Solar Energy Homes - Need it Badly in This Recession

An increasing number of solar energy homes are popping up around the world. Most people hate getting that huge electric bill each month, but we tend to feel like we have no choice. You've got to have electricity, right? So what other options do you have but to continue to pay exorbitant fees to the electric company?

The good news is that you DON'T have to be tethered to the electric company forever. You can choose to go solar. Not only is solar energy great for the environment, using it will cut your power bills drastically, and even eliminate them in some cases. Some people who are very clever with the use of solar power have even found that the electric company ends up owing THEM money each month, instead of the other way around!

Solar energy was one of the first widely acclaimed alternative energy sources, and it's been promoted for years as the best alternative to traditional electricity. It's got a lot going for it. For one, it's a completely renewable resource. As long as there's a sun, there's going to be solar energy, so you never have to worry about how you're going to power your house when you use it. It's also completely non-toxic and non-polluting. Anyone who cares about the environment will be naturally attracted to the use of solar energy.

However, the thing that attracts most people to solar power is the monetary benefits. In fact, these benefits are what lead the majority of solar power users to build solar energy homes. Solar energy is available to anyone, and can be stored for use during cloudy days. Obviously, if you live in the Arctic Circle, where it's dark for 6 months of the year, using solar power may be challenging during those months. However, you can still benefit from it by using it all summer. It doesn't take much of the sun's energy to power a home, so you'll probably end up with surplus power on really sunny days.

You can actually sell this surplus energy back to the electric company, which is how you can get them to pay you. In fact, the electric company is eager to grab its share of your power, since it costs them less to buy it from you than it does for them to generate it themselves. So, not only are solar energy homes cost-effective, they can actually generate income as well as power. Isn't it time you investigated going solar yourself?

You can build your own Solar Energy for homes under $200 by following this guide by Clicking Here

Renewable Energy - It's Our Future

Renewable Energy it's Our Future Saving energy and it's links to topics like green house gases and global warming. Indications show we are aware of the problem that faces all of us and most of us would like to save energy, money and the environment. Fears of fossil fuel and their effects from there usage on our environment is a very real fear. Renewable energy must be used for the future of our planet and our children, and mankind itself. a few small steps has been made in the right direction regarding these issues. Solar energy is a very positive approach to the global warming problem as with wind generated energy and many other environmentally friendly energy generation systems which will enable us to lessen the effects and use of fossil fuels in our environment.

Change must be made and all of us must be willing to do our part for that change to occur. Legislation should be made to promote advancement and use in solar, wind and hydro power. Government as well as big business and their share holders must see that making money with their high profits and large management salaries are not helping in the progress for this to happen. Advancement is design and mass production in solar panels is needed to bring their cost down for the average person to afford. Electrical energy feed back into the power grid and refunds paid by a fair price.

This will enable house owners to save money and the cost of living will go down, in some cases earn refunds for excess energy provided to the power company. At present rivers and damns are running dry, droughts, loss of food crops and live stock all add to the cost of the cost of living for all of us today. Now we must act each and every one of us to get our government to act. Sea water could be used to help drought ravaged areas. Just these small steps will bring down the cost of food, fuel and our living. So what are you waiting for?

Mick Purcell Renewable Energy Resource Right Here!

Energy Saving

How to Solve Problems With Solar Energy

For the most part, solar panels are trouble-free and offer decades of reliable clean energy costs. There are a few parts you will probably have to replace once or twice, but the cost of solar panels in comparison to rising electric bills is considerably lower than conventional energy.

If you're having problems with a new solar system, your first step should be calling your installer or solar manufacturer. If you installed the panels yourself, or even made your own panels, there are few common problems you might be able to fix yourself. Remember, these panels are exposed to the mercy of Mother Nature 24 hours a day. One bad hail storm or a single strong wind could easily damage a panel array with debris, too much dust or even water under the glass.

If you're having problems with an array conducting less power than it should, you may have a solar cell "out of circuit." Something as simple as a loose soldering connection in the cell can cause this. To diagnose which cell may be bad, cover 4 cells with a hat or block of wood. You should notice your power dropping. If you don't, then one of the cells you have covered is out of circuit, and you've found your problem! You may have to replace the entire panel in this case.

When it gets very hot outside, you may notice your solar energy "fading." It's true that these panels do not function as efficiently in extreme temperatures. If it's extremely hot outside, try watering down your arrays with a hose. You should see your voltage feed from the arrays rising. Using a voltmeter, test the entire system at its crucial connections to see where the volt drop begins. At this point, you will also feel very high heat in the wires. The most common problem is battery corrosion, which creates oxidation in the metal connections. When this occurs, your best option is to replace all metal connections, and sometimes, the battery itself to prevent further heat damage.

If you've had your system installed for a while, check for corrosion in your metal connections between the solar panels and your track connections. Over time, weather can cause warping and shifting in the metals that connect your solar panels to the inverter. This can create electrical resistance which drops your voltage output, thereby reducing your electrical supply. Another piece of equipment to check is your diodes. On occasion diodes within your junction box can burn out from sustained shading.

If you're noticing some leakage in your roof, you may have an issue with the installation of your solar panels. The roof tile-track system is designed so that leaks don't occur. It takes just one misplaced screw to create a potential leak hazard. Double check all tie-down points to make sure the screws are in rafters- not just roofing tiles.

The expected life of a solar power system is 25 years. Once you've had your system for that long, we're sure you'll want another one! There's nothing like the ease, predictability, and reliability of a solar power system.

Philip Richards knows all about solar power. Learn how he built his own solar panel with this amazing easy to follow guide book at http://123HomeSolarPower.com.

A Guide to Installing a Wood Burning Stove

Wood burning stoves are very much in demand these days for two of the most compelling reasons since the dawn of time: money and good looks.

First there is potential to make serious savings compared to conventional fuel sources, and second nothing ever quite pushes the warm 'n cosy buttons like a real fireplace. Whether you like your cost savings dressed as stylish and ultra modern or prefer them wrapped up in the guise of a traditional country kitchen range there's a wood burning stove that's just perfect for you.

But wood burners are not for everyone. The cost savings can indeed be very significant, but only if your circumstances are suited to owning a wood burning stove. Also there is that matter of "installation" to consider. Here then is a guide through some of the many points you need to check if you are contemplating installing a wood burner.

Point 1

Is there a reliable and cost effective supply of solid fuel local to you? What type of fuel is it exactly? Wood burners can accept well-seasoned logs and other form of solid wood, wood chips and/or wood pellets. But some wood burning stoves are better suited (or sometimes restricted) to particular types of fuel.

You must understand how you plan to fuel your burner before choosing a particular make to install or even going ahead with the project at all. Solid fuel is heavy and bulky and the costs to transport it any distance can quickly mount up to the point where any potential cost savings have vanished.

For information: seasoned wood has been left to dry naturally for at least a year; wood chips are small pieces of wood such as what comes out of those wood chippers that tree surgeons use; wood pellets are manufactured as uniformly sized small blocks of compressed sawdust.

Point 2

You will need somewhere dry, easily accessible and fairly spacious to store your wood fuel. Ideally it should also be close to the wood burner itself (lugging logs from the shed at the bottom of the garden wouldn't count as ideal). If plan on using an automatic fuel loading hopper (for wood pellets or sometimes wood chips) then it is even more important that the fuel store be located in proximity to the burner.

Point 3

A wood burning stove requires a flue lined with a vent material suitable for burning wood fuel. If you already have a chimney then it is possible to have this fitted with a lined flue suitable for a wood burner, but factor in this extra cost. If you don't have a suitable chimney then you will need to consider where you might be able to have a flue installed, bearing in mind that you might well need to also comply with planning and building regulations.

Point 4

Wood burning stoves are most efficient when working at full capacity, in other words burning fuel at a fast rate rather than gently smouldering. This presents an obvious dilemma in that a fast burn will typically produce more heat than you really need or desire, but shutting the fire down then means that no heat is being generated.

A common solution to this is installing an "accumulator" tank - basically an insulated hot water cylinder on steroids. This plays the role of a "heat battery" that accumulates the excess heat from a fast burn so that it can be released as required over several days in the form of hot water to the household radiators and for bathing.

As a side note, many people who install solar power and heat collection also install an accumulator tank to trap useful heat in the same way as they store solar electricity using deep cycle batteries. The two systems, solar and woodburner, can easily share an accumulator in order to optimise energy savings.

Point 5

There are more regulations and items of legislation covering the issue of domestic heating than you could shake a stick at. Then there are the carrots - the grants and assorted incentive schemes that could significantly reduce your installation costs if you know what's available and how to apply.

The above points, including additional detail on compliance with regulations, are covered further in the full article Installing A Wood Burning Stove.

Solar Power and You

Solar power is not a new concept - scientists for centuries have been harnessing the suns electromagnetic energy. The sun heats our earth and facilitates plant and animal life. Over the last 60 years or so, there have been many technological advances in the use and manufacture of photovoltaic cells for commercial and home use. It will become less expensive to have solar panels installed at home or work. Still, why pay more than $1000 for a working system when you can make one of your own for hundreds, thousands of dollars cheaper? Our economic climate is declining, and companies are forced to using cost saving measures. You too can benefit from making your own renewable energy source(s). This brings us to the next question.

What does this have to do with you? Companies large and small are beginning to add solar panels to fuel their utilities. It is becoming more common that we see solar panels in use on roofs and powering traffic signs. They are used to provide heating, cooking and energy for road signs. With the technological advances, many more homeowners can afford cheaper alternatives to purchasing premade/installed solar panels. There are many articles and books explaining how to make your own solar panels. With a little time and patience, it can be easy to make and install your own solar panels. You do not have to understand the basics of solar energy and you do not have to spend a lot of money.

What are the benefits of doing it yourself? Well, not only do you save money on your utility bills, you also help our planet stay green. Our fossil fuels are dwindling, but the sun rises every day, it is yours for the taking. Another option to consider is using wind power. Again, the technology is available for use at home, your business and even science projects at affordable costs. The parts can be easily found, and this can be a fun project for anyone.

Where can I find information about renewable energy sources? Do an internet search and see what is out there. Most of the information is free, so take it. I also suggest a product that is a great home improvement manual regarding renewable energy sources. Contact your utility companies - many offer a free assessment of your home, and they can tell you about other things to consider (i.e. insulation, weather sealing).

Click Here for a very good manual on making and storing your own energy.

Goodluck!

Ecogreen's Energy Management

The Administrative offices house both the management team and managerial staff like General Manager, Secretaries etc. The computer systems with high technology installed in offices increases the consumption of energy. The central heating and air conditioning systems in the hotels areas also consume a lot of energy. If an analysis is done, we would find that in most of the cases energy consumption is unnecessary and inefficient. Mostly, what lacks is an energy saving program in various departments in hotels. Internal controls in the hotels are not taken care of and importance is given to customer satisfaction and hotel service quality.

To save energy and resources, an effective energy management program or system is a must to implement. For example: Lightning control system as people forget to switch off lights very often. Ecogreen provides you with some more energy management ideas that can be implemented:

- Do not use artificial lighting in offices when the natural light is sufficient

- Open draperies and raise shades whenever adequate light from windows is available

- Use energy-saving fluorescent lights and lamps

- Switch off lights and appliances in unoccupied offices

- Turn off the bathroom's fan and lights whenever they are not occupied

- Install the light sensors to remind and educate office users about wasted light

- Use rechargeable batteries for calculators and other office devices

- Turn off computers that are not used, and utilized computer's energy/power management tools ( i.e. sleep mode, hibernate mode, screen saver)

- Reduce the use of lighting during night cleaning

- Arrange office meetings or conferences in the day time

- Keep office doors and windows closed if heating and air conditioning is on

- Purchase and use high efficiency office equipment and devices

- Set up a self-adult system for the office energy consumption

- Train and educate office employees to follow correct procedures of energy uses

Apart from all the above ideas for energy management, educating and training the office employees to follow correct procedures of energy use is a must.

To know more about Ecogreen practices and trends, visit: http://www.ecogreenhotel.com

How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint With Alternative Energy

In this day and age with global warming and other environmental catastrophes being largely attributed to our bloated carbon footprints there is a growing sentiment that it is high time for something to be done. We cannot afford to wait for the government to take action by enacting emissions laws and requiring electricity to be produced in an environmentally friendly manner, we have to take action and reduce our own personal carbon footprint. Fortunately, as this new environmental consciousness grows opportunities to reduce your carbon footprint on an individual scale grow with it. Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint with alternative energy here.

The easiest way to being reduce your carbon footprint is to simply think about everything with its negative environmental impact in mind. Shut off your lights when you are not using them, wash dishes by hand instead of in a dishwasher, upgrade your appliances to be energy star rated, get low flush toilets and low water showers. These are the basic starting points, beyond this you have the ability to expand and truly reduce your carbon footprint by leaps and bounds.

A great method to try is going green with all, or part, or your electrical needs. This includes installing solar panels or wind turbines if you are really serious. You may also consider scaling it back a step and trying something such as a solar hot water heater. This are great as your hot water heater is powered by a little stand alone solar unit. Imagine how much money you could save by not heating your water? In many homes, which use a traditional furnace, this capability allows you to heat your whole home electricity free!

The next thing to look at, and probably the most obvious, is your car. You have a few options here which range from driving with fuel efficiency in mind, or hypermiling, which allows you to drive the same distances but use far less gas, and thus fewer emissions, in the process. You may consider riding your bike or using public transportation. How about a carpool or simply buying a more few efficient rig? Whatever you choose please keep in mind that your vehicle is one of your largest contributing factors to your personal carbon footprint, it is up to you to do something about that.

Hopefully at least one of these ideas is something that you can implement in order to reduce your carbon footprint and help to save the environment.

Be sure to check out DIY Solar Panels and Wind Turbines in order to get your alternative energy going as cheaply as possible.

Remember, the future of our environment depends on you, what are you waiting for?