How to Buy Green Energy Sources

by Carole Vansickle

Overview

Green energy sources can be purchased when you buy a carbon offset. Carbon offsets are essentially determined by estimating the amount of carbon dioxide you as a person contribute to the atmosphere and then investing a small amount of money in a wind or solar energy farm to make up for this carbon dioxide emission. Green energy sources are places and ways to purchase carbon offsets so that you can "eliminate" or reduce your carbon footprint.

Step 1

Calculate the carbon footprint from your house. As a general rule of thumb, small houses carry a $50 offset, while large house may carry a $75 offset. A small house is generally four bedrooms or less, while a large house is five or more bedrooms. Mansions must have a professional calculator determine their carbon footprint because they tend to have custom amenities that cause more environmental impact.
Step 2

Calculate your vehicle's total carbon footprint. Zero emissions vehicles carry a zero dollar offset, 41-plus miles-per-gallon cars carry a $25 offset, and then add $10 for each ten miles per gallon that the gas mileage is lower than 41 mpg.
Step 3

Add your house carbon footprint and your vehicles' carbon footprint together. This will give you the total amount that needs to be invested in alternative energy sources in order to help you offset your current energy expenditures and provide green energy sources for the future.
Step 4

Make your investment. Find wind farms or solar farms in your area or in your state, give them the basics of your calculations, and make arrangements to pay for your green energy source. Some farms will actually help outfit your current home to be more energy efficient, while others will provide credits to you in exchange for your green energy purchase that you can either resell or that you can use to show that your lifestyle is now "green" instead of using up irreplaceable energy sources.

3
Your gas mileage Your house size
Your gas mileage
Your house size
There are many government programs that reward people who invest in green energy sources. Keep a record of your contributions as this trend is likely to continue.
There are many government programs that reward people who invest in green energy sources. Keep a record of your contributions as this trend is likely to continue.
If you want to get credit for buying green energy sources, you need to keep receipts and logs of all of your green energy purchases. This is not the company's job.
If you want to get credit for buying green energy sources, you need to keep receipts and logs of all of your green energy purchases. This is not the company's job.

Overview