Green Blog

Many people now have worries over where their electricity comes from. We are constantly being bombarded by news stories of how we are having a negative effect on the planet and environment. Most of our electricity still comes from fossil fuels that add to the amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. If you want to switch your electricity source to a “greener” technology then you should choose solar panels for your home.

There are immediate benefits to using solar power to produce your electricity. The financial savings can be considerable when measured over a number of years but there are also grants and tax breaks you may be eligible for through switching to an alternative energy source. All local authorities are now encouraging people to conserve energy and switch to green practices. Find out if there are any grants available in your area to cover the cost of the installation charges.

If you have a building or a property in a remote location then it may not be possible for you to connect to the national power grid. By installing solar panels you will be able to have an unlimited supply of power. There is no longer a necessity to depend on a utility company and our government to provide us with the electricity we require.

Even just five years ago photovoltaic cells were not so efficient. This has forever changed as there have been rapid advances in the field of solar technology. Now even on a rainy or cloudy day the cells will be able to produce enough electricity to make a difference.

You can install solar panels that will produce a small percentage of your electricity requirements or it is also possible to fix up a series of panels so that your energy needs are met independently of the national power grid.

There are many companies that can install solar panels on your property though if you have a basic understanding of DIY then you can do the job yourself in just a short time.

The price of solar panels is decreasing. To make it even more affordable you can craft your own DIY solar panels.

One of the primary deterrents to solar energy installation is its initial expense. Right now, for the average American home, it’s still more expensive to buy the equipment for a solar home energy system, than a traditional fossil fuel home energy system. Here are a few facts to consider, however, when looking at the “bigger picture” of solar energy installation:

1. Using the sun’s energy by capturing it and using it in solar panels will help your home value appreciate.

2. Solar home energy systems pay for themselves in about half their lifetime (on average 25 - 30 years lifetime).

3. You are installing a clean, non-polluting system that, since there are no moving parts to break or replace, will be either low maintenance or maintenance-free.

4. If you generate more power than you need, you may be able to sell your excess energy to your local electric company.

5. There are government sponsored rebates and incentives that you may qualify for.

If you’ve been keeping up with home building trends, you’ve undoubtedly noticed more and more home owners are interested in “going green,” resulting in a remarkable trend toward using as many renewable resources, including solar energy, for construction, as possible. Not only will this trend result in a rising value for “green” homes, it will also push costs for solar energy and other environmentally-friendly building supplies down.

If you’ve decided you really want solar energy when building or remodeling your home, but can’t convince yourself you can afford it…at least the initial installation cost…consider installing the system yourself. Solar panels installed by a contractor is much more expensive…bids are coming in that are 10 times or greater more than what you would pay if you did your own installation. There’s no rocket science involved in solar energy construction or installation. Basically, you have a specially constructed solar panel (a box, PV or photovoltaic cells, wire, soldering iron, connections, a cover made of tempered or plexiglass and silicone or other sealant), that captures the sunlight’s energy to activate the electrons on the PV cells. When those electrons move, and then are directed through your panel, they create an electrical chain. That goes through a charge controller in the form of a DC charge. Then, the charge gets either run through an inverter to transform it into 110 volt AC current, or it gets captured in a deep cycle storage battery. There are many DIY models on the Internet with tips, tricks, and instructions. Some are free and some charge a small amount. Look at Earth4Energy to find a clear instruction for a very reasonable amount.

Taking advantage of passive solar energy is a great way to cut your energy costs. Examine closely the best ways to take advantage of the sun’s energy to direct the sunlight to your home’s windows, then walls and floors, to allow heat distribution in the winter, and summertime rejection. No electrical or mechanical devices or solar panels are necessary in passive solar energy, although there are five critical elements for success in passive solar design. Those five critical elements are 1) area…glass generally, to allow sunlight into your building; 2) absorber…hard, dark surface for the sunlight to hit and be absorbed as heat; 3) thermal mass…the material below or behind the absorber; 4) distribution plan or system…how the solar heat gets circulated; and 5) control…awnings, blinds, differential thermostats and roof overhangs.

You can save money using solar energy, passive or active, or a combination of both. Your immediate, up-front cost may be greater… although you can reduce that cost significantly by doing your own installation…but when you consider the cost of energy usage over time (particularly with other energy costs constantly rising), solar energy will save you money on your utility bills while saving the planet from escalating environmental damage.

States CEO and President Rhone Resch, Solar Energy Industries Association, on Earth Day 2010: “Today we need to take action to accelerate the deployment of solar. If you are a homeowner or business owner, consider putting solar on your property or buying clean energy through your utility. And if you are a policymaker, consider incentives, like extending the federal Treasury Grant Program, that are working to stimulate more investment in solar.”

Whatever each of us does, be it large or small, that encourages and supports solar energy development, generations to come will benefit from the difference.

Learn more about solar power costs. Stop by Timothy Peters’s site where you can find out all about home solar power and what it can do for you.

While Canada is one of the best countries to live in, the fact remains that our climate is unpredictable and residents are forced to spend large amounts of money in the winter to heat their homes, and to spend just as much money in the summer to cool them down.

It is just early June and already residents of Canada have been forced to shell out cash due to intense heat waves. Not only is the heat incapacitating, it can be dangerous for the elderly and for those who do not remember to keep their bodies hydrated. Therefore, spending money on cooling costs is not luxurious spending. It is essential to the wellbeing of the average Canadian.

In addition to the extra spending, Canadians must remain conscious that the energy being used to cool their homes not only leaves a hole in their wallets, it also increasingly damages our environment by using up precious resources. The question remains as to how we can reduce our energy costs and conserve at the same time, while still maintaining a basic need.

There are some easy ways to reduce your cooling costs, and remain environmentally friendly at the same time. Canadians are now starting to follow these easy tips. If you live in a sunny home, close the blinds. While sunshine is lovely, it can greatly increase the heat generated in your home. If you want the sunlight, close the blinds during 12pm and 2pm, which are the hottest hours of the day.

Buy an air-conditioning system sized appropriately for your home. If you only have a small space you wish to keep cool, purchase a small system. Consult with the person selling the system and ask for their best opinions with regards to space and size.

Ensure that your air-conditioning condenser is not crowded or blocked by other pieces of furniture and that it is located in a shady spot of the room.

Awnings can be installed over sunny spots of your house. Turn off the air conditioner when you are not home. Maintain repairs to your unit, and change the filter monthly.

Make sure the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is 13 or better. If a machine is less efficient than this, it will cost more to run. If you don’t use particular rooms of your house, close the ducts and shut the doors.

Make sure your ducts are not covered by furniture. Turn off your televisions and computers when they are not in use because they generate heat. When you are not using lights, turn them off, as they also generate heat. Most of your home’s heat is absorbed through the roof; make sure your attic is properly ventilated.

If Canadians follow these simple tips they can drastically reduce their energy bills in the summer.

There are also ways that you can calculate your cooling by going to Natural Resources Canada: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/cooling-ventilation/rooms-ac/cost-calculation.cfm

This will help you figure out how much you are spending, and how you can reduce you costs.

Adriana Noton is a freelance writer who writes on a variety of financial topics including personal budgeting and debt counselling. For more information about personal finance, ConsolidatedCredit.ca is a tremendous resource on the topic for Canadians.

New research claims that solar panels will become even more affordable in the near future. The cost of solar panels will decrease in part to the life expectancy of a solar panel. It was initially thought that a solar panel would last only between 10-20 years; new studies have shown that they can last up to 30 years.

Green research institutes as well as various governments have been encouraging consumers to choose solar energy. In addition to encouraging consumers, they have also been encouraging financial institutions such as banks to make the finances available for this type of purchase.

Governments across the globe including Europe and China have been listening to these environmentalists and have been offering incentive packages for the installation of solar panels. This has increased the demand and lowered the prices of solar panels. The US and India are expected to implement similar incentive plans for their citizens as well. This will push demand even further, and prices even lower.

This type of renewable energy usually pays for itself, as mentioned above, because the main costs are actually buying the panels and installation. After that, you do not have to pay for your energy source, unlike regular electricity.

There are optimistic goals set out in the renewable energy industry. Some experts in the field are setting their expectations as high as having half of Europe dependent on solar energy in comparison to electricity grids as soon as 2020. Not only that, but with increased demand and usage it will make solar energy as cheap as buying it from an electricity grid.

Increase demand for renewable energy is growing around the globe. This means that the solar panel industry will boom, creating more profits for the companies involved, allowing them to cut costs even further.

By learning how to build a solar panel, you can save money and even build a pool solar panel.

categories: environment,home,technology,home improvement,reference,education,energy efficiency,energy,solar energy,green living

“Going Green” is the latest trend all over the nation. Saving the planet can start right in your living room. There are several things you can do to “go green”, your heating and cooling bills will go down and you’ll save yourself energy and money along the way. Enjoy a healthier lifestyle; “go green”!

Everywhere you look, you’ll find ways to increase the
efficiency of your apartment. To keep it simple, the following
paragraphs outline some of the best - and easiest - ways
to get started:

Change your light bulbs - Replace old incandescent bulbs with low energy bulbs. It may cost more, but it will last longer and it glows brighter. You can also use LED (light emitting diode) on your apartment patio if you think of decorating it with lights.

Natural lighting - Use natural lighting when there is a chance. Use blinds instead of flipping the switch on every time you enter a room. During colder months, these blinds can also be used to keep warm air inside. If you must use lights, use low-energy bulbs and turn them off every time you leave the room.

Thermostat - You can save energy and money over a years’ time by switching your thermostat a few degrees warmer or cooler. Wear sweatshirt in the winter to keep you warm while inside. Open your windows when it’s feasible, to let cool wind inside when its summer. This way, you’ll save anywhere from 1 to 3% of your monthly bill.

Unplug appliances - People don’t seems to notice that plugged cell phone charger, toaster and blender can be a waste of energy. Consider unplugging these devices when not in use.

Turn off your computer - Turning off your computer or putting it in sleep mode when not in use is a huge factor on saving energy. “Set” your computer on power saving mode to help decrease its power consumption. Lower core voltage on the processor so it can also lower power bills. These are great tools when leaving your computer throughout the day.

Washer and dryer - If you’re a person who’s lucky
enough to have a washer and dryer in your apartment, be sure to use
the “cold” setting. Clothes will come out just as clean
as if you use warm water - and you’ll save money on your
heating bill. Be mindful of the load size as well. Overfilling the
washer will require you to run your dryer several times to make sure
the clothes are completely dry.

Going green is not so hard, just follow one or two of the tips above will help you save money, energy and the Earth throughout the year.

This article was provided on behalf of an apartment expert who is dedicated to ensuring individuals find a Ankeny, Iowa apartment and Pleasant Hill IA apartment that suits their needs.

When most people think of home improvements they often think about how much money the project will cost. Home improvements can actually save homeowners a lot of money if they are done right. Some upgrades to your home can actually save you money over time because they can dramatically lower your utility bills. Here are 3 of the easiest “green” ways to improve your house and save yourself some cash in the future:

Clean all of your air filters: Dirty air filters can cause your heating systems to run harder and can increase your overall electrical costs. Most air filters are cheap and not difficult to replace or clean. You can usually find air filters in window AC units and forced hot air heating systems.

Add more insulation: The more insulation you use, the less energy you will use to heat and cool your home. Insulation is expensive but you will usually gain big savings in your utility costs throughout the year. Insulation serves as a temperature barrier that helps block the outside weather from dramatically affecting the comfort level inside your home. Many people remember to put insulation in their attics, but they don’t know how to put insulation in a basement.

Replace out dated windows: New windows can greatly cut down on outside air flow and lower your energy bills. Windows can leak over time, letting in drafty air which may make all your home’s insulation useless. Face it: your home has lots of large holes in the walls, and those holes are hidden by thin pieces of glass that let in lots of cold air when they shouldn’t.

By making your house more green you are not only helping the environment but also reducing your bills and saving lots of money in the long run. Making your home more green in its energy utilization can also save you lots of green money over time. Yes, all of these projects will seem expensive at first, but they will soon pay for themselves.

Energy reducing home improvements are good ways to help the planet while helping you save some cash. Many home projects could even earn you a home improvement tax break when you file your income taxes!

categories: green home improvements,energy efficiency,saving energy,saving money,environment,green,lower bills

Solar power is becoming increasingly popular as the costs of gas and electricity have substantially increased over recent years. There is also pressure from environmentalist to move towards greener fuels, so solar power is heading up the popularity list.

Here are three things to consider before you go solar.

1. Is your roof suitable - The obvious place for solar panels is on the roof. Depending on the direction and angle of the roof you will get different amounts of exposure to direct sunlight. It is important to maximize your panels exposure so that you will have sufficient power during the darker winter months.

How will other weather conditions affect the solar panels? This is not really as much of an issue as you would imagine. Rain is fine, it actually helps to keep the panels clean. Snow, well this should slide off as the panels will be angled.

2. Buying your solar panel kit - There is no easier way to convert to solar panels than with a solar panel kit. You do not want to have other expenses, so it is worth investing in a good kit. Check out review and what you get before you buy.

As with most things in life you get what you pay for, so it may not be a good idea to get the cheapest kit on the market.

3. Get help with the costs of swapping to solar power - The effects of global warming are becoming more and more apparent and consequently governments are no longer able to ignore the damage being done be traditional fuels. These concerns have prompted many local authorities to offer grants to help people switch to solar power.

Sometimes knowing where to start can be difficult. Try contacting the manufactuers of solar panel kits, it is best if you can find one with an office in your area. The advantage of dealing with local offices is that they are aware of your climate, the designs of local property and they should also have information about grants in your area. These people want your custom, so you will probably find them very helpful.

Find out More great Solar Panel Information If you want to find all about installing solar panels visit http://worldsolarpanels.com

Since the turn of the century the amount of households that use solar power for a proportion of their energy needs has been steadily rising. There are a number of reasons behind this trend; for a start the high cost of energy has caused more individuals to search for a way to save. Also, environmental concerns are high in everyone’s mind. If the price of a solar electricity system has kept you from going green, then another option does exist. You can learn how to make a solar panel yourself and produce clean electricity without having to pay a huge price.

If you have checked out the price of a new solar panel you may be aware that they can set you back upwards of $2000. This money can be made back from the savings you’ll make in the yearly electricity bills. Nevertheless, it can be a large amount for a typical family to try and save.

Instead, if you buy all the individual pieces and carry out the assembly yourself it may only cost as little as $200. This is why learning how to make your own photovoltaic panel is such a good option for many people wanting to save money.

Before you think about putting the parts together you will need to gather the hardware. Photovoltaic cells are essential; they will do the work of converting the sunlight into electricity. In principle it is similar to the method in which a green plant uses the sun’s rays to create energy.

Today solar cells are far more efficient then those used even a couple of years ago. It seems that every few years there are advances in solar technology that increases their ability.

Apart from the photovoltaic cells you will also need wooden boards, copper wire, panes of glass, and a soldering iron to fix the parts together in a series. To store the power you generate you will need a number of 12V or 24V batteries. The actual size of the solar panel will depend upon your energy requirements.

Do it yourself solar panels allow you to save money. If you have a pool, check out solar hot water panels.

With rising prices, it is good to get cheaper power. With solar power, it is practically energy for free, and could end up earning you money. For even more affordability, it is possible to build your own solar panel.

Ahead of anything else, it is important to ensure you have the right tools and equipment. Most importantly of course are the solar cells themselves; spend some time selecting which will be best for you.

There are a few other items needed. Plywood, a length of 1 x1, copper wire, a diode line, batteries and Plexiglas will be required for construction. You will also need a circular saw, screws and screwdriver, caulk, outdoor paint, soldering kit and glue.

Using the cells to guide, draw a grid on the plywood. Once satisfied with the layout; cut the plywood to size to create a suitable grid. Having got this out of the way, construction can begin in earnest.

The 1 x 1 should be cut into lengths according to the plywood and attached to the sides using the screws and caulk. Once fixed into place, all but the grid can be painted with the protective outdoor paint.

The solar cells now need to be glued into place. However, they first need to be attached in a series. This is quite simple; soldering the tabs at the back of each together. It does need to be done carefully though, as the cells are delicate.

The copper wire should now be attached from the cell to the electrical system and batteries. To ensure no power is lost in the opposite direction, a diode line will also need to be attached at this point.

Finally, a suitable sized piece of Plexiglas should be attached with caulk. This will ensure it is weatherproofed, and cannot be damaged by debris and the like. Having learned to build your own solar panel, perhaps you’ll make enough power to sell back to the grid?

By learning to build your own solar panel you can save money, help the environment, and generate electricity using free energy from the sun with do it yourself solar panels.

categories: environment,home,home improvement,reference,education,energy efficiency,energy,solar energy,green living

As our society matures and we begin to understand and appreciate that everything we do will have an impact on our environment, we are starting to look for better ways of suppling our energy needs. Using wind turbines might just be one of those alternative sources of energy. Harnessing the power of the wind is nothing new, and now both countries around the world and the typical homeowner can produce electricity using the wind and household wind turbines.

Wind is everywhere and has been used for a long time to generate electricity. Technology has improved our use of wind power so that we now have better ways of converting wind into electric power. Windmills, which have been around for centuries, can now be used for home energy. Many people don’t realize it but wind turbines come in all shapes and sizes. More and more you can see wind turbines in the local community attached to rooftops or poles. They are small, compact, and even attractive which is why several local businesses have converted to wind power for their electricity needs.

If you are considering installing your own turbine you should know that if you choose to buy one it can cost upwards of $600, and in many cases, even as much as $12,000. At this price it could take years to realize a return on your investment. However, you can easily build your own household wind turbine in just a few days for far less, and still realize the same level of savings.

If you are looking to save money you can build a wind turbine yourself. It’s an easy process and you do not need any special training. Thousands of people have done it with no special skills or knowledge, and you can too. It will only take a few days and a few hundred dollars. To build a small home wind turbine you will need some supplies, which will cost around $200, and a few days time. That’s it. Quite simple, indeed.

Since one turbine can be enough to generate almost 60% of the electricity you’ll need for your home, you can start to realize significant savings. Every day your wind turbine is working means another day of savings.

So if you want to save yourself some money while doing your part to help out the planet, you should consider building and installing your own home wind turbines. You can easily and inexpensively build a wind turbine in just a few days, and enjoy the savings for years to come.

A wind turbine can reduce your electric expenses by as much as 50 percent. Why not join the green revolution and learn how to construct wind power turbines for your home. Find out how to make your own wind generator and free yourself from the electric grid by visiting Wind Power Energy today!