prevent an intruder using them as a ladder, also make sure any trellises won’t provide a convenient ladder to gain entry to the upper floors.

All planting close to the sidewalk, driveways, doors or gates, should be kept low say no more than two feet in height. As you move further away from the sidewalk you can increase the height but keep it down to no more than four feet.

Any plant under the window should be kept below the windowsill.

Trees should have their lower branches trimmed to at least seven feet off the ground.

Be sure to keep your lawn trimmed; an uncut lawn will indicate to a potential burglar that you have been away from your home for some time.

By placing gravel on the ground under windows you will be warned if someone walks on it, this can be a useful psychological deterrent. Remember not to have any large rocks or stones near glass windows or doors. There’s no point in providing a burglar with his tools!

Plant spiny (thorny) plants along fences and under windows, and on border fences, roses are ideal. Protecting your home with spiny plants is as good as using barbed wire, and it looks a lot better too.

Street Numbers.

Make sure your house number can be seen easily from the street. This can save time for the police and emergency services if they need to find your home.

It is best to use numbers made of reflective materials, or alternatively black on white, they should be at least six inches high to facilitate visibility from the street. Keep the number clean and trim any plants, so it can be seen. The number should be illuminated and near the front door or the garage entrance.

Limiting Access to Yards and Store Rooms:

The main thing burglars are looking for is an obstruction free and speedy exit. Fences will stop burglars from carrying away your larger processions, if the gates are locked. Gates should be locked at all times!

Make sure that any ladders and tools are stored in a garage or a storage shed, and these should be locked when not in use. To increase security chain your ladder to the wall of the garage when it is not being used.

The idea is to use the landscaping to control access to your property. Proper fencing hedges etc. create barriers that will make a potential burglar feel uncomfortable as they approach your home, but will not prevent a neighbour or passer by from seeing any unusual activity.

I will be covering additional steps you can take to improve your home security in the next article in this series.

Roger Overanout

About the author:
For more vital home security tips and information about how to protect your home and family please visit www.homesecuritynews.info

You may reproduce this article provided you maintain an active link back to
www.homesecuritynews.info

Bleach Our Reliance On It Is A Mistaken Belief; Part3David Andrew SmithFrom the first two articles it has hopefully become obvious that bleach does exactly that. It bleaches coloured pigments so they are transparent. It doesnt clean by removing. I was trying to explain this to my son-in-law who said he swore by bleach and used it for many things. Only that morning he said he had used it to clean the tannin from stained teaspoons. Again I attempted to explain that the tannin was still there it had just been bleached so he couldnt see it. His answer was I cannot see it so it has gone and the spoons are nice and shiny once again.. Defeated yet again by the power of bleach!

Having thought about this for some little time now perhaps I should reconsider my quest to re-educate people about the use of bleach. The power of what people perceive to be true using their sight and smell is too great to overcome. On top of that I myself have succumbed to the power of bleach. One of my cleaners was having quite a lot of trouble removing the tannin stains that had developed on the kitchen worktops of a well used office kitchen. In the end she called me in and said she had tried everything. The stain had embedded itself in the worktop and all remedies had only succeeded in dulling the stain. Not to waste any more time and effort on this particular problem I furnished her with some bleach and a few minutes later the work surfaces were looking as new. So even in my own world there is a place for bleach!

None the less there are far too many instances of young children drinking bleach that individuals should not simply leave a bottle by the toilet as seen in so many households. Keep it out of reach, preferably in a cupboard that youngsters cannot get into. Secondly never use bleach with any other cleaner. We had an instance quite recently where we had been called into a nursing home to descale all the toilets. Limescale deposits had built up on these toilets over the last 15 years. So a team of six cleaners set to work using phosphoric acid descaler. A few moments later the toilets had to be evacuated by the cleaners as the fumes were overpowering. Without our knowledgethe nursing home cleaners had earlier been round to clean all the toilets and had simply poured bleach around the bowl. Result a very nasty reaction between the bleach and the acid producing toxic fumes. So there is a cautionary tale to take note of. When the manufacturers say do not use with any other cleaning product they actually mean it!

About the author:
David Andrew Smith has been working for many years in the cleaning industry and is the owner of http://www.wesparkle.co.uk,general cleaners and specialists in the cleaning and polishing of natural stone

Tags: save money, wind power, cheap electricity, solar panels, save gas, energy saver, cut electric bill, energy survey, reduce power, powersaver

With constant increases in UK gas and electricity prices I felt it was time to change my energy supplier to see if I could save some money. Having heard that switching to a dual fuel tariff could save me a substantial sum of money, I decided to take this route and check out the possibilities. There are several price comparison sites on the Internet where you can compare the cost of gas and electricity to find the best deal in your area.

Prices have recently increased in the UK by up to 60% so most consumers will benefit from changing their energy supplier and depending on your present circumstances you could save as much as ?170 per year. Customers who are already on dual fuel will still make savings, but if you are currently with one supplier for gas and with another for electricity or vice versa, then that is when the savings are the most substantial if you then transfer both services to a single supplier in a dual fuel package. Dual fuel can be a much cheaper option because companies are prepared to offer increased savings and a variety of other incentives to ensure that they get both services under one umbrella. In addition to this, by being with one company you only have to make one phone call if you have a problem and in most cases you will only have one bill to pay.

Changing supplier was much easier than I thought it would be and it does not cost any money to change. The price comparison websites are easy to negotiate and are basically a series of tables (some with drop down menus) for you to fill in the details of your current suppliers. It is useful to have some recent bills to hand when you compare prices, as you will be asked to fill in your fuel consumption either by cost per month/quarter/annum or by Kwh used per annum. Once you have completed the paperwork online, then your new suppliers deal with the whole process and the transfer takes approximately six weeks. However, it is advisable that you contact your old supplier to inform them that a changeover is imminent and ensure that all your previous bills are up to date; this will speed up the process and help things to run more smoothly.

Your new supplier will contact you to confirm the date on which your new service will commence. You will have to take a meter reading on this date and this will ensure that you are not billed twice for the same energy. As a legal requirement you will also be asked to sign and return a form to confirm that you want to switch suppliers, if you don’t sign then the switch will not proceed. There will be no interruption to your supply and the same wires, pipes and meters as you currently use will be used by your new supplier.

If you are worried about finding a supplier who is reputable then for added peace of mind you may want to choose a price comparison website that is endorsed by Energy Watch, also most suppliers are National Plc’s who you can trust and all of them are regulated by the government to ensure a high level of service.

Changing energy supplier could not have been easier and if I had known how painless it was I would have done it sooner. The price comparison websites were definitely an advantage and when I signed up for a new deal I used one of these sites to make the transfer. Also I would advise that you look at a website that offers help and information on finding the right deal and one such site that I would recommend is www.cheapest-utility-suppliers.co.uk. They offer sound advice and have listed the major energy price comparison companies on their website.

With such great savings available, if you have not changed suppliers already then what are you waiting for.

Jessica Tweed writes on consumer issues for cheapest utility suppliers

Tags: how to save energy, cheap electricity, plugandsave, save fuel, cheap energy, save power, plug and save, cheap fuel, energy survey, save energy

“Gas-Saving” Products: Fact or Fuelishness?

by: Pierre Schexneider M. Ed.

“Gas-Saving” Products: Fact or Fuelishness? By Pierre Schexneider M. Ed.

Gas prices are up, and so is the volume of advertising for “gas-saving” products. When gasoline prices rise, consumers often look for ways to improve fuel efficiency. Although there are practical steps you can take to increase gas mileage, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns you to be wary of any gas-saving claims for automotive devices or oil and gas additives. Even for the few gas-saving products that have been found to work, the savings have been small.

“Gas-Saving” Advertising Claims

Be skeptical of the following kinds of advertising claims.

“This gas-saving product improves fuel economy by 20 percent.”

Claims usually tout savings ranging from 12 to 25 percent. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has evaluated or tested more than 100 alleged gas-saving devices and has not found any product that significantly improves gas mileage. In fact, some “gas-saving” products may damage a car’s engine or cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions.

The gas-saving products on the market fall into clearly defined categories. Although the EPA has not tested or evaluated every product, it has tried to examine at least one product in each category. See “Devices Tested by EPA” at the end of this brochure for category descriptions and product names.

“After installing your product on my car, I got an extra 4 miles [6.4 kilometers] per gallon [3.8 liters].”

Many ads feature glowing testimonials by satisfied customers. Yet, few consumers have the ability or the equipment to test for precise changes in gas mileage after installing a gas-saving product. Many variables affect fuel consumption, including traffic, road and weather conditions, and the car’s condition.

For example, one consumer sent a letter to a company praising its “gas-saving” product. At the time the product was installed, however, the consumer also had received a complete engine tune-up - a fact not mentioned in the letter. The entire increase in gas mileage attributed to the “gas-saving” product may well have been the result of the tune-up alone. But from the ad, other consumers could not have known that.

“This gas-saving device is approved by the Federal government.”

No government agency endorses gas-saving products for cars. The most that can be claimed in advertising is that the EPA has reached certain conclusions about possible gas savings by testing the product or by evaluating the manufacturer’s own test data. If the seller claims that its product has been evaluated by the EPA, ask for a copy of the EPA report, or check www.epa.gov for information. In some instances, false claims of EPA testing or approval have been made.

Product Complaints and Refunds

If you’re dissatisfied with a gas-saving product, contact the manufacturer and ask for a refund. Most companies offer money-back guarantees. Contact the company, even if the guarantee period has expired.

If you’re not satisfied with the company’s response, contact your local or state consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau.

EPA Evaluation Efforts

The EPA evaluates or tests products to determine whether their use will result in any significant improvement or detriment to fuel economy. However, the EPA cannot say what effect gas-saving products will have on a vehicle over time because it hasn’t conducted any durability tests. It’s possible that some products may harm the car or may otherwise adversely affect its performance. In fact, today’s vehicles’ emission control systems are very sophisticated and complex. They have On Board Diagnostic features that alert the driver to problems associated with the emission control and fuel delivery systems. Retrofit products may have an adverse effect on these systems.

Devices Tested by EPA

The following list categorizes various types of “gas-saving” products, explains how they’re used and gives product names. Those with asterisks may save measurable, but small, amounts of gas. All others have been found not to increase fuel economy.

Air Bleed Devices: These devices bleed air into the carburetor. They usually are installed in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation line or as a replacement for idle-mixture screws.

The EPA has evaluated the following products: ADAKS Vacuum Breaker Air Bleed; Air-Jet Air Bleed; Aquablast Wyman Valve Air Bleed; Auto-Miser; Ball-Matic Air Bleed; Berg Air Bleed; Brisko PCV; Cyclone-Z; Econo Needle Air Bleed; Econo-Jet Air Bleed Idle Screws; Fuel Max*; Gas Saving Device; Grancor Air Computer; Hot Tip; Landrum Mini-Carb; Landrum Retrofit Air Bleed; Mini Turbocharger Air Bleed; Monocar HC Control Air Bleed; Peterman Air Bleed; Pollution Master Air Bleed; Ram-Jet; Turbo-Dyne G.R. Valve.

Vapor Bleed Devices: These devices are similar to the air bleed devices, except that induced air is bubbled through a container of a water and anti-freeze mixture, usually located in the engine compartment.

The EPA has evaluated: Atomized Vapor Injector; Frantz Vapor Injection System; Hydro-Vac: POWERFUeL; Mark II Vapor Injection System; Platinum Gasaver; V-70 Vapor Injector; SCATPAC Vacuum Vapor Induction System: Econo-Mist Vacuum Vapor Injection System; Turbo Vapor Injection System.

Liquid Injection: These products add liquid into the fuel/air intake system and not directly into the combustion chamber.

The EPA has evaluated: Goodman Engine System-Model 1800; Waag-Injection System*.

Ignition Devices: These devices are attached to the ignition system or are used to replace original equipment or parts.

The EPA has evaluated: Autosaver; Baur Condenser; BIAP Electronic Ignition Unit; Fuel Economizer; Magna Flash Ignition Control System; Paser Magnum/Paser 500/Paser 500 HEI; Special Formula Ignition Advance Springs.

Fuel Line Devices (heaters or coolers). These devices heat the fuel before it enters the carburetor. Usually, the fuel is heated by the engine coolant or by the exhaust or electrical system.

The EPA has evaluated: FuelXpander; Gas Meiser I; Greer Fuel Preheater; Jacona Fuel System; Optimizer; Russell Fuelmiser.

Fuel Line Devices (magnets). These magnetic devices, clamped to the outside of the fuel line or installed in the fuel line, claim to change the molecular structure of gasoline.

The EPA has evaluated: PETRO-MIZER; POLARION-X; Super-Mag Fuel Extender; Wickliff Polarizer [fuel line magnet/intake air magnet].

Fuel Line Devices (metallic). Typically, these devices contain several dissimilar metals that are installed in the fuel line, supposedly causing ionization of the fuel.

The EPA has evaluated: Malpassi Filter King [fuel pressure regulator]; Moleculetor.

Mixture Enhancers: (under the carburetor). These devices are mounted between the carburetor and intake manifold and supposedly enhance the mixing or vaporization of the air/fuel mixture.

The EPA has evaluated: Energy Gas Saver; Environmental Fuel Saver; Gas Saving and Emission Control Improvement Device; Glynn-50; Hydro-Catalyst Pre-Combustion Catalyst System; PETROMIZER SYSTEM; Sav-A-Mile; Spritzer; Turbo-Carb; Turbocarb.

Mixture Enhancers: (others). These devices make some general modifications to the vehicle intake system.

The EPA has evaluated: Basko Enginecoat; Dresser Economizer; Electro-Dyne Superchoke; Filtron Urethane Foam Filter; Lamkin Fuel Metering Device; Smith Power and Deceleration Governor.

Internal Engine Modifications: These devices make physical or mechanical function changes to the engine.

The EPA has evaluated: ACDS Automotive Cylinder Deactivation System*; Dresser Economizer; MSU Cylinder Deactivation*.

Accessory Drive Modifiers:. These devices reduce power to specific auto accessories.

The EPA has evaluated: Morse Constant Speed Accessory Drive **; P.A.S.S. Kit**; PASS Master Vehicle Air Conditioner**.

Fuels and Fuel Additives: These materials are added to the gas tank.

The EPA has evaluated: Bycosin; EI-5 Fuel Additive; Fuelon Power; Johnson Fuel Additive; NRG #1 Fuel Additive; QEI 400 Fuel Additive; Rolfite Upgrade Fuel Additive; Sta-Power Fuel Additive; Stargas Fuel Additive; SYNeRGy-1; Technol G Fuel Additive; ULX-15/ULX-15D; Vareb 10 Fuel Additive; XRG #1 Fuel Additive.

Oils and Oil Additives:. Usually these materials are poured into the crankcase.

The EPA has evaluated: Analube Synthetic Lubricant; Tephguard.

Driving Habit Modifiers: These are lights or sound devices to tell the driver to reduce acceleration or to shift gears.

The EPA has evaluated: AUTOTHERM**; Fuel Conservation Device; Gastell; IDALERT**.

Miscellaneous: The EPA has evaluated: BRAKE-EZ; Dynamix; Fuel Maximiser; Gyroscopic Wheel Cover; Kamei Spoilers**; Kat’s Engine Heater; Lee Exhaust and Fuel Gasification EGR; Mesco Moisture Extraction System; P.S.C.U. 01 Device; Treis Emulsifier.

Legend:
* Indicated a very small improvement in fuel economy but with an increase in exhaust emissions. According to Federal regulations, installation of this device could be considered illegal tampering.

** Indicated a very small improvement in fuel economy without an increase in exhaust emissions. However, cost-effectiveness must be determined by the consumer for a particular application.

For more information on gas saving tips visit

How to Save on Gas

—————————————

Pierre Schexneider is president of The Schexneider Group, LLC an E-commerce consulting business. As a consultant his research abilities have afforded him many opportunities to expand his knowledge base. For gas saving tips please visit:

How to Save on Gas

Tags: save gas, cheap electricity, save money, save power, wind power, plug and save, conserving energy, powersaver, cut electric bill, how to save energy

Gas powered Scooters have been around forever.

By definition a gas powered scooters are also known as mopeds are a two-wheeled (normally) low powered vehicle. In most states its small size and low power output allow it to escape many of the licensing, insurance, and driver restrictions placed on motorcycles.

Gas scooters were first introduced to the world in the middle of the 1950?s. The first design was little more then a bicycle with an engine mounted on it, it was called a cyclemotor. The cylcemotor can still be seen on the road these days in the form of electric bikes.

Gas powered scooters have been popular for years in several European countries. With the rising cost of gas in America they have seen an increase in popularity in the United States.

One of the reasons some people have a gas powered scooter is to circumvent loosing a driver?s license. Many states don?t require a driver to have an operator?s license if they are over eighteen years of age, sixteen in some states. They also don?t require that the operator have proof of insurance and a current registration.

If you would like to become a member of a scooter club and go on scooter rallies you are probably going to want to invest in a gas powered scooter.

While the advantages of an electric scooter might be the ability to fold it into a small compact bundle of aluminum and carry with you on the bus and store it in the linen closet gas powered scooters have their own array of advantages.

a. Gas powered scooters are faster than the average electric scooter. They can travel at speeds up to thirty-one miles an hour.

b. Gas scooters have very cool body styles; some gas powered scooters look more like miniature motorcycles then scooters.

c. Gas scooters save tons of money - While the cost of gassing up gas powered scooters might seem expensive compared to the low cost of running an electric scooter, the mileage they get quickly make up for the gallon of gas they require.

d. Gas powered scooters can maneuver rather well ? A gas scooter is a great way to move through traffic. They dart in and out between cars, especially gridlocked traffic. Imagine how good you look arriving at the office ahead of the car driving staff.

e. No parking spots? No problem! Mopeds can be squeezed into any available space, even right in front of the front of the buildings door or on the sidewalk.

f. Maintenance, no problem ? A Gas powered scooter is easy to maintain. With a basic grasp of tools and a decent book about mechanics most people are able to maintain their gas powered scooter in their own garage. How many people can claim that about their cars these days?

The best thing about gas scooters is the freedom. While you drive your scooter down the road you can smell the scent of the leaves changing in the fall, the warm summer breeze can brush along you cheeks as you hear the call of the Red Wing Blackbird. What more could you ask for?

Tags: cheap energy, solar panels, reduce energy, solar power, cheap fuel, save energy, cut electric bill, powersaver, energy survey, wind power

Buying a hybrid car is a big decision, even more so nowadays because there are many more hybrid cars and hybrid trucks to chooes from. Having a larger choice is both a good and bad thing. Not only do you have to decide which company to buy from but you also have to decide between getting a hybrid car or a hybrid truck or even a hybrid SUV. The decision can be simplified by knowing why you’re buying the hybrid; the issue of saving gas mileage versus just getting a hybrid vehicle in order to say you are driving a hybrid.

Hybrid cars combine two or more sources of power, usually consisting of an electric motor that regenerates energy through braking power and a standard gasoline engine, Because of the regenerated electric power, you are able to use much less gasoline to get where you want to go, which is how a hybrid vehicle saves you money. A hybrid is not an electric vehicle, and does not have to be recharged at night or anything like that. A hybrid is simply a gas powered car with electrical motor assistance.

Many forms of hybrid cars, hybrid trucks, and hybrid SUV’s are currently on the market or coming to market. These include but are not limited to the Toyota Prius, the Lexus GS 450h Hybrid, the Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid, the Toyota Highlander and 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid, and the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV.

Because of the large influx of hybrid cars, the cost premium of buying one has started to go down. President Bush even said that to cure our addiction to oil, we must invest in hybrid cars and other energy technology, so now is the time to consider buying one, especially with the world’s oil fields being so unstable and gasoline rising almost daily.

Which leads us to the key question, how do you best go about buying a hybrid car? Of course the start of that answer lies in 6 simple steps, which I have titled HYBRID. * H - How to know if buying a hybrid is right for you. * Y–Your personal driving habits might determine your choice * B–Before you even think about buying, be aware of your options * R–Research thoroughly the manufacturer and dealer to get the best price * I–Investigate other dealers, and also check online, it may be cheaper to buy in another state and have the hybrid car shipped to you * D–Don’t ever go by sticker price. A MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is just that, a Suggestion, so if you have done all the previous steps you will be armed sometimes with even more information than the salesman, thus allowing you to have the upper hand in the negotiation.

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Tracy Robinson is President of Zen Solutions - providing eco-friendly advice worldwide. More Hybrid Car Information can be found at http://www.HowToBuyAHybrid.com/

Tags: cut electric bill, save fuel, save gas, conserving energy, energy survey, how to save energy, cheap fuel, powersaver, cheap energy, wind power

Did you know that there are Hybrid Trucks just like Hybrid Cars? They are taking the Trucking Industry by storm and the dealers cannot get enough of them and there are even waiting lists from businesses who want them to save fuel and/or the PR value to show that they are environmentally with the program.

Kenworth now has a Hybrid Electric Class 6 Truck (Kenworth T-270) that operates in Hybrid mode below 30 miles per hour combining diesel and electricity and then it simply operates like a normal diesel truck once above 30 miles per hour. The system requires nothing from the driver it automatically switches as needed.

The best part about this truck is that the fuel economy efficiency savings is just over 30%. Saving 30% on your fuel bill makes the extra cost very much worth it for operators and this unit will be in full on production sometime in 2008 and this is a great leap forward.

Since the Hybrid Truck uses electricity in combination under 30 mph the more stop and go traffic the better mileage it gets; perfect for a deliver truck in the city. The battery is charged during braking using “regenerative braking” strategies and the electricity helps during acceleration and makes the performance also quite good.

It appears that the US Truck Manufacturers are not allowing the foreign Truck Makers to steal the show and that is because this Hybrid Truck Market is way too Hot! Indeed these Hybrid Trucks cost a little more, but with fuel prices on diesel so high they easily pay it back in fuel savings in a relatively short amount of time.

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According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, solar energy systems are the best way to generating power because they do not cause any pollution or noise. In fact, an average 6-kilowatt solar energy system will save about 30 pounds of nitrogen oxides, 40 pounds of sulfur dioxide and more than 17,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. Just how big is that? That?s equal to the carbon absorption of two acres of trees or the carbon dioxide emitted by two cars!

Many home and industrial users of solar energy systems find that solar energy is a sensible investment because almost of them experience positive cash flows within a year of installing solar energy systems in their homes or buildings. As long as a structure has adequate solar exposure, a solar energy system can be successfully installed and run.

Solar energy is apparently the future ? probably the third generation of power sourcing. Developers are finding new ways to make it more affordable for average users, and the government is helping out by providing tax incentives to people who use it. California, for example, gives rebates of $2.80 per watt to solar energy users. The incentives are even higher for residents and businesses in New Jersey and New York — the rebate level in these parts if the country is currently pegged at almost $5 per watt. If you don?t have enough money but would like to install solar energy system in your home, you can even get a federal tax credit worth $2,000 to get your started.

Experts advise people who are interested in ?solarizing? their homes to first analyze the solar exposure of their home or business building before spending money on rather expensive solar panels. It also makes sense to study and plan mounting and electrical interconnection issues before signing up.

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There are many different natural energy sources out there, some of which are more powerful than others, whereas others are more reliable in delivering a much greater output. We shall now take a look at some of the main renewable energy sources.

Tidal energy is fast becoming a popular choice for many governments as a result of more efficient technologies, which take advantage of the energy behind incoming tides. The disadvantage of tidal energy is expense and engineering capabilities.

Related to the tidal theory, but on a much smaller scale, is a method we are beginning to see used more widely in a number of countries, especially the U.K. This alternative method uses small propeller blades under running streams. This is becoming a popular choice for renewable energy in the countryside. This technology has been around for hundreds of years in the form of watermills.

Now we shall move on to wind. On-shore and off-shore wind turbines harness their power from wind energy. Off-shore turbines are generally more reliable, as the wind out at sea is fairly constant and of a significant average strength. On-shore turbines however, can still provide the same capacity as off-shore turbines, yet finding these perfect spots is tricky, and a wind farm proposal is usually met with anger from locals.

Geothermal (ground source) energy has been making a huge presence in countries such as Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and more recently the U.K. The geothermal energy under your feet is enough to heat water to a significant degree, and this can save you money on your heating and electricity bills, depending how you wish to use this energy.

Finally, the most common natural energy source used across the globe today is solar energy. The sun contains huge amounts of energy, and it is right there above our heads. No drilling is needed, and this energy can be used just about anywhere. It is one of the most versatile energy solutions available, and with the help of a solar panel, can heat your water, or provide you with electricity.

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