I have mentioned in previous posts the coming energy revolution and how it will redefine how we get energy and how much we pay for that energy. The energy revolution is fueled by two things. 1 - The need for more energy. As a society, our appetite for energy is growing by one big screen after another. 2 - The need for more clean energy. This is so we all have something to breath besides carbon.

How do we meet the energy revolution head on and protect ourselves from becoming ping pong balls batted around by the big oil companies?

Embrace Technology: Recently I read that Tiger Woods is having a new 50 million dollar home built. I also see where you can hire a Lifestyle Technology Consultant that is a master of multitasking and uses technology to make lives more efficient. Notice here that I said lives more efficient and not homes more efficient. Have you considered a home-automation system that lets you take command of all your video, music, security, shades, heating, cooling, and more, from a single, easy to use controller? I bet Tiger Woods has.

For you and me, people that do not hit little balls for a living, there are few pieces of technology we actually might be able to take advantage of.

1. Power Monitor: Power monitors are available from several companies that allow you to monitor the electricity or natural gas you are using right now. Studies have shown that when people have real time energy usage available, they save up to 15% on their power bills. The power monitors can be installed on any home and cost about $200.00. For this, you do not need to spend 50 million.

2. Power Saving Appliances: It is no longer sufficient just to look for the Energy Star logo when you are purchasing appliances. The amount of power an Energy Star appliance uses can very greatly. You need to look the appliance up on the Energy Star web site and look for the rated energy factor ( EF ) of the appliance. The higher the energy factor the higher the efficiency.

Also, some appliances, like Sony's new TV, have energy saving features that may not be reflected in the Energy Star rating. Sony has a TV that will turn itself off, completed off, if it senses that no one is watching.

3. Heating and Cooling Equipment:Heat pumps and gas furnaces have made amazing advancements in efficiency in recent years. Call your State Department of Energy and get a list of State tax credit certified heating contractors. Invite a contractor to your home to talk about upgrading your old heating and cooling system and taking advantage of the rebates, incentives and tax credits that are available to you.

4. Schedule a Home Energy Assessment: Ask the State Certified Heating Contractor or your Power Company to recommend a Certified Home Energy Auditor to come to your home and assess where you can best save energy and money. In some cases, the home audit may be free because of incentives from your power company. A good Energy Auditor will use both a blower door and an infrared camera to assess your home. If the auditor does not have these two pieces of equipment, send them home and look for someone else.

5. Install Alternative Energy: Solar panels or wind generator, one or both maybe a good source of clean power produced right at your home. Here again, contact your State Department of Energy and get a list of Certified Contractors. You will need to use a certified contractor to be sure and have the State and Federal tax credits available to you. Before proceeding, you also need to contact your power company to understand the programs they may have that will allow you to connect your alternative energy system to their power grid. You can also have an alternative energy system that does not connect to the power grid. This type of system often uses your own batteries to store the electricity for use when needed.

If I was Tiger Woods, I would cut back on the 50 million just enough to be sure and install a panel or two of solar energy. Producing your own power might be very beneficial during a big earthquake, a huge hurricane, or a golf club assault.

Thanks for dropping by, hope you save some energy today...but, remember, I won't leave the light on for you! Don Ames