In addition to learning about carbon footprints, you can also view an interactive display of electrical consumption all around the world. You can view a global map, or zoom and see more specific regions. The interactive display also shows how each region produces electricity. You can use the sliders below the map to see how changing the way a region produces their electricity would impact that region, and the entire world.

For anyone looking to understand more about energy, and how to conserve it, this is a great tool. It is also a valuable tool for students looking to learn about more about the worlds energy consumption.

Features:

• Interactive world map of electrical usage.
• Interactive world map of carbon footprints.
• Ability to change energy production and see the effect it would have.
• Compare carbon footprint results with regional averages.
• Find ways to save energy.

In My Backyard is an online tool offered by the NREL ““ National Renewable Energy Laboratory. You start using In My Backyard by entering your address. The site locates the address on a map and asks you to select either solar or wind power. Next you draw on the map the region where you will install solar panels or the point where your wind generator will be placed.

According to your selected energy and your region’s amount of sunshine intensity or wind intensity the site will provide an impressive estimate of various quantities. These quantities provide information on the power output and initial cost of your system and how long it will take for you to recover the system’s cost. This information can greatly help in determining whether or not your renewable energy plans will be economical.

Features:

• A user friendly web tool.
• Lets you estimate power output of renewable energy.
• Supports solar and wind power.
• Helps determine if your renewable energy plans will be worth it.
• Similar tools: RoofRay, Google PowerMeter, AppliancesEnergyUse, HomeEnergySaver, FuelCharts and MicrosoftHohm.
• Also read related articles:
  10+ Websites To Keep You Updated On Green News
  10 Search Engines To Help The Environment
  5 Sites And Tips on How to Go Green and Save Money

Check out In My Backyard @ www.mercator.nrel.gov/imby (by MOin from ThumbPress)

In order to get Google PowerMeter, you’ll have to choose a device or sign up with a utility given on their website. Google has partnered with certain smart meter manufacturers in UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Germany, and you’ll find the corresponding firm names on the site when you hit the “Get PowerMeter” button.

Features

• Home energy consumption monitor online.
• Predict your electricity bills.
• See what’s causing spikes in energy usage.
• Set and track home energy budget.
• You need a utility smart meter that Google has partnered with.
• Similar tools: AppliancesEnergyUse, HomeEnergySaver, FuelCharts and MicrosoftHohm.

Check out Google PowerMeter @ www.google.com/powermeter (By Abhijeet from Guiding Tech)

The tool provides information about a total of 53 commonly used residential appliances. Click on any appliance to turn it on and off. By turning off all the appliances you don’t use, you will be able to see the total amount of energy your appliances use. Click on the green star next to any appliance to see information about an EnergyStar alternative and how many years it would take for the EnergyStar appliance to pay for itself.

Features:

• See how much energy residential appliances use.
• Includes everything from a furnace to a curling iron.
• Find out the total energy your appliances use.
• See information about energy efficient alternatives.
• No registration required.
• Similar tool: HomeEnergySaver, FuelCharts and MicrosoftHohm

Visit AppliancesEnergyUse @ www.ge.com/visualization/appliances_energyuse/index.html [Via Pentagram]

A similar analysis is done regarding the electrical appliances in your house and the travel you do each year through personal vehicles or public transport. Your complete carbon footprint is then generated and compared to the national average. Based on the comparison, a plan is then generated on how to reduce your yearly carbon emission, including various energy saving tips.

Features:

• Generate a complete carbon footprint.
• Calculate how much CO2 is emitted from your house.
• Get a plan to reduce carbon emission.
• Compare your carbon footprint with an average user.
• No registration required.
• Similar tools: Microsoft Hohm.

Visit CarbonCalculator @ http://carboncalculator.direct.gov.uk/carboncalc/html/index.aspx

You start by answering around 20 different questions about the appliances you use and your energy needs in different categories. HomeEnergySaver than takes that information and creates a report of your potential savings by switching to more energy efficient appliances such as a gas run dryer compared to an electric dryer. You can also view detailed information on how much each upgrade would cost and how much potential savings it would translate to.

Features:

• Calculate potential savings in energy costs.
• Get suggestions for switching to energy efficient appliances.
• Potential energy savings based on your location and usage.
• No registration required.
• Access previous sessions by saving the session number.
• Similar tools:  FuelCharts and MicrosoftHohm.

Visit HomeEnergySaver @ www.hes.lbl.gov

To track your energy usage, input the type of fuel that you used, the amount paid, amount bought/used, and the date of purchase. The site will automatically tabulate the data for you. You can also generate charts and graphs to help you visualize your energy usage by fuel type or fuel cost by month. In addition, you can set e-mail reminders in your account regarding your energy use.

Features:

• Track your energy usage month-to-month and year-to-year for free.
• Save money by analyzing heavy usage months.
• Track several fuel types including electricity, oil, biodiesel, propate, kerosene, and more.
• Setup e-mail reminders to check your oil tank, pay a bill, and more.
• Set reminders based on previous purchase dates.

Check out FuelCharts @ www.fuelstart.com/fuelcharts

Features

• Free web based home energy cost calculator.
• Sign up with Windows Live ID and postal code ( US only ).
• Answer questions and get detailed energy report.
• Get tips to reduce your energy costs in your home.

Check out Microsoft Hohm @ www.microsoft-hohm.com (by Abhijeet from Jeet Blog)