Choosing Residential Wind Power For the Good of the Environment
By James Bailey
There is a great deal of attention being paid to the environment today, and there is irrefutable proof that everyone should attempt to do their part to keep the world safe, clean and healthy. Pollutants are hurting the earth and individuals are trying very hard to make differences in any way that they can. Consumers are now able to choose among alternative energy sources such as residential wind power and decreasing their reliance on utility companies. By doing this, it lessens the demand for energy from fossil fuels.
Residential wind power is becoming more and more of a realistic alternative thanks to the new and more aerodynamic designs that have been created. These enable people in many different locations to have the chance to participate in a wind power program. When you choose to use the potential power that is ever present in the wind and transform it into your own usable energy, you are doing the environment a great service as well as saving yourself money.
The wind turbines that are available on the market today can be bought as kits, or created and built by individuals. They can also be obtained by having a company come and install the entire set up for you on your own property. Whichever way you choose to do the installation of your residential wind power system, you should be able to take advantage of some savings in your monthly power costs. Therefore after the initial set up the system should given the right conditions be a fairly self-sustaining structure.
Water Efficient Green Homes
By Daniele Loffreda
Experts are sounding the alarm that potable water will soon become as precious a commodity as oil. While world population continues to grow ever faster, freshwater resources remain constant - only 1% of the world’s water is fit for human use. In the U.S., 36 states anticipate local, regional or statewide water shortages by 2013. If we all started using water more efficiently, we can help preserve water supplies for future generations and save money on our water and sewage bills.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, homes use more than half of publicly supplied water in the United States. An average American family of four can consume nearly 400 gallons of water per day and spends up to $500 per year on water and sewage bills. The biggest uses of water in a home are:
Toilets (27% of total water usage)
The average person flushes the toilet about five times per day. Low-flow toilets (less than 1.3 gallons per flush) and dual-flush toilets can save more than 2.000 gallons per year.
Note that early model and ‘builder grade’ 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) low-flow toilets have a reputation for not flushing completely and/or require you to keep a plunger handy.
Choose models that score high on key measurement criteria such as plug resistance, completeness of flush (at least 500 grams based on MaP testing), noise levels, how well the bowl rinses and length of time to refill.
Many plumbers recommend G-Max and Pressure Assisted low- flow units. However, the sudden action and noise of Pressure Assisted units can startle children-not very helpful when trying to potty train!
Dual flush (1.6gpf for solids, 0.8 gpf for liquids) are common in many parts of the world, and are gaining popularity in the U.S.
Clothes Washers (22% of total water usage)
The average home washes 7 loads of laundry per week.
ENERGY STAR label units consume about 20 gallons of water per load, compared with 40 gallons for standard models.
Front loading (horizontal axis) washers use half as much water as conventional (vertical axis) units. Washing full loads rather than partial loads saves up to 3,400 gallons per year.
Showers (17% of total water usage)
The average person showers about 5 minutes each day.
Low-flow showerheads can help conserve water by reducing water flow.
The water flow rates of low-flow showerheads range between 0.5 gallons per minute to 2 gallons per minute.
They range in price from $3 to more than $80.
You get what you pay for; low-priced models will need to be replaced in a couple of years, as water pressure erodes the drop holes.
Aerating-type low-flow units mix water with air, creating a misty spray that can permeate the entire bathroom-not good in humid climates where added moisture can lead to mold, mildew and other problems.
Early model aerating units are commonly viewed as not providing enough water for a good shower.
Laminar-type units form individual streams of water, and receive high marks for providing adequate water flow while minimizing waste.
Opt for a high quality laminar unit with large size droplet holes.
CAUTION: Installing low-flow shower heads can increase back pressure in water supply lines. This can cause a leak in the pipe, and can cause the bathtub faucet to leak large amounts of water while your low-flow shower head is running. Make sure that the diverter valve (the valve that shuts off flow to the bathtub faucet when the shower is running) is in good working condition.
Faucets (16% of total water usage)
The average person uses faucets for about 8 minutes each day.
Sink faucet aerators conserve water by reducing the rate of water flow.
Use sink faucet aerators on fixtures located closest to the water heater. The further the distance from the water heater, the longer you’ll have to run the tap to get hot water - and actually waste more water than you would without using an aerator!
Faucet aerators are the most cost-effective when water delivery pressure is high.
Their water flow rates range from 0.375 gallons per minute to 2.5 gallons per minute.
They range in price from $1.50 to $25.
Dishwashers (5% of total water usage)
The average home uses the dishwasher 5 times per week.
An ENERGY STAR label dishwasher uses about 40% less water than conventional models.
Similar to the highly successful ENERGY STAR program to help consumers choose energy efficient products, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently launched the WaterSense program. The WaterSense program establishes water-efficiency standards for appliances, and issues a label to help buyers choose high quality, water efficient products. Visit the WaterSense website at www.epa.gov/watersense/index.htm.
By making smart choices in how we consume water today, we will be able to ensure a steady supply of potable water for our great-grandchildren.
Daniele Loffreda, LEED AP, BPA, MBA, Principal, The Green Home Team. We help people make their home a ‘brighter’ shade of green. Whether you want to design and certify a new green home, make green renovations, improve your home’s performance, or buy and sell a green home, we can help. Visit our website at http://www.thegreenhometeam.com for more information on greener home choices.
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Top 7 Cars With Best Gas Mileage
By Mike Legg
When you are on the look out for a new (or even a new one) one of the most important things most people look for now are high MPG vehicles. With gas prices at an all time high and no sign of a drop anytime soon (if ever) cars with best gas mileage are at the top of the list of priorities.
I did some extensive research on the internet to find the top 7 cars with best gas mileage. The first thing that I noticed was that nearly every survey I found gave differing MPG readings, some of these differences where only 1 or 2 MPG but others where as much as 10 MPG. In the list of high MPG vehicles below I have used the most consistent of the research readings.
(Top 7 Cars with Best Gas Mileage)
7) Honda Fit. This is one of many mini sized cars now available on the American market. Although small it is well thought out and gives you some reasonable interior space. Driving around the city you should expect to get 30 MPG and this rises to 36 on the highway.
6) Mini Cooper. This is a fun car to drive and is really catching on on the American market. It has achieved cult status in many European countries where it has long been a favourite. It will give you 32 around town and 36 on the open road.
5) Toyota Camry Hybrid. With its 2.4 liter engine you can still expect to get a good 36 MPG for city driving and a little better on longer trips. This is fast becoming a best seller in America.
4) Honda Civic. Very popular in the smaller car range. Surprisingly roomy interior, great handling and excellent safety ratings. This car will give you 36 MPG around the city and a great 44 MPG on the highway.
3) Honda Civic Hybrid. If you like the Civic then you will love the Hybrid. Same excellent build and safety qualities but with a fantastic 48 MPG rising to over 50 MPG on those highway drives, making this one of the most popular high MPG vehicles.
2) Toyota Prius. Very affordably priced mid-sized car. With its 1.5 liter engine and practical styling this is a nice roomy car. The Prius will give you a whopping 60 MPG around town but is actually less economic on the highway, giving about 51 MPG.
1) Honda Insight. One of the smaller high MPG vehicles but still one of the top cars with best gas mileage. The Insight delivers a great 60 MPG around the city and a fantastic 66 or over on the longer drives, keeping it on the top of the list of cars with best gas mileage.
These then are the top 7 cars with beat gas mileage according to the most popular and accurate surveys that I found. There are many more high MPG vehicles being produced now, but if you are not in the market for a new car you may want to think about how to get more MPG for your own car. Visit my website to find out how to get more MPG and make some real gas mileage improvements.
Discover for yourself how to make real gas mileage improvements, get more MPG for your car and cut your gasoline consumption in half with simple Step-By-Step guides to show you how. CLICK HERE NOW http://www.MoreGasMPG.com/saveongas.html
Energy Saving Programmable Thermostats
By Aaron Simac
thermostat is simply a switch, it turns on a furnace/air conditioner. A programmable thermostat changes the parameters of the switching. Everyone understands that a furnace will run less if the temp is set lower, obviously reducing the amount of fuel used to maintain temperature. There are 4 types of programmable thermostats, 5-2, 7-day, adaptive, and evolution style.
1. 5-2 Refers to how the days are allocated for programming. The 5-2 is the most basic of the programmables. The days are are lumped together for programming mon-fri and Saturday/Sunday. The programming for a basic 5-2 allows for 4 change points throughout the day, wake, leave, return and bed. most folks have regular schedules through the week allowing for uniform changes of temperature. A sample day might be Mom waking up at 5:30 to start everyone on their day, so for the “wake” setting we would set the time at 5:15 and the temperature to 71 degrees. By 7:45 everyone is dressed fed and out the door so we could put the “leave” setting at 7:30 and 60 degrees. The kids begin getting home at 4:00 to the “return” setting set at 66 degrees. And finally bed time at 10:00, with the “bed” setting at 9:30 and 60 degrees. Saturday and Sunday will generally have a “wake” and “bed” setting. Don’t worry about catching the occasional chill all programmables that I’ve seen have an override function that allows change of temperature until the next scheduled program. Theses units are available at most home centers for about $30 and are very easy to change.
2. 7-day stats allow individual programming by day not week. These are great for anyone with a varying schedule in that it allows more control of the programming. Other than that it works just like the 5-2. Just plan on programming taking a little longer and spending about $75. Installation will be the same as a 5-2.
3. Adaptive recovery. These are installed and programmed the same as the 7-day. The difference is that the adaptive thermostat will “learn” your house and HVAC system. How? Simple with the 5-2 if you wake up at 5:30 and the stat changes at 5:30 your house will be 60 degrees. The adaptive unit will start the furnace in the middle of the night and raise your house temp one degree so it “learns” how long it will take to reach your “wake” setting. At 5:30 when you roll out of bed the house is where you want it. This is really nice during the hottest days of summer. Instead of coming home to a hot house with a struggling A/C you arrive to your desired temperature. Plan on spending about $125 for one.
4. Evolution style. Evolution is the Name Bryant gives its top of the line system. These are whole house controllers running temperature, humidity, and indoor air quality equipment. Carrier and Honeywell both make similar systems. These units are installed with all new equipment by dealers and are unavailable to homeowners at this time.
5. Savings. Estimating savings earned with programmables is difficult. I have heard as much as 3% per degree below 70 degrees which I find unlikely, and I have heard 3-4% total which is easy to believe. For about a $100 and an hours time even at the low end of the estimation programmable thermostats will have a quick payback. Aaron@onhomecomfort.com http://www.onhomecomfort.com
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Making Biodiesel at Home - Is it Safe to Use?
By Steve Manson
Biodiesel has certainly become quite the popular alternative fuel source for two reasons: (1) its usage brings forth a lot of advantages and benefits to enjoy, and (2) the process of creating biodiesel is very easy to perform. However, there are certain precautionary measures that you have to keep in mind when creating your own biodiesel and safety should be of utmost concern here, especially when it comes to the physical safety of your loved ones and yourself, of course.
The first thing that you should remember is to wear protective gear when creating homemade biodiesel. You have to remember that you are dealing with hazardous chemicals when creating homemade biodiesel so the proper protective gear should indeed be in order. Your gear should include protective gloves, eye protection, and an apron. Make sure to wear complete gear to avoid any untoward accidents involving hazardous chemicals. Methanol, for instance, cab be rapidly absorbed via the skin, and the worst part is that it can cause blindness, and even death. Sodium hydroxide, on the other hand, can also cause severe burns when mishandled. Methanol and sodium hydroxide are very much needed in the production of biodiesel because these form sodium methoxide when mixed together. Sodium methoxide is a key ingredient in the process of creating biodiesel, and this is a very caustic chemical that can easily cause fatalities when inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed via the skin. These chemicals are very much needed when you are considering creating your own biodiesel so you would have to handle them one way or another. The best thing to do here is to be extremely careful.
The second thing to remember is to cover as much skin as possible. Mishandling these chemicals can be fatal so it is highly recommended to keep yourself covered at all times. Wear a lab gown or overalls, for starters. You should even consider wearing an extra shirt for more protection. Also, go for high quality gloves instead of the regular latex gloves. The latter would simply dissolve should it come into contact with the chemicals needed in creating biodiesel. Thus, latex gloves would not really offer that much protection in the first place. Do not wear sandals or shorts, since these would not cover that much skin for starters as well.
Lastly, your workspace should have proper ventilation. This enables chemical fumes to escape, and you would not really want to inhale methanol vapors right into your system because this can be fatal as well. Unfortunately, biodiesel and safety when it comes to its production are not really on the same side of the equation so it is of utmost importance to be extra careful during the whole production process.
By Making Biodiesel At Home you can cut fuel cost, save on gas and the environment. Make sure to consult biodiesel specialists before you make that decision to switch.
For more Information on Making Your Own Biodiesel, CLICK HERE
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Comment by Frank O'Donnell
