Start A Green Living Now!
Green Energy
Solar Water Heating Systems
Heating water is responsible for probably the largest amount of energy usage in most homes today. Not only are you spending a large portion of your energy bills for heating water, but your power usage creates large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions. When people begin considering greener, renewable energy options, the obvious choice is solar hot water. By using solar water heating systems you able to reduce your water heating bill dramatically for years to come and you’re also able to generate your own power using our largest natural resource – the sun. When you generate your own renewable energy with solar hot water heating systems, you’re not creating any harmful emissions. You’re reducing the amount of fossil fuels you use and reducing carbon emissions you would otherwise be creating by heating your water with other traditional methods. There are two different technologies available for solar hot water systems. – Flat plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors. Flat plate solar collectors work using copper pipes that run through a reinforced glass plate. These pipes are attached to a water storage tank installed in the roof-space of your home. Water is able to move in and out of the tank and heats the water. Evacuated tube collectors ...- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
Looking at Compact Fluorescent Lamp Bulbs
The increased public awareness of environmental issues has led to a number of unique, “green” products entering the marketplace. One such product is the compact fluorescent lamp (light) bulb. This new light bulb is rapidly replacing the traditional incandescent bulb thanks to its cost and energy saving benefits. Surprisingly, compact fluorescent lamps are not a new invention. There were originally developed in response to the 1973 Oil Crisis. Since these new bulbs were far more energy efficient than the traditional light bulbs, there were high hopes for their success. However, the compact fluorescent lamps were far from cost effective and could not compete in the marketplace. For the past several years, the prices for compact fluorescent lamp bulbs were quite stratospheric. As recently as only a few years ago, the cost of the bulbs was around $20. That put them well out of the range of affordability for most people. Recently, the bulbs have dropped significantly in price and can be purchased for around $5. Yes, it is true that that $5 is more than the cost of an incandescent light bulb. However, there is a significant benefit to purchasing compact fluorescent lamp bulbs. Namely, they last upwards of ten times longer than ...- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
Your Options for Wind Turbines
Solar power is not all there is to eco-friendly power generation for residential purposes. You should also look into the possibilities of wind turbines to provide electricity for everything from your cell phone to your hybrid car. In this regard, you have two choices, the horizontal-axis and vertical-axis wind turbines. You will find that both perform similar functions although the pros and cons of each type must be carefully considered. Keep in mind that either one requires a relatively significant financial outlay, which can be recouped largely by actually using the unit for power generation. Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines If you have seen pictures of the traditional Dutch windmill, then you have just seen the prototype of the modern horizontal-axis wind turbines or HAWT. Skipping the technicalities, HAWTs have their electrical generator and rotor shaft located at the topmost part of the tower. A gearbox may or may not be included in the infrastructure. The design has been around for centuries so it must have advantages. Since the angle of attack can be adjusted remotely, you can harness the wind energy at its greatest amount despite the season and time of the day. If the HAWT is located in an area with strong winds, the ...- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
Energy Independence Uncovered: What’s the Real Score?
Petroleum, imported or local dictates economies. Governments, businesses, institutions, and homes need petroleum to keep running. In the US alone, 19.5 million barrels are demanded daily and the US oilfields yield less than five million barrels per day. If you look at the numbers, there's no way the demand for imported liquid fuel will fall. The Good News? Finally the US is stirring up from its over reliance on imported liquid fuel. Daily, some 11.1 million imported barrels per day sustain demand. Should exporters increase the price of imports, economies already on their knees have no other way to go but sink lower. But here's good news, the US and other countries already battered by the rising prices of oil, have finally stirred to increase local oil production and explored and tested other sources for energy with positive results. To reinforce this development, the US Energy Administration Information (EAI) reports that imports will fall because of increased domestic production and the use of ethanol and other biofuels. EAI also projects that by 2016, the US will be able to save per day, some two million barrels. To be energy independent, the US has explored all possibilities to reduce oil imports and this is ...- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
Hot Green Technology - Solar Hot Water
Going with a hot water heating system that runs on solar energy is a great option. It is definitely efficient. It can help you save energy, it is easy to maintain, it's reliable, and there are few parts to it. Here is a closer look at why solar hot water is such an efficient option. After taking a look at the benefits, you may want to make the switch yourself. Energy Savings You'll find that a solar hot water heater, whether it is passive or active, can help you to save a lot of energy. In fact, it can save better than 50% of energy costs for the hot water on a yearly basis. You also help to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses, which helps the environment. This helps others make the best use of energy that comes from each source. Easy to Maintain Another reason that a solar hot water heater is so efficient is because they are so easy to maintain. All you need to do is put up a solar panel on the roof and then you put a collector in your home, which is connected to the pipes so the hot water can be distributed. All you will need ...- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icio.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
