Something simple to do to help the planet—choose green web hosting for your blog or website. Think Solar power, wind power—and even cow power!
We all want to do our part to turn things around for Planet Earth, and this is easy and fun. You can even choose which alternative energy source will power your site, and then let your visitors know that you’re doing your part. I have personally investigated all these options and use several of them for my own sites. I’ve researched these companies in depth to be sure they really do offer the highest level of green web hosting. Full disclosure: these are also my affiliate links, and I would receive a small commission on any sales that result from them. This is one little way of supporting this site and doing something good for the planet at the same time.
These options are arranged according to what’s distinct about their energy source and overall energy policies.
1. Host Gator. 130% wind-powered.
I use them to power this very blog. Not only does all the energy come from wind power, Host Gator has purchased renewable energy credits representing 130% of the electricity used to both power and cool all of their servers. Located in Houston, Host Gator buys all of their energy credits from local Texas wind farms.
• Genuine 24/7/365 support
• Host unlimited sites
• Reseller options
• Free site builder
• C-panel hosting
2. Solar Energy Host. True sun power.
Located in Vancouver, B.C., this is one of the few hosts who has their own solar energy collectors. This is better than carbon neutral because it doesn’t involve the purchasing of carbon credits. By hosting your website with Solar Energy Host, you are making a real difference in reducing climate change.
• 24-hour email support
• Daily back-ups
• Instant account activation
• C-panel hosting
• Plants a tree for every new account
Learn more about direct sun-powered hosting from Solar Energy Host here.
3. Dream Host. Completely carbon neutral.
This company is employee-owned, so the level of service is above average. Located in Brea, CA, Dream Host has really gone the extra miles to examine their entire energy profile. In addition to conservation measures, they even offset the gas used to drive to work. Fully certified energy credits.
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Unlimited storage (size of your site)
• Your own unique IP address
• Unlimited email addresses
• Nice green badges for your site
Learn more about carbon neutral hosting from Dream Host here.
4. Host Papa. Various alternative energies.
These folks have offices in Niagara Falls, NY, Canada and the UK, and they buy their green tags from a variety of sources. If you host with them, your site will be powered by a combo of wind and solar power, and yes, cow doodoo from dairy farms in Tillamook, OR. (The other cow output goes into great cheese.)
• Host unlimited domains on one account
• Unlimited data transfer (bandwidth)
• Free site builder software
• Free shopping cart functionality
• Multiple backup data centers
5. Think Host. Sun and wind power.
Think Host is a socially responsible Portland, OR company who takes its green mission seriously. After an extensive energy audit they purchased certified green tags for their business. They even offer free hosting to U.S. groups promoting peace, social justice and the environment.
• Guaranteed 100% uptime
• Unlimited server space and bandwidth
• Host unlimited domains on one account
• Unlimited email autoresponders
• Will plant a tree for each new account
Learn more about socially responsible hosting from Think Host here.
6. Go Green Hosting. All Oklahoma wind power.
This woman-owned business in Oklahoma has been around since 1998 and is committed to creating a sustainable society. They purchase green tags to offset each kilowatt-hour they consume, including each employee’s home and office, the home office, and the server’s housing.
• Unlimited email addresses
• Unlimited email autoresponders
• Easy features install with C-panel
• 24/7 ticketing support system
• Socially responsible company with an ethics policy
Learn more about wind-powered hosting from Go Green Hosting here.
7. A2 Hosting. Helping replant forests.
This Michigan company doesn’t just provide carbon neutral hosting solutions, they’re committed to protecting the environment for future generations. By buying all their carbon offsets from Carbonfund.org, they support renewable energy and reforestation projects and help reduce CO2 emissions on a global scale.
• Superior automatic backup service (every few hours!)
• Optional VPS hosting
• Serious perpetual security measures
• Unlimited storage, bandwidth and domains
• Free site builder software
Learn more about replanting forests as a benefit of choosing A2 Hosting here.