Learning From California

Posted on 05/18/2012 by Bruce| Leave a comment

The recent electricity problems that happened in California made them rethink the manner in which energy is used and saved. The effort conducted at conserving this resource made many people to reevaluate their choices on energy consumption. The truth is there is really not that much energy to waste. The examples made by Californians about thoughtful ways where less should suffice. The following energy saving suggestions were part of smart choices that was made.

1.Refrigerators that were manufactured 20 or 30 years ago gives off 1,100 lbs. of CO2 emissions per year. Keeping an old model refrigerator increases your monthly energy bill by as much as $80. The newer models are energy efficient.

Manufacturers print this on the fridge. But even the newer ones could not save you as much energy as it should if it is positioned near heat radiating appliances like the dishwasher or ovens and stoves. This is why, to allow for saving energy, interior designers and architects make it a point to have separate areas for cooling and heating appliances.

If you maintain the temperature of the refrigerator at the right level, you can save as much as 25% on energy consumption than when the temperature higher than what is required.

2.Air drying your dishes will save energy instead of putting them inside the dishwasher.

3.Clothes dyers spend much energy that whenever possible, air or sun drying should be done. Washing in cold water also saves energy by 75%. This could also prevent the dryer from emitting 500 lbs. a year in carbon gasses.

4.More than 50 degrees of heat is lost whenever you open the oven during cooking, Study the cooking instructions and preheat the oven as required. Open the oven only when needed.

5.While shades and curtains are good practices to regulate the temperature and let the light in a room, adding e-films gets you far in saving energy during heating and air-conditioning the space. Storm windows are good energy saving devices so are high performance double paned windows.

6.Extra work will be required from your heater or air-conditioner when you have air leaks and drafts around your house. Sealing the home is one of the cheapest ways to conserve energy. Limiting the use of ventilating fans and closing the damper in the fireplace when not in use keep the desired temperature inside the home.

7.In many parts of the country, ceiling fans are enough to cool home that is well insulated. If using air-conditioners is a must, planting shrubs and trees on the surrounding areas of the room to be cooled will you give you as much as 10% savings on energy consumption.

8.Trellises, overhangs and especially trees help so much in cooling the home during the summer months. It also serves as a good wind breaker during winter.

9.Unplug appliances that are not in use. Keeping appliances plugged in and keeping them on standby modes consume about 10% of the power it requires when in operation.

Buy only stuff that are really necessary. The seemingly innocent stuff that fills our home was manufactured using energy that translates to greenhouse gas emissions from the sorting of raw materials to manufacture and the freight it required to be delivered to the stores and eventually to the end user.

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Facts on Solar Power

Posted on 05/14/2012 by Bruce| Leave a comment


The world is facing a lot of problems including that of environmental concerns like pollution and global warming. Despite these problems, people should not despair. In every problem, there is always a solution and this solution has been available for many years now. It’s just that many people fail to realize its importance and efficacy.

Researchers and scientists have already discovered solar power many years ago but because of the lack of technological knowledge, the idea was not pursued. Solar power was mainly used for powering small electrical devices. But now, with the great technological advancements, people are hoping that solar power will soon become widely accessible even to ordinary individuals. In the US, solar power is used in the different states but it it’s not that prevalent. Huge solar panels are quite expensive and ordinary people can’t afford to pay for them. You can now find solar power kits which are less costly and the price range from $200 to $500.

Before you consider using solar power, here are some facts that you need to be aware of:

1. Albert Einstein received a Nobel Prize in 1921 for his experiments on photovoltaic and solar power.
2. Silicon from a ton of sand can be used in photovoltaic panels to generate the same amount of electricity that a 500,000 T of burning coals can produce.
3. 10,000 US households are now using solar energy to power their homes.
4. John Herschel (British Astronomer) was able to cook food by using solar power 200 years ago during his African journey.
5. In 1982, the first large scale power plants was opened in California.
6. If you can use solar power in your home’s heating system, you can slash the electric bill by 50%.
7. In the last thirty years, the price of solar panels has dropped considerably by at least 200%. Solar power kits can now be purchased from $200-$500.
8. In the year 2000, USDOE claimed that solar power is almost perfect (99%) in San Francisco; since California gets a lot of sunlight, 200 megawatts of green electricity can be generated if all the rooftops of county buildings and homes are covered with PV panels. By including school buildings, an added 1,500 megawatts is achievable. The generated power is enough to cover the city’s electrical needs during an entire day.
9. Germany is now using solar power despite its undesirable climate. The energy generated during sunny days is stored in batteries.
10. Energy from the sun travels for approximately 8 minutes to reach Earth.

If you’re interested in solar power and you want to try it out, you can start with a solar power kit. It is affordable and easy to assemble. The materials can be purchased from local hardware stores and the guides are easy to understand as well. Make sure that you purchase a kit that is manufactured by a prominent and trusted company to ensure efficiency. Some manufacturers also provide warranty for 10-15 years; take advantage of these great deals.

The facts mentioned earlier will help you to decide whether you can benefit from solar power or not. If you live in an area where there is lots of sunlight all throughout the year, solar power is an excellent choice. Solar power is free and clean. After your initial investment, you no longer have to pay for the energy.

Posted in Alternative Energy, Living Green, Renewable Energy, Solar Power

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Reducing Energy Pollution Through Energy Conservation

Posted on 05/09/2012 by Bruce| Leave a comment

It’s no secret that our current methods of using fossil fuels for energy is harmful to the environment. Not only that but we are actually running out of fossil fuels and if we keep consuming energy at our current rate without replacing fossil fuels with a more renewable source we will run out within the next 50 years and have no energy at all!

Of course, the hope is that we will soon have more sustainable methods of producing energy which are not harmful to the environment but until then you can help the environment, as well as your bank account, by practicing energy conservation.

Let’s face it, we live in a society where we want the best of everything and we want it now. Unlike a generation ago, we don’t think of conserving energy. But perhaps we should.

Now I’m not suggesting that you turn off all your lights, throw out your washing machine and buy a horse, but conserving a little bit can go a long way and if we all did it, it would really add up and would not only ease the consumption of fossil fuels but also reduce environmental pollution.

One thing you can do to conserve energy is to unplug those appliances that you aren’t using all the time. Your chargers, digital cameras, even your televisions and VCRs should be unplugged at night. These actually consume energy even when they’re off as some are kept in “stand by” mode or have LEDs that are continuously using energy. The same goes for your computers, don’t just leave them in sleep mode turned them all the way when you go to bed at night.

Another thing you can do is get a programmable thermostat. Experts say that the most efficient way to use it is to have it at 68 deg. or less during the day when you are home, and 55 deg. when you are sleeping at night and when you are not at home. Having a programmable thermostat and programming it as such will ensure that you don’t go above these temperatures and can go a long way in reducing your oil or natural gas consumption.

Appliances are another area where you can conserve energy. Be sure your refrigerator is set between 38 and 42 deg. F and your freezer between zero and 5 deg. F. Don’t preheat your oven and only use your dishwasher when it is full. Use cold water whenever you can in the washing machine and be sure to clean the lint filter in your dryer so it can run most efficiently. Of course, if you can afford it, buying new energy efficient appliances – they’ll save you on your electric bill.

Practicing energy conservation is a good habit to get into because no matter how plentiful or renewable energy sources are in the future, there’s just no reason for waste. So, the sooner you can get in the habit of conserving energy, the better for both you and the planet.

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A War Between Eating And Sustainable Power

Posted on 05/06/2012 by Bruce| Leave a comment

Today climate change is a reality that is acknowledge by even the most doubtful of skeptics. The warmer temperatures in areas where its supposed to be cool, scorching summers, and bone chilling winter have become a pattern that people cannot simply ignore.

What The War About?

Funny enough it seems that people are getting desperate and all are turning to bio-fuel like it’s the savior of all mankind. So what is bio-fuel? Bio-fuel is any gaseous, solid, or liquid material derived from biological materials. The argument ensues when people talk of the future. Bio-fuels raw materials are usually agricultural crops that are made to undergo fermentation and certain processes in order to produce bio-fuel.

The Problem

Who is the world’s largest oil consumer? Those with the highest number of vehicles running their roads, countries like the US, England and generally most of the European nations. When you think about it bio-fuel is made from corn, sugarcane, palm oil, vegetable oil, and etc; where do these agricultural crops come from? Third World Countries.

In Mexico they have this “tortilla crisis”. Corn which is the basic ingredient of tortilla is now sold five times the price it used to be marketed for. The reason for the inflated prices? The demand of bio-fuel in highly developed countries has severely altered the business people’s sense of profit. Why sell for a dollar when you can for 5 because the demand is now higher.

Who Suffers?

The first world countries will have to export goods from the third world countries to fuel their increasing demand for energy. The third world countries are usually tropical ones located near the equator, hence a higher crop growth of corn, and all those needed to manufacture bio-fuel; but for these countries corn is food, so is sugar cane. For the first world to survive the t poorer countries must either starve in hunger or break their back working to be able to afford the price hikes of the most basic of all commodities: food.

A Compromise

So what should we do? We need to address the problems of the environment and pollution, but it is also not right that to solve a problem we must create one. Think about it if the agricultural countries go into decline because its people can’t afford food then who will till the land to supply the giants with endless bio-fuel?

Sustainable energy is geared to sustain life, not make it harder. A proposal is in order. Since the crops needed for the production of bio-fuel can only survive in tropical countries then the governments of the more well off countries will have to invest in the agricultural countries to supply their own demand. These crops must be independent from those for local consumers. Stringent rules governing pricing and distribution must be implemented to further protect the source of the energy.

Sustainable power means the world working hand in hand to create a better way of life for the future. The road to betterment is paved with hard work and dedication. The ancient Egyptian used sails to go up and down the Nile; they were patient and they reached their destination. Let us all be patient but diligent in our quest for sustainable power to sustain life.

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Tips For Greener Driving

Posted on 04/28/2012 by Bruce| Leave a comment

Everyone knows that cars cause a lot of pollution and with gas getting more expensive, adding some ‘green’ to your driving can help keep the green in your wallet as well as benefit the environment. Here are some tips for greener driving that you can easily implement into your daily life:

1. Drive A Gas Efficient Vehicle : it stands to reason that the more efficient your car is on gas, the less emissions and the less you have to pay at the pump. Today, there are many options in hybrid vehicles so if you are in the market for a new car, make the gas efficiency one of your main concerns.
2. Tire Pressure : make sure your tires are neither overinflated or underinflated as both of these can affect your fuel efficiency. Make sure to check the tire pressure regularly and adjust as needed.
3. Car Maintenance : needless to say, if your car is not maintained properly, it will not be running at peak performance. Be sure to have the oil changed as recommended as well as the other suggested maintenance. Making sure your engine is running efficiently can improve your gas mileage up to 40%. It might cost a bit to have these things done, but you will save money with better fuel efficiency and a longer lasting car.
4. Air Conditioning : You want to use your AC sparingly, but it’s actually more efficient to use air conditioning than it is to roll the windows down. So, if you must cool off, be sure to set the AC on low and turn it off when the car is cooled , make sure you have the windows tightly rolled up so none of that cool air can get out.
5. Heated Seats : heated seats use a lot of energy so the next time you want your tushy all warm and comfy, think about the impact to your gas bill and the environment.
6. Drive Consistently : try to drive at a consistent speed, or better yet, use the cruise control. Keeping your speed consistent will improve your gas mileage and lessen your CO2 impact. Also, try to keep it under 60 MPH as anything over that really decreases your gas mileage.
7. Commute : Consider commuting with co-workers or, if your company allows it, working from home. Even if you do these just a couple of days a week, you will be doing a lot to lower carbon emissions and you’ll be saving a bundle on gas too!

Keeping your car in good condition and being aware of some of these fuel efficiency tips isn’t that difficult and it makes good sense especially when it comes to the longevity of your car. Your efforts will be rewarded with a fuller wallet and a healthier environment!

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Solar Power for the RV

Posted on 04/21/2012 by Bruce| 4 Comments

Everyone likes to get away for the weekend and when you get a chance to there is a lot of fun in taking a recreational vehicle, or RV, to go camping in. Your RV could be a pull behind camper or a camper that you can drive. What ever you use RV’s usually run off of electricity from another source or they have battery powered lights. When you use electric hook up in a camper you may want to consider turning your RV into a solar powered RV and never worry about electric hook ups again. Enjoy your vacation anywhere without restrictions.

Once you hook up to a power source you are able to have the comforts of home by turning on and off the lights and using the bathroom. If you cannot access a power outlet you may use a generator to supply power to the camper. These generators are nice in a pinch but you have the problems of running out of fuel to keep it going not to mention the noise that it makes. If you want to turn your RV into a solar power RV it is simple to do and with little expense. There are a number of different products that you can buy to make camping fun and modern with little or no effort.

You can mount a solar panel to the RV camper in order to charge your energy in your RV. This is done by purchasing a solar panel mounting bracket that your solar panel will set on. You can buy RV solar panel kits that include both the mount and the panel. Once it is installed you can power your camper and batteries using the suns warmth that was already there and it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg to do so. Run your solar panel wire to the battery compartment and you are ready to go. Each solar powered kit offers different wattages and sizes so you can select the right one for your RV size and what you will be using.

When you are out on a camping trip you can feel good knowing that you can go anywhere you need to go. Your solar panel on top of your RV will also withstand any type of weather and because a camper is so small it won’t take much solar power to operate the RV. Another hot solar powered item to buy for your RV is called the Solar Power Ventilator. This provides the perfect ventilation system for small quarters, such as RV’s. When it is hot in the summer or anytime that the sun is shining it doesn’t take long for the RV to heat up and become very uncomfortable. The solar power ventilator will run all the hot air out and circulate the air with clean fresh air.

When you take the RV out you want to enjoy your time in the great outdoors without giving up the fact that you have to rely on a power source or go without power completely. If you have to go without power you may find that it is inconvenient and hard to do, especially when you purchase an RV because of the way that it is convenient.

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Save Some Green While Going Green

Posted on 04/14/2012 by Bruce| 1 Comment

What could be better than helping out the environment? Why, saving some money while you are helping out the environment, of course!

Of course, most everyone wants to lower their carbon footprint and help the environment be healthier but if you can save money doing it, then you have the best of both worlds. Luckily, there are many ways to go green and save some green at the same time. Here are 5 things you can do that will help boost your bank account and the environment:

1. Buy Second Hand ; most people don’t think of buying second hand stuff as being environmentally consciences but when you buy something second hand it helps to keep that item from ending up in a landfill. Not only that but buying second hand can save you a bundle! Plus buying something used doesn’t mean you have to settle for something that is broken or damaged , there are plenty of brand new items waiting for you to pick them up. Great places to shop for second hand goods include eBay, Craigslist, yard sales, flea markets and Consignment stores.
2. Energy Efficient Lighting : Swapping your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting might cost a bit at first, but it can save you a bundle in the long run in energy costs. In fact, fluorescent lights use 1/3 the energy that incandescent do and, since lighting is typically one of the largest energy uses in any home, this could save you 25% or more on your bill. Not only that but compact fluorescent lights last 10 times longer so you won’t have to buy them nearly as often. Want even more savings? Then seek out the new LED lighting , they are more efficient and the lighting itself is much better then the fluorescents.
3. Save On Paper Towels : If you’re anything like me, you probably use a ton of paper towels in the kitchen. They’re great for wiping up spills, drying off your hands and putting food on but what do you think happens with them once you are done? Right , they end up in the landfill! You can reduce your costs for paper towels and lighten the load on the landfills by using cloth kitchen towels instead. Invest in a bunch of them and make sure they are handing for wiping up. You’ll be amazed at how few paper towels you really need!
4. Eat More Veggies : Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat is better for your health, but did you realize that it’s also better for the environment? Yes, it’s true, raising cattle takes a huge toll on the environment. Plus beef costs more than vegetables so why not help your health and the environment by replacing a few of your meaty meals with vegetarian choices?
5. Conserve Water : There are many options in faucets today that will help you conserve water which, of course help the environment and saves you on your water bill. You can get low flow facets and smart faucets that will automatically shut off after a certain amount of time or sense when something is under it , turn the water on and then sense when nothing is under it and turn the water off.

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Renewable Energy Is Our Only Alternative

Posted on 04/07/2012 by Bruce| 5 Comments

With gas and home heating prices soaring, we have little choice but to explore renewable energy not only to lighten the load on our wallets but also to help lighten the load on the environment. As most are coming to realize, our large dependency on fossil fuels is problematic because it is a dependency on a resource that will eventually become depleted.

In fact, it is estimated that our supply of oil will run out in a little over 30 years and natural gas will be depleted in a little over 50 years. Needless to say, there should be an urgency to seek alternative sources of energy so that we can have the mechanisms in place to use these other sources before our current sources run dry.

But just what is renewable energy?

Renewable energy comes from a source that does not harm the environment or deplete any of our natural resources. Wind power and solar power are two popular examples of renewable energy. There are also many other alternatives to fossil fuels such as biofuels, geothermal energy, wave and tidal power and even nuclear power although some of these may not be so desirable because they can potentially cause harm to the environment.

The difference between renewable and alternative energy

While many use the two terms interchangeably there is actually a subtle difference between renewable energy and alternative energy. Technically, renewable energy is clean energy – energy provided by natural solutions that are always around us such as solar, tidal, wind, geothermal and wave power. Alternative energy on the other hand really just refers to an alternative from fossil fuels and this can include biofuels and nuclear power both of which really aren’t that great for the environment.

Why the dependency on fossil fuels?

Our entire infrastructure has been built for the use of fossil fuels which is why we depend on it so much. Renewable energy has been around for over a hundred years but it’s much cheaper to use fossil fuels. With little incentive from the government to research and produce renewable energy products, little has been done. However with today’s energy crisis I think we will see that change and it’s sure to be a change for the better.

Another one of the reasons why fossil fuels have been a little bit more attractive is that we can’t store up the energy made with renewable sources like we can with gas and oil. If you are using solar to power your home and you have several days with no sun you may end up with no power. The same goes for wind energy – what do you do if there are no windy days? That combined with the fact that it costs more to produce energy from these sources has been a drawback in the past.

Be that as it may, there are many companies today looking into renewable energy and how they can harness it and bring it to your home efficiently, reliably and economically. In fact, some cities are even using renewable energy to some point now and the residents may not even realize it!

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Passive Solar Power

Posted on 03/31/2012 by Bruce| 1 Comment

It is a well known fact that the sun is the strongest from the south. People who want to conserve solar power uses this theory in order to get the most sun into their houses with minimal expense. If you are building a home that you want to be solar power, it is best to put the most windows facing the south side. Although it is not always true, depending on where you live, it is a general rule to go by. Passive technology turns sunlight into heat that can be used for several things, including ventilation and cooling. You can heat homes and businesses with passive solar. Passive solar systems depend on gravity fed and natural resources in order to make passive solar work. If it uses a pump or fan to force the liquid through, than it is an active solar.

Passive solar technology offers direct and indirect gain for heating spaces, water heating systems, use of thermal mass and also phase change materials which helps to regulate the temperature indoors. There is also the solar cooking equipment, the solar chimney which allows for ventilation and earth sheltering. Passive solar can also be found in a solar furnace and solar forge, although these are a little more complicated. Sun rooms are another example of passive solar power as it lets the sun come into the room without allowing it to escape. There is no mechanism or no engine to power just the clear panes of glass attracting the sun and trapping it within.

Solar gain is referring to the increase in temperature in an area, an object or a structure that is a result of solar radiation. The stronger the sun the more solar gain you have. A solar furnace is any huge object that is created in order to channel the heat directly to one place. The heat can be unbearable but it does produce a lot of electricity from it. Temperatures can reach up to 3,000 degrees. When you compare the expenses associated with passive solar you realize that the cost of passive solar is minimal when you compare it to active wear.

Because there is no mechanism to power it makes it more affordable. With active solar you must have a device that can power the heat that you take in and used it. Passive solar is the most popular with those who are experimenting with the conception of solar power and may find that they like it enough to stick to it. When you are ready for an upgrade it is easy to move up to active power. Adding a mechanism that will easily and conveniently pump the water on through the source is an effective way of combining today’s technology with conservation and preservation that we have access to.

Passive solar power is something that we will be seeing a lot of in the future as the need for solar power becomes more in demand. There will come a time when even those who depend on active solar may have to switch to passive solar.

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Is Your Home Renovation Green Enough?

Posted on 03/24/2012 by Bruce| Comments Off

If you’re thinking about building or renovating your home, you might want to consider some green options. No , I don’t meant having a green color scheme (although you certainly can if it suits you), I’m talking about making eco friendly choices for your new design.

Certainly one of the first things that comes to mind is using ‘green’ products. Low VOC carpets and floors and cabinetry made from sustainable materials like cork and bamboo should be high on your choice list. In the kitchen and bathrooms, you could opt for recycled glass countertops that add a unique touch to the kitchen and are a great way to put old glass to use. These countertops come in many color combinations and resemble artful mosaics which lend a classy air to your room.

Another thing to consider is recycling your old items or, using items from someone else’s home. These days, wood floors are very popular and if you are considering them for your home you might look around at older homes that are being torn down to see if you can salvage the flooring. Every item that you reuse from your old design or from someone else’s home is one less item that will end up in the landfill.

If you are redoing your heating, then look into solar or wind power. Wind power might not be practical for all homes since you need to have quite a bit of land and a high area for the turbine. Solar power, on the other hand, can be adapted to almost anywhere. If putting in a solar system is not within your reach, you should at least make sure that you insulate properly and use triple pane windows and tight fitting seals on your doors to minimize loss of energy from your home.

Avoiding use of paints and glues that produce air pollution is another consideration. This is not only important for the environment, but for your health as well. Toxic fumes can build up in your home and are bad for your health. In fact, the EPA estimates that the pollution inside your home can be up to 100 times worse than that outside the home! In order to have cleaner air inside, use water based paints instead of oil based and avoid products that have a lot of adhesives. When you do need to use adhesive, try to make sure they are as ‘green’ as possible.

Luckily, there are plenty of exciting options in eco-friendly materials and you don’t have to sacrifice beauty or function to go green. When choosing the new materials and items for your home, be sure you do your homework and look for eco-friendly options , I think you will find plenty of items that fit in your new design!

Posted in Alternative Energy, Green Construction, Living Green

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