Posts Tagged ‘Energy Bills’

What Is Renewable Energy?

March 11th, 2010

When asked about alternative energy or renewable energy, most people think of solar electricity. Generating electricity from the sun is a technology that everyone knows well. Whether it is your pocket calculator, home, or workshop, regardless of your power needs, solar electricity can get the job done. Solar energy not only will get your energy when you need it, it will also create a greener world for everyone. Not to mention that it will help you on your costs of energy bills as well. Creating your own type of solar energy is the answer for almost everyone in todays economy.

Solar electricity has a number of unique advantages over conventional or grid-based electricity. Solar electric systems can be designed for a variety of applications and are extremely beneficial in remote areas where other electric opportunities do not exist. In addition, photovoltaic systems that generate solar electricity have no moving parts therefore requiring minimal maintenance, are easily expandable, and with many smaller units, transportable.

Environmental compatibility is a huge selling point for converting to solar electricity. The fuel for generating solar electricity is a free renewable resource, the sun. Solar electricity offers no noise pollution and actually almost no pollution from their operation. Another appealing factor for many who choose solar electricity over conventional electricity is simply the independence. It is an attractive offer to many rural dwellers to know that when the lights go out due to storms or blackouts, theirs are still working. No longer a slave to waiting on hold to report an outage to find it will be 10 hours before their service will be restored.

The hardest part of converting to solar electricity is the cost of the system. Investing in a solar energy system can be a substantial upfront cost. The value of solar electricity is realized over several years. A professionally installed solar array for an average dwelling (avg. $100/month in electric bills) could pay for itself in 5 years. You could reduce that number by building your own solar panel system or by purchasing a used system. With many solar energy systems in less rural areas and only in some states, you can sell your unused solar electricity back to the electric company. In these situations the return on your investment is realized much more quickly.

Using the power of sun with solar electricity is a benefit to the environment and to your home. Solar electricity is already being used to supplement power for a number of large cities in North America. By using solar energy to power your home, workshop, business, etc…, you will be conserving earths natural resources and creating a better future for you and your family. Start building your very own solar energy system now and you will be saving in no time at all. Conserve our natural resources.

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The Sola Energy Panel Phenomenom

March 5th, 2010

The Solar Craze

Have you been searching around the internet looking for ways to save money on your energy bill? With the latest reports of utilities on the rise there seems to be a trend going around regarding solar power. Solar power has been on the rise the last couple of years. Well actually solar energy has always been in the backs of people’s minds for decades. We just have not had any good ways for the common homeowner to utilize the power from a solar energy panel.

The Early Years of A Solar energy Panel

Solar electricity started to become popular in the late 70s. The reason solar electricity never gained very much momentum was due to the fact the solar energy panel of the late 70’s did not offer a whole lot of energy savings. The reason these panels did not offer savings is because energy prices were not a concern and the environment had not got as much publicity as it does today. The second reason solar electricity did not gain popularity in the early years was because the solar energy panel only had a 10 year life expectancy and would lose their a lot of efficiency after the first 5 years.

Solar Energy Panel Of Today

Today’s solar power is really starting to take off with no stopping in site. Many homeowners are utilizing this “old new found technology” to save money on their electric bills. With all of the new advances in the solar energy panel, people are finding out in some cases they can save almost 80% on their energy bills. Once this fact was realized, solar energy panel sales started to increase dramatically over the last few years. The most obvious advance with these new age panels are cosmetic issues, the panels are a lot smaller and attractive than the ones of old. However the main advance is the technology of the new age panels. With all of the new development in the materials the panels of today are a lot more efficient than the ones that grandpa used to buy, making it worth the cost of the installation.

A New Contracting Industry

Solar energy panels have become so popular these days there are now many contractors specializing in installing them on new and older homes. With the high demand for this technology installing these energy sources can be quite expensive at this time. You can make your money back with a professionally installed device however the rate of return on your investment may take between 8 and 15 years or more in many cases.

The Do It Yourself Phenomenon

Don’t be alarmed by the high cost of solar energy panel installations. With professionally installed devices costing a lot of money homeowners are finding a new do it yourself industry. A lot of homeowners are finding video guides on the internet which will teach them how they can build their own panel. These video guides are very popular because they can save you thousands on a solar energy panel system. The panels don’t cost a lot of money to build and most of all they are very easy to install. I have talked to people which have claimed they can build a solar energy panel for under 200 dollars. This is why it is becoming a big do it yourself industry.

It’s All About The Savings

Whichever option you were to choose regarding solar power. It is a great way to save on your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint. Even people that are not concerned with the environment are still saving lots of money by using solar electricity techniques. There are many options available for you. If you are handy or would like to enjoy a new hobby I would recommend you try building a solar energy panel yourself. If you are not very handy or would not have an interest in trying to build a panel I would check around for a contractor in your area and see what types of installations are available to you

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Do-it-yourself Solar Hot Water – 4 Vital Methods In Building A Solar Hot Water Heater

March 3rd, 2010

A solar hot water heater won’t only help you to save money on your energy bills, but this will even help the environment and make your home enviroment friendly. Regardless of whether you reside in a cooler environment, such as certain areas in Canada, China, UK, or perhaps a warm climate such as Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, or even Florida; then this kind of passive solar water heater will nonetheless keep water hot and allow you to reduce your electric power bills. Please visit solar power for more information.

While heating your water with solar energy, your existing heater doesn’t need to use up as much electrical power to artificially warm up the water because it is already hot. By using less power, your own electric bill will decrease and so will the need for much more electricity to be generated overall, which for one day may appear to be unimportant, but over One month, One year, 5 years it will have a very hugely positive impact on your overall expenses and also the natural ecosystem.

Step 1 – What Solar Hot Water Heater Plans are You Pursuing?

The most vital DIY step is to research as well as discover exactly what is involved in creating your own solar water heater. You need to see if you’ve the vital skills and feel up to the task. Locating clear step-by-step solar hot water heater programs and guide is essential to help you with your assignment as you will find a lot of guidelines out there that skip steps, tend to be out of date, or even incomplete leaving you seated there staring at your partially constructed unit pondering that there is no way this could be considered a solar powered water heater.

Step 2 – What is the Ideal Style for Your Home?

There are a variety of solar hot water heating systems available; such as an all-in-one unit, to a lot more complex, bigger models that can provide a significantly greater quantity of solar heated water for your dwelling. The most effective design depends upon many factors, from the size of your home to the amount of heated water you will need on day-to-day basis.

Step 3 – Choosing the right Position for Your Solar Water Heating Device

While building your personal solar water heater the first thing you need to do is to figure out the most effective area to position the solar collector panels; where they will catch the most quantity of sunlight. In most situation this is generally on the roofing. Next you need to ensure that your roofing can take the weight of the solar collector panels as well as attempt to keep them towards the back or side of your residence so that you do not lose any curb appeal if you decide to sell your property in the future.

Step 4 – Shut Off the Water and Flush out the System

You should turn off the water main leading to the residence as well as purge the system of any water by leaving all the faucets in your house on. When empty, you can switch off the faucets. Then make sure to get rid of all electrical power going into your existing heating system, because you will have to hook up your solar hot water heater to your current heater.

For more info on solar water heaters, go to solar learn

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Make Your Own Electricity Using Homemade Solar Panels And Save On Energy Bills

March 3rd, 2010

Using solar energy or the power coming from the Sun’s rays has many advantages. We can summarize these as follows.

Recently the price of crude oil, gas and other hydrocarbons has increased significantly as a result of higher demands put on these scarce resources by the increased demand from fast growing economies such as China and India. This has resulted in an escalation of electricity prices globally with some countries experiencing rises by as much as 60%. Many experts agree that this trend is likely to continue for many years as these natural resources become even more expensive. This will mean that householders will have to payhigher charges to sustain your monthly electricity consumption. However, if you were to produce your own electricity, you can prevent paying these high energy costs – especially now when energy prices are so volatile and on the increase.

On a global scale, if all households switch to other types of alternative energy including solar energy, then that nation’s expenditure on imported oil and gas will greatly decrease.

Burning of coal, oil, wood or gas to generate electricity all result in excessive production of carbon dioxide which contribute to the problems of global warming. So, if you want to do your part to save this planet, creating your power requirement from the sun will make a great difference. Solar produced electricity is sustainable and renewable unlike oil, coal and gas that most utility companies use. It does not produce any nasty gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide as byproducts so solar energy does not pollute the atmosphere. As no greenhouse gases are emitted, power produced from solar panels does not contribute to global warming.

Therefore using solar energy reduces demand for fossil fuel and reduces the nation’s dependence on foreign energy sources.

Many individuals are discouraged from installing solar electric systems because they believe these systems are unaffordable. Let me tell you that you can create your own professional system using homemade solar panels, or for that matter wind generators, for less than $200 (in your own backyard). You do not require any special skills or experience as many excellent products are available with complete step-by-step instructions or easy to follow videos to show you exactly how to start building your own homemade solar panels. Homemade solar panels can reduce your energy bills by 80% or higher. Remember any surplus electricity that you generate can also be sold to your power company for a profit.

Do you want to learn more about homemade solar panels? Then please visit the diy solar power site that will give you further information.

Photovoltaic (PV) cells that are used in solar power systems are capable of providing electricity for a very long time. These cells were originally developed for space use, therefore, PV cells require little or no maintenance. The proof is that most satellites orbiting Earth use PV cells and have been operating quite efficiently in harsh environment for years, without been regularly maintained. The manufacturers of solar panels can give as much as 25-years warranty on their products. Talk about quality and dependability!

Saving the planet one Watt of energy at a time, if done collectively, will help to reduce the effects of global warming. It will also greatly reduce the demand for scarce hydrocarbon sources such as coal, oil or gas that emit harmful gases when these fuels are burnt in power plants to produce electricity. On the other hand, using solar power helps clean the air and improves the quality of life of every individual.

For utility companies to distribute energy to every home, they need materials necessary in the building of these transmission systems such as generators, transformers, power lines and electrical cables etc. These items all require energy to produce and contribute to greenhouse gases emissions. If we can cut the demand for power plant and switch into renewable energy sources, we can also reduce the demand for these materials and help the environment.

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Geothermal Heating – Renewable Energy That Can Save You 70% And Thousands On Heating

February 13th, 2010

Many of you are feeling the burden of high energy bills this heating or cooling season, which will leave you to wonder, is there something I can do about this? Heating costs are still climbing and are more volatile than ever. But there is a way to save 70% on your heating and cooling bill with technology that has efficiencies of 300-500%. Only one heating technology is able to achieve those kinds of numbers, and that is by using geothermal heating.

Geothermal heating (aka Ground Source Heat Pumps, GSHP’s, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Geoexchange, etc.) is basically a method of heating and cooling a building that pumps heat from the earth, into your home. To understand how that works, you have to understand how a heat pump works. Every one of you has a heat pump in one form or another in your home, weather it be a refrigerator, air conditioner, or air source heat pump. All a heat pump does is take heat from one place, put it through a refrigerant cycle, and move it to another place. A refrigerator takes heat from inside the refrigerator, and pumps it outside to the heat sink, which is the refrigerant coils on the back of the unit. GSHP’s work the same way, except the heat sink for the unit is a large ground loop buried in the earth. A liquid is circulated through the ground loop, and as that liquid moves, it absorbs the heat from the large thermal mass of earth. That temperature of earth is about 45-55 degrees F beneath the frost line all year round, so the heat pump runs great in the most extreme temperature situations. The circulated liquid is then put through the heat pump, which uses a refrigerant cycle to deliver the heat to your home’s distribution system, which can be either forced air or radiant heat.

Geothermal Heating has many advantages over a conventional system, with the biggest being a huge energy savings of 50-70% on heating and cooling bills. The heat pumps are extremely efficient with a COP (Coefficient of Performance) ranging from 3-5 (300-500% efficient), release no green house gasses, and don’t need to burn any heating fuel. They also run quietly, are very reliable, heat and cool with the same unit, and can generate a significant portion of your domestic hot water need, just as a byproduct of normal operation.

These amazing systems have always come with the stigma of a very high initial installation cost, which is somewhat true. A geothermal system will cost you more to install in your house than a conventional system, but there are a few huge factors that completely change this picture. The first is the amazing energy savings. A geothermal system will save you 70% on your heating and cooling bill during the year, which is thousands of dollars straight to your pocket. With winter heating costs in Northern climates reaching all time highs, while being very volatile, you can’t afford not to have a geothermal heating system.

The second is massive federal, state and utility company incentives. The federal government is currently offering a 30% federal tax credit towards the installation cost of a ground source heat pump system, which greatly offsets the cost to the owner. Most states also have significant incentives, and they can all be found on http://www.dsireusa.org. The federal government also has great, low-rate renewable energy loans, which take out the massive initial cost of a geothermal system.

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Save Money Now – Arrange For A Home Energy Audit

February 12th, 2010

Sure seems like a lot of talk going around lately about reducing energy bills and lowering emissions output. Every where you go there’s someone else talking about how to save money by reducing this or lowering that. Now there’s even talk about some kind of residential energy audit. Ever heard of a home energy audit? Let’s take a minute to examine just what this is and what it can do for you.

It’s really quite simple, everyone of us has what is known as a carbon footprint. This is nothing more than a way to measure how much of an impact we each have on our environment. It is based upon how much carbon waste we produce or is produced in order for us to exist. We all produce carbon waste one way or another. This may be CO2 emissions produced by the automobile you drive around town or the amount of nitrous oxide put off by the power plant that produces the electricity you use in a given day.

Your home uses energy. In order to produce the electricity you use to light up your home at night, or to be able to heat up your house and the water you use in it, you must use energy. A home energy audit is simply an evaluation of specific energy consumption within your home to determine ways in which energy can be conserved. So you see, this is not just some kind of a made up, hoax, home inspection, designed to sucker you out of your hard earned money. A thorough and professionally conducted home energy audit will save you money.

How much money, you ask. If after having a professional home energy audit conducted on your house you were to follow and implement all the recommendations of the audit, the average home owner could expect to save an average of 20% – 30% or higher on their heating bill, any where from 3% – 10% on the electric bill, and depending on specific heating source, there may also be a savings on the gas or propane bill. All together, there is the potential to save anywhere from 25% – 45% on your monthly home energy spending. Now that’s some real money when you consider how fast that will add up month after month.

In addition, you should expect a significant increase in the comfort of your home, improved air quality and the added peace of mind that you’re help do your part to reduce Americas dependence on foreign oil. Yes, it’s true, Americans are addicted to Oil and the more things we can all do to start reducing our use of it, the better. You may have been one of those who’s just been thinking this green movement is a bunch of hype. When you start to look into it, you’ll soon consider if perhaps there isn’t enough hype. In my view, saving 25% – 45% on your monthly home energy bill warrants hype, not to mention a big smile on your face.

After spending over 25 years as a custom home builder, Mitchell now owns a successful environmentally friendly Online home business out of Colorado, USA. He is a business coach and personal mentor assisting other serious Network Marketers in building lucrative and sustainable online businesses with multiple income streams.

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Build Your Own Wind Turbine – Yes, It Really Can Be Done

February 12th, 2010

If you’ve been wondering if it’s really possible to build your own wind turbine then I’d like you to know that yes, it can be done. Not only can you build it yourself but it’s not as hard or as expensive as many would lead you to believe. Just ask the thousands of people who have already built their own turbine and reduced their energy bills from 50% to 80%.

You will experience several advantages when you build your own wind turbine. The largest one, of course, is the savings that you’ll receive off of your energy bills. If you’re like me, you’re tired of dealing with large corporations and the government regarding energy costs. Between price increases and deregulation, they’ve got us under their control. We can change all that when we build our own energy power system.

Wind turbines are very cost effective. The only cost you will encounter is the initial cost of building it and the small cost of maintenance. With a good guide, you’ll be able to build and install your own turbine for as little as $200. This cost will of course depend on the size of the turbine that you decide to build. Since wind is available to us at no cost, then this will be your only output of money.

You will have the pleasure of being able to recoup your initial investment very quickly. In fact, it is very common to get a return on your investment in as little as 3 months. Not only will you get your money back quickly but you’ll already be saving lots on that monthly energy bill.

Wind power is very environmentally friendly. Turbines don’t emit any harmful gases or affect the environment in any way, shape, or form. In today’s world of global warming and pollution, you will be doing your part to better our world.

The single most important thing that you can do before you building your turbine is to invest a small amount of money in a step by step guide with easy to understand instructions. Not all guides are created equal so there are a few things that are important to consider.

The best guide to help you build your own wind turbine will give you detailed local information. It is important to know how to analyze wind speeds and directions for your home location. Your guide will also be easy to understand with detailed diagrams and videos. Lastly, it should have a detailed materials list and complete information about the final installation. With this guide you’ll be able to create your own turbine for as little as $200 and in as short of a time as a weekend.

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Energy Conservation Tips At School

February 11th, 2010

Considering the fact that schools are used at least 40 hours per week, they can produce a significant energy draw. With the large rooms, high ceilings and big buildings, there are huge energy bills for every school around the country.

By implementing energy saving measures, a school can reduce their energy costs by thousands of dollars each year. It can help a school district meet its budget requirements and save money for other school related needs. Here are some ways that students, teachers and the administration can help a school save energy.

1. Appoint an energy manager
The school’s staff can appoint an energy manager who will help identify areas of energy waste and develop a plan for fixing those energy problems. Energy managers can familiarize themselves with recent policies on energy savings and help suggest energy management solutions. Appointing an energy manager can help a school, or an entire school district, develop a cohesive plan for energy savings.

2. Turn off lights and computers when they aren’t in use.
Just like in a home, lights and computers can be real energy wasters at school. A school can monitor energy usage by launching a school-wide effort to keep lights and computers off when not in use. If there is room in the district budget, light control systems can be installed in all rooms which will automatically turn off the lights if no one is there.

3. Replace the light bulbs.
Parents can ask the school administration about the type of light bulbs that are being used at the school. Regular 40 WATT light bulbs can use a lot of energy each year. By switching to LED bulbs or CFL bulbs, a school can save thousands of dollars each year. This is an easy switch that can be made in light fixtures all around the school. Although most school rooms use fluorescent lights, there are a lot of light bulbs around a school campus that can be replaced – like those used in “exit” signs.

4. Monitor the heating and cooling system
Thermostat settings can make a big difference in how a school uses energy. Setting the thermostats at 78 during warm months and 68 during cooler months will drastically reduce the heating and air conditioning use, which will help with overall energy usage. Teachers should also watch for airflow around the vents. Books and furniture blocking the vents will prevent the warm or cool air from entering the room.

5. Start a school wide “Energy Patrol” program
One of the best things about undertaking an energy saving program in schools is that it can help educate young people about energy savings. They can take this knowledge and apply it at home. Teachers can let children know about the benefits of saving energy and ways they can help the school save energy (like turning lights off and keeping doors closed). With students keeping watch, energy saving changes will be made more easily.

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Winter Is Not Over Yet – Still Time To Save On Energy Bills

February 11th, 2010

Cold weather makes you think of higher energy bills associated with home heating. Whether you rent or own, there are things you can do that will pay off over time.

MONEY-SAVING TIPS FOR EVERYONE

Change your furnace filter. A dirty furnace filter makes a less efficient furnace that takes longer to heat your house, which increases your energy bill.

Replace bulbs with compact fluorescents. Approximately 20% of your energy bill comes from lighting, according to the U.S. Government’s Energy Star website. A compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) uses about 75% less energy than an incandescent bulb. CFL bulbs can help compensate for increased energy usage in winter when you use lights more often.

MONEY-SAVING TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS

Little things mean a lot

Get a home energy audit. Some utility companies offer this service free, or go to the Energy Star website for the Home Energy Yardstick to do a self audit. The Yardstick compares your energy use to similar households nationwide and recommends ways to improve energy usage.

Add weather stripping. This keeps out drafts and reduces heater use. Everything needed to do it yourself is available at most home improvement stores.

Add attic insulation. If your current insulation does not cover your floor joists, more insulation may be needed to keep heat from escaping through the roof. Be sure to check the R-value, which measures the insulation’s performance. Be sure to seek basic guidance from a home improvement store or a reliable book if you decide to install it yourself.

Purchase a digital, programmable thermostat. It can save money by automatically reducing home heat usage when it’s not needed as much, such as when you are sleeping or away from your home.

Check ducts for leaks. A forced air heating system distributes air through ducts. Poorly connected or insufficiently insulated ducts allow heat to leak out, wasting money. In some cases you can seal ducts yourself, but for ducts located in areas not easily accessible it is best to hire a professional.

Furnace and window replacement – two larger purchases with long-term benefits
Love your home and plan to stay in it for the long term? Here are two purchases that pay for themselves in the long term:

Replace furnace with an energy-efficient one. If your furnace is more than 10 years old it may not be efficient, driving up your monthly heating bills. The up-front cost of an Energy Star certified model pays off over time through decreased heating bills. Before purchasing, see if your utility company will help defray the cost of a qualifying model.

Purchase new windows and doors.
According to the ENERGY STAR Windows program, an average household spends over 40 percent of its annual energy budget on heating and cooling costs. Household energy costs in most U.S. homes could be reduced by up to 15 percent by installing more energy-efficient windows.

According to a Remodeling Magazine survey, window replacement was the top value remodeling project in 2006. It surpassed kitchen and bath remodels with respect to the cost recouped by owners, 89 percent.

Because windows last for decades, the National Fenestration Rating Council http://www.nfrc.org/ encourages you to make sure you have a good warranty from a company that’s going to stick around to back it up.

Conclusion
When considering energy-related home improvements, be sure to make a cost versus savings analysis. To make the biggest impact on energy and money savings, prioritize and start at the top of your list.

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