There’s Solar Powered Apparel in Your Future

Posted by Guest on Mar 15, 2012 in Alternative Energy, Featured | 0 comments

The technological advancements towards the 21^st century have given us so many things to be thankful for. One of these is the rise of solar power which has become a part of our everyday lives. We are all familiar with the solar heated swimming pools and the solar-powered homes, aside from the very popular solar panels and solar-powered vehicles. These inventions have shown us the usefulness of the sustainable power from the sun which comes free. Unfortunately, many people still do not know how to utilize the sun’s energy for their benefits.

Indeed, there are certain difficulties in the operations of huge solar plants but these do not dampen the hopes of experts who continue to claim that the future of solar energy is very bright. The sun is the best source of clean and renewable energy. According to a few experts, the sun can produce around 10,000 as much energy as the Earth utilizes. In addition, the future of solar energy will largely depend on how it will be applied by the people, rather than the concern if it could supply enough energy to the world.

One of the most pressing issues facing solar energy is the space needed to build solar power plants. Since a solar plant is made of thousands of solar panels and it requires an area where it is constantly sunny, it will need a considerable amount of space.  Some experts recommend an area of approximately 100 miles or 160.9 kilometers per side to erect a solar plant that could generate power for the entire United States, and that is not a joke.

Aside from this serious concern, solar energy needs construction of new buildings and retro-fitting of older structures. This is because the buildings must be able to accommodate solar energy panels on their roofs. Old buildings may also require upgrades to be able to run purely on solar power. Environmentalists are hoping that the green-energy buildings will be spread by world governments via tax incentives and exemptions for using alternative sources of energy.

Currently, many of the greatest innovators in the world are focusing their funds and talents on the improvement of the alternative energy technology that could benefit the planet in the long run. In fact, the National Academy of Engineers (also known as NAE) gathered a group of talented engineers, inventors and scientists in 2006 to create a list of the challenges that they will likely face in the 21^st century. Furthermore, green companies are now introducing a variety of green gadgets that will help us lower down our energy bills. Expect to see more of these green devices in the future, and who knows we might actually be able to fully harness the power of the sun and make solar energy our main power source. This is not far from possible considering that years ago we never imagined that the internet will actually change our lives. So, I firmly believe that there is future in solar power.

Alternative Energy Solutions For Your Home

Posted by Guest on Mar 1, 2012 in Alternative Energy, Featured | 0 comments

High electric bills cause stress to homeowners because they pay for high costs for fuel and energy that they did not even use. Many people are now looking for alternative and renewable sources of energy to supply their homes with the important resource. Electric companies have bombarded the people’s minds with false ideas about energy, but in reality, harnessing the gifts of nature is easier than many may have imagined.

When done properly, alternative and renewable sources of energy can provide ample amounts to keep your appliances working. Here are some simple steps that you can follow to discover some viable energy solutions for your home.

• Before investing your money in renewable energy sources, you need to inspect your home. You can reduce energy use and save some money by changing the way you and your family use water and electricity. Make sure to turn the lights off and unplug the appliances when not in use. Also, fix faucets and pipes that have leaks.
• Ensure that your home is energy-efficient. Replace broken light bulbs with compact florescent light bulbs, install proper insulation, and weather-strip your windows and doors.
• After checking your house, you may start planning which alternative source of energy to use. You may also consult some experts to help you come up with a good energy saving plan for your home.
• Outdoor electrical usage is important and must be factored in when designing your house.
• You may opt to use solar panels, wind turbines and other types of renewable energy source depending on your area’s climate and your budget as well.
• Solar energy is considered to be the most popular and most commonly used energy source in the home energy market at present. You can use a solar panel kit because it is actually easier and cheaper to build than any other available alternative energy options. Solar power is capable of giving your home sufficient supply of electricity the whole year. It can be obtained even when it is not constantly sunny. This means that solar panels can still charge and harness the sun’s power even when it is cloudy.
• Windmill generators are rapidly becoming popular alternative energy option. For just less than $130, you can have your own energy generating electric windmill.

There are other potential sources of energy being studied at present to give people more options when it comes to alternative and renewable energy sources. All you need to do is assess your needs and capacities before selecting which one is capable of satisfying your home’s energy requirements.

Going Green With Your Digital Gear At Home

Posted by Guest on Feb 16, 2012 in Featured, Green Gadgets | 0 comments

Wanting to reduce your carbon footprint? Then you should seriously consider investing in green digital gears for your home. A number of green companies are now producing environment friendly gadgets that everyone will surely find useful. Some of the green digital gadgets that might interest you are as follows:

• Energy Efficient Device or Battery Chargers – Since a lot of the devices we use today run on batteries, it’s time that we look into the use of energy efficient chargers. There are a lot of choices in the market today when it comes to energy efficient battery or device chargers and they are sold in varying price ranges to fit all types of budget. If you are always on the go, then a portable in-car charger will surely come in handy. Those who own a laptop would be interested in a solar-powered laptop portable charger. This versatile power charger will give you instant power whenever it is needed, and best of all it is designed not to harm the environment.

• Solar Power Lights – A lot of homeowners these days are now switching to the use of solar powered lights, particularly the ones that are meant to be installed outdoors. Aside from the fact that they are powered by the sun, solar lights do not come with messy wirings, and thus, there is no complex installation required. In addition to that, they are now sold in many variants and most make use of LED bulbs which are much brighter compared to the typical bulbs we use today. More importantly, using these lights won’t rack up your energy bill.

• Heated Rubber Floor Mat – Made from recycled rubber, this floor mat is capable of emitting enough heat to warm your legs and feet. This environment friendly heated floor mat is made to be multi-functional, energy efficient and extremely comfortable.

• Wind Up Radio – It is always a good idea to have a radio at hand since this will definitely come in handy during emergency situations. Those who are member of the green movement will highly recommend the use of a wind up radio, which comes with a LED flashlight, AM/FM, and a weather-band reception. You can also take it with you on camping trips. The great thing about this radio is that you just have to wind it up for it to work. But it is also possible to run it on batteries if you are already tired of winding.

Apart from the digital gears mentioned in this article, there are a lot of other green gadgets being developed for home use. That said, going green should now be a breeze. By shifting to the use of green digital gadgets or home appliances, you are doing your part in saving our ailing Mother Earth.

Reducing Your Families Carbon Foot Print

Posted by Guest on Feb 2, 2012 in Energy Conservation, Featured | 0 comments

Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is blamed for the elevation of global warming, increase in the amount of greenhouse gases and worsening climate change. Several remedies have been made to reduce people’s carbon footprint all around the world but many still can’t afford new hybrid cars and solar panels. There is no need to worry about contributing to the accumulation of carbon dioxide because there are many simple and constructive ways to lessen your family’s carbon foot print sans the skyrocketing prices.

1. Purchase local and organic products - There is a great chance that the food was cultivated in an eco-friendly manner and they don’t need to be transported too far.
2. Veer away from bottled water - You may not know it but bottled water has a huge carbon footprint. Buy reusable water bottles for carrying your water instead.
3. Inspect the packages very carefully - When shopping, pay attention to the labels and packaging of products that you buy. Opt for the ones that use minimal packages. You may also take reusable bags every time you shop.
4. Ensure that your home is energy proof -This means that your house should be properly insulated and the windows are closed well to prevent your heating or cooling system from working too hard, a practice that can also keep your energy bill down. Also, use compact florescent bulbs in place of incandescent bulbs.
5. Use native plants for your landscaping project- Since these will not be transported that far, you can help conserve fuel and energy. In addition, these local plants can grow well in a familiar environment.
6. Try window shopping - If the shopaholic in you has been bothering you for quite some time now, why not window shop first before hitting the actual stores and stalls? This helps you ensure that you buy the things that you need and this also keeps you away from the temptation of impulse buying.
7. Unplug your appliances when not in use - Most electronics on a standby mode still consume energy even when you are not using them. Unplug them and you can dramatically lower your electric bill.
8. Stick to your car - Do not get easily enticed to buy hybrid cars because it may cost you a fortune. If your old car is still in good condition, keep it. You may also try some eco-friendly mode of transport such as walking, bicycling and many others.
9. Make sure to practice the Three R’s - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. By doing these, you are already doing your part to conserve the planet.

Different Ways of Collecting & Using Rainwater

Posted by Guest on Jan 19, 2012 in Featured, Rainwater Collection | 1 comment

At present, the ancient practice of harvesting rainwater has been revived due to the issue of fresh water supply shortage in the whole world. Since the population is consuming more water today, people are searching for alternate sources of fresh water. Rain is a very good alternate source because it is free and can be easily collected with the use of simple and complex harvesting mechanisms. Rainwater can be used for a variety of purposes such as irrigation, cleaning, washing of clothes and many more.

If you want to collect rainwater and store it for future use, you need to familiarize yourself with the different harvesting techniques used by people. Here are a few of the ways to harvest rainwater:

There are two primary techniques of harvesting rainwater—the recharge to ground water and the storage of rainwater on surface for future use. The former is a relatively new concept of rainwater harvesting while the latter is the more traditional technique that uses check dams, weirs, underground tanks, ponds and many more. On the other hand, the recharge to groundwater technique uses the following structures:

• Trenches - Constructed when a permeable stream is available at a shallow distance. A trench may be 0.5 to 1 meter deep and 10 to 20 meters long depending on the amount of water. Then the trench is filled with materials that filter the water.
• Dug wells - These are used as recharge structures and the water must pass via filter media before letting it flow towards the dug well.
• Pits - These are constructed for recharging shallow aquifer. They are usually 1 to 2 meters wide and 3 meters deep and are filled with gravel, boulders and coarse sand.
• Hand pumps - Use for recharging the deep or shallow aquifers when water availability is limited. The water passes through the filter media placed inside.
• Recharge wells - These are 100-300meter in diameter and are constructed for recharging deeper aquifers.
• Lateral shafts with bore wells - Recharges the upper and deeper aquifers.
• Recharge shafts - Used for recharging shallow aquifer located below the clayey surface.
• Spreading technique - Used when permeable strata begins from the top.

Simple means of collecting rainwater include the following:

• Using barrels to catch water from a downspout.
• Tarps are installed from the roof and rainwater is collected at the bottom via the use of water containers.
• In the ancient times, people use coconut shells to harvest rainwater