How Can You Save Energy And Save Money With A Hybrid?

March 9, 2009 by  
Filed under On Gas

With the current state of shrinking oil stores, many people are looking to find ways in which to cut costs and glean more mileage out of every last drop of gas in the tank. The oil supplies that we do have will not last forever and it is crucial that we find ways to increase efficiency in the use of gas and find alternative resources for fuel.

Not so long ago it was the pretty standard to have a big car with a big tank and an even bigger appetite for gas. Now, however, those cars are frowned on due to both the low mileage per gallon and emissions on the environment.

One way to really save energy and save money is investing in a hybrid car. This type of vehicle is run on both gas and electricity and provides the benefits of both types of fuel including efficient fuel use and power.

Many people are turning to this new type of car including those with high profiles in the entertainment industry. Only a few years ago, this would have been unheard of, however, people are beginning to realise the implications on the economy, environment and lifestyle of ignoring the depletion in fuel.

Most probably do not realise that the hybrid concept dates back to the 1800’s so it is hardly in it’s infancy. Some of the most prestigious car manufacturers such as Lexus, Ford and Honda have produced hybrid cars and it would appear that the market is growing.

Other features of the hybrid car also contribute to energy efficiency. The engine will automatically shut down when the car comes to a halt or when coasting and the car utilizes a system known as regenerative braking which confines the energy which would otherwise be lost in braking.
The hybrid is designed so that there is no energy lost due to “drag” with it’s aerodynamic structure and well-designed tyres..

Now that there are many hybrid cars being manufactured of all shapes and sizes, it is possible to get a size of your choosing, however just as with pure gas-run cars, the larger the hybrid the lower efficiency. That being said the larger hybrid still beats the standard vehicle by miles on efficiency.

In pure electric mode the hybrid can reach around 40 mph, after this the combustion engines is activated giving additional power.

In terms of saving money on gas, the hybrid, if allowing you an estimated additional10 miles per gallon with a mileage of around 15000 miles per year and $4 per gallon, you will be saving in excess of a thousand dollars. That is the lower end of the scale, some hybrid cars can be even more economic and when factoring in the possibly of tax savings, the overall saving will increase still.

Saving money and saving on gas is paramount in this day and age. The hybrid car takes care of both of these and a nice car to boot.

Learn How To Save Money On Gas Using 5 Easy Steps

March 8, 2009 by  
Filed under On Gas

Gone are the days when you could go for a leisurely drive to nowhere in particular just for the fun of it. In the past you might have been happy to be branded the boy/girl racer and proud of it too. However, with the depletion of gas and the knock-on effect of the increasing prices, it is now almost a necessity to find methods to save on gas.

Driving is not going to go away, most of us rely on it to get to work, school, the weekly shop among others, so it is time to develop new strategies to make the most out of our tank of fuel.

You may be surprised to find that it is quite simple to make a few changes to your driving to really rack up the benefits. Making an effort to apply one of the following steps to your driving per day will see you saving more money on gas than you thought was possible.

1. One of the first important factors to think about is slowing down. This does not have to mean to a snails pace but just slightly under the speed limit. The most cost-effective speed for most cars is 55 mph, giving you the most value for money. This may take some discipline, but it can be done. Some highways allow up to 80 mph but unless there is an emergency there is really no need for such a speed. The focus is on how to save money, not how to get to your destination a few minutes quicker.

2. Alongside driving at an efficient speed, try to develop a calm demeanour. This can be quite difficult, I think we have all experienced road rage. However, try to drive as if you have precious cargo on board that must be kept pristine. You will find that not only do you save money on gas but become a safer driver into the bargain.

3. Try to drive at a consistence pace, rather than jerky movements, moving and cutting around other traffic. Cutting mileage by only 5% can make an overall saving of around $100 dollars per year. Better in your pocket.

4. Think about unnecessary weight in you vehicle. Do you have a luggage rack, a trunk full of unneeded items? If you get rid of the additional weight, again, you will be saving money on gas with less weight to pull and a reduction on air drag.

5) It is no longer a requirement for you car to warm up on ignition. These days, cars are engineered to warm up almost instantly and time left with the car in idle is simply a waste of gas.

*(6) An additional tip to avoid gas waste is to fill your tank at a cool time of the day as the volume of gas increases with higher temperatures and may leak out. These tips for saving money on gas can be implemented everyday and you will soon be reaping the benefits of a more cost-effective drive.

Using 7 Simple Hypermiler Tips To Save Energy And Save Money

March 7, 2009 by  
Filed under On Gas

A new phenomena is taking hold in a bid to save money on gas called Hypermiling, also known as Ecodriving. This, essentially, is the economic use of gas when driving, the definition of hypermiling being to rebel against increasing gas prices. In this day and age, these tactics are very appealing and although they require a little discipline, they can go a long way to help save energy and save money.

Most of the methods involved in this technique are pretty simple to incorporate into your driving . Together with the following tips you can also save money on car repairs and heighten the effectiveness of gas saving by keeping your vehicle in good condition with oil and filter changes on a regular basis and keeping the tyres inflated to reduce “drag”.

1. Try to keep your speed within the speed limit, preferably lower if possible. The higher the speed the higher the gas consumption. You will still get to your destination by driving a little slower and probably with little difference in time. It is a fallacy that driving at speed gets you where you want to go quicker in a built up area or in town. You are limited by the traffic signals and other drivers, so if you are driving fast you will simply be using the brakes a lot more.

2. It is possible to save on gas by driving in neutral or with your foot on the clutch, allowing the momentum coast the car. However in some states this is illegal and can also be a danger when driving in heavy traffic.

3. Before beginning your journey take a moment to plan ahead. What routes have less traffic signals, slow moving traffic and other factors that will cause you to drive less economically. Shorter routes with more congestion can end up taking longer with higher gas consumption.

4. Another step to save money on gas is by “ridge riding”. This technique involves driving close to the single white line on the right side of the highway cutting any unnecessary addition to your route. Weaving around on the highway just increases gas usage and adds to the mileage.

5. When you are driving towards a hill, try to increase speed giving you the required momentum to coast down the hill in neutral for an extended distance.

6. Every powered facility in a car such as air-conditioning, powered mirrors and other controls, all contribute to the overall gas requirement of the vehicle. Try to limit use of these additional luxuries when possible. Over time you will really notice a difference.

7. The two most important factors in being an effective hypermiler is patience and discipline. However once you start using the techniques they will soon become second nature. Many people are already beginning to slow down due to rising costs in gas. There will, no doubt, always be aggressive drivers or someone with an emergency, so be a courteous driver and let them by where appropriate.

You can hyper mile with any type of car but it is even more effective with smaller cars and hybrids. Using these simple tips to run your car more efficiently not only saves you money but contributes greatly to the environment.

Learn How To Save Money On Gas With A Few Simple Changes

March 6, 2009 by  
Filed under On Gas

With the growing cost of gas and the lack of increase on income to support it, there comes a time when we need to make some changes in our lifestyle to save money and save energy with a simple reduction in fuel consumption.

It is surprisingly easy to make a few cut backs on fuel which together significantly reduces the overall usage. Oil has become dangerously depleted and we are now increasingly depending on other nations to provide us with oil.

Driving at speed is one of the main culprits for excessive gas consumption. Many find themselves driving fast thinking that they will get there in quick time. The truth is, unless the roads are completely clear, driving faster than the speed limit will rarely get you to your destination more than a few minutes earlier, taking traffic lights, traffic jams and other factors into consideration. More than likely quick acceleration promptly precedes rough braking, so not only does fuel consumption increase but also wear to the vehicle.

Sometimes it can be difficult to try to keep to the speed limit, when we are late for example, it takes extreme disciple to avoid speeding but remembering that it really doesn’t save much time can help. Furthermore, once you exceed 60 mph, the gas consumption is exponentially higher at 30 cents per gallon for every 5 mph over. Driving at a reasonable pace with no harsh accelerating and braking can reduce consumption of up to 33%. That is definitely worth bearing in mind.

Many people do not realise that driving in a lower gear can also increase consumption. Always use the a higher gear where appropriate for your speed for a reduction in the engine turnover (this means using less gas) and try using cruise control for smoother control. Using the controls of your car with care can greatly reduce not only your gas bill but repair for wear and tear.

Whenever possible turn off your engine when you are not driving. Idling accounts for much of the fuel consumption and lets face it, it gets you nowhere. Larger cars consume even more fuel when idle, so even if you are to be stopped for a minute or two, it is still worth turning the engine off.

Other controls in the car such as air conditioning or heating has an impact on the overall cost. Using such facilities can significantly reduce the miles per gallon. Try pulling down the window, ok maybe it will still be hot but using this method for shorter journeys will really help you save your money for a rainy day.

How many times do you get in your car when walking would have sufficed? No one, I’m sure, is free from guilt here but again, it really does make a difference in the long run to save trips in the car for when it is really necessary. If you absolutely need to go out in the car, try to avoid the rush hour if possible, stopping and starting at the lights doesn’t make for money saving.

If a few of you are going to work in the same direction, try car-sharing. This phenomena has really taken off and many are saving huge amounts on money and fuel as well as car repairs.

These little changes on how to save money on gas are easy to incorporate into your life and the benefits are huge. You can save money to pay debts and other household expenses or simply have extra cash to spend on luxuries.

Which Alternative Fuels Can Help You Save Money?

March 5, 2009 by  
Filed under On Gas

Due to diminishing resources, fuel prices are now on the increase and becoming one of the main household expenses. Many people are now actively looking for effective ways to save money on gas and research into the possibility of using alternative fuel, has put three main contestants, ethanol, electricity and bio diesel up for discussion.

Ethanol, which is also known as pure alcohol is a highly feasible candidate for use as an alternative fuel. It is produced by a system involving the extraction of ethanol from plants, known as biomass. Brazil has the largest production of ethanol for fuel purposes using sugar cane with around 20% of cars having ethanol engines.

Ethanol can also be produced using other biomass plantation such as leaves, wheat, sawdust and household waste products. The ease and abundance of resources for the production of ethanol makes it a very efficient alternative fuel and, in the very near future, may be a practical method to save energy and save money..

Plantations have been created solely for the purpose of the production of renewable fuels, which not only reduces damage to the environment but also creates employment.

Bio diesel or bio fuel is manufactured using vegetable oils and fats and is completely bio-degradable and clean burning. It is one of the cleanest alternative fuels meeting the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments.

Bio diesel is relatively simple to produce and at a lower cost due to the readily available resources. It is possible to produce this fuel at home, however if there are any complications in the process, damage to an automobile engine may follow. Currently, the bio diesel industry is in it’s infancy but is steadily growing due to increasing demand.

Electricity is another alternative fuel which can be utilized in the running of vehicles known as “hybrid” cars. This is a process involving batteries storing energy and an electric motor powering the wheels, the batteries require replacement roughly every four years. Currently these cars are not quite at the standard of traditional fuel run cars in terms of distance, speed and storage capacity.

Hybrid electric cars are also clean running with no dangerous emissions. They are perfect for the daily run to work/school and are light and run quietly.

Due to apparent lack of demand, there has not been production of a pure electricity run car by a large vehicle company, however there has been some increase in small business manufacture.

The usage of renewable fuel is becoming a certainty due to the depletion of natural oil resources and the effect on the environment. Many people are becoming desperate to learn how to save money on gas. With the usage of renewable fuel, research has shown that gas demand will reduce around 30% in the U.S by 2030.