Create DIY Solar Panels and Slash The Cost Of Power Bills Using Sustainable Green Energy
March 17, 2010 by admin
Filed under Going Green
Used primarily for providing hot water, solar energy has been used in the home for nearly half a century. Although the initial cost of these systems was once considered to be expensive, the rewards provided by tapping into a source of free energy like the sun are now well documented and appreciated by hundreds of thousands of solar hot water customers around the world.
The benefit of energy from the sun is that it is clean, cheap to maintain and is a completely green renewable energy source. So that is the solar advantage! Solar energy is free from the sun. The use of solar energy reduces our dependence on non-renewable resources such as oil and gas from our fragile planet which cannot be replaced. Solar energy is truly available for everyone who wishes to tap into it.
With the development of new technologies, a revolution in home electricity generation is now in its embryonic stages. Using solar panels similar to that used in solar water heaters but consisting of photovoltaic cells (when sunlight falls on these cells, it is transformed into electricity) it is now possible to generate free electricity from the sun’s energy. Furthermore, it is now possible to reduce the costs of implementing one of these systems at your home or business by building your own DIY solar panels.
When compared with the expense of buying pre-made solar panels, having access to accurate, tested designs presented in a simple and direct manner can provide significant savings. Some pre-made systems can take ten years or more to pay for themselves which makes the upfront cost somewhat prohibitive for many people in these tough economic times.
Of course, the beauty of any do it yourself project is not restricted to saving money. By building your own system, it can be custom-made to perfectly match your exact requirements. Of course, there is also a sense of triumph when a scheme is completed- even more so when your family receives an immediate advantage through reduced energy bills for as long as the equipment functions.
Some of the largest companies in the world manufacture the vital components included in DIY solar panel kits. You can also locate complete plans and designs to construct the whole system from scratch. Its really a matter of how brave you are and even if you are not a skilled handyperson, many of the plans available are suitable for the greenhorn. Another bonus feature of taking the diy route is the flexibility that these expandable systems offer. By starting off small, you can keep the costs down and add more generating power when you can afford to.
If you are keen to reduce power costs, explore the options because of the number of DIY solar panels available. Like any home project, you want quality plans with reasonably achievable results. Whenever I fabricate something, I do my research and ensure that I have the skills and tools which will be needed. When we talk about home energy, its really a no-brainer, anyone who believes that the price of electricity is going to reduce is deluding themselves. It may also be possible in your area to feed electricity back into the electricity grid creating even further reductions in your power bills. Obviously these sorts of home systems will be a little more complex than the basic types however I have seen these systems working and they are nowhere near as complicated as you may think.
I am an electronics technician trained in military communication systems. I now work in the field of exploration geophysics with a major nickel miner. I have an interest in peak oil, home power generation including solar, wind and other electro-magnetic energy devices. Please visit my website dedicated to these at DIY Solar Panels
Green Living Homes That You Create
March 12, 2010 by admin
Filed under Going Green
In today’s marketplace, Green Living Homes have taken on a different connotation and seem to inspire different emotions as well. In these economic times, it seems that you can’t do Green Living Homes without some sort of a major overhaul of your home , or so it seems. When a new administration enters the White House, somebody or some group seems to think they may have a voice. In America, the Green lovers are of the mindset that the next President will be so for them.
Granted, I am not coming at you from an environmentalist mindset. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. I am of the mindset that a lot of the Green thinking borders on the “Guilt” aspect that characterizes you as bad if you aren’t Green for some reason.
Quite honestly, the Green movement can be a bit radical in its propagation of their overall message and, from a design standpoint, the lens that I often gage things, the materials have not been there to justify a Green Living Home. That has begun to change with some great new design materials that has started to spark the interest of the design community, and, more importantly, become more reasonable from a price standpoint.
Now, here are some things you can do to be more Green just by making changes in the things you do everyday and in future design changes that you may be making in your home.
First, if you are about to do an Interior Design change, look at your electrical systems. There can be a tremendous waste in your electrical output systems. Even if you are not doing Interior Design changes , walk around your home and see it there are ways you can reduce some of you electrical waste. If you just did some minor changes in the way you used your electricity by making sure appliances are turned off when not in use, etc, you could probably realize a 6% to 20 % difference in you bill each month a recent study showed.
From a Design standpoint, it goes without saying to spend the extra money for the energy efficient appliances. An option that is not as difficult to do these days, but still needs to be thoughtfully considered.
There are some simple changes from a lighting standpoint by changing out some of the bulbs that are claiming to be more efficient. I am not talking about going crazy and just start changing them out, but when you need to make a change, do so then.
Also look at you filters in heating and air conditioning units. My Dad was a heating and air guy for years and was always shocked as to how people just wouldn’t take the time to change the filters which would cause countless dollars in repair bills yearly. There are some pretty decent filtration systems, but are still a little pricey compared to regular ole filters.
Finally, from a Kitchen Design standpoint, Bamboo and cork flooring should be considered in Interior Design, as they are dynamic looking. Kitchen cabinets can also be redone with similar alternatives to wood which can like just like exotic woods.
There are some great looking Metal and Stone alternatives which are also good for Kitchen counters and cabinets and a great product, IceStone, one brand of recycled glass used to create countertops for kitchens and bathrooms that generally ranges between $100 and $150 a square foot.
The point is that there is finally coming into the market place a great plethora of products that are Green focused to design and live in your Green house. With the changes you can make from a Design standpoint and just the changes you do by walking around the house, you can be Green. Just don’t let it be out of guilt.
It’s kind of like when I used to eat Twinkies that I loved so much and said that sooner or later there would be a low-fat version, and I was right.
Its the same with going Green. They’ll catch up.
DA Southern is a designer who learned the ropes as a set designer for theatrical productions and has taken what he has learned into all of his Interior Designs. As a designer from a more theatrical view, he sees how to build and Design with more of a creative eye towards trends that can save homeowners money. With more of a modern approach to design, DA blogs about design and the trends in the Design community from a Modern appeal. Green Design has become more of a focus and DA feels that Green and Modern Design can coexist in the modern era. Catch his blog at design.itsyourshowitsyourlife.com and see what trends seem to be moving the Design community.
4 Alternative Fuel Facts – How They Create A Cleaner World
March 5, 2010 by admin
Filed under Fuel Economy
Globally, more and more people are expressing an interest in switching from gasoline powered vehicles to ones that operate using alternative fuels. Alternative fuels that are environmentally friendly, can actually help to conserve the natural resources that are used to produce gasoline, and protect the environment as well. Drilling and other invasive methods will no longer be necessary, protecting the habitats of many endangered creatures.
For those who are thinking of making the switch to an alternative fuel vehicle or AFV, it’s important to investigate all the alternatives available before settling on just one choice. While almost everyone agrees that AFV’s are better for the environment, costs and the limitations of owning them should be carefully considered. At this time, AFV choices are somewhat limited but the growing consumer demand will inevitably drive the costs lower and improve the choices available.
Four Facts About Alternative Fuels
1. Electricity, liquefied petroleum gas, methanol, ethanol, and compressed natural gas, produce fewer vehicle emissions than traditional gasoline and diesel. Studies have shown that each of them contributes toward a cleaner environment.
2. Unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate materials; standard tailpipe emissions from gasoline and diesel powered vehicles, are responsible for about one-third of U.S. air pollutants. Vehicles powered by alternative fuels would reduce these emissions considerably. Also, many alternative fuels promote the U.S. economy because they can be produced domestically.
3. On a gallon-per-gallon basis, some alternative fuels will not permit consumers to travel as far or as long as they could in a gasoline or diesel propelled vehicle. So they have a lower energy output. At this time, an alternatively fuel vehicle also costs more than a conventional automobile.
4. Alternative fuels utilize a wide variety of materials, for example old grease that restaurants used for frying, vegetable oils, electricity, recycled paper and plant wastes are used to create fuel. These are all cleaner burning that petroleum products, and have less impact upon the environment.
The above are only a few of the facts concerning alternative fuels. Each individual type of “green fuel” has its own pluses and minuses but they all deserve investigation by those who are sincerely interested in cutting energy costs and protecting the environment. Every day, new advances are being made as research into this area grows. New sources of alternative fuels are under investigation and development. Perhaps, the answer is not just one type of alternative fuel being better than the rest, but that a group of “green” energy sources will be optimal.
The natural world is constantly changing, but many environmental changes today are being brought about by the pollution emissions of our automobiles. When we consider the global impacts of changing to alternative fuel vehicles, it becomes obvious that this is more than just an option. In the very near future, it must become an active part of our lifestyles. We owe it to the future of our planet to make changes now.
Abhishek is an avid Environmentalist and he has got some great Alternative Fuel Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 70 Pages Ebook, “Energy Conservation And Alternative Fuel” from his website http://www.Wonder-Homes.com/643/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
What is the best way to create a science project on green car?
February 28, 2010 by admin
Filed under Going Green
I need to create a 9th grade science project on green car and I need to know the best way to do so. As in if you have any ideas please answer this question. Also, I need to know materials as well.
Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage
February 24, 2010 by admin
Filed under Going Green
- ISBN13: 9780470393741
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
From the Publishers Weekly review:
“Two experts from Yale tackle the business wake-up-call du jour-environmental responsibility-from every angle in this thorough, earnest guidebook: pragmatically, passionately, financially and historically. Though “no company the authors know of is on a truly long-term sustainable course,” Esty and Winston label the forward-thinking, green-friendly (or at least green-acquainted) companies WaveMakers and set out to assess honestly their path toward environmental responsibility, and its impact on a company’s bottom line, customers, suppliers and reputation. Following the evolution of business attitudes toward environmental concerns, Esty and Winston offer a series of fascinating plays by corporations such as Wal-Mart, GE and Chiquita (Banana), the bad guys who made good, and the good guys-watchdogs and industry associations, mostly-working behind the scenes. A vast number of topics huddle beneath the umbrella of threats to the earth, and many get a thorough analysis here: from global warming to electronic waste “take-back” legislation to subsidizing sustainable seafood. For the responsible business leader, this volume provides plenty of (organic) food for thought. ”

