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Category — Energy Efficient

How To Reduce Your Energy Bill In Your Apartment

When you are renting an apartment, you don’t want the bills to add up and be too high. It is nice to be able to keep your bills low so that you can be saving money. Below we will discuss what you can do that will help you lower your energy bills in your apartment so that you can continue to save as much money as possible.


The first thing you can do is fill up your refrigerator with items. The fuller that it is, the less energy you are going to use. As you empty things like milk jugs and 2 liter bottles, fill these with water and keep them in your refrigerator where you have extra space. This will fill it up and keep it much cooler. Since there is less air to cool, you will save electricity.


Turn down your hot water heater if it is running on electricity. Talk to your landlord about this letting them know you want to use less energy and this is something you want to do if you do not have access to the unit.


Buy energy efficient light bulbs. You can get CFLs but LED bulbs are even better in terms of efficiency. Regardless what you get both these choices are better in saving energy than traditional bulbs.


Start using less air conditioning. You might be able to go into the apartment lobby or community room to read, watch television, or use your computer leaving the AC off in your apartment. You can also block the windows with heavy drapes to help with any leaks that are in your windows keeping the cool air inside and blocking the sunlight from warming up your place.


Unplug electronics when not in use. While your large screen television is off, it is still drawing power while it is plugged in. Unplug all these devices so you are not wasting electricity.


Use a toaster oven when cooking for yourself as opposed to your full size oven. Rarely does one person need the large oven for their own meals.

Leo has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. He also publishes reviews of various consumer products. Come visit his latest websites that review CPA Instruments and Hyper FB Traffic.

September 2, 2010   No Comments

Electric Solar Power Panels – Making Them Is Easier Than You Think

It does not matter whether you are an engineer or not, it doesn’t even matter if you are an experienced handyman, as long as you have a little common sense and know what a drill and a screwdriver is, you will still be able to reduce your energy bills dramatically by building your own electric solar power panels. There are no magic ways you should know to enable you to set up your own solar power electricity. So, I really do not know why some companies charge tens of thousands of dollars for something that can so easily be done at home with a few tools and a really good set of plans and a manual.


You can of course buy your solar panels if you are feeling rich, but why should you? Even if you could afford them, it doesn’t take long to work out that it would take many years to recoup the investment, so what’s the point? I would bet that the majority of people would prefer the money now, not in 25 years time!


Therefore, the logical option is to construct your own panels. While that may sound daunting, it should not, most people are perfectly capable provided they get the right information first.


The good news is that you can readily purchase the parts that you will require to build a solar panel from your local hardware store and, they should set you back in the region of $200, although prices do vary between areas.


You will need to put your thinking cap on for a bit as you need to consider how much electricity you need to generate so you know how many panels to make. A good guide will tell you the exact method to figure this out easily. Next, work out where best to place the panels. This is normally on the roof, but if your roof space is small, make sure there is enough space for the number of panels you will need.


Next, you need to think about the level of sunlight that reaches your roof. Do not forget that the sun tends to change position throughout the year, so make sure your intended location will receive sufficient sun all year long and not only in the summer.


This is a fabulous and rewarding project that you should enjoy. Not just because you have constructed something really worthwhile, but that you have saved a lot of money now, and in years to come in terms of your utility bills. Making your own electric solar panels will give you a real sense of achievement and earn you the admiration of family and friends. Why not offer to build panels for them and double the amount it costs you. They won’t know how much it really costs, and they will still be saving a heck of a lot of money as well!

If you would like to know more about electric solar panels and turning your home into a solar power house, visit our website for more information at www.diysolarpowerelectricity.com

August 27, 2010   No Comments

Solar Energy Home

As people around the world are becoming increasingly more aware of the costs involved in using fossil fuels such as oil and gas, both to the environment and to their wallets, demand for owning a solar energy house can only increase. People understand that they can not only benefit from using solar power to reduce their monthly bills, but they can expect to get more money for their solar energy house should they wish to sell it. And not only would they most likely sell their house for more money, they would probably sell it far more easily than a non solar energy house, all other factors being equal (such as location, size, age etc.).


Building a solar energy house is not nearly as difficult as it once was, and there are often grants available to help with initial costs. Even though solar equipment can pay for itself over several years, it’s nice to know that you can get help from your government to help pay for the installation? It’s also nice to know that you can help the ecology of the planet by using less fossil fuel energy.


Buying the solar panels is obviously easier than building your own, but if you’re reasonably competent with a screwdriver and drill, and if you can understand simple electrical circuits, then it’s very likely that you’ll be able to do a lot of the work yourself; all, in fact, other than connecting it up to your mains, which should always be done by a licensed professional.


Many people think that turning your existing home into a solar energy house is a one-off occurrence, but you can easily start small and gradually convert your home. This will be easier on your wallet and it will give you the chance to learn as you go, without having to commit thousands of your hard-earned money in one go.


A lot of people also think that a solar energy house is only viable in really sunny parts of the world, but this is simply not the case. Though it wouldn’t be feasible in places like the north or south poles, where there are six months of almost total darkness each year, just about anywhere that humans currently live has enough sunshine to make a solar energy house a worthwhile project.


Solar energy can be used in several ways; you can simply buy or build photovoltaic cells (sometimes called photo-electric cells) that turn sunlight directly into electricity. This power can then be stored in batteries and converted to the correct voltage to power your electrical appliances.


The other way that sunlight can help you build your solar energy house is to have solar collection panels. These are little more than black-painted boxes that are covered in glass with copper tubes running inside, through which water flows. As the sun heats the tubes, just like a greenhouse, the heat cannot escape the box and so heats the water in the tubes, which can then be stored in an insulated tank, very similar to a regular water heater.

For more information about green-living and for details on how to get 9 free eco-guides, just go to: http://green-eco-club.ht-m.org

August 12, 2010   No Comments

Whether Indoors Or Out in the Back Yard Solar Power is Fantastic

Fortunately I cannot remember the times long long ago when there were no electric lights at all but I am around now as solar powered lighting is taking over the market. It will do for some time as well.


We are very quick to flick on that switch when darkness falls and we certainly panic when a power cut happens. There are so many uses for lights.


There is such a variance in the colors and brightnesses that we can have.


If we wish to we can even take a caravan solar panel around with us when we go off for a spot of camping. That is on top of our normal daily indoor and outdoor use. The fall in the solar panel price has given us so many options.


We are also producing eco friendly and green power too when we use a solar power battery to store it up. Here are some uses we can put it to.




  1. Solar lights outdoors. The protection offered by security floodlights that come on when somebody is outside your home will give you peace of mind to sleep more contentedly every night. One of the best sellers is solar lights for garden usage. The evening meal on the patio will be have a more pleasant atmosphere. The light from the moon is not as effective in lighting your pathways. The garden pond or outdoor swimming pool can be lit up and the feature enhanced with them. The buildings across the yard can have solar roof panels as well. It will do away with the need for running electric wires right out from the house to the barn. For that little hobby a solar panel shed light will be used a lot.
  2. Solar lights indoors. All we have to do is collect the rays of energy from the sun by means of putting some residential solar panels on the roof. Simple isn’t it. It is virtually maintenance free after the initial installation. You just turn the lights on at night like you do now. When there is a loss of grid power, your lights will still be burning brightly, unlike next door’s. So whether we are having a romantic meal, reading in bed using our bedside lamps or whatever, we can continue as normal.


Just make sure to check that the solar panels are big enough to power everything that you need.


Long term benefits are enormous with solar powered lighting even though the initial cost may seem a bit high.

With the way that the economy is today I have had to become the money advice expert for our family and would like to share some ideas that I have found.


This one is about the fall in the solar panel price which means that solar powered lighting is much more affordable than it ever has been..

July 22, 2010   No Comments

Magnetic Power Generator – Can it Really Help You Save Money on Your Electric Bill?

A magnetic power generator is a very reliable source of energy that works 24 hours a day without stopping, producing more and more free electricity. The energy derives from the magnetic fields of the north and south poles of the magnet.


More and more people every day make the decision to abandon the conventional energy sources and start using alternative sources of energy, such as the magnetic generators.


But, what are the benefits of using a magnetic power generator?


  • It can be made with inexpensive materials.
  • It doesn’t take up a lot of space and can be easily installed in every home.
  • It can help you save a lot of money on electricity.
  • It can work efficiently in any climate and all weather conditions.
  • It requires minimal maintenance, so it has very small maintenance costs. The system can function perfectly with very little effort on your part, which means that there is no need to spend any additional money to keep the motor running.
  • It runs quietly and produces no noise.
  • It’s very eco-friendly and doesn’t pollute the environment.
  • This device is completely safe, even if you have kids in your household, due to the fact that it doesn’t contain any hazardous components.


In order to build a magnetic generator, you don’t have to spend a lot of money but you will certainly need some guidance. There are many manuals available online that include complete step-by-step instructions on how to build your own magnetic motor, by using very simple tools and affordable materials. These guides also include a list of the materials you are going to need and information about their cost and the best place to get them.Building a magnetic generator doesn’t take a lot of funds. In fact, you will only need to spend about $100-$150 for the materials and for the manual that will guide you through the building process.


Nowadays, many people are concerned about the non-renewable energy reserves and about the future of the planet. Magnetic power is a great solution to this problem, because it is a clean and renewable energy source that can provide your house with almost free electricity. By investing in green sources of energy you are not just saving money, but you are also saving the planet. Compared to other alternative energy systems, magnetic power is far superior and the initial cost of construction of a magnetic generator is much lower than the cost of building solar panels or wind generators.


Now Pay Close Attention To This-

Click Here to find out how you can build your own DIY Magnetic Generator!

May 9, 2010   No Comments

How Does a Domestic Energy Assessor Help to Complete the Home Information Pack?

If a house is being marketed for the very first time, it should be registered for obtaining a HIP and the necessary things that are included in this process are Sale Statement, Title documents, Property Information Questionnaire and most importantly, the Energy Performance Certificate or EPC.


EPC is given for each household based on the report from the Domestic Energy Assessors sent by the approved Energy assessment organization to them. But how do they help in finishing the Home Information Pack service needed for the household?


1. Using approved standards set by the government of England, the Domestic Energy Assessors will visit each house that registers itself with an approved assessment HIP service company and inspect all the aspects of the house. Aspects inspected will generally include the dimensions of the house in total and for each of the rooms in it, things about the lighting facilities being used and factors that overuse energy, appliances that does not justify its usage in the house and those machines which are being operated without prior permission or registration and various other similar aspects.


2. By inspecting the above said factors, Domestic Energy Assessors can come up with reports that include meter readings, factors that show illegal use of energy, range of power being used and so on. These reports are fed into the softwares that have been made, to analysis such data and provide us with the Energy Performance Certificates to complete the Home Information Packs, as per the standards given by the English government.


3. The Domestic Energy Assessors will analyze these inputs and feed them into the software for getting the EPC ready and this will initiate a new set of requirements to be fulfilled. After this procedure is finished, there will be verification of title documents, Sale statements and filling up of the Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ). As the other steps will follow only after the completion of the Energy Performance Certificate, it is one of the most important steps of HIP and the Domestic Energy Assessors play a very important part in the procedures of the same.


4. Domestic Energy Assessors can survey even unfinished or planned household buildings by using the plan of their layouts; this requires the help of the owners in delivering their plans about what the appliances and energy consuming devices are to be installed in the house and about the plans for other facilities inside each room of the household.


5. Each time a house is being sold or renovated, there is need for Domestic Energy Assessors to inspect the house completely or the plans of renovation work alone and provide them with an EPC. As a rule, every house which gets built or changed from one’s possession to another, a HIP should be done and the Energy Performance Certificate at hand should not be more than three months old. This being the case, each HIP gets over, only with the help of a Domestic Energy Assessor and his EPC and so they play a very important role in the procedures of the HIP.

Rigmaden are a leading independent energy assessor training company offering qualifications for those wishing to become energy assessors, throughout the UK. We are one of the most established ABBE accredited training providers in the energy sector.

April 5, 2010   No Comments

Ease Out the Work to Build Solar Panels Competently

During times when we think about the fact that the earth is suffering, we cannot help but look back at our past mistakes. Those times when we simply didn’t care about our planet are moments that will lead us to great regret. Perhaps you’ve thrown your dirt on the river, played with a plant that turns out dead after all the things that you did, or probably you allowed the water to overflow inside your bathroom last night. However instead of focusing our attention to these saddening things, it is important to understand what we can do for our future. Basically, there are many which you can do and among them is to build solar panels so you can eventually shift to natural source of energy.


Building solar panels is not a piece of cake though. No matter how many books or manuals over the internet will help convince you that you can do the work with no worries, you should open up your eyes to the fact that this will involve the work of working with a lot of planning and deliberations just for you to build solar panels competently. However to make the work easier, there are some things which you can do:


1. Ask a friend to lend you a hand. This means that you can turn the activity into a group project that everyone will enjoy. Ask your mom or your dad to help you while somebody is doing a nicely grilled barbecue on your yard. This is the idea of clean fun! Everyone will enjoy the process and they will be thrilled later on of knowing that they’ve been a help to the environment simply by helping build solar panels.


2. Buy manuals that are easily understood. Keep in mind that not all manuals you see over the market are the same thus this is where the importance of doing your research to grab the best product you can ever get from the market will be of great advantage.


3. To prevent annoyance with the work, be sure to buy the right tools needed to build solar panels. Also, go for those sturdy tools and components because you need them to ease out the way for you. They will not break or start to malfunction easily thus unburdening you from a big pile of trouble. So although they may cost more, they are surely worth your cash.

If you want to get more information about the process to build solar panels, check us out at Reviews of Home Made Energy.

March 17, 2010   No Comments

Wind Power – 5 Key Benefits

With the growing focus on global warming and declining fossil fuel resources what can we do to minimise our effect on the environment, reduce our carbon footprint, and what resources can we use.


One current popular renewable energy resource is the use of wind energy to generate electricity, and the 5 key benefits for you are:


(1) By using wind energy to generate electricity you will not be relying on electricity utilities who burn fossil fuels. This is good for the environment as it will reduce the amount of green house gasses produced, not just from the burning, but the resource used to extract and transport the fuel.


(2) The wind is a free renewable resource, and in many locations it is a constant supply day and night, meaning an uninterrupted power supply. Different locations may be more suitable than others, but in general, most areas will have the required minimum air speed. By raising the height off the ground for your generator, wind speed velocity will increase.


(3) Installing a wind generation system to your home can add value to your home, as people see it as an asset to have green energy powered homes.


(4) Installation of green energy devices such as wind generation systems is encouraged by local and federal governments to reduce the reliance on existing electrical infrastructure, and in some countries you may be entitled to rebates or financial assistance with the installation costs.


(5) Installing wind powered systems can result in up to 50% savings on your electricity bills, and the systems are able to be added to, resulting in a larger generation capacity

Discover more information and resources for your wind power and solar power energy needs by visiting http://www.ftwsites.com/gogreen

March 7, 2010   No Comments

Home Solar Power Systems – Cheaper Solar Panel Solutions

Home solar power systems do not have to be expensive to install. You will do well to find commercially available solar panels for less than $2000 each but there are other ways of sourcing them. The great thing about harnessing solar power to produce electricity, heat water or heat your house is that the cost is a once off. The running costs after installation are zero so if you can get a good price on the initial installation you are making an already good deal even better.


It is very possible to pick up solar panels for free which will be in good enough condition to be incorporated into home solar power systems. One example of this is signage seen at road works or construction sites. These are often run by solar power and it is not uncommon that occasionally they get damaged. Most of the time the damage is minimal, as in a crack, but the companies using them tend to have them replaced anyway.


If you check the signs, there are normally contact details for the sign contractor who has taken away these slightly damaged signs and rather than dump the solar panels which have been returned they will be happy to sell the panels for a considerable discount or even give the panels away. Although the panels may not be 100% efficient, they are often adequate for home solar power systems.


Alternatively it is actually relatively simple to make your own solar panels and in turn set up home solar power systems which will adequately produce enough electricity to power an average sized house or simply produce hot water for your house using solar water heaters. There are manuals available online which give step by step instructions on how to make solar panels for as little as $150. The process is certainly not brain surgery and the materials required can be obtained quite easily and cheaply.

If you would like to know more about home solar power systems and specifically how you can make one for your house you should go to http://www.permanentmagneticgenerator.info where you can get a manual which outlines how to do so and also provides detailed instructions on other systems you can build yourself which will greatly reduce your energy bills.

March 6, 2010   No Comments

Solar Panels – Are They Right For You?

Solar panels are devices that convert light into electricity. Solar panels are dropping in price, but they still aren’t dirt cheap, so if you’re switching to solar it’s a great time to also carefully evaluate your electricity use. Call your utility company and get an “energy audit” and follow the recommendations. Most homeowners can cut their use of electricity or gas by anywhere from 5% to 30%. By cutting your power usage to an absolute minimum you can purchase only the solar panel capacity that is required for your home. PV (photovoltaic) solar panels are made from solar cells which are a semiconductor material.

Electricity

The process for creating electricity from sun light is rather complex, but all you need to know is that photons collide with electrons in the semiconductor material and essentially free them up to flow when hooked up to a battery. This flow of electrons is what makes an electrical current.

The average household uses 30kwh of electricity per day. Electrical utility companies are required by law to accommodate “net metering”. This means that you can sell your excess power back to the power company. Thus, if you are out at work on a sunny day, or go on a two-week skiing vacation and aren’t using any electricity, the power being created by the solar panels is going back into the grid to the utility company. In other words every kilowatt-hour of electricity produced by a solar energy system ends up being used to the advantage of the homeowner, either as power to run appliances when the homeowner is there or as a dollar-for-dollar credit provided by the utility company for power that is not being used.

Cost

The most important component of the PV solar panel system will probably be the amount of subsidy you are eligible for. Since some utility companies need to meet goals for the amount of renewable energy they furnish, there are some very attractive rebates offered at times. These can be large rebates indeed, up to 50% of the cost of a system or even higher. This can make a system that would support the average 30 kwh per day home cost roughly $20,000 rather than $40,000! In addition, there is a $2,000 tax credit offered by the federal government. However, this is not always the case. In our local area of Colorado there are several utility companies that service the region. One offers a 50% rebate as described above. Another offers a 66% rebate, and a third offers no rebate at all. So you need to check with your utility company to see what rebates, if any, apply to your location. You should also contact a solar panel contractor who can give you lots of information about system costs, and of course they will probably know the rebates offered in your local area. Typical PV solar panels cost about $4 per watt before installation. Installation is a major expense, however, and in the example cited above with a 50% rebate, final system costs will amount to about $6.50- $7.00 per watt installed.

Batteries

Batteries are required in stand-alone systems to provide energy during night hours. These can be very expensive, but if you have an isolated cabin, an RV, or some other need for power and don’t have access to the public power grid, a solar system with batteries is certainly a solution.

Conclusion

When you consider the costs of a full blown PV solar system which will cut your electric bill down to zero or close to it, you get one other benefit. The value of your property increases with such a system, and your property taxes will not increase because of this added value. In addition to the satisfaction of cutting down your carbon footprint significantly, your system will eventually pay for itself, and your property will be worth more as well. Keep these factors in mind when you calculate your pay-back period.

Walt Ballenberger is web master for http://www.solarpanelsblog.info/wordpress which has tons of information about solar panels of all sorts. Visit also a companion site http://www.solarlightsblog.com/solarlights to learn about solar lighting and associated products.

January 2, 2010   No Comments