Sunday, November 16, 2008

How to save power at home

How to save power at home

We all learned about the renewable and non-renewable sources of energy in school. However, we never paid much attention to the rapid consumption of the non-renewable sources of energy until recently. The world is faced with severe energy crisis now and none of us remain unaffected anymore. Should we leave everything to the governments, or can we do something to save power? The answer is simple: we can.

Let us look at how you can save power at home.

Computer: More often than not, we do not switch off our monitors even after we have shut down our computers. Keep the monitor and the computer switched off when you are not using them. Start practicing this even when at work. You will help save some more power for the world.

Light bulbs: You must have seen compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs being advertised all the time. You must have even used them at times. As a power-saving measure, start using the CFL light bulbs as much as you can. If you are thinking they are more expensive than the regular bulbs, the benefits of the CFL bulbs will prove much more cost-effective in the long turn by the amount of power they will save.

Air Conditioner: Set the temperature at the minimum or maximum best you are comfortable with, depending on the season. Try not to set it at too high or too low temperatures. Setting the air conditioner at reasonable temperatures helps save a lot of energy.

Washing Machines: Do you use your washing machine as often as you want? Do you use your washing machine even when there are not enough clothes to wash? Minimize the number of washes by washing full load of clothes every time.

Television: Take off the power plug of your television set when not using it. This may not sound a big deal but this tiny step will help save power.

Geysers: Keep the geyser thermostat at the minimum heat. You do not need to heat the water at a very high temperature or for too long.

Refrigerator: Bring hot food to room temperatures before putting it into the refrigerator. You can also save power by taking cold or frozen food out of the refrigerator much before the mealtime, thereby saving power in heating it.

Car: For an air-conditioner equipped car, pull up the windows of your car before switching on the air-conditioner.For More Energy Saving Ideas!<

Solar Power Basics

Saturday, November 15, 2008

How Much Electricity Does a Wind Generator Produce

How Much Electricity Does a Wind Generator Produce?
By Gary Ashby




If you are interested to build a renewable wind generator system to run your home with wind power, you need to first understand how electricity is produced with wind energy and how much electricity can be produced by the wind turbines.



Wind is a result of different temperatures on different surfaces of the ground at various times of the day. When a part of the ground is heated up first, the air above it becomes warm and rises. The cooler air takes over the space left by the warm air and the result is wind.



1. How Does A Wind Generator Turbine Work?



As long as there is wind, the wind generator will be able to capture the kinetic energy and convert it to electrical power inside the system for your home use. It is usually installed on the roof of your house for maximum efficiency.



If insufficient energy is produced from the wind generator system, you can still draw electricity from the utility company, especially at times when the air is almost not moving. However, when a lot of electricity is produced, especially when the wind speed exceed 7 mph, there is a chance that you can produce excess electricity which you can then use to sell back to the utility company.



2. How Much Electricity Can One Wind Turbine Generate?



The electricity that a wind generator can generate will depend on turning speed of the rotor and the turbine's size. A 10-kW wind turbine can generate about 10,000 kWh a year at a location with wind speeds averaging 12 miles per hour, or about enough to power a typical household. A 5-MW turbine can produce more than 15 million kWh in a year, which can be used to power more than 1, 400 households.



Thousands of people have already eliminated their own home electricity bills with this free energy system. They learned how to build it by downloading a step-by-step guide online. You can find out more about how to build this homemade power system at the website link below.




Are you looking to build a Wind Generator to produce Electricity for your home? Do not try any windmill and solar power system scams until you read the author's review of the Best Home Energy Systems at http://www.renewableenergysystemreview.com first!



The author has managed to reduce his energy bill by more than 80% by building his own renewable home energy system. Check out his website to find out how to do it!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Ashby
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Much-Electricity-Does-a-Wind-Generator-Produce?&id=1535655






Get Solar Panels and Become Your Own Energy Provider!

Get Solar Panels and Become Your Own Energy Provider!
By Sandra Maria Stammberger




Going green is the growing trend as people become more aware of the impact they have on our environment. This awareness has led many people to seek out ways they can lessen their footprint on the earth. One option is the use of solar power for the home. Solar energy is the converting of the sun's rays into energy and heat. One way of doing this is to use solar panels on your home to capture the sun's rays. Maybe you are considering solar panels for your home and wondering if it is the right choice for your family. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages.



The benefits are plenty, the first being that you become your own energy provider. You get to crawl out from under the utility companies. As electric rates continue to climb you will be unaffected. Another attractive benefit is that solar panels require little to no maintenance. They cleanly and quietly provide electricity for 25-40 years. Then there are the obvious environmental benefits. The use of solar panels reduces the consumption of fossil fuels. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It reduce the nation's dependence on foreign energy sources. Every little step toward green has a significant positive impact on the environment.



So, even the use of a small solar electric system is beneficial in a big way. There is only one disadvantage and that is the initial cost. The installation of a solar panel system for the home can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. As the popularity of these systems rises the options increase and the prices become more competitive. However, the thought of shelling out so much money for these systems can seem daunting and make one give the deal a second thought. The good news is that there are government programs in place, such as tax credits and rebates, to help offset the cost. Also, those who already use solar panels will tell you that they pay for themselves within a short amount of time as you avoid the rising rates of the electric company. In the long run you save money. So, this one disadvantage isn't really much of a disadvantage at all.



As demand has risen and technology has advanced, the types of solar panels available have become more varied and more aesthetically pleasing. In contrast to those of the past, modern panels blend right into the home. Solar panels can also vary depending on how much power you need. Words such as monocrystalline, and polycrystalline refer to types of panels. The other type is amorphous. The three types work in the same way. The main difference is in the way they are produced which can cause a slight difference in efficiency. When purchasing panels it is important to know how much power you'll need, how much space you'll have for panels and where you want them placed on your home. Knowing these key things will help you decide which panels will work best for you.




Solar power can save you a lot of bucks and solar power kits are now easy to own and afford. Did you know that you can get your own solar panels built and installed for under $200? Get off the grid the easy way and get all the Facts on Solar Energy at: Residential Solar Panels



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Maria_Stammberger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Get-Solar-Panels-and-Become-Your-Own-Energy-Provider!&id=1531102






Friday, November 14, 2008

DIY solar power

Build Your Own Solar Panel Kits

Build Your Own Solar Panel Kits
By Sandra Maria Stammberger




As you may know, solar panels can cost a lot of money. This means that unless you make a lot, you may not be able to get one. However, that is why lots of people are starting to think about making their own. Now, there are some small home made solar panels you can make, but these are not even strong enough to light a lamp. They are just made to show you it can be done, and a lot of people make them for fun.



For people who are looking to make real solar panels, there are solar panel kits that you can use. These come with everything that you need to build your own solar panel from the comfort of your own home. When you get done, you will have a solar panel that can help you cut down on your power bill. Understanding the basics is just the start of what these solar panel kits can do for you.Finding these solar panel kits is not that hard either, which may shock a lot of you.



In fact, most people can find these solar panel kits by simply doing a search on the internet. You will also know that the companies that sell these kits are very trustworthy. For example, companies like GE and BP Solar are making these kits and selling them at good prices. There are tons of advantageous to having these solar panels, and although they are not big enough to power the whole house, they are going to run a lot of applications at once.



This is going to cut down on the power bill, and over time, save you a ton of money. Either way you look at it, buying these kits costs a lot less than getting big solar panels that you have installed by people. They are fully functional and will save you money.Also, it's worth noting that anyone can put these solar panels together. They come with instructions so that kids can put them together if needed. If you are a person that really wants to start saving money, these kits are the way to go. They take less than a day to put together, and you can start using them right away. It feels great to build something like this and then be able to use it right away.



People are starting to see that this is an investment that actually pays for itself over time. So do not just sit back and let this pass you buy. Get out there, get yourself a kit, and start making some panels!The last thing to note is that this is something that you can do with your whole family.



Not only is it going to save you money and help the environment, it is going to bring you closer with your kids as they help you better your lifestyle. Not only that, but your whole family will learn a lot about how solar panels work while you are putting them together. These kits do not cost too much, and you will be happy to see how easy they are to put together.




Solar power can save you a lot of bucks and solar power kits are now easy to own and afford. Get off the grid the easy way and get all the facts on Residential
Solar Panels
at: http://www.squidoo.com/residential-solar-panels-1



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Maria_Stammberger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Build-Your-Own-Solar-Panel-Kits&id=1517809






Solar Power Benefits

Solar Power Benefits
By M. Jefferson




Many people are looking to alternative energy to lower the cost of living and hopefully lend a helping hand in saving the environment. There may be an upfront cost however the benefits of solar power are immeasurable. If you are looking to invest, looking for a change, looking to save or just looking to live in a better environment then check out solar power benefits.



1. The most obvious benefit: The sun shines for free! We all have untapped energy waiting for us that doesn't cost a penny. Once we invest in items such as solar panels we will be saving for many years to come. A quick fact: The sun generates more than 10,000 times the amount of energy that we consume. Why not tap into it?



2. Maybe the most popular: Save Money! Although it may be an investment upfront, creating solar power will save you money for many years to come.



3. Environmentally friendly: Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy. A great choice that will help clean up the environment.



4. In addition to creating electricity, solar power can power your vehicle, pump water and heat your home.



Why don't we take advantage of this energy source? It's renewable, clean and environmentally friendly. I know that there is a mass supply of other energy sources, sources that aren't environmentally friendly. I know they will remain available through out my lifetime, but what will generations do when they aren't available? Will we then be forced to look for and actually use alternatives? Possibly... lets now wait till then.




There are so many options available and solar power is more affordable than ever. Not to mention the many benefits of solar power. To start making a change check out energycreation.info



To learn more about alternative energy sources available click here click here



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Jefferson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Solar-Power-Benefits&id=1600958