Posts Tagged ‘energy’

Things to consider before getting an air source heat pump

November 9th, 2011 by Geoff Rowntree

Air source heat pumps are used in many homes these days, as they offer an affordable and eco-friendly way to heat your home. They are also considered to be a lot more efficient than traditional heating and energy sources, as they make use of the heat in the air all year round.

You should bear a few things in mind however, before you take the plunge and order a heat pump for your home. This is not only to ensure that you get the right heating system to suit you, your family and your home, but also so that you can get the best out of your heat pump.

The amount you currently spend on heating bills should be the first thing you look at before getting a heat pump. Heating and energy prices are rising year on year, and by making a switch to a cheaper system you could save thousands. Talk to an air source heat pump specialist to see how much running such a system would cost over a few years, then compare this figure to your current expenditure.

Air source heat pumps can replace your boiler completely, or they can run alongside a traditional heating system. This is the next thing you need to decide, especially if you live somewhere that is consistently freezing enough to warrant you needing a boiler as backup.

Now let’s look at how you will use your heat pump once it is installed. The most common applications are domestic hot water and central heating systems, but heat pumps are also handy if you have an under floor heating system in your home.

One final thing to check before you install a heat pump is whether your home is well insulated. If not, you should make sure you get double glazing, roof and cavity wall insulation so that you are able to maximise the heat generated by your heat pump.

Check out our site for details about the benefits of installing a heat pump system in your home, now. You can also find information about a reputable supplier of air source heat pumps, today.

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Benefits of using air source heat pumps

October 29th, 2011 by Joe Russell

Nowadays, there is a huge demand for heating systems which are more economical, eco-friendly and efficient. Many new products and innovations have been released into the market, but none has become quite so popular and widely used as the heat pump.

Not everyone knows how air source heat pumps work, so let’s take a quick look. Heat pumps are designed to utilise the stored energy in the air around them and convert this into a useful source of energy for domestic use. In order to provide this heat source, heat pumps make use of a compressor and two carefully matched heat exchangers. This method gives you, the homeowner, a heat source that is both efficient and economical.

Cost-effectiveness is the first and most persuasive reason to use air source heat pumps. The unit doesn’t cost much to fit and in terms of heat energy, it gives out as much as five times the electrical power needed to operate it.

You can also compare air source heat pumps to other energy sources to see how much of a saving you could make by using them. Heat pumps are around 50 per cent cheaper to run than oil, 30 per cent cheaper than natural gas and 80 per cent cheaper than LPG gas, and you don’t need to buy oil or pay standing charges for gas.

Another advantage of using heat pumps is how many different and useful applications they have, including the supply of heat energy to radiators, under floor heating, domestic hot water and even indoor swimming pools (provided you also use an external heat exchanger).

One last thing to consider before buying air source heat pumps is how long they will last. On average, heat pumps last as long as twenty years, but there is no need to service them within this time.

Visit our site for details about the benefits of installing a heat pump system in your home, now. You can also find information about a reputable supplier of air source heat pumps, today.

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Can You Convert Your Home Into A Solar Home?

October 15th, 2011 by Owen Jones

When it comes to converting your home into a solar home, there are several alternatives, because not all homes have the same problems, the same requirements or the same potential sustainable power sources. Therefore, if you are going to try a total conversion or even get off the grid completely, you will either need to do some do research or call in an expert to make a survey for you.

If you call in an expert, try to get an independent one, so that you can work out the prices of satisfying your energy needs yourself. You will have to pay for such a report, of course, but you could carry out a survey yourself with a bit of work on your part. In order to produce a solar home, you may find the rest of this piece interesting.

There are fundamentally two types of solar design: passive and active solar energy. Passive solar energy can be used to supply heating, cooling and natural light for your home. Active solar energy is used for powering home appliances, tools and lighting. It is the perfect combination of these two kinds of solar energy that you will try to achieve, if you are trying to convert your home into a solar home.

You can make use of passive solar energy methods in many ways, although they are more easily built in during the actual construction phase of a new home. The largest area of glass should face south or be within 30 degrees of due south. This will catch the maximum amount of heat. This heat can then be distributed around the house by stone floors and stone walls.

The central heating ducting and furnace fan can be used to assist, if need be. If the house becomes too hot in the summer, awnings or even solar panels could be dropped down in order to put the windows in shadow. When thinking of passive solar energy, you should try to think of ways of providing warmth and coolness without using electricity. For example, a skylight at the top of the stairs will allow the warmest air in the house to escape, since hot air rises. This will cause cooler air to be sucked into the house at lower levels.

The other feature of a solar house is the generation of electricity by the deployment of solar panels grouped into solar arrays. Solar panels make use of photovoltaic cells to convert light into energy. This energy can then be used to power ordinary electrical appliances of all kinds or some or all of it can be stored in batteries for later use. Conversion from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) and back again, if necessary, is a simple matter.

Solar energy can also be used to heat water for the pool or for the home. The most usual type of system uses pipes filled with a type of anti-freeze to collect the sun’s heat and pass it on to tanks of water by means of a heat exchanger.

A solar home uses energy efficiency to reduce the need for heating, cooling and electricity. The use of higher grade insulation, more energy efficient windows, kitchen appliances and lighting than those used in traditional homes, will save you a lot of money and energy. As you can see, some of these changes, especially the passive ones are structural, so hard to apply in many homes, but there is always something you can do to cut your energy bills and slowly convert your home into a solar home.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with a favourite topic – alternative power sources. If you are interested in Sustainable Energy At Home, please click through to our site.

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Understanding Solar Panels and Solar Energy

September 23rd, 2011 by Simon Cane

Solar panels are considered to be a green form of energy. In today’s world they are a serious option to consider if you want to find a more sustainable energy source and help reduce both your carbon foot print and your energy bills.

How solar panels work is they generate power from the sun by converting light in to electricity. This process of capturing the sun’s rays is done using no moving parts, with zero emissions and no or little maintenance. Solar panels are manufactured using a series of silicon cells that individually generate electricity from sunlight. As the light hits the surface of the solar panel light particles produce an electrical current on the surface of small silicon wafers.

Smaller solar panels can produce up to 12 volts of energy. These smaller panels contain an average of 36 solar cells. Large solar panels will produce up to 24 volts of energy. These will contain around 72 solar cells.

Solar panels can be wired together to create a bank of panels and increase the amount of energy you can harness. This gives the advantage of using a higher voltage output so the solar panels can use smaller wire to transfer the electric power from the solar panel to the output, charging batteries for example.

Solar panels have different types depending on the cost and efficiency you want and need. Monocrystalline solar panels is one type that is at the top of the tree. It is possible the most expensive type of solar panel but it is by far the most efficient. What makes this panel so good is that it uses a very pure type of silicon generated in a complicated growth process for the silicon crystals.

The second type of solar panel to consider is Polycrystalline. Polycrystalline solar panels are also known as Multi-crystalline and are made with Polycrystalline cells. This second type of panel is less expensive but it is not as efficient as Monocrystalline cells. This if a result of the cells are not grown in a large block of many crystals.

The Amorphous solar panels are not constructed from crystals like some other types of panel. These Amorphous solar panels have a thin layer of silicon coated on a base material, like metal or like glass. This type of solar panels tends to be less expensive than other market options however they are not so efficient in harnessing the energy from the suns rays.

Solar panels are a real option and a potentially good investment to help save money and energy. After the installation and set up costs that can be expensive and off putting, the payback will work for itself. For homes and small business solar is a real solution to meet the demands of trying to find lower costs energy and reduce your energy bills.

Using renewable energy is key to sustainably fuelling our homes in the future. For expert advice on solar panels and Solar pv East Anglia contact Absolute Solar and Wind.

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Energy Conservation: The Advantages Of Homemade Solar Panels

August 20th, 2011 by Patrick James Giladino

Saving energy does not only help mother earth survive but also help individuals with their electricity bills. With the continuing economic downturn and increasing concern for environmental care, putting up a homemade solar panel is the most efficient thing to do to help address these issues. Making your own panels is fun and easy, especially if you are a DIY person. To make your own solar panels, you have to prepare or buy the materials from the nearest hardware store.

Fundamentally, you will be needing woodworking tools like drill, screwdriver and saw. Also, wood glue, silicone caulk, wire cutters and strippers, solder and soldering iron are essential materials to help you make your own solar panel. You need to have a homemade solar panel where solar cells are put.

To start with your homemade solar panel assignment, you need to get solar cells. A 3×6 cell can generate up to 0.5 volts and 3.5 amps. Since the most effective solar panels should have an output of at least 18 volts, you need to put 16 cells for each panel. Solar cells can be bought in hardware stores or from online stores, like eBay. In fact, a lot of auctioned solar cells are being sold; however, you need to make sure you are getting only Class A solar cells. Lower class usually has damaged corners and blemishes that affect the quality of the cells to generate energy.

To make your own solar panel, you just need to build a box or container for the cells. You can decide on the layout and dimensions for your cells; although you will need an additional wood to place unto the box where the cells are attached. The box should have a clear cover, like lexan or plexiglass.

For a systematic and clear guide as to how homemade panels are made, you may look for instructional videos online or read some step-by-step guides that can also be accessed through the internet. As far as expenses are concerned, it is not expensive to make your own solar panels. In fact, the cost is just around $130 USD or lower. But of course, it would be different if you are buying pre-made solar panels.

If you make your own solar panels, you are certain that you will benefit from it.There are tons of instructional videos on how to make your own solar panel as well as a step-by-step guide articles that will help you finish your project.

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How Lighting Can Create Ambiance And Save You Money

July 21st, 2011 by Owen Jones

There is no doubt that lighting has the biggest influence on atmosphere and. Soft lighting in a bedroom or at an intimate dinner results in a romantic ambiance; bright, purposeful lighting in the office or kitchen shows that you mean business; dimmed lighting in the living room makes for a calming atmosphere in which to watch a film or read a book.

Soft, back lighting behind flowers or a waterfall creates a magical atmosphere, whereas severe floodlights turned on by a motion sensor would freeze most criminals in their tracks.

Getting the lighting wrong can have a seriously unfavourable effect on any room or occasion. Imagine a romantic dinner for two by candlelight and then imagine it by a naked 100 watt bulb hanging from the ceiling or a fluorescent tube.

It is said that the average household can save at least twenty-five percent on its electricity bills by using lighting more effectively and therefore more efficiently. More notably, you could save more than sixty percent, if you switch from the normal incandescent light bulbs to high-output compact fluorescent lights. Sixty percent is a massive saving for you, your country and your planet.

Here are some of the means that you can achieve savings on the energy you currently expend on lighting.

Make the addition of dimmers wherever you use lighting. You can insert a touch lamp dimmer into the wiring of any lamp, so that when you touch it, it changes from low, to medium, to high, to off. You will be amazed how often you will lower the light once you are able to, especially in the case of desk or table lamps and standard floor lamps.

In a similar vein is the touch switch that you can utilize to control lighting that traditionally hangs from the ceiling. You will be able to dim the lights in any room and on the patio or deck too.

Photosensitive devices turn whatever they control off or on when the sun comes up. This is handy if you have motion-activated anti-intruder lighting. There is absolutely no need for it in the daytime, but you do not want to have to remember to switch it off in the mornings and reactivate it every night either.

Another use could be to turn the fishpond fountain off when it gets dark. All of these photosensitive switches can have over-ride switches too. These photosensitive switches will practically half the cost of running the systems to which they are attached.

It is very easy to make fairly substantial savings if you put your mind to it. Just rearranging your furniture to take maximum advantage of natural light can help a lot too. Sitting near a window or in the garden to read the newspaper is far better than having to switch the kitchen light on to read it in there.

In the evening it is better to switch off all the main lights in the living room if you are watching television or reading a book and put one standard floor lamp just to one side behind you. It is sufficient to read by or to save your eyes from the strain of watching TV in the dark.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece writes on several subjects, but is at present involved with researching wrought iron floor lamps. If you would like to know more or check out great offers, please go to our website at Wrought Iron Light

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Solar Panels: A Bright Idea and Cool Tax Benefits

June 22nd, 2011 by Adam Ciboch

No need to worry about your electricity bill anymore (maybe). More and more homeowners are employing solar energy in order to save themselves some money. It could potentially save you a lot, as well be amounting to an environmentally friendly option. Tax rebates, freedom from sales tax on solar panel-related equipment and more: Imagine it. What’s not to love?

For the past five years, the federal government has been trying to implement incentives for more responsible energy use. The Energy Policy Act in 2005 was the first tax break of its kind. It was awarded to people who opted for renewable over non-renewable energy. While there were very few incentives for people to make the switch to renewable energy before this act, that has changed in today’s world.

You as a homeowner can now cash in a tax credit of up to $2000 or 30% of what you’ve invested in solar panel installation and equipment costs as a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 alone. While only homes that primarily made use of solar energy that were in existence from 2005-2007 were eligible to be covered, it was extended in 2008. You’re good to go if your home was built up through January 2009.

Other acts have been subsequently passed, such as the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, passed in 2008. Use of solar energy, including solar panels, now provides even more tax incentives. It both extends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and also provides more of a tax credit benefit for home improvements done in 2009 or later.The $2000 tax credit maximum is removed by this bill in favor of the 30% solar energy investment rebate. Retroactivity in certain situations is also one of its features.

The state level might also extend tax incentives for installing solar panels. The list includes, but may not be limited to, New Mexico, Florida, Vermont, Minnesota, Washington, New York, Texas, Virginia, Arizona and California. Tax rebates and the reduction or elimination of sales tax on solar panel equipment costs are some state benefits that exist. You should definitely consider it if you want to be environmentally friendly. Professional installation packages or do-it-yourself kits are available, depending on your needs. The tax incentives alone are a good reason to switch, as well.

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3 Simple Advantages to Home Window Tinting

June 6th, 2011 by Adam Ciboch

You’ve probably seen it on some cars. Window tinting is a popular method of maintaining privacy while driving around town, to be sure. Did you know that it can also be done to the windows on your home, though? There are quite a few advantages to opting to tint your home’s windows, actually.

It’s likely you’ve seen it on cars. A popular method of maintaining privacy while driving around town is window tinting, to be sure. What is a little less known is that you can also tint the windows on your home. Opting to tint your home’s windows brings with it a few advantages, actually. In addition to protecting your privacy from nosy neighbors and passersby, it’s first and foremost also a healthy option. It’s not good for you to receive excessive exposure to the sun’s rays. The advice to apply sunscreen before going outside is a prime example from health professionals. Those harmful rays can reach you and your family within your home, along the same line of reasoning. Sitting and watching television near a window on a sunny day is all you need to do to be affected. You can block harmful ultraviolet rays and add to the comfort of your family during times of relaxation simply by tinting your home’s windows.

Second, home window tinting can also protect the interior of your actual house. Sunlight is notorious for fading all manner of colored things. It can fade wallpaper, carpet, drapes, furniture and other things. It can also cause wooden furniture to warp and adversely affect electronic items. This happens partially from sunlight but also from the heat it generates. Home window tinting both reduces the harmful effects of the sun’s rays on your cherished household items and reduces the heat at the same time.

Lastly, it is an environmentally friendly option to choose. Tinted windows decrease the need to turn on your air conditioner on a hot summer day. That, in turn, will end up reducing your monthly heating and cooling costs. In time, what you save on air conditioning even might just pay for the window tinting itself.

Home window tinting is thus a superb option to choose for a number of different reasons. You can decrease your family’s discomfort. You can also protect your home’s interior. Plus, it will save you money in an environmentally friendly way. It is also important to note that home window tinting may void any window warranty you had with the original installer. Read through your contract and make sure you understand the consequences as well as the benefits before making your ultimate decision.

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Energy Efficient Appliances: Some Statistics That Will Get You Talking

June 2nd, 2011 by Adam Ciboch

Lately, you may have been seeing a lot more commercials trying to advertise the purchase of energy efficient appliances. Even though these commercials praise the money you can save on utility bills, you may have noticed just how much more expensive their purchase prices actually are than regular appliances. People who want to consider purchasing an energy efficient appliance should first learn what owning one actually entails.

Energy Star is a name you’re probably familiar with if you’ve done any research on energy efficient appliances at all thus far. It is an international standard used to rate consumer products that claim to be energy efficient. It originated in the United States as a joint program of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the U.S. Department of Energy. It was first created in the United States in the early 1990s and many other countries have since adopted its standards for use in their own energy programs.

Appliances listed with the Energy Star logo use 20-30% less energy than federal standards require, in general. This can save American families about one-third off of their energy bill without sacrificing other features that have been deemed important like the style of the product itself.

The EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy set strict guidelines that appliances need to meet in order to be Energy Star approved. All appliances labeled with the Energy Star label have consequently been very thoroughly tested to ensure compliance with these standards. Energy efficient appliances are available in the form of stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves and other related products.

Quite a lot of energy was saved by Americans in 2009 alone, equating to 30 million cars’ greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly $17 billion was additionally the amount Americans saved on their utility bills. You can probably see how these statistics make a good case for purchasing energy efficient appliances. Even if you note that your individual savings might take awhile to add up and make the cost of purchasing a more expensive but energy efficient product worthwhile, the overall savings of United States consumers in general, coupled with the eco-friendly statistics listed above, should be enough to convince you the purchase is a good idea.

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Is A Solar Electricity System Right For You?

May 20th, 2011 by Owen Jones

Until approximately a hundred years ago in the West, people only had recourse to renewable energy for heat and light for their homes. They burnt wood and sometimes coal or peat (OK, fossil fuels) and got up when the sun came up and went to bed with the sun as well. In, fact a large part of the world’s population still lives like that.

Things changed with mechanized industry and night shifts. Electricity producers sold the populace on being able to do more instead of just sleeping when it got dark, and the Western population got hooked on buying huge amounts of energy, mostly electricity and engine fuel, which was usually produced from oil and coal.

This idea soon travelled around the world and with rising prosperity came emulation and other countries wanted the same. Now we are in the sad situation where we have to confess that we rode the fossil fuel gravy train to its last stop without thinking about what we would use when fossil fuels ran out.

This is where the typical citizen comes in. You have to think about how you want to draw energy in the future. Do you want to be powered by keeping sucking unrenewable resources out of the Earth, or do you want to have as little to do with it as possible? Would you rather have everything you have now, but know that the resources that are powering your lifestyle are renewable?

If, like millions of others around the globe, you would rather say ‘No!’ to conventional power production methods, then you have to take a stand. But not only in words, you really have to do some something about it physically.

This will mean paying a lot of money up front, which may not be a problem for you or you may even think that taking a stand is worth looking for a bank loan. These are commendable feelings, but I would like to suggest that there is another way to self-sufficiency.

You could build your own!

Why not? The technology has been around for decades and is pretty straightforward. Most moderately capable teenagers can assemble a bank of photovoltaic cells into a solar panel and then plug that into your home’s electrical system. And if a teenager can manage it, so can you. All you (and the teenager) will need is a solar panel kit and a schematical diagram. A plan in other words.

A solar panel kit can be bought locally from a Do-It-Yourself shop or from the Internet. A typical solar panel will take a few hours to assemble and will produce 100 watts of electrical energy. The electricity produced from these panels is then passed through an inverter that changes the current from DC to AC, making it usable by household appliances and the utility grid.

Do yourself and the planet a favour, get off the grid and start saving money and the planet’s resources, you will be surprised how straightforward it is once you get going. And do not forget, you can do it in stages of, say, one 100 watt panel a month until you hit self-sufficiency. It is not a question of ‘All or Nothing’.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with a favourite topic, types of renewable energy. If you are interested in Sustainable Energy At Home, please click through to our site.

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