Aug
29
“Green-powered homes” are those which utilize “green technologies”, such as solar power, geothermal power, solar-geothermal, wind and water generated electricity, and so on. These are just a few of the ways that we can rely on the environment around us for free energy, and truly, there are too many to discuss or go over in this short article… but what makes these resources so great, or “green”?
After all, aren’t we using the environment when we use fossil fuels? True, we are… or perhaps it would be better stated as, “we are using it up”. When we burn off fossil fuels, we are not using a readily renewable resource, and we are filling the environment with the byproducts of burning it off… smoke, smog, toxic ash, etc. – we just continue to keep adding to the carbon footprint that we’ve already scorched into our planet so far. This is why we need more green-powered homes in the world today… using the above-mentioned green technologies, there are no emissions produced, and the resources are always constantly renewable.
This is also often called “sustainable technology”… it takes from what is constantly given by the environment without depleting anything (the resource is constantly renewable, such as in the case of sunlight on photovoltaic cells, or “solar panels”), and it leaves the environment unchanged (again, in the case of solar power, you are not taxing the sun of it’s energy, and the sun does not get drained of power). This is what makes these technologies green, and what makes green-powered homes so beneficial to the environment, to our wallets and to us all.
If you’re interested in learning more about Green Powered Homes and other things related to alternative energy, then you’ve got to check out the EcoPlusHome project.
The EcoPlusHome is a prefabricated home powered by alternative energies like solar thermal, geothermal and photovoltaic. Bryan and his family will show the world that it is possible to live self sustained for a 12 month period by showcasing their journey living in the EcoPlusHome on their blog.
Bryan and his family welcome you to join their journey to self sufficiency on their blog http://ecoplushome.com/blog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Kenny
Aug
23
In order to reduce the home insulation the house must be constructed that the amount of energy generated from the house is the amount consumed, consequently the energy spent will be zero. When doing this also make certain that you reduce your carbon footprint as well as your impact to the environment. Taking these types of steps will make you reduce or zero your home insulation.
Buy energy-efficient air conditioning systems, heating and ventilation. As stated by the professionals, the HVAC system will reduce the energy by close to 80%. This may assist in saving the environment as well as your pocket. Set up light colored materials on the roof for the summer season so that the warmth retained in the house is reduced and this will automatically reduce the cooling of the house. Purchase products which are rated by the energy star. These types of products conserve energy when you are not using the product and will also save your bills.
You can also set up solar panels on the roof top to generate free electrical power for your home. The electrical power generated from these will be free as well as eco friendly. You can also set up a Photovoltaic energy system. These function in the same way as the solar panels. The photovoltaic energy is gathered as a direct electrical current and delivered to the power grid for storage and later use. The extra electrical power is actually sent back to the company and you will end up being provided with the energy credits on the bill. Set up a programmable thermostat so that your heat or the AC is switched off automatically whenever you leave. The CFL bulbs really should be put into use for lighting the house.
Aug
19
There are two different kinds of wind turbine; Vertical as well as Horizontal. Each one performs their own own function and they each have their own advantages as well as their disadvantages. You really should choose the one that is ideal with regard to you and your requirements. They do possess one thing in common and that is that they generate power from winds. They simply perform this in a different way. Vertical axis turbine has the primary rotor shaft running vertically rather than horizontally. This direction may have it’s advantages as well as disadvantages. The advantage is the gearbox can end up being placed in the bottom of the turbine, unlike the horizontal turbines. All the actual weight is not at the top of the structure.
It also does not really need to be pointed in the direction of the wind. The drawbacks associated with vertical axis wind turbines is that there can be pulsating torques which can occur during each turn whenever the turbine is operating in the same direction as the wind. They produce a lesser amount of energy from the wind.
Different Kinds of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
Windmill with a rotation sail. This particular type of turbine is the most recent out there because it looks like sails on a ship once it is up and running. The sails can expand or contract to the changing winds. Generally there are three sails on it and the speed is managed via a magnetic counter that expands or contracts these vertical sails. It has a control device which will help to control the sails so the damage will be minimal. The sails may tear, however, the frame is durable and will last through the storms.
Aerodynamic turbine is made up of airfoil base that is designed in order to capture the actual kinetic energy flowing from an artificial current to the center. This may make use of the majority of of the air mass that passes through by redirecting it over the upper turbines. It can respond to wind as well as rivers, creeks, oceans or other free flowing water systems.
Darrieus Wind Turbines tend to be efficient but as a result of their size and shape they can produce cyclic stress upon the tower that can wear it out faster. It features three blades that function effectively in higher winds. They are held up by external structures that are connected from the ground up.
Giromill is a type of mill that features three vertical blades. It is self starting therefore the maintenance is low. These types of mills are low blade speed however they can create increased overall performance and success in channeling the energy from each and every turn of the blade.
Savonius Wind Turbine mills possess two scoops which are used for wind conversion. Some do come in three scoops that help to make it self starting. They look more like long helicopter blades which are bent in a direction. This particular style and shape is to supply sufficient power to be adequate.
Windstar Turbines have straight aluminum blades that are fastened on each end of the rotating shaft. This particular windmill features more than one rotor and they each have their own dual braking system which has pneumatically-driven disc brakes. They are designed with regard to strong powerful winds.
The advantages to operating a vertical axis wind generator is that they tend to be less difficult to maintain as well as reducing costs, can withstand almost all wind,low or high,and are smaller and easier to transport. The disadvantages are they take twice as much time to generate efficient energy from winds, need to be installed on flat land, low starting torque, a number of versions utilize guyed wires which may add stress to the bottom. The design and the preference of the consumer make the best choice when it comes to choosing the right one for you.
Aug
18
When it Comes to Fuel Efficient Cars, There are Clearly Choices for Every Taste and Need
If you are in the process of researching your next car purchase, the fuel prices are an important consideration. In the long term, it is not going to fall back to much less than it is now on a sustained basis. While high gas prices hurt the wallet, thay do also have their fuel guage $benefits. As individuals, we’re now turning to more cars with the best gas mileage because we can no longer afford to treat fuel consumption as irrelevant. As a society, this has positive consequences. we’re making better use of a limited resource – oil – and we’re pumping less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, an essential first step if global warming is to be alleviated. If you have one or more kids and you’re looking for the best gas mileage suv, don’t assume that only the traditional big American Ford or Chevrolet, or large 4WD wagon, can do the job.
It will, of course, but there are now many small car models with great gas mileage which can give you the features, safety and space you want, yet can also get better gas mileage in everyday suburban driving. Small car design has in recent years focussed on maximising interior space within a relatively compact exterior. a trend which originated in Europe, where high gas prices have for decades seen the majority of families purchase four cylinder fuel efficient cars.
The Economics of a Diesel Car
The economics of diesel fuel economy are irresistable when it comes to big 4WD wagons, but they are still somewhat problematic in smaller cars. This is because diesel costs slightly more per gallon than regular unleaded. The cars themselves also carry a price premium over their petrol powered counterparts, usually several thousand dollars. Throw in the fact that small petrol engines,that are gas efficient, such as the ones we have been dealing with here, can come pretty close to matching the economy of a comparably sized diesel engine in city driving, and the cost/benefit analysis of diesel vs petrol is one which needs careful consideration.The more miles you drive, and the longer you intend keeping your car, the more the economics of diesel efficient cars makes sense, but both of these parameters need to be at the extreme and/or long term end of useage before, on a single cost basis alone, the diesel deal delivers significant vehicle fuel economy and savings.
The lesson for Automakers is this: Providing vehicles that appeal to customers in styling and performance with increased fuel economy is critical for those who want to gain an edge in today’s challenging market. Even when fuel prices are highest, 
people will want more than a fuel nozzle $little box with good fuel efficiency.
Even the buyers of the most economical SUV are sensitive to green issues,and improving fuel economy “says Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision’s automotive division, “Flex-fuel and hybrid options provide green choices to owners, which increases customer advocacy, retention and brings new buyers into the brand, even if the vehicle they finally purchase is not always the most economical car option.”
Behind The Numbers
From January to July, Strategic Vision surveyed 44,320 buyers who had bought new cars between September 2007 and March 2008. They responded to questions on value, such as price, quality, performance, capability, innovation and styling, and “green” factors, like emmissions control and fuel efficiency. Strategic Vision divided the cars into 20 classes and ranked the best fuel efficient car in each. A typical sample is 300 respondents, and a minimum of 75 was allowed for each vehicle segments that have a small number of buyers.These qualities are paramount to automakers struggling to deliver quality, wallet friendly vehicles. Though sales are down during the first eight months of the year, compared with the same time last year- overall car sales fell 11% and sales of SUVs were down 33.1%-there are buyers who still want luxury cars, SUVs and pickups because they like the performance, roominess and amenities those vehicles offer. Some may be snubbing trucks and sport utility vehicles in favor of fuel efficient, smaller cars. But when it comes to saving money over the long haul, a range of costs, from depreciation to maintenance to taxes to insurance has to be considered. This is specially important for a simple reason, small economic cars are not for everyone. In other words, when it comes to saving money on a car, size isn’t everything, and neither is sticker price.
“The sticker price is truly the tip of the iceberg”, says Christie Hyde, a spokesman for AAA, the consumer motor vehicle association. To find the least expensive to drive car with improved gas mileage in the class that suits your needs.
Some homework will need to be done as to what you’ll be spending your money on the instant you drive off the lot. Your purchasing decision could be quickly swayed by what is most important to you, be it fuel efficiency, depreciation or reliability. You should be able to figure out that the least expensive cars to drive over a five year period are indeed the small most efficient cars.
Tthose in the market for a hybrid want the latest and newest technology, not a car that’s a few years old. Because of the range of factors that go into considering a cars expense over the first few years of ownership, the rest of the list of least expensive cars to drive are too numerous to mention here. Some are gas efficient cars, some aren’t, some hold their value, some don’t. The best advice that can be given is do your research thoroughly.
Because so many other factors are at play as well, car buyers are best served thinking about their individual needs first and foremost. There is not much point in buying a cheap-to-drive car if it doesn’t fit everyone in your family. First, think about the type of car thats right for you , then start doing your homework. Finally, people are starting to understand how these costs work, and as the economy gets a little tighter, consumers are becoming smarter at looking at the total cost of ownership.
Aug
18
Wind Power technology involves transforming wind energy in to electrical power as a result of using wind turbines. Wind Energy or power from the wind is actually a clean energy resource which can be depended on for the long-term future. The home wind turbine produces dependable, cost-effective, pollution free power. It is very affordable, clean as well as sustainable. One wind turbine may be enough to generate electricity for a household. Due to the fact Wind Power generation is a source of energy that is non-polluting as well as renewable, wind generators produce power with out consuming fossil fuels, without putting out greenhouse gases or radioactive or harmful waste materials. Wind powered energy is actually one of the most effective methods in order to combat global warming.
One wind energy system may be adequate to generate sufficient electrical power for a household. The wind turbine is made up of three propeller-like blades known as a rotor. The rotor is attached to a tall tower that looks like a really tall pole, on average wind towers tend to be around 20m high. The simple reason why the tower is so tall is simply because winds are usually more powerful higher from the land wind speed researchsurface. The wind turbine generator captures the blowing wind to create power. The wind makes the rotor spin, as the rotor spins, the motion of the rotor blades spinning provides energy to the wind generator which creates power. The actual motion of the wind turbine rotating is known as kinetic energy, this energy is converted into electrical power.The electricity is produced by magnets moving past fixed coils of wire known as the stator. As the magnets pass the stator, Ac electrical power is produced. This is then transformed into Dc electricity that may be utilized in order to charge batteries that store the electrical energy or may also end up being fed into a grid interactive inverter for renewable Wind Power into the electricity grid.
Small wind turbines can possibly be set up on boats, caravans or on properties as wind generators. Having a residential wind generator is dependent entirely upon the amount of wind generated within your own region. The very first thing you have to do is to determine the actual average wind velocity in your area. The average wind speed really needs to be over 5m/s (18km per hour) in order to make setting up a wind turbine worth it. Best locations for wind wind power generatordriven generators or turbines are usually in the country, on farms, or on the coastline: generally anyplace away from built-up areas. The more structures around the Wind Power generators, the lesser amount of wind there is. Setting up a wind turbine is a big task which requires time however it can end up being a really cost effective method of creating power as long as the average wind speed is high enough.
In a number of instances, installing wind turbine power may be actually much better than installing solar panels simply because it can produce a bigger mass of the actual energy needed. The combination of both solar power and Wind Power production would certainly be the perfect scenario, cost permitting, to cover your entire power requirements for all seasons and climate conditions.
Aug
18
Given the increasing scarcity of fossil fuels, Alternative Energy, alternative fuel types and systems are being developed. The rising costs of energy, alternative fuels, Energy Alternatives and future energy sources are becoming increasingly important. Alternative Energy companies are constantly developing technology to provide alternate sources of energy for the future energy needs of a growing population. Alternative Energy and resources are sorted into six main groups:
* Solar Power or energy, electricity generation and heating
* Wind Power or energy, electricity generation
* Geothermal, electricity generation
* Tidal Power, electricity generation
* Hydroelectric, electricity generation
* Biomass Fuels, auto fuels and electricity generation
Solar: While solar energy is utilized mainly to heat homes and swimming pools,Solar Panels it is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative source of electricity for homeowners who want to become independant of the main power grid and for those in remote areas. A solar power system of the correct size can easily power the average home and any excess power generated can be fed back into the grid, reducing your power bill even further. It can also be used for recharging cars, running powerplants and powering space ships (it was used as backup power on Venture I and as power for Telstar, for example). Solar power is fast becoming one of the most popular alternative power sources. Energy consumption can be greatly reduced by the use of this free energy supply. This Alternative Energy solution can make you totally energy independent.
Wind: Energy is collected via windmills, or two hollow half-drum collectors, and turned into Alternative Energy power via turbines. This can then be stored in a battery system to be used for the household power needs. As with the solar power, any excess can then be fed back into the grid, from which homes and businesses, in turn, draw power for their daily needs.The original windmill was used for grinding grain or pumping water. These days electricity generation has become the principle application of the use of wind power . We now have large Wind Generatorsscale wind farms which are connected into the electrical grid which can provide electricity to locations that are isolated. Some experts consider wind power to be more environmentally friendly than many other energy sources, mainly electricity derived from fossil fuels as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The benefits of wind power are, it is clean, renewable, plentiful and widely distributed. Between 2000 and 2007 wind power increased more than five times on a global scale. Worldwide capacity of wind powered generators was 94.1 gigawatts at the end of 2007. According to 2007 data, wind produces only about 1% of the electricity use world wide. Denmark has approximately 19% of its power use generated by wind, 6% in Germany and the Replubic of Ireland and 9% in Portugal and spain.
Geothermal: While not practical on a large basis yet, geothermal energy works by tapping into the planet’s internal heat, which generates steam to run a steam turbine, again generating electricity that is stored until needed. It takes advantage of water which is heated by Geothermal Plantmagma that is lying close to the surface of the earth. The magma can be around 2000 deg F. This system will most likely only last 10′s of years before the rocks have been cooled. This type of energy is limited to a few areas around the western area of the U.S. and is a non renewable resource. The heat is best tapped at geothermal hotspots, since drilling deeply enough into the earth is costly.
Hydroelectric: Hydroelectric dams store and release water at high pressures. When the water is released, the kinetic energy generated is transferred onto turbine blades, and electricity is generated. Power obtained this way is some of the least Hydroelectric Schemeexpensive energy available, once you get beyond the initial up front costs. The judicious use of Alternative Energy resources can not only help meet the rising demand for usable energy, but as an Alternative Energy source, it can help lower its cost, and lower the impact to the planet.
Tidal Power: Currently tidal power is still not at the stage where it is economically viable. At the moment it requires 25 foot tides. In some confined estuaries and bays the difference between high and low tide can vary significantly. In the Bay of Fundy a pilot project was set up to take advantage of the huge difference in water heights. A turbine system was set up to take advantage of the rapid rushes of water both in and out of the bay. A relatively new technology, tidal stream generators draw energy from currents in much the same way as wind turbines.. The higher density of water, approximately 830 times the density of air,means that a single generator can provide significant power at low tidal velocities (compared with the speed of wind). Similar to wind power, selection of the location is very important for the tidal turbine. Tidal stream turbine systems need to be located in areas with fast currents where natural flows are concentrated between obstructions, such as the entrance to bays and rivers, around headlands, rocky points or between islands or other land masses. Tides can also be harnessed by using their natural motion to fill reservoirs. The energy in reservoirs is then discharged to a grid using turbines.
Biomass Energy: Another energy alternative source being developed is biofuel. The most common use of biomass is plant matter that is grown to produce biofuel and to generate electricity. Biomass is classed as a renewable fuel and it is sometimes called carbon nuetral, Biomass Farmthough its use can still contribute to global warming. The same amount of CO2 still enters the atmosphere when biomass fuel is used as a replacement for fossil fuels, however, when biomass is used for the production of energy it is still considered carbon nuetral or a reducer of greenhouse gasses because of the offset of methane gas that otherwise would have entered the atmosphere.
Research into energy alternatives is ongoing as the world becomes more dependent on Alternative Energy resources because our natural resources are not an unlimited supply. Energy management plans have been implemented in most countries to develop alternative forms of energy. Alternative Energy solutions will become available more easily in the near future as they are developed and they will eventually replace our natural energy resources. Alternative Energy funds are being made available for the further research of energy alternatives.
The Advantages of Energy Alternatives: The many advantages of the most popular Alternative Energy sources are:
Solar Power:
* It is clean and non polluting
* Can work in the sunniest parts of the world and often the poorest parts.
* It is a free renewable resource with an endless supply that belongs to no one
* It is a safe system
* It is modular therefore flexible and systems can be resized according to your needs
* Fits in well with other systems
* Solar power is an ideal system for remote areas where there is no infrastructure
Wind Energy:
* It is Safe if maintained properly
* Wind energy is a free renewable resource
* It is clean and non polluting
* Wind supply is plentiful
* Suitable for less sunny regions
* Simple technology
* Cheap electricity as compared to other sources
* It is an ideal system for developing or island nations where infrastructure is limited
Tidal Power:
* It is reliable, and more predictable than wind or solar systems, because of the regular cycle of rising and falling tides
* It is truly renewable, is free, non polluting and no waste is produced
* Economical in the long term, setup costs are high but maintenance costs are low.
* Efficiency, A tidal turbine can be up to 80% efficient in converting tidal energy into electricity that is usable.
Biomass fuel:
* Totally renewable source
* Low costs to produce
* As stated above, can help in reducing greenhouse gasses because of the offset from methane gas that would have entered the atmosphere
Aug
18
Renewable Energy is an energy supply that is generated from natural resources that are easily and naturally replenished. Scientists have identified several types of Renewable Energy: solar energy power, water energy, and renewable wind power. While they currently supply about 18% of the demand for energy production, there is a rise in demand for these renewable resources, especially as non-renewable forms of energy sources grow scarcer and more costly. Further, governments all over the world are turning to Renewable Energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which are a major contributor to global warming. Biofuels: Are agriculturally-produced fuels that can be burned in an internal combustion engine or a boiler to produce energy. They are created by utilizing renewable biomass energy, which are things grown for use either directly as biomass fuels or in producing liquid biofuels.
A Short Video On Renewable Energy
* Geothermal: Geothermal energy is obtained from the heat of the planet itself. There are several ways of obtaining this clean energy, which is used for heating houses.
* Hydro Power: Hydro power can be harnassed through many forms, such as tidal power, wave power, and ocean thermal energy conversion.
* Solar Power: Solar energy is collected from sunlight then used to generate electricity to heat buildings, cook, heat water, or heat and cool air.
* Wind Power: Renewable Wind Energy is harnessed by turbines, gathered in wind farms in offshore and high-altitude sites. Because mass production reduces the cost to the consumer, the increasing use of these Renewable Energy resources will decrease the cost of electricity, as will the further development of the renewable technologies to harness them. Further, government incentives will continue to drive customers to shift to renewable energy.
A Look at Biomass and Biofuels
Biomass is a material derived from recently living organisms, which include plants, animals and their by-products. For example, sources of biomass are crop residues, garden waste and manure. Biomass fuels are a renewable energy source which is based on the carbon cycle, unlike other natural resources like coal, nuclear fuels and petroleum.
Biofuel is derived from recently dead biological material and is defined as a solid, liquid or gas fuel and is different from fossil fuels which come from long dead biological matter. The most common sources of biofuels are photosynthetic plants, though theoretically,biofuels can be produced from any (biological) carbon source. Biofuel can be manufactured from various plants and plant derived materials. The most common uses for biofuels are power for vehicles and cooking stoves and the biofuels industries are expanding in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
A persistent and unavoidable pollutant, animal waste, is produced primarily by the animals housed in large farms. Researchers from WashingtonUniversity have developed a way to turn manure into biomass fuel. Using imaging technology they noticed that vigorous mixing helps microorganisms turn farm waste into alternative energy, which will provide farmers with a simple way to treat their waste and convert it into renewable energy sources.
Aug
18
Recycling of our used materials and waste products is becoming a normal part of our daily lives. Recycling reduces landfill waste and saves our natural resources. Wherever we go these days we seem to hear the term Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Do you know how much waste you Recycling Logomake each year? You and every other American contribute approximately 1.1 ton of waste every year, usually a mixture of household garbage and industrial waste which is created by the things we use or buy every day.
One of the major problems is finding new sites for refuse tips for our waste, it is becoming more difficult and expensive to find suitable sites and is becoming a major issue for the Government and the community. We can cut waste by up to 50% if we can minimise it by reducing and avoiding waste, reusing and Recycling. This percentage can even be higher if we compost. One other benefit of reducing waste is that it also reduces litter, a major problem in itself. We must remember that everything we drop can eventually find its way onto roads, beaches, into waterways, bushland and parks through the stormwater system.
The Three R’s
Reduce
Avoid Waste by looking for different ways of production and use of goods that can help stop waste being generated.
Reduce Waste by choosing products that have minimal packaging and that can be used productively and recycled in your area.
Re-use
Re-use packaging, containers and waste products where possible.
Recycle
Recycle our waste materials into useable products or materials to produce new products.
There are some wastes that can’t be avoided, re-used or recycled.
This type of waste must be treated to make it less hazardous or the volume of the hazardous component must be reduced. It then needs to be disposed of safely.
Reduce
If you want to help our environment, the most effective way is to reduce your waste before it becomes rubbish.
* Buy in bulk where possible and try not to buy more than you can use.
* Choose products that have less packaging.
* Choose only those products that have recyclable or reusable packaging.
* Buy goods that are of a high quality and that will last.
* Carry reusable shopping bags or boxes.
* Re-use all types of containers and plastic bags if possible over and over again.
* Say no to unnecessary packaging and plastic bags.
* We must encourage manufacturers to play their part, it starts with them.
* Become more informed about the environmental impact of the products you buy and use. Search for better alternatives if you are not entirely satisfied.
Buy Recycled goods where possible
When you buy goods that are recycled , they have already saved raw materials and resources and have helped reduce the overall quantity of waste. Keep in mind that recyclable means the product is capable of being recycled and recycled means that the product is made partially or wholly from recycled materials. recycle bins
Re-use
* Use plastic bags, aluminum foil, jars and glass bottles and take away food containers over and over again, then recycle or dispose of them.
* When you shop look for products in refillable or recyclable packaging and products that are reusable.
* Pack your lunch in a reusable container rather than in disposable wrappings.
* In the stationery department use both sides of the paper and re-use your envelopes.
* Make enquiries as to whether goods can be repaired rather than replacing them.
* If you have unwanted furniture, whitegoods or clothing, donate them to charities.
* Holding a garage sale is a another good way of re-using products, remember one mans trash is another mans treasure.
* Buy and use rechargable batteries instead of single use batteries, but remember to ask your local authority about disposing of the used ones properly.
* If you own a car, use retreaded tyres if they are appropriate to your driving conditions.
Recycle
Recycling recovers the materials that are used in the home or in industry for further uses. You should try to reduce and re-use before you recycle.
Why should we recycle?
Among the many benefits, Recycling has environmental, social and economic advantages.paper recycling
* Recycling plays a large part towards saving our natural resources.
* A product that is made of recycled ingredients quite often uses much less energy than is used in producing the same product from raw materials.
* Recycling conserves the raw materials that are used in industry.
* Recycling helps prevent environmental pollution.
* Recycled goods are used in a productive manner and prevented from becoming garbage and unsightly litter.
* Recycling greatly reduces the amount of waste material that is dumped in landfill sites and helps our problem of waste disposal.
* Recycling also generates environmental awareness and a sense of civic pride.
How do I recycle?
Recycling is much easier than you think, once you know how. The first step is to find out what recycling facilities are in your area by calling your local authority. Your area may have a kerbside collection service, or a community drop off system. With the kerbside collection service you place your recyclable materials out on the footpath for collection, usually on a set day, much the same as your normal garbage collection. You may be provided with a recycling container by your local authority and they will tell you what can and cannot be placed out for collection. The usual items that can be collected include PET plastic softdrink bottles, plastic milk and detergent bottles, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars. Milk and fruit juice cartons, paper, light cardboard, newspapers and junk mail are also some of the items that can possibly be put out for the kerbside collection. If you wish to take your recyclables to a community drop off center, it takes a little more effort on your part. The recyclables need to be stored at home until you are ready to take them to the drop off center. To help in the prevention of litter you must remember to take your bags and boxes home with you after you papar &have dropped off your recyclables. Try not to mix any non recyclables with the recyclables.
What can be recycled?
It is possible to recycle most items, but there has to be a market for the finished products. A good rule of thumb is to only buy products that will foster the recycled market.
Aug
18
Home Insulation is generally the best way to enhance the level of comfort over summer and winter. It can help you to save money by decreasing the amount of power required to keep your home warm or cool.
Loose Fiberglass
Types of Energy Efficient Home Insulation
There are basically Seven types of insulation. ·
1. Bulk insulation – such as loose fibreglass insulation,which use trapped pockets of still air within the product as a physical barrier to reduce the flow of heat.
Foil Insulation
2. Reflective foil insulation – this type works by reflecting heat away while absorbing and emitting only small amounts of heat. To work best the foil insulationreflective surface should stay shiny and as well there should be a still air space of at least 20mm between itself and the adjacent surface (ceiling or wall) foil insulation is particularly effective for roof insulation in summer as it has a high resistance to heat flow down into the home. This allows your home to cool more quickly after the sun has gone down.
Mineral
3. Mineral Wool Insulation – the correct name for fibreglass home insulation is glass wool.Mineral Wool Insulation This is mainly available as fiberglass batts and blankets that can be used for ceiling insulation and wall insulation. It is made from spun fibres of molten glass.
Rockwool
4. Rockwool – this insulation is made from the spun fibres of molten volcanic Rockwool insulationrock and also comes in batts and blankets. Rockwool insulation can also come in loose-fill form and is usually denser than glass wool which when installed to the same thickness allows it to offer better insulation and noise absorption. Both of these are resistant to fire and insect attack.
5. Blown Cellulose insulation is made from pulverised recycled paper. To make the
Blown Cellulose
material fire retardant a mix of borax and boric acid is added. This also helps to deter Cellulose insulationcockroaches and silverfish. Make sure your cellulose insulation meets the American Standard. Cellulose is mainly used as loose-fill ceiling insulation.
6. Sheep’s Wool insulation – this type is made from waste wool and is mainly sold as loose-fill ceiling insulation
Polyester Batts
7. Polyester insulation – this type is relatively new and comes in batts and Polyester insulationblankets. Other materials – that are available include polyurethane insulation, polystyrene foam insulation, mineral loose-fill granulates such as Perlite insulation and Vermiculite insulation. There is also a reflective aluminum foil insulation and combinations of different materials such as Fiberglass battswool/polyester batts and blankets or fibreglass batts with reflective foil on one side.
Spray In Insulation
There are other types of Home Insulation products on the market, but we are dealing with the most common types that would ordinarily be used in domestic situations such as in your home or office.
Key Steps To Insulation · Match the type of insulation and its material to the application and space available · Make sure that the insulation “R” value is appropriate for your application · Ensure that your home is adequately ventilated and that windows have appropriate external shading. By having thermal Home Insulation installed you can reduce the required size of any heating and air conditioning units that you have to buy. This will save you money with the initial purchase cost and the Home Insulation will keep the running costs down because the units will not have to work as hard to do the required job. One thing to consider is that the house insulation energy efficiency may not be effective in houses with large areas of unshaded windows, especially if your house is not well ventilated.
Various Insulation Types
What is the “R” value? · The insulation r value is the most important aspect of choosing and installing insulation. It is the measure of the product’s resistance to heat transfer and is a guide to its performance as a heat insulation. · The higher the “R” value, the more effective is the house insulation in reducing heat flow in or out of your home. · For bulk insulation, suppliers generally quote an “R” value of the insulation itself that is added to the ceiling or wall · For reflective foil insulation, the quoted “R” value refers to the total resistance of the structure (roof or wall) after the insulation material has been installed by the insulation contractors. This accounts for the resistance of any ‘air gaps’, roof and ceiling materials and how the insulation is installed. As a guide your ceiling insulation should generally have a minimum “R” value rating of 2.5 and your walls should have an “R” of 1 to 1.5
Some Useful Information · Full new Home Insulation (ceiling, walls and floor) can only be done at the time of construction · Up to 42% of your homes heat is transferred through the ceiling and 25% through external walls
Insulating Paint Products
These insulating paints have a special additive, a fine, white powder which is a blend of high strength ceramic microspheres. These ceramic microspheres are very small, about the same size as a single grain of flour. All the gas has been removed from the microspheres creating a vacuum. According to the law of physics nothing can move by conduction through a vacuum, as it represents an absence of matter. Therefore, we now have a microscopic hollow vacuum sphere that will resist thermal conductivity and reduce sound transfer.
This fine powder is mixed with paint and when applied the painted surface then dries to a layer of hard tightly packed hollow microspheres that reflects and dissipates any heat by minimizing the heat transfer path. 90% of solar infrared rays and 85% of ultra violet rays are radiated back into the atmosphere. The insulating additive is completely inert and can be mixed into any paint, including exterior house paint, interior house paint, high temperature paint, urethane, epoxy and solvent based coatings etc.
Added Benefits of Insulating Paints:
* They have longer lasting durability which means painting less often.
* Environmentally Friendly
* Non Toxic and Fire Resistant
* Reduces Heat and Cooling loss
* Helps Deaden Sound
* Exceptional stain resistance
* Resists mold and mildew, corrosion and abrasion
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Lately it seems that everyone is talking about Green Products. What makes a product green? How does green differ from organic? A Green Product is not only environmentally friendly, but it is socially responsible, and provides a sustainable environment. This means they are not only respectful of the places and people who provide them, but also of those that use them. Green environmentally friendly products utilize fewer resources in their production, and/or have a longer llifecycle, and/or are biodegradeable. Organic eco friendly products are made of natural ingredients, but may utilize production methods that are less than environmentally friendly.
Why do people want to use Green Products? Because it gives them the feeling that they are doing something to contribute to the welfare of both themselves and the planet. Using Green Products is a step on the path to sustainability, which is an ideal that puts quality of life over Green Products standard of living.
Businesses are discovering many incentives to produce Green Products. First and foremost is that the demand for Green Products is increasing as more and more consumers become concerned about the environment. Second, the production of Green Products can enhance a company’s reputation as a socially responsible orgnization, benefitting both consumers and stockholders.
Third, governments are offering more and more incentives, such as OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program. This program allows companies with ongoing OSHA-approved safety programs to not have regular inspections by OSHA. Fourth, environmentally friendly organizations often receive substantial tax-breaks, or can sell patents for newly developed production technologies. If you shop carefrully, you can find green sustainable products that will help make a real difference in preserving our green environment, and will go a long way towards advancing the goal of sustainability.
Learn How to Live Green
Green products!can be defined as those that are less damaging for the environment and/or human health than competing products that serve the same purpose. Green Products can be categorised into the following areas:
* Water saving
* Energy saving
* Recycled products
* Low toxicity
* Sustainable
* Environmentally friendly
* Earth green products
* Eco products
The purchasing of Green Products is based on the single premise that every product purchased has an impact on our environment. The journey towards best practice environmental Think Green Productspurchasing begins when you or your organisation takes that first step towards buying Green Products and recycling waste, and the ripples are far reaching.This can be achieved by looking at the environmental impacts of one or more of the following aspects of the products or services such as:
* Source of raw materials
* Production & manufacturing
* Potential for reuse or recycling
* Operation
* Packaging
* Distribution
* Maintenance and/or
* Disposal of the product
Think about giving your children a “green” start to life. The many ” green” alternative products available these days are more than enough to satisfy any environmentally conscious parent. From toys to clothes to nappies and organic baby products, you will find that the range of products now available is amazing, and there are many companies spread across America that are willing to help you find that green alternative. The fact is we can all be a little greener in our day to day lives by applying green thinking to our daily routine and household items and this is the easiest way to make a positive change. The amount of Green Products and services that are available is amazing. A common misconception is that cleaning products have to be packed with strong chemicals to be effective. Many of the green cleaning products on the Green Cleaning Productsmarket are not only excellent cleaners, but are made of 100% non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients.
Green Clean
They will work just as well as the others, without the detrimental health effects.There is plenty of advice and products to be found from simply changing to water efficient shower heads to building your own organic vegetable garden. Organic gardens produce some of the freshest and tastiest food, from vegetables to fruit to herbs and medicinal plants.The taste and health benefits you get from organic produce cannot be beaten.
The purchase of green and ethical clothing can also aid in helping reduce the amount of unsustainable and environmentally devastating materials reaching millions of homes everyday. Ethical fashion can be explained as an approach to the design, sourcing and manufacture of clothing which is both socially and environmentally conscious and sustainable.The range varies from organic baby clothing and organic cotton clothing to hemp clothing. 
Organic clothing is not Organically Grown cottonmanufactured using man made solutions, chemicals, pesticides or animal dips. When you buy green you are buying quality and a much healthier option when you buy natural and organic clothing, not to mention that natural and organic clothing significantly reduces the impact on the environment and promotes sustainability.
The building industry is fast becoming aware of the need for green building design. Manufacturers of green building materials are now realising what a huge market it is to supply green building products for the construction and house building sector. Green building supplies are an eco friendly product usually manufactured from a renewable resource.
Also when you are going on holidays doesn’t mean you have to give up being green. Many green options for travel, holiday destinations and holiday activities are available. You may even want to make being green the main focus of your holiday or travel, visit an eco-resort to learn more about having a green life or go on a volunteering travel mission.
Green Recycling
Recycling is becoming an important and necessary part of our everyday lives. The recycling process turns used materials into new Green Products in order to prevent the waste of potentially useful materials. The benefits of recycling include the reduction of the consumption of raw materials, the reduction of energy usage, air pollution (from incineration ) and water pollution (from landfilling) by reducing the need for conventional waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gases as compared to virgin production. Recycling is the third component of the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” waste hierarchy and is a key component of modern waste management.
Materials to be recycled are either brought to a collection center or picked up from the kerbside. They are then sorted, cleaned, and reprocessed into new materials bound for remanufacturing. The types of materials suitable include:
* Recycled paper
* Recycled cardboard
* Recycled glass
* Recycled plastic
* Recycled wood
* Recycled waste
* Recycled cans
* Recycled aluminum
* Recycled computers
* Recycled cell phones
* Recycled metals
* Recycled clothing
* Recycled appliances
These are just a sample of the more common materials able to be recycled and made into Green Products.
Although similar in effect, the composting or other reuse of biodegradable waste – such as food or garden waste – is not normally considered recycling. In a strict sense, recycling of a particular material would produce a fresh supply of the same material, for example used foamed polystyrene to more new polystyrene, or used paper to more new Paper Recyclingpaper. Unfortunately this is often too expensive or difficult ( compared with producing the same product from raw materials ),therefore recycling of many materials or products involves their reuse in producing different materials ( eg: cardboard ) instead. Critics of recycling claim that it often wastes more resources than it saves, especially in cases where it is mandated by government. Note here that municipal recycling may nevertheless still be worthwhile if the net cost is less than the landfill or other disposal costs for the same amount of material.
