The Dawg Blog

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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How to Make Solar Panels - Making Your Own Solar Panel at Home
By Bea Alonzo
Solar panels are available in the market today, which are made of high quality and processed silicon. However, plenty of people are now looking on how to make solar panels for their own projects, residential or home use, and is ideally suited to a small household.

Is it difficult to make solar panels?

Solar panels can be easily made at home by making use of diy (do it yourself) homemade solar panel guides, which are available on the internet today, or making use of kits which are easily available at electrical stores nowadays. Those who have prior experience in fixing up electrical equipments at home will find this task of making their own solar power panel at home extremely easy, although if you have a good guide, then there should be no problem.

If you already have solar cells :

The first and foremost requirement is to make use of photovoltaic cells. These cells are extremely light in weight, and are easy to transport from one place to the other.

You then need to choose on where you plan to make the solar panels and install it. Ideally, the backyard, garden of the house, or a flat rooftop are the correct places to install the solar panels, because they are the places that can receive the largest amount of sunlight available.

When you have chosen the right location, you can then start with the process to make solar panels. First, place the photovoltaic cells on the floor of the roof, garden, or the backyard, or whichever place you have chosen in making your own solar panel. These cells needs to be stacked one after the other in a horizontal arrangement, and should be installed at such an angle from the sun that it will be able to capture the maximum amount of sunlight and store it inside.

How do I get started in making a solar cell?

A solar cell makes up a solar power panel, so you need to know on how to make a solar cell. The required components in making your own solar panel are :

- sheet of copper
- two alligator clip leads
- a micro-meter that is sensitive enough to read currents between 10-15 micro-amperes
- an electric stove
- table salt, tap water, sand paper, and sheet metal shears

Now you need to cut a piece of the copper sheet with the exact size that of your electric stove. Thoroughly clean the copper sheet for any possible traces of sulphide or other corrosion.

Heat it on the burner and when it gets red-hot, the copper sheet will undergo color changes from pinking red to brown, and finally becoming a thick layer of black coat over it.

Then the stove and the copper sheet should be cooled off gradually. A layer of soft red cuprous oxide will be left over the copper sheet. Resist the temptation of removing all the black spots since this may damage the red cuprous oxide which is needed to make the solar cell work.

Then this sheet of copper should then be joined together with another sheet of copper of the same size. Use the alligator clips to join the two sheets together, and place it into a wide-mouthed jar or bottle. Ensure that the two sheets to not get in touch with each other. The copper sheet with red cuprous oxide should be connected to the negative terminal, and the clean copper sheet can be joined to the positive terminal. Saltwater should cover the bottom of the plates, but the clips of the two sheets at the top should be left dry.

The above procedures addresses the question on how to make solar panels at home. This can be used to generate electricity from the heat of the sun.

Now how does it do that?

The red cuprous oxide is a material type called a semiconductor. A semiconductor is an insulator, where electrons are bound tightly to their atoms and do not flow freely, and a conductor, where electricity can flow freely.

There is a gap in a semiconductor called a bandgap between the electrons that are bound tightly to the atom and the electrons that are farther from the atom which can conduct electricity and move freely. An electron must gain enough energy to move farther away from the nucleus outside of the this gap, since they can not stay inside the bandgap. And an electron outside that gap cannot lose a bit of energy and fall closer to the nucleus, and must lose enough energy to fall past the gap into the area where electrons are allowed.

When sunlight hits the cuprous oxide, it also hits the electrons. Some of these electrons gain enough energy to jump past the bandgap and become free to conduct electricity. These electrons then move into the saltwater, then into the clean copper sheet, into the wire, then through the meter, and then goes back to the red cuprous oxide sheet, and electricity is now generated. Now that you know on how to make solar panels, you can then make your home solar friendly, and cut your monthly electricity bills.

Do you know that plenty of people are now making their own solar panel for their home?

Go to http://www.FullEarth4EnergyReview.com to know more on the top step-by-step and friendly guide on making your own solar panel.

Reusable Bags Or Plastic Bags - The Choice is Yours
By Sam D’costa
One environmental alarm to the World…

The Americans throw almost 100 billion plastic bags every year, and only 1 to 3 percent is recycled.

The disadvantages of plastic bags

Plastic bags are not biodegradable. They clog waterways, spoil the landscape, and end up in landfills where they may take 1,000 years or more to break down into ever smaller particles that continue to pollute the soil and water.

Plastic bags pose a serious problem to the animal kingdom. Birds and marine creatures often mistake plastic bags for food. We lose thousands of marine animals as they die after swallowing or choking on discarded plastic bags. Also, production of plastic bags requires millions of gallons of petroleum that could be used for transportation.

The problem with plastic bags doesn’t begin when they become waste. Damage is also caused during their production. The bags are made from petroleum derivatives, which come from oil, a non-renewable fossil fuel. Their production causes air pollution from factories, along with all the other problems associated with the use of oil.

But you can switch to couple of things to help your environment:

1. Recycle your plastic bags: If you do end up using plastic bags now and then, be sure to recycle them. Many grocery stores now collect plastic bags for recycling.

2. Switch to reusable shopping/grocery bags: These reusable bags are made from renewable materials conserve resources by replacing paper and plastic bags. Reusable bags are convenient and come in a variety of sizes, styles and materials. When you are not using these bags, you can roll or fold them as they are small enough to fit easily into your pocket.
Nowadays, many stores, including grocery stores and book stores are selling reusable bags at the check out as an alternative to plastic bags. You can also find some “green” websites and stores that sell environment friendly reusable grocery bags.

Reusable bags are a growing trend, and rightly so. It is estimated that over 500 billion plastic bags are used by consumers worldwide each year and these plastic bags take thousands of years to decompose. As the plastic decomposes in landfills, it releases toxic particles which are absorbed into the ground and are carried into streams and rivers, poisoning fish and plants. The toxins also soak into agricultural land where they enter our food chain.

Reusable bags made from environmentally friendly resources such as cotton or other natural fibers can help reduce the impact of plastic on our environment. Choose your reusable grocery bags and let others know that you are doing your bit to help the environment.

Is the Cost of Going Green Worth It?
By Stephanie Foster
Many people have an image of going green as expensive. Hybrid cars cost more than regular cars. Solar panels are expensive.

Thank goodness there are more ways than that to go green!

One of the most important steps you can take to go green is to simply consume less. Go shopping less. Reuse and repurpose things as they get older. It can’t be expensive if you aren’t spending money on it, except maybe in time.

Some steps may cost a little more at first, such as making the switch from paper napkins and paper towels to cloth varieties of the same things. On the other hand, these can last for years, so you can save quite a bit in the long run. And that’s what you should ideally be thinking about.

Going green in the things you need to buy can save money too, or at least not cost extra. When it comes to cleaning products, for example, there are more and more green products coming out all the time, and many have similar prices to conventional products.

And for those who don’t mind a very small bit of extra time, products such as vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice can work wonders around the house. They’re also quite affordable and often do as well as conventional products. Sometimes you’ll need to put a little extra elbow grease into your scrubbing, but you can still get the job done.

Either of these solutions can keep toxins out of your home. That means that you may feel better, especially if you or anyone in your family has allergies.

Buying organic food is probably one of the most expensive things that you would do on a regular basis. I won’t argue that organic food is more expensive than conventionally grown., but you can offset this somewhat by growing your own. There’s a cost to getting started with a garden, but there are benefits beyond the fresh produce. You get exercise. You get to teach your children about where food comes from. It can be a lot of fun combined with frustration. There are few things as wonderful as fresh picked produce. The stuff in the grocery stores just cannot compete.

Reusable shopping bags are quite popular now. These don’t have to cost a fortune if you don’t mind having a store logo on them. Many sell them for just a dollar each. Sure it’s something you wouldn’t have had to buy otherwise, paper and plastic grocery bags being free, but you’re not spending much and cutting waste way down.

Energy efficient light bulbs may also seem expensive, but you need to keep some things in mind. First, that they will save you money over time. They use less energy and last longer. Second, that in many areas you can find them free or discounted by your local power company. I’ve often found them at about $1 per bulb. It’s not a bad deal at all.

http://www.greensahm.com/ is Stephanie Foster’s blog about trying to go green as a stay at home mom. For more tips on budget environmentalism, visit.

World Variations in Green Home Building
By Al Zan
Every day, it seems like citizens and governments all over the world are becoming increasingly aware of the need to conserve. And while America is focusing more on the environment than it used to (with its newly popular green home building initiatives in particular), the U.S. is still behind the times when it comes to conservation. Europe in particular has been leading the way in green home building and especially in energy conservation for many years.

Energy Conservation in Europe

Europe is at the forefront of the green movement, including green home design… and with good reason. Because on the continent, gasoline, natural gases, and energy costs significantly more than it does in America, and it has been that way for many years. Because of this, both individual Europeans and European governments are much more energy conscious than Americans. This is seen in European culture in a lot of ways.

A big thing that separates Europe from the U.S. in energy conservation is a massive network of railroads and other forms of public transport. In addition to mass transit in essentially every major European city, the continent also boasts a well utilized long distance passenger rail service. And even though there are plenty of individually owned vehicles in European countries, most cities in Europe boast a higher percentage of mass transit users (and bicycle riders) than the United States.

European energy consciousness is also visible in the way Europeans build their homes. In Europe (especially in larger cities), they use green home building in a very practical, widespread, and simplistic way. Most people residing in a large European city live in a much smaller space than the average U.S. home. In addition, most European houses, apartments, and businesses use simple green home building ideas to keep their spaces cool in summer instead of the air conditioning so common in the U.S. These include roll down screens, patio shading, double windows, and more.Green Home Building in America

To sum it up: in Europe, the people have been conscious of the need to switch off the lights when they are not using them for decades… because they needed to save money. In the U.S., people are just getting used to not seeing energy as something that will always be inexpensive and easily available, and are slowly developing a better instinct for conservation. This changing mindset is evidenced by the increasing popularity of green home building.

The green home building concepts being used in America revolve around simple ideas, such as less square footage, improved insulation, and smarter positioning to the sun, as well as the use of alternative energy sources like solar paneling. Green home building also incorporates more complex concepts, such as the use of sustainable materials and less harmful products, to protect the environment and conserve energy in the long run. America is a little behind, but with luck will start catching up to the standard set by Europe.

For more concerning green home building, see http://www.GreenHomeGuide.org