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

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

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

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

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.