Category: Energy Efficiency


Is There A Provider of Air Source Heat Pumps That Offer Free Service?

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency
Feb.02, 2011

Are you annoyed with your soaring utility bills? Don’t worry! Different companies are waiting for you out there and very much willing to help and aid you with any assistance they can provide. They are just waiting for you to come to them. Wait a minute. Don’t think that is just some foolish advertisement of a company because I am not going to advertise any. They are not going to lend you money or say that you won the lottery or any other stupid things. The companies that I was pertaining are makers of air source heat pumps and they are eager enough to install these heat pumps in your house.


These companies will take care of things from installing and even maintenance. It may take a while though before they could set up because they need to do some investigation on what is the best place to put up the air source heat pump. Like the standard heaters, devices like these also have control buttons that will let you manage heating or cooling temperatures. Yes, it could be used both in heating and cooling. It could also heat water and your rooms!


How do devices and technologies like these function? It has three main parts namely: heat exchanger, compressor, and radiator. Heat exchanger of course is concerned with heat. It is the one responsible for removing the heat from the air gathered from outside. Air temperature on the other hand will be elevated through the compressor. And the last, the radiator takes care of transferring the heat. There are other elaborate and complicated processes of the whole heating and cooling process but I will not discuss it further. Our concern after all is to have a warm room and hot water.


Air source pumps are not yet that famous in United Kingdom but researches and statistics shows that this technological innovation has been progressing in France and Germany. It will not be far when air source pumps will make it big at UK.


You may think that installation fees and the pump itself are expensive. It may look costly at first but imagine what you could save for the following years for using this. Compared to other standard heaters, air source pumps use only ¼ of electricity required for the former to work. Aside from that, it could last for as long as 20 years or beyond before you need to replace it.

This article is about air source pumps and was written by Mark Anthony Dalton. He writes for various companies throughout the UK. This article was written on behalf of Enviko air source pumps

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Plug The Leak In Your Garage

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency
Feb.01, 2011

Sure, the garage is not an actual living space. It’s not as though one pulls up a couch and a TV to sit a spell while drinking a brewski. But there’s no reason to leave your garage out in the cold, either. The garage is square footage and face it, you need to be able to access old books or get some nails and a hammer without freezing to death during the winter.


One way to combat the chill in your garage is through radiant barrier. Retrofitting radiant barrier along the walls and roof of your garage can significantly reduce the amount of heat lost through normal conduction. Whether you realize it or not, warm air from inside your home – probably a mudroom or your kitchen, whichever is connected to the garage – is continuously seeking a cooler space. The air wants to seep into the garage where it’s then lost to the out-of-doors.


When radiant barrier is in place in the garage, it stabilizes the temperature fairly efficiently. The warm air in the kitchen or mudroom doesn’t have a natural outlet, even with frequent openings and closings of the door.


Homeowners may also line their garage door with a special radiant barrier kit designed for the panels of a garage door. Pre-cut pieces of radiant barrier along with double-stick tape may be placed on the panels and along the door edges near the track. It helps stop air infiltration and further stabilizes the temperature of the garage.


While neither of these tactics is going to mean you’ve added a lounge onto your home, they can make simple chores more comfortable during the winter months. If you store paint or other liquids susceptible to temperature fluctuations, the barrier should also help prevent them from being ruined.

Lincoln is a resource for homeowners seeking to save energy, lower their utility bills with attic insulation, and improve the life of their HVAC system. As an experienced residential carpenter, Lincoln gained firsthand experience with improving the quality and efficiency of homes in his Midwest community. Seeking a more effective way to heat and cool his home, he discovered radiant barrier foil insulation and now spends his time helping others do the same.

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Why You Need Radiant Barrier Insulation

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency
Nov.04, 2010

Keeping your home comfortably warm in the winter and cool in the summer is the job of insulation. When you think of insulation, probably what springs to mind is thick rolls of fiberglass. However, there is something simpler you need to consider, called a Radiant Barrier. This thin sheet of space-age material doesn’t look like much, but its results can be dramatic, especially considering its low cost and ease of installation.


First, let’s look at how heat enters and exits your home. Convection is warm or cool air escaping your home, which can be minimized by caulking and weather-stripping. Thick fiberglass insulation stops heat loss by conduction, which is the transfer of heat through solid objects like the roof and walls. And finally, the heat you feel when you hold your hand near a flame or heater is radiation. All objects, including your house, radiate heat. This also matters in the summer; as your roof heats up in the sun it radiates heat downwards into the ceiling through the airspace in the attic.


We want to minimize all of these ways by which heat moves into and out of your home. The least known method is the Radiant Barrier, probably because the related science seems confusing. Words like reflectivity and emissivity make your head spin, but remember this is space age stuff! Let’s try to make it a bit less imposing. Emissivity simply means a material’s ability to radiate energy, and reflectivity is, like it sounds, a material’s ability to reflect energy. These two go hand in hand, and are actually each other’s opposites. The important scientific principle is that if a material reflects most of the energy of a specific wavelength, it won’t emit much energy in the same wavelength. This means that even if your roof is very hot from sunlight beating down on it, if the inside of it is coated with something highly reflective it can’t radiate that heat downwards into the house because highly reflective materials aren’t highly emissive. It’s a bit more complicated than that, of course, but that’s why we have the scientists, after all!


What does all of this mean to you, the homeowner? Comfort is what makes a house a home, and being cool in the summer and warm in the winter is where it all begins. Adding a simple thin sheet of reflective insulation just under the roof of your house doesn’t cost much, and that Radiant Barrier pays for itself quickly in lowered utility bills. But most importantly, it keeps your family comfortable year round.

Ed Graves is the owner and CEO of Energy Improvements the oldest Radiant Barrier Foil Installation company in the United States.

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3 Tips to Going Green and Becoming Energy Efficient

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency
Aug.27, 2010

Investing in energy efficiency doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult — in fact, making your home or office buildings more green can actually save you money in the long term. There are many ways that a homeowner can make their home more energy efficient, which range from easy, do-it-yourself weekend projects at home to a long-term investment that requires the help and oversight of professionals.


But all of these projects can save you lots of money as the price of energy continues to rise. The average savings to a homeowner who commits to energy efficiency through home improvement projects is more than $300 a year, according to The Electricity Journal (Volume 22, Issue 8). These are just three tips to going green and becoming energy efficient.


1. Install Insulation


The most significant improvement you can make to save energy is proper insulation. Insulation helps to keep cold air inside a home or office during the summer, and warm air inside during the winter months, which can help electricity bills stay low.


Basements, garages and attics, are the most common overlooked areas that can cause your electricity to skyrocket. So be sure to insulate the areas around windows, doors and anywhere else you might be losing cold or warm air when you need it.


Insulation is typically a low-cost and easy do-it-yourself home improvement project that makes a big difference when it comes to saving energy and going green.


2. Consider Replacing Or Updating The Following.


Updating existing outdated appliances can make a major difference when it comes to energy efficiency. Common household appliances such as fridges, washing machines, dryers and hot water heaters can provide a homeowner with the largest margin of energy bill savings when replaced by Energy Star certified models.


You can shave even more dollars from your electricity bill each month by installing and using an outdoors clothesline to dry clothing, especially in dry, sunny parts of the country.


Installing a water filter on the kitchen sink instead of buying bottled water, installing low flow shower heads in the bathrooms and converting a wood-burning fireplace to one that uses natural gas will also cause electricity bills to go down and the value of the home to go up.


3. Install And Build Your Own Solar Panels


A common misconception about solar panels is that the technology isn’t affordable enough for the average homeowner or do-it-yourself. Many believe the panels are very expensive and you need a professional to install them on your home or office building, adding an additional cost.


However, solar panels have become much more accessible in the last several years, and homeowners can actually build their own solar panels quickly, easily and affordably.


Creating your own solar panels negates the expensive start-up and installation costs that top retailer’s solar panels create, and instead is a creative way to instantly add value to your home or office building.


For more information on going green, and energy efficient, be sure to get the free resource from the link below. They have made a free report available to you that will make it easy to get started and show you how to “Save Money Using Solar Energy.”

Click here http://www.GoingGreenSavesYouMoney.com for instant access to a valuable FREE report, tips, tricks and hot insider information on building solar panels and energy-efficiency. This valuable report has helped many get started quickly and easily.

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Maintaining Your Home Solar Panels

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency
Jul.21, 2010

Before you perform maintenance on your solar panels, you should make sure that your system is disconnected. The panel should be disconnected from the components. Check the levels of the batteries and output to make sure that everything is working. Now make sure that the solar panel equipment is working at capacity:




  1. Check for moisture – There should be no water buildup inside the solar pv panel system. It should be coming out of the holes in the enclosure. Look for condensation on the inside of the enclosure.
  2. Make sure the connections are tightened – Watch for potential short circuits. The silicon caulking should hold and there should be no loose parts. If there are any parts that are not airtight go over the edges with silicone caulk.
  3. Clean – Clean the solar panel with a nonabrasive cleanser and paper towels. You want to make sure that the solar cells receive the maximum exposure of sun. This means that the transparent Plexiglas should be as clean as possible. There should be no obstructions that shade the solar panel either. IF there are, cut down the trees or reposition the object that is causing the obstruction.
  4. Charge Controller – This should be clean and have space around it to release heat. Creating good airflow keeps the system working properly for a long time.


Maintaining your panels is incredibly easy. The main thing is to check and see if all the components are unobstructed and undamaged. If you have moving parts such as a solar tracker, you will need to regularly lubricate the gears that move.

Get Your FREE Ebook On Solar Panel How To

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Oil to Gas Conversion Can Save You Big – Upgrade Your Furnace Today and Go Green

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency
Apr.06, 2010

Changing your furnace from oil burning to gas burning is a smart investment in your home–and in the planet. A more affordable fuel source for residential heating, natural gas is also the cleanest of the fossil fuels. That means you can cut your energy bills and polluting emissions all at once. If you’re ready to upgrade your home heating system, contact your local furnace company. These professionals can help with all of your oil to gas conversion needs.


With today’s high fuel costs, a gas furnace can help you save some serious cash. Did you realize it costs around one dollar less to produce 100,000 Btus with a gas furnace than with an oil furnace? It may not sound like much at first, but over the course of the entire fall and winter, that will really add up. In fact, oil to gas conversion can help you save hundreds of dollars in just one year.


But that’s not all you’ll be saving! Gas furnaces can also help you go green. As the cleanest-burning of all the fossil fuels, natural gas creates very little pollution. When you switch from burning oil to burning gas for your residential heating needs, you’ll be greatly reducing the amount of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen
oxides your home emits. That means cleaner air and even a cleaner furnace (and no build-up means no need for annual furnace cleanings). For a cleaner, greener home, gas furnaces are the way to go.


Oil to gas conversion is a relatively simple, easy process. Your furnace repair contractor should be able to help with oil furnace to gas furnace conversion from running the necessary plumbing to ensuring your chimney is safe for use with gas. You can either replace the oil burner in your existing furnace with a gas burner, or get an entirely new, energy-efficient gas furnace. But no matter which oil to gas conversion option you choose, you’re sure to save money and help the planet at the same time. Contact your HVAC contractor today to get started!

Michele Situazione is a home improvement enthusiast and an Internet marketer for Prospect Genius, bringing local businesses affordable online marketing.

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The Secret of Wind Energy

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency
Mar.10, 2010

How can you define wind power? Wind power is the process of transforming eolian force into electricity. This is done by using wind turbines or by using windmills. Working with some physics rules, these “wind gathers” can transform wind into electrical power. This power is then moved into your breaker box. What is important about this system is that your normal utility is only a simple reserve. If you utilize more of the wind energy, it will send the electricity back inside the box and force your meter too turn into reverse. Wind force has some astonishing properties; for example it can renew itself becoming an important resource.


Why would you want to use eolian energy? The main reason is because it is less expensive. Taping wind force as your main source of power and just using your purchased electricity as a reserve, will reduce your monthly energy bills by a huge amount, and sometimes, especially if you use wind power with solar power, you can stop using the power company forever.


The wind turbines that make energy can be grouped in 2 categories. The Horizontal-axis turbine is the 1st category. This machine can be as tall as a twenty-story building and span about two hundred feet in length. Its large palettes resemble airplane propellers. Plane engine is the most often used turbine. The second type of turbines is not that common.


There are eolian energy generators all over the place. Here eolian generators are used over a big area. The energy created here goes predominantly to power companies. They do not work for the utility companies; they produce the energy then sell it to the utility companies.


There are also eolian systems available for home use. Of course they are on a considerably smaller scale.


Essential things to know this before you start making your own wind power.


• Start with the quantity of wind you have in your region.


• You need to live in an area that has an medium annual wind velocity of 9 miles an hour, that is when a grid connection is not possible.


• If a grid connection is possible, the wind velocity is at least 10 miles per hour.


To get more info about Wind Power Systems check this out DIY Wind and Solar Energy Guide


It is simple to assemble your own wind turbine. However, in certain districts, making a wind turbine is not permitted and you need to be sure that your area is not one of these zones. In addition make sure that you understand what you are doing so that it is up to code and works as it should.


Nature is not destroyed by wind generated electricity. Eolian energy is a “green” energy (it does not destroy the ozone in any way). It doesn’t release any gases or any other contaminants. Using eolian power is a first step in helping our environment. Using eolian force is the key in reducing the global climate change effect.


If you are tired of shelling out for those high power bill; fed up trying everything that you can do to lower the bill and they simply continue to be more expensive and you want to do everything that is possible to help save our environment then using eolian energy is the way to go.

If you want an excellent guide on how to build your own Wind Energy Systems then check out DIY Wind and Solar Energy Guide. With reviews written by leading solar energy reviewer James Elliott.


http://www.diysolarenergyguide.com/best-diy-solar-energy-guides.php

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Make Your Own Electricity With Solar Panels

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency
Mar.09, 2010

Solar panels are a great way to produce free electricity or to heat your water for free. The best use for solar power is to use it to produce electricity. The reason why solar power is not the main power source nowadays is because it is still a young technology and that the panels are very expensive. Even if there are a lot of people that have panels installed, there are even more people that would want to but could not afford to buy solar energy panels.


The amazing thing is that so many people pay big bucks for commercial solar panels when they can make their own for a fraction of the price. Solar energy panels normally work by converting sunlight to power and storing it into a battery system. Then, whenever the energy is required it is used from the batteries.


Making your own solar energy panels does not require any particular skills. Knowing how to use a hammer and a nail makes you more than qualified for building solar energy panels. The materials required to build these panels are readily available at your local hardware store. These materials include photovoltaic cells, tabbing, copper, solder, soldering iron and some plywood.


You probably do not know how to build solar panels at the moment. You can find this information online and from the numerous guides that can be found both online and in brick and mortar stores. It is important that you can a good guide in order to avoid mistakes that could cost you money and time.

And, a step-by-step video guide that will show you how to Make a Solar Panel at home can be found on my site. Click here to find out how YOU can save thousands by making your own solar panels and save even more off your power bills.

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A Few Things to Consider When Building a Windmill For Home Use

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency
Dec.18, 2009

If you’re planning on building a windmill or wind turbine to help reduce or even eliminate your electric bills, you’re not alone. Due to the run up in energy prices, millions of others are becoming acutely aware of alternative energy and the benefits that come from using it. By embracing wind power, you’ll find that there are numerous benefits that come along with it. Two of the most obvious reasons to start using wind power are the reduction in your energy costs, and the beneficial effect that it has on the environment. With that said, there are some things you should consider before you start.

Local Zoning Laws

Before you get too involved in building a windmill for your home, you need to check with your local authorities about any zoning laws or regulations that govern the use of wind turbines and windmills in your municipality. Most towns and cities have adopted laws that govern the placement and height of any wind power generating device constructed within the city limits.

Chances are good that there are also noise restrictions that set the maximum noise level that can be produced. It’s worth noting that this is one of the most important parts of research that you’ll need to do, and as such, should be the first thing you look into.

Is Your Home a Good Candidate for Wind Power?

If you’ve lived at your current location for awhile, you’ve probably got a gut feeling for the amount of wind that’s available. At my house for instance, there is rarely a day that there isn’t any wind, and on the days with wind, it’s strong. If your site passes the gut feeling litmus test, you can do some further research here: http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/wind_maps.asp

to get an even better idea of the amount of energy you have available.

You’ll Need a Plan

Probably the most important part of building your own wind generator is to have a great plan. One that’s been tested, and fine tuned to the point that even those with little to no building experience can easily complete it. It should also use materials that are easy to source, and inexpensive to purchase. And in the end, it should produce a reliable and useful device that’s capable of providing years of service with limited maintenance. While this may seem like a tall order to fill, there are some excellent plans that have recently become available that will easily satisfy those requirements.

Just remember, stay focused, do your research, have a great plan, and don’t give up. If it begins to seem overwhelming, break up your work into smaller portions and set goals based on them. If you do that, you’ll have it completed and generating power in no time!

For more information, follow these links to find the BEST Wind Turbine Plans and Solar Panel Plans.

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Energy Efficient Water Heaters

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency
Dec.17, 2009

In this article I will cover energy efficient water heaters.

Energy efficiency is a hot topic right now and new technologies are being introduced everyday. We recommend that you do not wait until you need a new water heater to do your research. You may find yourself buying what ever is available, instead of what is best! This is not a good plan since your hot water heater is the biggest waste of your energy costs. So do your research now, and double check it just when you are ready to purchase.

Consumers have a tendency to purchase their heater based on size. Actually the First Hour Rating (FHR) is more important to consider. The FHR represents the amount of hot water that the unit will deliver during a busy hour. Estimate your family’s usage during the peak hour usage and find a unit with a FHR that will cover it.

The most energy efficient water heaters are generally gas fired. Electric resistance is an expensive way to generate heat and not as environmentally friendly. Before you make the final decision, check with your utility company to see if they have any incentives that may make electricity more attractive.

One of the new favorites is the energy efficient tankless water heater. They only create hot water as it is needed and there is a never ending supply. They have a longer life expectancy and do not reheat the same water all day long! If you leave for a week, no hot water is made.

Besides the standard gas and electric energy efficient water heaters there is the indirect water heater. This type is only for consumers who have a boiler. It uses your boiler as its heat source. This type of system eliminates a lot of the heat loss through the flue, as associated with the gas fired heaters.

The next type is a heat pump water heater or desuperheater. With this type the electric is used to move the heat from one place to another instead of actually creating it. The heat source comes from the heat in the outside air or the area where the unit is located. This type is not very common and harder to find.

Solar water heaters use the sun to heat your water. They are very expensive and hard to calculate the cost because there are so many factors that affect it. These would include the amount of sun, where you live, which way your roof is facing and the amount of hot water that you use. If everything is right though they offer a virtually cost free hot water from a renewable energy. Seems like solar power was hot, then cold and now it seems to be making a comeback. There seem to be many opinions out there for and against solar power. The drawback is that you must have some type of backup system for when there is no sun.

So the bottom line is that this is a very big decision. Make sure that you use every available resource to do your research before you spend your hard earned money. If you make a mistake, you will be paying for it for a long time!

Bob Willoughby is the publisher of http://EnergyEfficientHomeTips.net.

There are many ways to make your home more energy efficient and save yourself some money at the same time. Visit the web site to learn more about Energy Efficient Water Heaters.

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