Modern day combi boilers are a superb way to add cost effective heating and an instant hot water supply to your home. They take up far less space than traditional systems and are also highly energy efficient and some of them can save you as much as $500 each year on your energy costs.
You can now set up an entire central heating system and hot water system just by using a single gas or oil powered combi boiler with a balanced flue. You can simply add extra radiators to your home with ease and a few copper pipes and you are good to go!
With combi boilers you don't need an expansion tank in the loft anymore or a hot water storage tank situated inside a cupboard, taking up valuable room space. Yes you get some space back as well!
So if the rising cost of energy bills is of concern to you, make sure you go for a highly energy efficient boiler as it will pay for itself after a few short years. Combination boilers are rated in terms of energy efficiency so you can choose which one will save you the most.
One of the top rated combi boilers would provide you with the most efficient boiler, and could save you up to $5000 every ten years or so in energy cost savings alone. This really is a substantial saving that these days anyone would be slightly crazy to ignore!
The top rating for combination boilers is "A". But something like an old back boiler may only be a "G" rated boiler so you can easily see the difference. It really does make sense to go for the best you can afford, as that will bring you the biggest savings over time.
Modern combi boilers are quiet and unobtrusive, and when you need a hot shower after a hard day out, you can come home, knowing it's going to be there waiting for you, as and when you need it. No more using up all the hot water in a stored cylinder only to have your spouse or kids looking disgruntled at you because there is no hot water left. Now you can shower as long as you want and whenever you want!
They are also quiet, and simply get on with their job without too much hassle. The savings you get simply speak for themselves and if you can afford the initial investment then there really is no other sensible option for energy savings and cost reductions.
They can be mounted on a wall in any room, although typically it would be a kitchen wall, as this offers quick and easy access for maintenance by a technician or by yourself for adjustment of the timer functions.
So if space in your home is of paramount importance consider modern and reliable combi boilers as the logical way forward. Having one will repay you over and over in many ways almost right away. Instant hot water, space saving and energy cost savings will be yours, so why settle for anything less?
For more information on the benefits of Combi Boilers and which ones are the best to buy then please visit our website, where you will also find many more advice and Combination Boiler Resources to help you decide what is best for you and your home!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stan_Moretti
Friday, 15 October 2010
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Business - How To Save Money On Your Electricity And Gas Contracts
Saving money on electric and gas contracts in your business may involve many of the same practices you would use in your home and may come naturally. You can take additional measures to make your savings even more dramatic over time.
If you are looking for a location to move your business into, look for things like newer heating and cooling systems that run more efficiently, lots of natural lighting, solar power, and good insulation. If you are in an existing location, you can still take steps to lower your gas and electric bills.
Begin with the same practices you might use at home. Invest in a water heater jacket and insulate pipes from temperature extremes. These two easy steps can add up to big savings over time. Make sure to replace furnace filters frequently, and if you have an older furnace, think about installing a newer, energy star rated furnace for monthly savings. An older water heater can also cost much more to run than a newer one. Replacing outdated appliances with newer ones will usually pay for itself many times over.
Make use of as much natural lighting as possible to reduce energy usage. Replace lights with compact fluorescent bulbs that last much longer and use up to 75% less energy. Turn off lights when a room is not in use. The same goes for appliances; turning off unused appliances, unplugging electronic machines that are not used frequently and turning off computers at night can make a big difference. Even when in stand-by mode, many appliances use up energy.
If you can, use your computer to receive faxes so that every page of fax your business receives is not automatically printed. Most business get numerous faxes throughout the day that are "junk," and you will save money when they don't print.
Finally, get a utility audit or use software that analyzes utility usage. This information can be used to discover where most of your energy is being used, and may even suggest ways to make changes to save your business money. Many programs can show you what kind of effect your energy saving efforts are making and how to be even more efficient with your changes. Utility Tracking software programs may be purchased and some are offered as freeware online.
With a combined effort and implementation of energy saving practices, you will see a noticeable difference in your electricity and gas usage.
Find Out More: Business Gas Or Switch Business Gas.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Thomas_Walters
If you are looking for a location to move your business into, look for things like newer heating and cooling systems that run more efficiently, lots of natural lighting, solar power, and good insulation. If you are in an existing location, you can still take steps to lower your gas and electric bills.
Begin with the same practices you might use at home. Invest in a water heater jacket and insulate pipes from temperature extremes. These two easy steps can add up to big savings over time. Make sure to replace furnace filters frequently, and if you have an older furnace, think about installing a newer, energy star rated furnace for monthly savings. An older water heater can also cost much more to run than a newer one. Replacing outdated appliances with newer ones will usually pay for itself many times over.
Make use of as much natural lighting as possible to reduce energy usage. Replace lights with compact fluorescent bulbs that last much longer and use up to 75% less energy. Turn off lights when a room is not in use. The same goes for appliances; turning off unused appliances, unplugging electronic machines that are not used frequently and turning off computers at night can make a big difference. Even when in stand-by mode, many appliances use up energy.
If you can, use your computer to receive faxes so that every page of fax your business receives is not automatically printed. Most business get numerous faxes throughout the day that are "junk," and you will save money when they don't print.
Finally, get a utility audit or use software that analyzes utility usage. This information can be used to discover where most of your energy is being used, and may even suggest ways to make changes to save your business money. Many programs can show you what kind of effect your energy saving efforts are making and how to be even more efficient with your changes. Utility Tracking software programs may be purchased and some are offered as freeware online.
With a combined effort and implementation of energy saving practices, you will see a noticeable difference in your electricity and gas usage.
Find Out More: Business Gas Or Switch Business Gas.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Thomas_Walters
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Which Home Appliances Use the Most Energy
Homeowners and business establishments are implementing energy saving initiatives on their own accord. These moves are wise on their part as energy saving activities are a must to conserve valuable resources and should have continuous implementation until the time technology is available that can produce renewable, environmental-friendly and really cheap electricity.
Although many have already started energy saving measures such as turning off the computer when not in use or using compact fluorescent lights instead of light bulbs to illuminate their rooms, many are not aware of how much their appliances are actually consuming electricity. While many are probably aware of what the Energy Star label means in their relatively newly purchased appliances, majority of homeowners may not be knowledgeable as to what appliance guzzles the most energy.
Knowing this information can help in planning your energy savings program so you can focus your actions in how to control or efficiently use appliances with the biggest energy consumption - resulting in more manageable electrical bills as well as reduced environmental impact.
How Much Electricity does Standard Home Appliances Use?
The 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book have listed space heating as the highest energy user in a home at 31% followed by space cooling at 12%. The remaining electrical energy usage is consumed by standard home appliances for various household applications. Although each individual appliance may not consume as much as heating or cooling, summing up all the electricity usage by these appliances can be significantly big. These appliances are ranked as follows:
Water Heating - 12%
Lighting - 11%
Computers and Electronics - 9%
Kitchen/Washing Appliances - 9%
Refrigeration - 8%
Other Appliances - 8%
The cost of using these appliances will depend on how long they are used multiplied by their rated electrical power consumption. The longer a higher-rated appliance is used, the higher the total electrical cost it will ensue. Appliances are rated in kilowatt-hours or kWh, where one kilowatt-hour means a consumption of 1,000 watts of electricity within one hour. The cost of using a particular appliance can be obtained by multiplying its rated kWh usage by how long it has been in use.
Appliances differ in their rated consumption based on how it is constructed and how it operates. As seen from the table listed above, heaters or appliances with heating elements consume the most electricity. Next in line would be appliances with electrical motors and compressors. However, some appliances have a combination of a motorized part as well as a heating element. This includes clothes washers and dish washers. These appliances consume more electricity if both the motors and the heaters are used in conjunction.
This knowledge can be useful for homeowners wanting to conserve energy in their homes. Simple changes like turning off the heaters for your dish and clothes washers during use can give significant savings in electricity. Use of more efficient appliances (ex: a new Energy-star efficient refrigerator versus a 10-year old energy guzzler) can likewise provide considerable energy savings that would do well for your wallet and the environment.
In many states where electricity is de-regulated you can also start saving money by simply switching your electricity provider.
About Shop Texas Electricity- Shop Texas Electricity helps consumers and businesses in Texas compare and shop for their electricity plans. Learn more about Shop Texas Electricity by visiting us at http://www.shoptexaselectricity.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawood_Mirza
Although many have already started energy saving measures such as turning off the computer when not in use or using compact fluorescent lights instead of light bulbs to illuminate their rooms, many are not aware of how much their appliances are actually consuming electricity. While many are probably aware of what the Energy Star label means in their relatively newly purchased appliances, majority of homeowners may not be knowledgeable as to what appliance guzzles the most energy.
Knowing this information can help in planning your energy savings program so you can focus your actions in how to control or efficiently use appliances with the biggest energy consumption - resulting in more manageable electrical bills as well as reduced environmental impact.
How Much Electricity does Standard Home Appliances Use?
The 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book have listed space heating as the highest energy user in a home at 31% followed by space cooling at 12%. The remaining electrical energy usage is consumed by standard home appliances for various household applications. Although each individual appliance may not consume as much as heating or cooling, summing up all the electricity usage by these appliances can be significantly big. These appliances are ranked as follows:
Water Heating - 12%
Lighting - 11%
Computers and Electronics - 9%
Kitchen/Washing Appliances - 9%
Refrigeration - 8%
Other Appliances - 8%
The cost of using these appliances will depend on how long they are used multiplied by their rated electrical power consumption. The longer a higher-rated appliance is used, the higher the total electrical cost it will ensue. Appliances are rated in kilowatt-hours or kWh, where one kilowatt-hour means a consumption of 1,000 watts of electricity within one hour. The cost of using a particular appliance can be obtained by multiplying its rated kWh usage by how long it has been in use.
Appliances differ in their rated consumption based on how it is constructed and how it operates. As seen from the table listed above, heaters or appliances with heating elements consume the most electricity. Next in line would be appliances with electrical motors and compressors. However, some appliances have a combination of a motorized part as well as a heating element. This includes clothes washers and dish washers. These appliances consume more electricity if both the motors and the heaters are used in conjunction.
This knowledge can be useful for homeowners wanting to conserve energy in their homes. Simple changes like turning off the heaters for your dish and clothes washers during use can give significant savings in electricity. Use of more efficient appliances (ex: a new Energy-star efficient refrigerator versus a 10-year old energy guzzler) can likewise provide considerable energy savings that would do well for your wallet and the environment.
In many states where electricity is de-regulated you can also start saving money by simply switching your electricity provider.
About Shop Texas Electricity- Shop Texas Electricity helps consumers and businesses in Texas compare and shop for their electricity plans. Learn more about Shop Texas Electricity by visiting us at http://www.shoptexaselectricity.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawood_Mirza
Friday, 21 May 2010
Make Solar Electricity - You Can Do it Yourself
When asked about renewable energy, most people think about how to make solar electricity. Generating electricity using solar energy from the sun is a technology that everyone knows about. You do not need to ask "Do solar panels make electricity?". You have probably used it in your pocket calculator, at work or at home, regardless of your power needs, solar power for electricity can get the job done.
Domestic solar electricity has a number of particular advantages over conventional or grid-based electricity. Solar panels for electric are designed for many applications and are extremely beneficial in remote areas where normal electricity does not reach. Also, a solar electricity kit which turns solar power to electricity have no moving parts so they require very little upkeep, can be built to the size you require, and with many smaller units, transportable.
Environmental compatibility is one massive selling point for converting to make solar electricity. Solar panel electricity generation uses a renewable and free resource, the sun. Solar electricity offers no noise pollution as well as actually almost no pollution when they are used. A second appealing factor for many who choose an electric solar panel over conventional electricity is just for the independence. It is an attractive choice to many people who live in the country to know that when the lights go out due to blackouts or storms, their lights will stay on. No longer a slave to waiting on hold to report an outage then finding that it could be 10 hours before the service will be restored.
The most painful part of converting using a solar panel for electricity is the cost of a system. Installing a solar to electric system can be a substantial upfront amount. The benefit of solar power is realized over many years. A professionally fitted solar panels for electricity system for an average dwelling (avg. $100/month in electric bills) could take 5 years to pay for itself. it is possible to lower that number by making your own solar panel system or by purchasing one that has been used. With many solar energy systems in less rural places and only in a few states, you can sell the solar electricity that you don't use back to your electric company. In these cases the return on your investment is realized much more quickly.
Making use of the sun's power and making solar panels for electric supply is green for the environment and to your home. When you make solar electricity it can be used to supplement power for a number of big cities. Take time to find out more about solar energy and how you can benefit from trading in your electricity bill for a stress free life with solar electricity.
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. One bit of advice is to make your home a solar home. If you would to find out a bit more on how you can do it
If you want to find out a solar panel price to help to convert your home to solar power visit this site. A solar powered generator will help save you lots of money.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_S_Barrett
Domestic solar electricity has a number of particular advantages over conventional or grid-based electricity. Solar panels for electric are designed for many applications and are extremely beneficial in remote areas where normal electricity does not reach. Also, a solar electricity kit which turns solar power to electricity have no moving parts so they require very little upkeep, can be built to the size you require, and with many smaller units, transportable.
Environmental compatibility is one massive selling point for converting to make solar electricity. Solar panel electricity generation uses a renewable and free resource, the sun. Solar electricity offers no noise pollution as well as actually almost no pollution when they are used. A second appealing factor for many who choose an electric solar panel over conventional electricity is just for the independence. It is an attractive choice to many people who live in the country to know that when the lights go out due to blackouts or storms, their lights will stay on. No longer a slave to waiting on hold to report an outage then finding that it could be 10 hours before the service will be restored.
The most painful part of converting using a solar panel for electricity is the cost of a system. Installing a solar to electric system can be a substantial upfront amount. The benefit of solar power is realized over many years. A professionally fitted solar panels for electricity system for an average dwelling (avg. $100/month in electric bills) could take 5 years to pay for itself. it is possible to lower that number by making your own solar panel system or by purchasing one that has been used. With many solar energy systems in less rural places and only in a few states, you can sell the solar electricity that you don't use back to your electric company. In these cases the return on your investment is realized much more quickly.
Making use of the sun's power and making solar panels for electric supply is green for the environment and to your home. When you make solar electricity it can be used to supplement power for a number of big cities. Take time to find out more about solar energy and how you can benefit from trading in your electricity bill for a stress free life with solar electricity.
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. One bit of advice is to make your home a solar home. If you would to find out a bit more on how you can do it
If you want to find out a solar panel price to help to convert your home to solar power visit this site. A solar powered generator will help save you lots of money.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_S_Barrett
Monday, 10 May 2010
Energy Efficiency in Homes
Building energy efficient homes and improving energy efficiency in our homes can increase their value.
Over the past few years, there has been a ground swell of Green building interest by home buyers and builders. In response to the growing demand to conserve energy in our homes, there are several new mortgage programs that allow home buyers to finance the cost of energy improvements into their mortgage, to increase their loan-to-value, or improve their qualifying ratios. Some of the more common improvements that are used to make homes more energy efficient include the addition of new windows, high efficiency heating/cooling systems, and improved insulation. All of these contribute to reduced energy use, and also to making homes quieter, more comfortable, and more desirable.
Mortgage Programs
These programs allow buyers to purchase a more expensive home that has a lower cost of ownership to offset the larger mortgage payment. There are 2 types of financing options available that cover a variety of scenarios for energy efficient homes.
o Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM's) allow borrowers to qualify for a larger loan, using expanded income ratios, sometimes with the same down payment.
o Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIM's) allow borrowers to include in the mortgage the cost of making an existing home more energy efficient, when they refinance or purchase the home.
These products are available through your local mortgage brokers and banks using FNMA, FHLMC, FHA, and VA guidelines.
EPACT 2005-2008 provides $2000 Builder Tax Credit
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a federal tax credit for builders that apply to each home that exceeds the energy performance threshold outlined in the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC2004). Eligible homes must be at least 50% more efficient than homes built to the IECC2004. It is fairly easy for builders to achieve this threshold by building tighter homes, installing high-performance insulation, and sealing duct work. The best way for a builder to find out how to meet EPACT is to consult with a certified RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) Home Energy Rater. In order for a builder to receive a $2000 tax credit, the home must be rated by a RESNET certified rater using IRS approved software. For more information, visit http://www.natresnet.org/taxcredits/default.htm.
What makes a home energy efficient?
The cost of heating and cooling a home represents the largest cost of ownership, outside of the home mortgage expense. Everyone wants a home that is comfortable to live in, and yet the costs associated with reaching a comfortable level can be very high. Energy Efficiency can be defined as the use of products or systems that use less energy to do the same or better job as conventional products. In home construction and performance, there are many areas where energy efficiency can be achieved, to allow you to meet those desired comfort levels.
The EPA's ENERGY STAR® program has developed a process for evaluating products used in a home, such as appliances, windows, lighting and other products that meet or exceed certain efficiency standards or recommendations. When choosing products for a home, ensure the products meet Energy Star ratings. This can include furnace, air conditioning and water heater performance, replacement of appliances in the home, and installation of energy efficient lighting such as Compact Florescent Lamps (CFL's).
Other construction design aspects can have a significant impact on the energy performance of a home. Insulation levels should be adequate for the environment, and more importantly, proper installation of the insulation is critical in ensuring it is performing to the expected levels. Air infiltration and leakage can be another area where hidden openings in the building shell can cause heat and cooling losses to occur, reducing the efficiency of the home's performance.
In addition to performance of individual components in a home, the EPA's Energy Star Program also works with builders to qualify and certify home performance, to ensure that maximum performance is achieved. ENERGY STAR® qualified homes are designed to be at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). ENERGY STAR® qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-efficient improvements that deliver better performance, greater comfort, and lower utility bills.
ENERGY STAR® homes have had their energy efficiency independently verified by an inspector known as a Home Energy rater. A HERS Rater will inspect and test the home during construction, and verify that the home meets EPA's strict guidelines for energy efficiency.
RESNET; Establishes rules for the energy rating industry
In 1995 RESNET was founded to develop a national market for home energy ratings and energy efficient mortgages. One main goal of RESNET was the development of standards for quality of rating services. The standards set the national procedures for home energy ratings, and include testing and accreditation for raters and providers, development of verification processes for homes meeting ENERGY STAR® and energy efficient building standards, as well as meeting local Energy Code compliance.
A certified HERS Rater follows a prescribed standard for how a home is measured, verified and rated, and must comply with national standards to continue to perform certified ratings.
What is an energy audit or HERS Rating
A Home Energy Rating, performed by a Certified HERS Rater, consists of a full visual analysis of components and aspects of the home, along with energy performance testing of air infiltration with a tool called a blower door. Evaluation of home energy bills can also be included. A blower door slightly de-pressurizes the home and determines the amount of air leakage present. The home is compared to a hypothetical reference home which is based on the IECC 2004, and the home is then provided with a rating. The rating can be a numerical HERS rating or a 'star' rating based upon ENERGY STAR® requirements.
Along with the actual performance rating, the homeowner will be provided with details on areas of the home that need to be improved, in order to further save energy costs and improve the comfort and efficiency of the home.
For more information, visit: http://www.greenenergysavers.com/
Bruce Czech and George Scott are both Certified Home Energy Raters and also Certified ASHI Home Inspectors. Performing Energy Audits and Home Inspections give both of them insight into what can go wrong in a home, and where improvements can be made to result in direct savings.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Scott
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Your New Best Friend - A Lower Electric Bill and More Budgeting Tips
The economy has been suffering, but you do not have to. Making a budget of your expenses can show you just how your money is being spent, and this consciousness often reduces costs all by itself. Budgets are the ultimate money tool, whether you're looking to see if you can afford a new computer or if you are just trying to get out of debt. By showing you where your money is going, a budget can help you clean up your financial situation. It can help you lower your electric bill or show that you spend too much going out to dinner. If you have a messy financial situation, a budget is the first step in cleaning it up.
Budgets are pretty basic ideas. A budget is a record of your income minus what you spend, or your expenses. A positive number means you are financially stable, but a budget can still help you plan out your expenses and become even more so, while a negative number means you are spending money you technically do not have. So the first step in creating your budget is making a list of all your expenses. Make a note of things that are absolutely necessary and things that are not. Necessities such as food, shelter, and transportation should be at the top your list, depending on your situation. Don't forget all your occasional expenses, whether it's highway tolls or prescription costs. Once you have added up all your expenses, subtract this number from your net income. If you get a negative number, there are easy steps you can take to help get it back to positive.
Energy is one of the easiest places to start in lowering your expenditures. Little things, such as unplugging your TV when no one is watching it or washing your clothes with cold water can help lower your electric bill. Small changes such as these can add up quickly. Just unplugging unused appliances has the potential to make drastic differences. A plugged in appliance often leeches energy even while it is switched off, and this can negatively impact your electric bill. By just unplugging it, or investing in a good power strip, you can reduce the occurrence of a leeching appliance. Ask around and do a little research on the best energy providers. Sometimes switching to a greener energy source can be cheaper for you and your family.
Food is a major monetary outflow that can really tax on your budget. Meals out at restaurants and expensive drinks at bars can add up to be a major drain on your income. To see how much you're spending on food costs, save your receipts from a week or two. The results could be staggering. Instead of buying meals at work, bring your own. The cost of one purchased meal can often provide sandwiches for an entire week or two. Give the generic brand a try. More often than not, they are exactly the same, except for the generic costs less. Pick up the Sunday newspaper and clip some coupons. With a handful of coupons, your grocery bill can be drastically reduced.
Reducing your expenses doesn't need to be a life altering experience. Little changes go a long way. Whether you want to have a lower electric bill MD or save up for a dream vacation, simply starting a budget can help you become more environmentally friendly as well as financially secure.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Pate
Budgets are pretty basic ideas. A budget is a record of your income minus what you spend, or your expenses. A positive number means you are financially stable, but a budget can still help you plan out your expenses and become even more so, while a negative number means you are spending money you technically do not have. So the first step in creating your budget is making a list of all your expenses. Make a note of things that are absolutely necessary and things that are not. Necessities such as food, shelter, and transportation should be at the top your list, depending on your situation. Don't forget all your occasional expenses, whether it's highway tolls or prescription costs. Once you have added up all your expenses, subtract this number from your net income. If you get a negative number, there are easy steps you can take to help get it back to positive.
Energy is one of the easiest places to start in lowering your expenditures. Little things, such as unplugging your TV when no one is watching it or washing your clothes with cold water can help lower your electric bill. Small changes such as these can add up quickly. Just unplugging unused appliances has the potential to make drastic differences. A plugged in appliance often leeches energy even while it is switched off, and this can negatively impact your electric bill. By just unplugging it, or investing in a good power strip, you can reduce the occurrence of a leeching appliance. Ask around and do a little research on the best energy providers. Sometimes switching to a greener energy source can be cheaper for you and your family.
Food is a major monetary outflow that can really tax on your budget. Meals out at restaurants and expensive drinks at bars can add up to be a major drain on your income. To see how much you're spending on food costs, save your receipts from a week or two. The results could be staggering. Instead of buying meals at work, bring your own. The cost of one purchased meal can often provide sandwiches for an entire week or two. Give the generic brand a try. More often than not, they are exactly the same, except for the generic costs less. Pick up the Sunday newspaper and clip some coupons. With a handful of coupons, your grocery bill can be drastically reduced.
Reducing your expenses doesn't need to be a life altering experience. Little changes go a long way. Whether you want to have a lower electric bill MD or save up for a dream vacation, simply starting a budget can help you become more environmentally friendly as well as financially secure.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Pate
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Household Energy Saving Ideas
In today's modern economic climate, now has never been a better time to start saving money, and where better to start than at home? Millions of pounds are poured down the drain by millions of households every year. By committing yourself to making a few small changes you could save yourself hundreds every year.
o Use energy saving light bulbs. Energy saving light bulbs may stand on the shelves slightly more expensive than normal bulbs, but can last up to ten times longer and use less electricity. Also, whenever you are not using a room, switch the lights off. This may seem pretty obvious, but only lighting the room you're in can significantly lower your energy bills.
o Don't be fooled by standby. When you leave electrical appliances on standby, they are still consuming electricity at an extremely high rate, considering the appliance is switched off. If you unplug all of your electrical appliances when they're not in use, you could save up to £40 per year on your electricity bill.
o Do a cool wash. Around 80% of the energy used to wash a pile of clothes is used to heat up the water. If you wash your clothes at a lower temperature, this means you are using less electricity.
o Turn down your heating. We all like our homes nice and toasty in the winter, but by turning your heating down by just one degree can cut your heating bill by 10%- and you won't even feel the difference.
o Insulate your hot water tank. A cover for your tank will not cost much, and could significantly contain more heat than a tank that is not covered. By covering the tank with a jacket that is more than 3 inches thick, you could save up to £30 per year.
Compare energy providers to make sure you aren't paying too much for your energy bills. Compare gas and compare electricity and you could potentially save up to £300 by switching to a cheaper supplier.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachael_A_Miller
o Use energy saving light bulbs. Energy saving light bulbs may stand on the shelves slightly more expensive than normal bulbs, but can last up to ten times longer and use less electricity. Also, whenever you are not using a room, switch the lights off. This may seem pretty obvious, but only lighting the room you're in can significantly lower your energy bills.
o Don't be fooled by standby. When you leave electrical appliances on standby, they are still consuming electricity at an extremely high rate, considering the appliance is switched off. If you unplug all of your electrical appliances when they're not in use, you could save up to £40 per year on your electricity bill.
o Do a cool wash. Around 80% of the energy used to wash a pile of clothes is used to heat up the water. If you wash your clothes at a lower temperature, this means you are using less electricity.
o Turn down your heating. We all like our homes nice and toasty in the winter, but by turning your heating down by just one degree can cut your heating bill by 10%- and you won't even feel the difference.
o Insulate your hot water tank. A cover for your tank will not cost much, and could significantly contain more heat than a tank that is not covered. By covering the tank with a jacket that is more than 3 inches thick, you could save up to £30 per year.
Compare energy providers to make sure you aren't paying too much for your energy bills. Compare gas and compare electricity and you could potentially save up to £300 by switching to a cheaper supplier.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachael_A_Miller
Monday, 19 April 2010
How to Lower Electric Bill in 10 Easy Ways
Electric bills make up most of the monthly bills in households. This is even more so with large homes or when there are multiple residents living in the house. Families are trying out more and more ways to lower electric bill. So they can use the money they will save for more important things. A lower electric bill also indicates that you are helping the environment by using up less energy.
Just follow these tips to lower electric bill:
1. When not in use, turn off lights. The savings might be small initially, but it will all add up to huge savings in the long run. In this way, you are also not wasting precious energy.
2. Do regular maintenance with the air conditioning units. Dirty filters mean that your air conditioning unit has to work harder to keep you cooler and it has to consume more energy than necessary.
3. Have your dripping or leaking faucets fixed. These drips mean that you are wasting water and your pump is working extra to replace the water. If the faucet is dripping hot water then your hot water heater is also performing unnecessary work.
4. Go for appliances that are good for the environment and are energy efficient. You can have your pick of energy saving appliances in any store. More and more people are becoming self-aware about the planet?s plight. Ask the salesman in the appliance store if they carry energy efficient appliances.
5. Unless it is necessary, don't use electrical appliances. Even though they are energy efficient, they still eat up energy. When you have to use the clothes dryer, make sure there is a full load so you can use it to its full advantage. And if it is a breezy day, you can just air dry your clothes.
6. Keep drafts from getting in your home. Check windows or openings for drafts. When you do find drafts, look for ways to cover them up. When there are drafts, the air that you are paying to keep cool or hot could leave the house.
7. When washing, do only full loads. Do not use the dishwasher or clothes dryer unless you have a full load to put in. Two small loads will cost twice as much as a single full load. You might as well wait until you have a full load to do.
8. Use timers for your air conditioning unit and thermostats. If you have one of those programmable thermostats, you can program it lower during colder months and higher during hotter months. This way your air conditioning unit or heater won?t have to consume so much energy.
9. Make use of natural light as much as possible. If there is still sunlight that can be used then you shouldn't turn on the lights in your house. A few hours with your lights turned off could mean hundreds of dollars in savings for you in the long run.
10. Use solar power and other homemade energy. Homemade energy is a growing fad among American homes these days. You can harness the power of nature into producing energy for you. This can be done through solar panels and wind mills. It will lower electric bill in your home.
Discover new ways to save on your electricity bills! Lower electricity bill by using home solar energy system.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Shermann
Just follow these tips to lower electric bill:
1. When not in use, turn off lights. The savings might be small initially, but it will all add up to huge savings in the long run. In this way, you are also not wasting precious energy.
2. Do regular maintenance with the air conditioning units. Dirty filters mean that your air conditioning unit has to work harder to keep you cooler and it has to consume more energy than necessary.
3. Have your dripping or leaking faucets fixed. These drips mean that you are wasting water and your pump is working extra to replace the water. If the faucet is dripping hot water then your hot water heater is also performing unnecessary work.
4. Go for appliances that are good for the environment and are energy efficient. You can have your pick of energy saving appliances in any store. More and more people are becoming self-aware about the planet?s plight. Ask the salesman in the appliance store if they carry energy efficient appliances.
5. Unless it is necessary, don't use electrical appliances. Even though they are energy efficient, they still eat up energy. When you have to use the clothes dryer, make sure there is a full load so you can use it to its full advantage. And if it is a breezy day, you can just air dry your clothes.
6. Keep drafts from getting in your home. Check windows or openings for drafts. When you do find drafts, look for ways to cover them up. When there are drafts, the air that you are paying to keep cool or hot could leave the house.
7. When washing, do only full loads. Do not use the dishwasher or clothes dryer unless you have a full load to put in. Two small loads will cost twice as much as a single full load. You might as well wait until you have a full load to do.
8. Use timers for your air conditioning unit and thermostats. If you have one of those programmable thermostats, you can program it lower during colder months and higher during hotter months. This way your air conditioning unit or heater won?t have to consume so much energy.
9. Make use of natural light as much as possible. If there is still sunlight that can be used then you shouldn't turn on the lights in your house. A few hours with your lights turned off could mean hundreds of dollars in savings for you in the long run.
10. Use solar power and other homemade energy. Homemade energy is a growing fad among American homes these days. You can harness the power of nature into producing energy for you. This can be done through solar panels and wind mills. It will lower electric bill in your home.
Discover new ways to save on your electricity bills! Lower electricity bill by using home solar energy system.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Shermann
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Can You Really Cut Down on Household Bills?
Have you ever sat down and added up what all your household bills actually come to? If you have, you will know just how frighteningly large that amount can be! Of course, some items such as council tax for example cannot be changed. You can get a reduction on your bill if you live alone, but other than that most of us simply have to pay the amount we are charged.
Fortunately we have much more control over some other bills. Take our phone bill, electricity bill and gas bill, for example. We can do a lot to make sure we spend less on these than we are doing now. It just takes a little bit of effort to get the right end results. But that effort is generally worth it. So where do you start?
The best thing to do is to take out some bills for the last few months, so you can get an idea of what you are actually paying each month. It is always better to pay bills monthly if you can; any less often than that and you can struggle to find the money each time. Keeping the bills small, regular and manageable is the first step to making them easier to pay.
The next task is to look at which provider you are with for each service. It is very easy to stay with the same one for a prolonged period of time - long after they remain the cheapest service to be with.
You can check online by using a comparison service to find the cheapest provider in many cases. But there may be other alternatives available too. For example, when it comes to your phone bill you might be able to use your mobile more cheaply than your home phone. Two people who are on the same tariff and use the same provider are often able to call each other for free at certain times.
The same applies to calls that can be made over the internet. Would this be a good way for you to keep in touch with people while reducing the cost of your phone bills? Make sure you consider all the options and choose the best one for your own circumstances.
As you can see, it is very easy to reduce bills if you just put a little work in every now and again to achieve those ends. It pays to check how much you are paying from time to time, in order to ensure you are still with the best provider. So regardless of whether you want cheap calls, smaller gas bills or anything in between, remember that you can make changes; but it's up to you to do it.
Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Collins
Fortunately we have much more control over some other bills. Take our phone bill, electricity bill and gas bill, for example. We can do a lot to make sure we spend less on these than we are doing now. It just takes a little bit of effort to get the right end results. But that effort is generally worth it. So where do you start?
The best thing to do is to take out some bills for the last few months, so you can get an idea of what you are actually paying each month. It is always better to pay bills monthly if you can; any less often than that and you can struggle to find the money each time. Keeping the bills small, regular and manageable is the first step to making them easier to pay.
The next task is to look at which provider you are with for each service. It is very easy to stay with the same one for a prolonged period of time - long after they remain the cheapest service to be with.
You can check online by using a comparison service to find the cheapest provider in many cases. But there may be other alternatives available too. For example, when it comes to your phone bill you might be able to use your mobile more cheaply than your home phone. Two people who are on the same tariff and use the same provider are often able to call each other for free at certain times.
The same applies to calls that can be made over the internet. Would this be a good way for you to keep in touch with people while reducing the cost of your phone bills? Make sure you consider all the options and choose the best one for your own circumstances.
As you can see, it is very easy to reduce bills if you just put a little work in every now and again to achieve those ends. It pays to check how much you are paying from time to time, in order to ensure you are still with the best provider. So regardless of whether you want cheap calls, smaller gas bills or anything in between, remember that you can make changes; but it's up to you to do it.
Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Collins
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Electricity Savings
Electricity Savings, Environment and Money Friendly Option
Saving electricity helps in substantial reduction in the electricity bills and also helps save environment. For a home user, the electricity bills are mainly driven by air conditioning and heating systems. If you are interested in electricity savings, it is better to focus on tips to reduce energy consumption of these gadgets and appliances. Other electricity using appliances are water heaters, washing machines, refrigerators that can have considerable participation in heavier electricity bills.
The best way to save electricity is to switch off entertainment gadgets when not in use. It is a common tendency to leave television sets, monitors, computers in standby mode. Most of these gadgets and devices use almost 90% of electricity even in standby mode. It really pays to switch off devices when not in use. Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL or the most efficient LED lights. Microwave ovens heat up quick and are ideal for reheating and cooking smaller quantities of food. Though it consumes more power during operation, it can be termed as an electricity conservation appliance as it compensates the electricity used by heating in very less time.
Buying energy efficient goods is another way of saving electricity. Though energy efficient appliances cost more initially, money saved through lesser electricity bills works out more beneficial in the long run. Moreover, energy efficient models are superior in technology and have longer life than the other models. Accumulated dust is another important factor to be aware of when we talk about energy conservation and electricity savings. Dust makes the appliances work harder and can increase the electricity bills by 25%. It is important to be knowledgeable about potential electricity hogs to save on electricity bills.
Electricity savings is a sure method of saving money. Explore more on various ways of saving electricity through alternate methods and simple tips and tricks. Energy savings is a practice and achievable by every individual interested in saving money through electricity use.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angellina_Williams
Saving electricity helps in substantial reduction in the electricity bills and also helps save environment. For a home user, the electricity bills are mainly driven by air conditioning and heating systems. If you are interested in electricity savings, it is better to focus on tips to reduce energy consumption of these gadgets and appliances. Other electricity using appliances are water heaters, washing machines, refrigerators that can have considerable participation in heavier electricity bills.
The best way to save electricity is to switch off entertainment gadgets when not in use. It is a common tendency to leave television sets, monitors, computers in standby mode. Most of these gadgets and devices use almost 90% of electricity even in standby mode. It really pays to switch off devices when not in use. Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL or the most efficient LED lights. Microwave ovens heat up quick and are ideal for reheating and cooking smaller quantities of food. Though it consumes more power during operation, it can be termed as an electricity conservation appliance as it compensates the electricity used by heating in very less time.
Buying energy efficient goods is another way of saving electricity. Though energy efficient appliances cost more initially, money saved through lesser electricity bills works out more beneficial in the long run. Moreover, energy efficient models are superior in technology and have longer life than the other models. Accumulated dust is another important factor to be aware of when we talk about energy conservation and electricity savings. Dust makes the appliances work harder and can increase the electricity bills by 25%. It is important to be knowledgeable about potential electricity hogs to save on electricity bills.
Electricity savings is a sure method of saving money. Explore more on various ways of saving electricity through alternate methods and simple tips and tricks. Energy savings is a practice and achievable by every individual interested in saving money through electricity use.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angellina_Williams
Monday, 22 March 2010
How to Manage Your Electric Bill Without a Sweat
Energy warms our homes, cooks our food, plays our music, gives us pictures on television, etc. and is an important part of our daily lives.
Energy crisis is a situation in which the nation suffers from a disruption of energy supplies (in our case, oil) accompanied by rapidly increasing energy prices that threaten economic and national security. It may be referred to as an oil crisis, petroleum crisis, energy shortage, electricity shortage or electricity crisis. Electricity is the second most commonly used energy for home heating, after oil. The situation is even more desperate as electricity is the only source of heating throughout the whole country. There are many reasons to believe that, unlike the gas and electricity crises of the 70s, 80s and 90s, the energy troubles we now face will last for decades.
Oil, natural gas, and coal are nonrenewable fuels. Since the industrial revolution, the burning of coal, oil, natural gas or products derived from them has been a socially significant transformation of chemical energy into other forms of energy. Dependency on oil presents real challenge, but as economies grow, until we change our habits, there is going to be more dependency on oil. Every single hour, we spend $41 million on foreign oil. The best way to break the addiction to foreign oil is through new technology. Peak oil problems are immediate and obvious, to deal with it is to find a way to either produce or save more energy. In fact those who control oil and water will control the world. While oil is the world's primary transportation fuel, coal dominates in our production of electricity.
Coal provides more than half of the Nation's electricity supply, and America has enough coal to last more than 200 years. Coal may be cheap, but building the apparatus for turning it into electricity is not. Higher Electricity Prices forces the utility companies to continue investing in conventional coal plants despite the fact that governments are moving to restrict the heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from such plants. We spend approximately $130 billion a year on electricity. In the average home, 25% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Energy efficient technology can save electricity and money. But that won't happen as long as the country's electricity demand keeps growing as it is on pace to do, 1 to 2 percent each year.
Landscaping your home for energy efficiency can reduce your heating and cooling bills, the largest component of your home's energy use. While our dependence on energy is not likely to decrease, there will continue to be an increase of new innovations in energy technologies with a larger focus on energy conservation and efficiency.
In an era of escalating concern about climate change, boosting energy efficiency in the buildings and homes will not only lower carbon emissions but can also provide substantial financial return to people who implement 'green designs and technology' to their environment. By reducing the electricity we will also be helping to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
While several key government agencies and industry sources have rejected the notion that a global energy crisis is imminent, others in the field believe the crisis is already upon us. The energy crisis is real, it's not going away, and the federal government needs to do its part to help our communities by providing tax credits and/or rate reduction rebates to consumers who actually reduce their aggregate power usage by more than 10 percent of previous year's electricity. It is clear electricity consumers need comprehensive and integrated planning to prevent future crises and problems. No matter how cheap heat and electricity become, using less is cheaper still.
Energy saving devices designed to provide significant reductions in electric usage and monthly electric bills, increase the life of electrical motors through heat reduction and provide surge protection for your entire Home or business. This can yield an improved payback period relative to the use of an energy saving device. Individuals that purchase this device will find that it reduces energy costs 8%-25%.
They work by reducing the power drawn from the utility by storing in its capacitors otherwise lost electricity caused by the inductive motors in the home. Some examples of inductive motors are air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, pool pumps, vacuum cleaners, furnace blower motors, fans etc.
They supply the stored electricity back to inductive loads, thus causing decreased demand from the utility, thereby using less electricity. The process is called power factor optimization.
Power Factor is the percentage of electricity delivered to a house and used effectively, compared to what is wasted. A 1.0 power factor means that all the electricity is being used effectively for its purpose. However, most homes in America today have a .77 power factor or less. This means that 77% of the electricity that is coming through the meter (home or business) is being used effectively. The other 23% is being wasted by your inductive load. With a low power factor, the utility has to deliver more electricity to do the same work.
By increasing that power factor in most cases to .97 or .98, thus increasing the effective use of the electricity and lowering usage.
The best electrical saving devices are ones that provides Spike/Surge Suppression, a feature that protects appliances and electronics (TV's, stereos, computers, DVR's, security systems, wireless phones, florescent lamps and other equipment) from voltage spikes. Voltage spikes can come from many different sources such as noisy equipment (like motors), power fluctuations, static electricity, and lightning.
The most common form of Spike/Surge suppression are MOV's (Metal Oxide Varistors) or simply Varistors. MOV's are arranged in parallel with the circuit being protected. Typical residential and light commercial power sources allow literally hundreds of spikes and surges per day to reach valuable and oftentimes sensitive electronic equipment. MOV's can suppress these spikes and surges and still remain operational. In the event of a massive surge or spike, the kind created by a direct lightning strike, the MOV sacrifices itself and fails open.
Electrical Noise Filtration
Homes, businesses, and factories are filled with electrical devices that generate "noise." What is ironic is this noise is harmful to the very appliances that create it. The offending "noisemakers" include TVs, computers, compact fluorescent bulbs, fluorescent lamps, stereos, and even major appliances that now have electronic interface and control. The "electrical noise" created by these devices breaks down the switching power supplies, causing premature failure.
Harmonic Filtration as designed into Pe3 is based upon 100-year old science and power engineering principles. What is new is how this technology-typically only used in industrial settings-is now available to residential customers, offices, schools, and light commercial customers. Harmonic Filtration has been extensively applied for decades by industrial users and the electric utility industry itself.
Pe3 is designed to filter harmonics and other high frequency current (trash) from the electrical environment, thereby reducing the potential for leakage into the human environment and creating additional trash in non-liner loads (TVs, computers, variable frequency drives, energy efficient lighting, etc.). Let's face it; the use of electronics within the American home has been growing at exponential rates and the need for filtering out the "noise" created by these numerous non-linear loads has never been greater. At 60 Hz the filters act as capacitors and normally marginally improve the power factor of the customer load, which are normally slightly inductive.
HARMONIC Noise - The Problem...
(1) Malfunctioning and failure in computer equipment
(2) Overheating of neutral conductors
(3) Low efficiency and overheating of UPS, transformers and cables of the installation
(4) Tripping of protections without apparent reason
(5) Interferences in communication networks
(6) Incremented power consumption
HARMONIC Noise - The Result...
(1) Low quality electrical energy. Elevated harmonic voltage distortion
(2) Elevated neutral - earth voltage
(3) High harmonic distortion in the current
(4) Excessive levels of 3rd and 9th harmonics in the neutral conductor
(5) Elevated true RMS current in the phases
(6) Low power factor due to harmonics
(7) Elevated losses in the electrical installation
For more information please visit:
[http://www.Eco-Trust-Energy.com]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Taraneh_Vessal
Energy crisis is a situation in which the nation suffers from a disruption of energy supplies (in our case, oil) accompanied by rapidly increasing energy prices that threaten economic and national security. It may be referred to as an oil crisis, petroleum crisis, energy shortage, electricity shortage or electricity crisis. Electricity is the second most commonly used energy for home heating, after oil. The situation is even more desperate as electricity is the only source of heating throughout the whole country. There are many reasons to believe that, unlike the gas and electricity crises of the 70s, 80s and 90s, the energy troubles we now face will last for decades.
Oil, natural gas, and coal are nonrenewable fuels. Since the industrial revolution, the burning of coal, oil, natural gas or products derived from them has been a socially significant transformation of chemical energy into other forms of energy. Dependency on oil presents real challenge, but as economies grow, until we change our habits, there is going to be more dependency on oil. Every single hour, we spend $41 million on foreign oil. The best way to break the addiction to foreign oil is through new technology. Peak oil problems are immediate and obvious, to deal with it is to find a way to either produce or save more energy. In fact those who control oil and water will control the world. While oil is the world's primary transportation fuel, coal dominates in our production of electricity.
Coal provides more than half of the Nation's electricity supply, and America has enough coal to last more than 200 years. Coal may be cheap, but building the apparatus for turning it into electricity is not. Higher Electricity Prices forces the utility companies to continue investing in conventional coal plants despite the fact that governments are moving to restrict the heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from such plants. We spend approximately $130 billion a year on electricity. In the average home, 25% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Energy efficient technology can save electricity and money. But that won't happen as long as the country's electricity demand keeps growing as it is on pace to do, 1 to 2 percent each year.
Landscaping your home for energy efficiency can reduce your heating and cooling bills, the largest component of your home's energy use. While our dependence on energy is not likely to decrease, there will continue to be an increase of new innovations in energy technologies with a larger focus on energy conservation and efficiency.
In an era of escalating concern about climate change, boosting energy efficiency in the buildings and homes will not only lower carbon emissions but can also provide substantial financial return to people who implement 'green designs and technology' to their environment. By reducing the electricity we will also be helping to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
While several key government agencies and industry sources have rejected the notion that a global energy crisis is imminent, others in the field believe the crisis is already upon us. The energy crisis is real, it's not going away, and the federal government needs to do its part to help our communities by providing tax credits and/or rate reduction rebates to consumers who actually reduce their aggregate power usage by more than 10 percent of previous year's electricity. It is clear electricity consumers need comprehensive and integrated planning to prevent future crises and problems. No matter how cheap heat and electricity become, using less is cheaper still.
Energy saving devices designed to provide significant reductions in electric usage and monthly electric bills, increase the life of electrical motors through heat reduction and provide surge protection for your entire Home or business. This can yield an improved payback period relative to the use of an energy saving device. Individuals that purchase this device will find that it reduces energy costs 8%-25%.
They work by reducing the power drawn from the utility by storing in its capacitors otherwise lost electricity caused by the inductive motors in the home. Some examples of inductive motors are air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, pool pumps, vacuum cleaners, furnace blower motors, fans etc.
They supply the stored electricity back to inductive loads, thus causing decreased demand from the utility, thereby using less electricity. The process is called power factor optimization.
Power Factor is the percentage of electricity delivered to a house and used effectively, compared to what is wasted. A 1.0 power factor means that all the electricity is being used effectively for its purpose. However, most homes in America today have a .77 power factor or less. This means that 77% of the electricity that is coming through the meter (home or business) is being used effectively. The other 23% is being wasted by your inductive load. With a low power factor, the utility has to deliver more electricity to do the same work.
By increasing that power factor in most cases to .97 or .98, thus increasing the effective use of the electricity and lowering usage.
The best electrical saving devices are ones that provides Spike/Surge Suppression, a feature that protects appliances and electronics (TV's, stereos, computers, DVR's, security systems, wireless phones, florescent lamps and other equipment) from voltage spikes. Voltage spikes can come from many different sources such as noisy equipment (like motors), power fluctuations, static electricity, and lightning.
The most common form of Spike/Surge suppression are MOV's (Metal Oxide Varistors) or simply Varistors. MOV's are arranged in parallel with the circuit being protected. Typical residential and light commercial power sources allow literally hundreds of spikes and surges per day to reach valuable and oftentimes sensitive electronic equipment. MOV's can suppress these spikes and surges and still remain operational. In the event of a massive surge or spike, the kind created by a direct lightning strike, the MOV sacrifices itself and fails open.
Electrical Noise Filtration
Homes, businesses, and factories are filled with electrical devices that generate "noise." What is ironic is this noise is harmful to the very appliances that create it. The offending "noisemakers" include TVs, computers, compact fluorescent bulbs, fluorescent lamps, stereos, and even major appliances that now have electronic interface and control. The "electrical noise" created by these devices breaks down the switching power supplies, causing premature failure.
Harmonic Filtration as designed into Pe3 is based upon 100-year old science and power engineering principles. What is new is how this technology-typically only used in industrial settings-is now available to residential customers, offices, schools, and light commercial customers. Harmonic Filtration has been extensively applied for decades by industrial users and the electric utility industry itself.
Pe3 is designed to filter harmonics and other high frequency current (trash) from the electrical environment, thereby reducing the potential for leakage into the human environment and creating additional trash in non-liner loads (TVs, computers, variable frequency drives, energy efficient lighting, etc.). Let's face it; the use of electronics within the American home has been growing at exponential rates and the need for filtering out the "noise" created by these numerous non-linear loads has never been greater. At 60 Hz the filters act as capacitors and normally marginally improve the power factor of the customer load, which are normally slightly inductive.
HARMONIC Noise - The Problem...
(1) Malfunctioning and failure in computer equipment
(2) Overheating of neutral conductors
(3) Low efficiency and overheating of UPS, transformers and cables of the installation
(4) Tripping of protections without apparent reason
(5) Interferences in communication networks
(6) Incremented power consumption
HARMONIC Noise - The Result...
(1) Low quality electrical energy. Elevated harmonic voltage distortion
(2) Elevated neutral - earth voltage
(3) High harmonic distortion in the current
(4) Excessive levels of 3rd and 9th harmonics in the neutral conductor
(5) Elevated true RMS current in the phases
(6) Low power factor due to harmonics
(7) Elevated losses in the electrical installation
For more information please visit:
[http://www.Eco-Trust-Energy.com]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Taraneh_Vessal
Friday, 19 March 2010
Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter
Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter - Overlooked Sources of Heat Loss in the Home
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long - the heat loss, cold drafts, and wasted energy! Well if your home has a folding attic stair, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home!
These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause your heat pour out and the cold outside air pour in - costing you higher heating bills, causing cold drafts, and wasting energy.
Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. We apply caulk and weatherstripping to these areas to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.
But what can you do about the three largest "holes" in your home - the folding attic stair, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Attic Stairs:
Do you have a folding attic stairway in your house? When attic stairs are installed, a large hole (approximately 10 square feet!) is created in your ceiling. The ceiling and insulation that were there have to be removed. And what is installed to cover this opening? A thin, unsealed, un-insulated sheet of plywood!
Did you know that your attic space is ventilated directly to the outdoors? In the winter, the attic space can be very cold, and in the summer it can be very hot. And what is separating your conditioned house from your unconditioned attic? That thin sheet of plywood!
Often a gap can be observed around the perimeter of the door. Try this yourself: at night when it is dark, turn on the attic light and shut the attic stairway door - do you see any light coming through? These are gaps - which add up to a large opening where your heated/cooled air leaks out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year! This is like leaving a window open all year round!
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.
Fireplaces:
Approximately 100 million homes in North America are constructed with wood or gas burning fireplaces. Unfortunately there are negative side effects that the fireplace brings to a home especially during the winter home-heating season. Fireplaces are energy losers!
Researchers have studied this to determine the amount of heat loss through a fireplace, and the results are amazing! One remarkable research study showed that an open damper on an unused fireplace in a well-insulated house can raise overall heating energy consumption by 30%!
A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter just due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces!
Why Does a Home With a Fireplace Have Higher Heating Bills? Hot air rises! Your heated air leaks out any exit it can find, and when your warm heated air is drawn out of your home, cold outside air is drawn in to make up for it. The fireplace is like a giant straw - sucking the heated air from your house. This is like leaving a window open all year round!
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. A fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts:
Have you ever noticed that the room containing your clothes dryer is the coldest room in your house? Ever wonder why? Your clothes dryer is connected to an exhaust duct that is open to the outdoors. In the winter, cold air leaks in through the duct, through your dryer and into your house, while your heated air just pours right out!
Dryer vents use a sheet metal flapper to try to reduce this air leakage. This is very primitive technology that does not provide a positive seal to stop the air leakage. Compounding the problem is that over time, lint clogs the flapper valve causing it to stay open. This is like leaving a window open all year round!
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal! A dryer vent seal will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint, and moisture to escape.
If your home has a folding attic stair, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, you can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes. At Battic Door, we have developed low-cost, green solutions to these and other energy-conservation related issues. For more information please visit our website www.batticdoor.com or send a S.A.S.E. to P.O. Box 15, Mansfield, MA 02048.
We manufacture and distribute low-cost, high-value, air-leakage control energy conservation products for the three largest intentional openings in the house - the fireplace, the clothes dryer exhaust duct, and the pull-down attic stair.
Our customers are homeowners, weatherization firms and programs, municipals, utilities and contractors. We also sell our product at a wholesale discount to distributors.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Tyrol
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long - the heat loss, cold drafts, and wasted energy! Well if your home has a folding attic stair, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home!
These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause your heat pour out and the cold outside air pour in - costing you higher heating bills, causing cold drafts, and wasting energy.
Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. We apply caulk and weatherstripping to these areas to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.
But what can you do about the three largest "holes" in your home - the folding attic stair, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Attic Stairs:
Do you have a folding attic stairway in your house? When attic stairs are installed, a large hole (approximately 10 square feet!) is created in your ceiling. The ceiling and insulation that were there have to be removed. And what is installed to cover this opening? A thin, unsealed, un-insulated sheet of plywood!
Did you know that your attic space is ventilated directly to the outdoors? In the winter, the attic space can be very cold, and in the summer it can be very hot. And what is separating your conditioned house from your unconditioned attic? That thin sheet of plywood!
Often a gap can be observed around the perimeter of the door. Try this yourself: at night when it is dark, turn on the attic light and shut the attic stairway door - do you see any light coming through? These are gaps - which add up to a large opening where your heated/cooled air leaks out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year! This is like leaving a window open all year round!
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.
Fireplaces:
Approximately 100 million homes in North America are constructed with wood or gas burning fireplaces. Unfortunately there are negative side effects that the fireplace brings to a home especially during the winter home-heating season. Fireplaces are energy losers!
Researchers have studied this to determine the amount of heat loss through a fireplace, and the results are amazing! One remarkable research study showed that an open damper on an unused fireplace in a well-insulated house can raise overall heating energy consumption by 30%!
A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter just due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces!
Why Does a Home With a Fireplace Have Higher Heating Bills? Hot air rises! Your heated air leaks out any exit it can find, and when your warm heated air is drawn out of your home, cold outside air is drawn in to make up for it. The fireplace is like a giant straw - sucking the heated air from your house. This is like leaving a window open all year round!
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. A fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts:
Have you ever noticed that the room containing your clothes dryer is the coldest room in your house? Ever wonder why? Your clothes dryer is connected to an exhaust duct that is open to the outdoors. In the winter, cold air leaks in through the duct, through your dryer and into your house, while your heated air just pours right out!
Dryer vents use a sheet metal flapper to try to reduce this air leakage. This is very primitive technology that does not provide a positive seal to stop the air leakage. Compounding the problem is that over time, lint clogs the flapper valve causing it to stay open. This is like leaving a window open all year round!
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal! A dryer vent seal will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint, and moisture to escape.
If your home has a folding attic stair, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, you can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes. At Battic Door, we have developed low-cost, green solutions to these and other energy-conservation related issues. For more information please visit our website www.batticdoor.com or send a S.A.S.E. to P.O. Box 15, Mansfield, MA 02048.
We manufacture and distribute low-cost, high-value, air-leakage control energy conservation products for the three largest intentional openings in the house - the fireplace, the clothes dryer exhaust duct, and the pull-down attic stair.
Our customers are homeowners, weatherization firms and programs, municipals, utilities and contractors. We also sell our product at a wholesale discount to distributors.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Tyrol
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Tax Credit - Save on Home Improvements
Tax Credit - Save on Home Improvements and Cut the Monthly Utility Costs With Green Energy Products
With the current government administration and more attention being focused on energy conservation, there are a variety of tax credits available for 2009 and 2010. Surprisingly, not every tax credit is for upgrading and installing newer expensive home appliances such as a residential air conditioner or heat pump. The amount of the credit given varies depending on the cost of the item being installed. Generally, the tax credit applied is 30%. There are currently a plethora of items eligible for these tax breaks.
Installing a newer and more efficient HVAC system can be eligible all or in part. One component of the HVAC system may qualify while another component of the same system may not. Almost every HVAC service company should have detailed additional information regarding the tax advantages.
Another product area which is eligible for tax breaks and incentives are doors, windows, and insulation. Faulty seals around door and window edges are a major cause of heat loss or infiltration. Replacing existing doors or windows can lower a homeowner's monthly utility bill expenses while still qualifying for a tax credit. Beefing up the attic insulation or crawl space with a radiant barrier can dramatically reduce the heating and cooling bill by preventing much of the warm air during winter from escaping or cool air in the summer.
The homeowner should be aware that just because a product states it is an energy star appliance or product does not mean it will qualify for the established tax credits. Most kitchen appliances will not qualify, whereas some types of roofing can yield a good tax credit for the 2009 or 2010 tax years.
Other home energy improvements are photovoltaic systems, or solar panels and wind turbines. One key requirement to receiving a tax break with these home improvements is that at least half of the home's energy consumption must come from use of solar energy. There is one caveat. Heating a pool or hot tub with solar energy is not allowed to be factored into the 50% or more energy consumption. Wind turbines, resembling small windmills, convert wind energy into electricity.
While green energy sources can be a sizeable investment, the monthly savings and benefits will pay for itself in a relatively short time. Depending upon the location of the home, many areas may or may not permit the installation and use of solar panels or wind turbines due to not fitting within the architectural style of the neighborhood. Slowly this excuse is being pushed aside in favor of greater efficient use of green energy.
Many websites provide additional information on the topic of reducing energy costs and improving the insulation. One such site worth visiting is http://www.utilityimprovements.com.
Dan Elliott independently author's articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. ( http://www.webdrafter.com ) for search engine marketing. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_P_Elliott
With the current government administration and more attention being focused on energy conservation, there are a variety of tax credits available for 2009 and 2010. Surprisingly, not every tax credit is for upgrading and installing newer expensive home appliances such as a residential air conditioner or heat pump. The amount of the credit given varies depending on the cost of the item being installed. Generally, the tax credit applied is 30%. There are currently a plethora of items eligible for these tax breaks.
Installing a newer and more efficient HVAC system can be eligible all or in part. One component of the HVAC system may qualify while another component of the same system may not. Almost every HVAC service company should have detailed additional information regarding the tax advantages.
Another product area which is eligible for tax breaks and incentives are doors, windows, and insulation. Faulty seals around door and window edges are a major cause of heat loss or infiltration. Replacing existing doors or windows can lower a homeowner's monthly utility bill expenses while still qualifying for a tax credit. Beefing up the attic insulation or crawl space with a radiant barrier can dramatically reduce the heating and cooling bill by preventing much of the warm air during winter from escaping or cool air in the summer.
The homeowner should be aware that just because a product states it is an energy star appliance or product does not mean it will qualify for the established tax credits. Most kitchen appliances will not qualify, whereas some types of roofing can yield a good tax credit for the 2009 or 2010 tax years.
Other home energy improvements are photovoltaic systems, or solar panels and wind turbines. One key requirement to receiving a tax break with these home improvements is that at least half of the home's energy consumption must come from use of solar energy. There is one caveat. Heating a pool or hot tub with solar energy is not allowed to be factored into the 50% or more energy consumption. Wind turbines, resembling small windmills, convert wind energy into electricity.
While green energy sources can be a sizeable investment, the monthly savings and benefits will pay for itself in a relatively short time. Depending upon the location of the home, many areas may or may not permit the installation and use of solar panels or wind turbines due to not fitting within the architectural style of the neighborhood. Slowly this excuse is being pushed aside in favor of greater efficient use of green energy.
Many websites provide additional information on the topic of reducing energy costs and improving the insulation. One such site worth visiting is http://www.utilityimprovements.com.
Dan Elliott independently author's articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. ( http://www.webdrafter.com ) for search engine marketing. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_P_Elliott
Thursday, 11 March 2010
How To Determine How Well You Are Using Green Energy
We all know that green energy can save money and help the environment at the same time. Once you have made the changes in your lifestyle and outfitted your home with this type of energy such as solar panels and wind energy, you should evaluate how well the changes are working. There may be more that you can do or you may be ready to add more green technology to your home.
Using green energy in your home is an ongoing process. As newer technologies are developed, the older methods can be replaced with more efficient and effective energy products. One way that you can make sure that your home is as efficient as possible is to keep up on the latest green energy products and innovations. You might be surprised at how much this industry has evolved over the last few years.
Now, that does not mean that you will have to change your green energy products every few years, but you may find new ways of producing energy that simply requires a small tweak to your current system and electricity production. All that you really have to do is stay up on green energy and the ways that it can be applied to your life.
Monitor your electric bills to be sure that you are getting the kind of savings that you expected. The electric bill is a good way to determine how well you are doing with your green energy goals. Each step that you take in your green technology projects should bring you closer to the ultimate savings on your energy bill that you want. Even if you are trying to eliminate the bill completely, you should be able to see a gradual decline in the amount of energy that you are using as you work on the home.
You must have some measure when you are adding wind energy or solar panels to determine whether you are reaching your goals. Your utility bills as well as the extra money in your budget at the end of the month is a good way to determine if you are reaching your green energy goals. Take a step back and determine if you are doing all that you can to get the savings that you desire as well as your environmental goals.
You can also cut down on the amount of money that you are spending on your energy by seeking do it yourself projects that can be installed in your home at a fraction of the cost. This can help your bottom line when you calculate your costs versus benefits on the green energy products that you install. Using green energy in your home and life is a great way to improve the quality of life for everyone in the world, but it is also a wonderful way to take greater control over your budget.
Get your FREE Report and information on how not to pay a single dime to the power company at http://www.GreenFuelProducts.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alfred_Blaine
Using green energy in your home is an ongoing process. As newer technologies are developed, the older methods can be replaced with more efficient and effective energy products. One way that you can make sure that your home is as efficient as possible is to keep up on the latest green energy products and innovations. You might be surprised at how much this industry has evolved over the last few years.
Now, that does not mean that you will have to change your green energy products every few years, but you may find new ways of producing energy that simply requires a small tweak to your current system and electricity production. All that you really have to do is stay up on green energy and the ways that it can be applied to your life.
Monitor your electric bills to be sure that you are getting the kind of savings that you expected. The electric bill is a good way to determine how well you are doing with your green energy goals. Each step that you take in your green technology projects should bring you closer to the ultimate savings on your energy bill that you want. Even if you are trying to eliminate the bill completely, you should be able to see a gradual decline in the amount of energy that you are using as you work on the home.
You must have some measure when you are adding wind energy or solar panels to determine whether you are reaching your goals. Your utility bills as well as the extra money in your budget at the end of the month is a good way to determine if you are reaching your green energy goals. Take a step back and determine if you are doing all that you can to get the savings that you desire as well as your environmental goals.
You can also cut down on the amount of money that you are spending on your energy by seeking do it yourself projects that can be installed in your home at a fraction of the cost. This can help your bottom line when you calculate your costs versus benefits on the green energy products that you install. Using green energy in your home and life is a great way to improve the quality of life for everyone in the world, but it is also a wonderful way to take greater control over your budget.
Get your FREE Report and information on how not to pay a single dime to the power company at http://www.GreenFuelProducts.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alfred_Blaine
Monday, 1 March 2010
Producing Electricity at Home
It comes as no news that we are killing our planet. We are polluting our rivers, our seas, our forests, and most importantly, our air. The biggest problem with polluting our air is that air has no bounds. Pollutants that get in the air can travel freely from place to place. No frontier can stop them. Because of this, places that don't produce pollutants, such as forests, can suffer the side effects of a polluting city miles away. Also, many people forget that pollutants can also go up and down, contaminating the beds of our rivers (and our water) and destroying the ozone layer and contributing to global warming.
Fortunately, there are some things we can do. And one of these will also help us reduce or eliminate our electricity bill to boot. I'm talking about constructing a perpetual motion device. A perpetual motion device is a machine that uses motion created through the use of magnetic fields in order to produce electricity. Because it uses magnetic fields, the electricity thus produced is pollution-free.
Now, you might be thinking that electricity is already pollution-free. I then ask you to stop one moment and ask yourself how the electricity that your house and your neighborhood uses is produced. If your answer was "by a dam" or "by a nuclear plant," chances are you're wrong unless you know for sure that there is a dam or nuclear plant near your city. And even so, they don't provide 100% of the energy that a city needs.
No, household electricity is produced by burning coal. And coal is burned with the purpose of heating water and turning it to vapor. The vapor moves through giant turbines, creating motion that is then transformed into electricity. I don't need to tell you the amount of pollution that burning enough coal to power a city causes. By constructing a perpetual motion device, you'll be producing your own electricity to power your house. Even if you don't build a big machine, you'll still be reducing your bill by around 40%.
There are sites on Internet where you can buy a guide to build your own perpetual motion device. You don't need to have advanced technical skills and the materials can be bought in any hardware store. In the end, you'll not only be saving money, but you'll also help reduce the amount of pollution in the air.
Now Pay Close Attention Here-
Are you seriously looking for a proven way to save money on your electricity bills? You will be surprised to know that how easy it is to save money on electricity bills at Home by opting a renewable source of energy like Magnetic Energy, that will not only save your money but you will help in cleaning the environment. How i built a Magnetic Power Generator in a few hours at home? Click Here
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marvin_D.
Fortunately, there are some things we can do. And one of these will also help us reduce or eliminate our electricity bill to boot. I'm talking about constructing a perpetual motion device. A perpetual motion device is a machine that uses motion created through the use of magnetic fields in order to produce electricity. Because it uses magnetic fields, the electricity thus produced is pollution-free.
Now, you might be thinking that electricity is already pollution-free. I then ask you to stop one moment and ask yourself how the electricity that your house and your neighborhood uses is produced. If your answer was "by a dam" or "by a nuclear plant," chances are you're wrong unless you know for sure that there is a dam or nuclear plant near your city. And even so, they don't provide 100% of the energy that a city needs.
No, household electricity is produced by burning coal. And coal is burned with the purpose of heating water and turning it to vapor. The vapor moves through giant turbines, creating motion that is then transformed into electricity. I don't need to tell you the amount of pollution that burning enough coal to power a city causes. By constructing a perpetual motion device, you'll be producing your own electricity to power your house. Even if you don't build a big machine, you'll still be reducing your bill by around 40%.
There are sites on Internet where you can buy a guide to build your own perpetual motion device. You don't need to have advanced technical skills and the materials can be bought in any hardware store. In the end, you'll not only be saving money, but you'll also help reduce the amount of pollution in the air.
Now Pay Close Attention Here-
Are you seriously looking for a proven way to save money on your electricity bills? You will be surprised to know that how easy it is to save money on electricity bills at Home by opting a renewable source of energy like Magnetic Energy, that will not only save your money but you will help in cleaning the environment. How i built a Magnetic Power Generator in a few hours at home? Click Here
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marvin_D.
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Solar panels
Solar panels for residential houses? Are there really such things? I believe this is an important question to have an answer to. A lot of people are starting to look for other alternative ways to power their homes. The high cost of electricity these days, is making people look to certain methods of power. The prices for electricity is ever increasing slowly. We all wish we could save some money and put it right back into our pockets. In this article, I will be sharing with you some ideas about these very important plates.
Solar Panels For Residential Houses:
The idea with this form of energy, is that you use these panels a long with the energy you get from the sun. The suns' radiation is converted into energy that you can capture and use. The panels will use silicon cells which act like semiconductors for the sun. The energy is absorbed into the panel and released as free-flowing electrons and are sent into the panels' metal tips. Next, these electrons are converted into a flowing electrical current, which can now be used. The prices for these panels have recently gone down in the last few years, and people are starting to realize the effectiveness of these. In the process they are saving a lot of money. They work great and are really efficient.
The thing with these panels is that they only work and are effective under consistent direct sunlight. So, basically, the sun needs to be shining all the time. Also, due to the fact that the energy captured, only about a quarter of the radiation is absorbed, therefore, thorough sunlight is required. The panels are usually installed on only one side of the home and roof. You will need to look for the side of the roof that will most likely receive the most sunlight throughout the day. Whatever you do, make sure you install them on the side of the roof that gets the most sun. If there is a side of your roof which faces south, this will more than likely be your best bet to install the plates.
Solar Panels For Residential Houses - Benefits:
1) The plates on your roof should be exposed to direct, steady sunlight for at least six full hours in order to see really big results. If this is the case, you should have no problem being able to provide your home with enough electricity to power all your appliances and for lighting and heating it as well. In this ideal situation, you will not have to resort to using your electrical utility provider's electricity. Just this a lone will make this power form very cost effective.
2) A great benefit to most home owners is that the government will usually give them a tax incentive for using this type of energy source.
3) If you resort to this alternative power options, you will not only be conserving energy, and saving money, but you will actually be more friendly to the environment.
In this article, I shared with you three benefits about solar panels for residential houses. If you are looking to generate your own electricity at home and to start saving money, go to this website below.
http://howtobuild-solarpanelsathome.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Burt_Amadio
Solar Panels For Residential Houses:
The idea with this form of energy, is that you use these panels a long with the energy you get from the sun. The suns' radiation is converted into energy that you can capture and use. The panels will use silicon cells which act like semiconductors for the sun. The energy is absorbed into the panel and released as free-flowing electrons and are sent into the panels' metal tips. Next, these electrons are converted into a flowing electrical current, which can now be used. The prices for these panels have recently gone down in the last few years, and people are starting to realize the effectiveness of these. In the process they are saving a lot of money. They work great and are really efficient.
The thing with these panels is that they only work and are effective under consistent direct sunlight. So, basically, the sun needs to be shining all the time. Also, due to the fact that the energy captured, only about a quarter of the radiation is absorbed, therefore, thorough sunlight is required. The panels are usually installed on only one side of the home and roof. You will need to look for the side of the roof that will most likely receive the most sunlight throughout the day. Whatever you do, make sure you install them on the side of the roof that gets the most sun. If there is a side of your roof which faces south, this will more than likely be your best bet to install the plates.
Solar Panels For Residential Houses - Benefits:
1) The plates on your roof should be exposed to direct, steady sunlight for at least six full hours in order to see really big results. If this is the case, you should have no problem being able to provide your home with enough electricity to power all your appliances and for lighting and heating it as well. In this ideal situation, you will not have to resort to using your electrical utility provider's electricity. Just this a lone will make this power form very cost effective.
2) A great benefit to most home owners is that the government will usually give them a tax incentive for using this type of energy source.
3) If you resort to this alternative power options, you will not only be conserving energy, and saving money, but you will actually be more friendly to the environment.
In this article, I shared with you three benefits about solar panels for residential houses. If you are looking to generate your own electricity at home and to start saving money, go to this website below.
http://howtobuild-solarpanelsathome.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Burt_Amadio
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Save Money on Your Energy Bill
Are you sick and tired of paying more and more every month on energy? How nice would it be if you could save just a few hundred dollars every month on your energy bill? It's actually not as hard as it seems. And to make things even easier for you I'm going to tell you about the best way to save money on your energy bill. Saving money doesn't have to be hard as long as you know how to approach the problem. Are you ready to save? Alright, let's get down to business...
The very first thing that you will need to do is look for a reliable DIY green energy guide. A green energy guide will tell you exactly how you can make your own natural power source and it will put it all in one place making everything easy to find. Why would you want to make your own natural power source? Because by using renewable energy and using the earth for energy you can save 80% or more on your utility bill every single month. Using your own renewable energy source is the secret to saving some serious cash every single month. And with a guide you can have your system up and running in just two days.
Things get even better when it comes to using your own alternative energy source. You can actually make money by using green sources of energy as well as save money. Really, if you start producing excess energy your utility company will actually start paying you for it.
Would you be interested if I told you that for less than $50 you could build your own wind turbine or solar panel system in just two days? If so, then just click the link below. You do want to save hundreds of dollars every month by using the earth for energy, right?
Click Here
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Weldon_Peterson
Nowadays, we can said that so much life in this century is dependent on electricity. In this economics crisis period, every necessary price is rocketed high including electricity cost. It'd be nice, if we are able to reduce any reducible cost to save more money in the pocket. Electricity cost is one of the high daily costs which is possible to reduce effectively.
There are many ways to reduce the electricity cost. This articles summarizes 4 majors way to achieve.
1. Change your daily manners
Every day manner may be a reason that rise the cost in your bill. This list describes every day energy saving activities which can be started at no-cost right now.
Turn off everything not in use, for example, TVs, computers, light, etc.
Active "sleep mode" on computers when not in use for short periods.
Turn computers off during longer periods to reduce energy consumption.
During summer, close the windows covered on the south, east, and west
In winter, open all window covers to let the sun reach your room.
Glass fireplace doors reduce heat lost at the chimney.
Close the fireplace damper when not in use.
Clean and replace furnace or the air conditioner (AC) filter every month. Dirty filters block air flow in the systems result in shortening the equipment's life and increasing your energy bill.
Low your thermostat as you still feel comfortable and dress properly for the weather.
On winter, use more blanket on your bed than usual and turn down your thermostat more.
Take showers instead of baths in order to save energy for hot the water.
In summer, use fans whenever possible instead of AC.
Use fans to support the cold air from AC will allow you to increase the thermostat temperature a bit. Since fans cost less to use than AC, this is applicable.
Only heat or cool the rooms you need, close the unused rooms doors.
2. Change your electric appliance
The electronics appliances are the major items that add-up the cost to your bill. When it is time, you need to replace your current appliance. If it's made with old technology it intends to consume much more energy than a new one in the market. The example of this case is an incandescent light bulb.
An incandescent light bulb consumes much more energy than current compact fluorescent light bulb does.
By changing five of the most frequently used bulbs in your home to be a compact fluorescent can save $60 instantly.
A compact fluorescent light bulb has longer life than an incandescent light bulb for 10 times and consume 2/3 energy of an incandescent light bulb does.
Moreover, when you are going to buy a new electronics appliance search for the energy save label before you buy. This label is a guarantee for energy and environment saving. It may be locally different. ENERGY STAR is an example label that is used in US.
3. Fix your home
Not only an electronics appliance that is needed to be replaced, but also fixing your home help you reduce a lot of energy cost. One of the most common problems is air leaking.
By reducing the air leaking in your home can decrease your AC workload as well as energy consumption from the AC. Sealing up holes and gaps on doors and windows in your home will help reduce the cost from this cause.
Once you have sealed your home properly, you save about 20% of usual cost.
Another incredible tips is to use trees. Trees that lose leaves in the fall provide the summer sun protection while allow sunlight to warm your home in winter. On the south, east, and west sides of your home are the location to plant them. Moreover, you can create a windbreak to stop chilling winds with evergreen trees and shrubs as wells. With this tip, you save about $100-$250 every year.
4. Install another electricity source
Another way to reduce the bill is to has new energy source supply to your home. To be supplied with the new energy source, you consume the energy from electricity authority less than usual result in reducing the energy bills.
There are many kind renewable energy sources which can be used as your home alternative energy source. The popular sources are solar power and wind power.
Solar panels and Wind turbine are a solar and wind power generator respectively. You can obtain them by purchase the retail with install service from the market or build it by yourself to reduce the initial cost.
There are many free article guides on the internet or even paid guides that teach you from very beginning steps.
With an alternative energy source installed to your house, 70-80% of your bill can be saved.
This is may be the most effective way to go, if you would like to choose only one choice.
Finally, in order to save the energy effectively, you can not just use only one or two methods. You may have to apply more than that to minimize the cost as much as possible. Strong mindset is also an important factor that make you reach your objective successfully.
You can find out more about new energy saving tips at my energy saving blog.
Interest in save/reduce your home electricity cost? Find out more of the recent update tips from my blog. http://saveenergycost.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eldon_M_Blair
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
