With all energy costs soaring almost daily, and the effects of climate change so prevalent, many people are wondering if there is any truth to the concept of "Living Green". With recent advances in renewable energy technology, it is far easier now than it has ever been to start living the "Green Dream". These advances have seen big improvements in quality and efficiency as well as cost reductions which have made many products affordable for the average householder.

But first let us define what Green energy is.

Green energy is created from natural renewable resources, Sunlight, Wind and Water. Because of this, it is also known as Renewable Energy. It should not be misinterpreted as Alternative Energy, which also includes nuclear power and other carbon use sources.

So are there real benefits on a home or small business level to Green technology? Most certainly!! By installing green energy technology in the home you can save hundreds of pounds each year. Renewable energy technology is gaining in popularity all the time and it is easier to meet your home’s energy needs now, than ever before.

With the information now available about Green Energy, especially on the Internet it is possible to build a wind turbine or solar panel with just basic Do-it-yourself skills. If you can afford a professionally installed system, these are generally more efficient, but savings can still be made, and at a faster rate by building your own green systems.

So how can we utilize green principles in our home or indeed business premises. The process can start as early as the design stage, by implementing passive solar design, and taking advantage of south facing walls for heating and cooling. Installing plenty of highly efficient windows as well as heat retaining bricks, will ensure that you are taking full advantage of passive solar techniques.

The vast majority of us, however, don’t have the luxury of building our own home though. So what measures can the average person take to start living "Green". As we said earlier Green energy comes from wind, water as well as the sun. If you are lucky enough to have a stream on your property you can harness its hydro electric power capabilities, and any average householder can install a wind turbine to utilize wind power.

Turbines can be installed on rooftops or on open land and and offer total pollution free electricity. Recent improvements in this technology have made turbines lighter and more aerodynamically efficient. They can be purchased from retailers or, for the more experienced do-it-yourselfer, there are a variety of value for money kits available on line so they can implement their own green energy home plans.

However for the majority of us, solar energy would be the most popular source of green energy due to its multiple use options. There are actually 2 types of solar energy: Thermal as well as Light. Homeowners can install a thermal rooftop solar hot water collector for all their heating needs, as well as installing solar panels, which use photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. Again, advances in solar technology have reduced these from giant panels to thin film layers, which are much more efficient and require less sunlight. Both of these systems can again be expensive if bought retail and installed professionally, but again there are an increasing number of reputable on line sites where you can build your own panels at a fraction of the retail cost.

Ideally a green energy home would combine all 3 sources, to generate electricity. Considerable savings can be made, grants may be available for installation costs and even possible profits from selling back your excess electricity generated. By using wind, water and solar energy you are truly going Green as they have no negative effect on the environment.

Green energy technology certainly does work and can be utilized by homes and businesses alike. Renewable energy can save you money, and with increasing consumer use, it will minimize the effects of global warming and our reliance on fossil fuels. So don’t delay. TAKE ACTION NOW and start living the "Green Dream".