Monthly Archives: November 2009
Tips On Improving Your Energy Conservation At Home
With rising energy costs and depleting fossil fuels becoming more apparent, as well as the increased impact of global warming, many people are starting to look for ways to reduce energy usage.
Cleaning Up After Dinner: Save Time And Energy, Hand Washing Dishes Wastes Energy!
Energy efficient dishwashers can clean your dishes using less water and electricity than if you were to clean them yourself. That’s what efficiency experts claim. But is this really true? I didn’t think so until recently. I can clean the dinner dishes myself using about four liters of water, while energy saving dishwashers use around 4 gallons to a full load, plus all that electricity to heat the water and pump it around. I would like to share my techniques for cleaning dishes by hand using as little water and energy as possible. But remember that, for most people, energy saving dishwashers are a more efficient option than hand-washing, as long as you use the dishwasher properly. If you observe a typical North American clean dishes by hand, it’s easy to see why an efficient dishwasher beats washing by hand just about every time. Some people let the tap run continuously as they wash; some fill the sink with warm water and run cold water in the second sink for rinsing; some are constantly pumping dish soap into a sponge. When you add up all the energy that went into warming the water, manufacturing the dish soap, and even the energy for purifying and pumping the water to your home, it can wind up being a lot more energy than you would imagine. When people think about a dishwasher, they usually think of the electricity used to pump water around inside. They might think that they’ll save all that energy if they clean dishes themselves. In fact, pumping the water uses less energy than heating the water – only 20% of the total, compared to 80% for heating when you consider the heating that takes place in your hot water tank and in the dishwasher itself. You might think that hand-cleaning dishes would at least save you the remaining 20% of the energy used for pumping. But because people typically use much more water than ENERGY STAR dishwashers, the end result is more energy use in hand-washing than when using a good quality dishwasher. (Older models use up to twice as much hot water as newer dishwashers, so you might outperform that old goldenrod-colored 1970′s model!) Efficient dishwashers can clean dishes with a very small amount of water by doing two things you cannot do as a hand washer: Heating the water to 140F – because hot water is better at getting grease and food waste off dishes; and pumping the water at high pressure, which blasts food off your dishes more effectively than you can do with a scrub brush, using a very small amount of water to do so. Where ENERGY STAR dishwashers are not so energy efficient is where people sabotage the energy saving features of the appliance, by pre-rinsing, keeping their hot water tank temperature too high, using too heavy duty a cycle, making excessive use of the rinse-and-hold or heated-dry features, running the unit half empty, and using too much dishwasher detergent. It is possible to do better than a dishwasher in terms of energy consumption. Whether it’s worth the effort is another matter. Consider the fact that energy efficient dishwashers with an ENERGY STAR logo can do a full load for the energy equivalent of less than 1.55 kilowatt hours (kwh) of electricity (that includes both the energy for mechanical and heat). At a typical cost of ten cents per kwh, and assuming you wash the dishes using cold water, the most you would save is about a dollar for every six loads. And this is for a full dishwasher load – which is supposed to hold 6-8 complete place settings as well as 6 serving pieces. Assuming bread plate, dinner plate, bowl, cup and saucer, knife, fork and spoon, that’s about 72 items cleaned, so you’ll save about a cent for every five items if you wash by hand and use no energy. Let’s assume that you really do want to clean dishes yourself. I actually like washing dishes; it’s a good time for thinking, plus it cleans my fingernails! How can you wash dishes by hand using as little energy as possible? Here are my pointers: Never drain used water. After you’ve cleaned a load of dishes by hand, or rinsed vegetables, leave the water for later rinsing. Use this gray water to pre-rinse the dishes to remove most of the grease and other food residues. That way, when the time comes to clean, you won’t need as much water. Go easy on the tap. Run the water for short bursts, only when you really need water. Use aerators on your kitchen faucet. You can rinse dishes effectively while saving water using an aerator, which injects a stream of air into the water. Use cold or just lukewarm water. Where I live in Central America, no one washes dishes in hot water, but granted, the cold water tap is a balmy 70F. This just goes to show that you can, at the very least, wash in lukewarm rather than hot. Start with an inch of warm water. Wash dishes in that, and rinse in a second sink with cold water. Or stack the dishes on the counter after washing, and then rinse them all in cold after you finish the soap wash. Just like your mom taught you, start by washing the cleanest dishes – glasses, cups, cutlery, plates, leaving the dirty pots and pans for last. By following these techniques I can wash dishes from a meal for four people in less than a gallon of fresh water. But is it worth all the effort? And how many people can really outperform the efficiency of a well-built, energy saving dishwasher? If you think you can beat a new dishwasher, here’s convincing evidence that modern efficient dishwashers not only clean dishes using less energy, water and detergent than people do, but also get the dishes cleaner. A study in Germany asked over 100 subjects to clean 12 dinner place settings of dirty dishes. Each volunteer was left alone in a washing area and observed by camera; energy, water and detergent use were tracked. The dishes were then inspected for cleanliness using an international cleanliness standard. The same test was repeated with ENERGY STAR dishwashers. The efficient dishwashers consumed 15 liters of water and 1-2 kwh of energy to clean 12 place settings, while only two of the 113 hand-washers consumed less than 20 liters of hot water. (Over a third of the hand-washers consumed over 100 liters of water each!). However, 70 of those tested did manage to use no than 2 kwh of energy – including 27 who used 1 kwh or less. The way I read the results of this study, you can match the efficiency of ENERGY STAR dishwashers, or even be slightly more energy efficient. But the amount of energy saved is so small that it doesn’t justify the extra effort. The human hand-washers took at least 40 minutes to do the load, while the energy efficient dishwashers needed only a quarter hour of human work for loading, starting, and unloading the dishes. Considering that the US EPA/DOE rates dishwasher efficiency assuming 215 loads of dishes per year, a typical hand washer would be adding 25 x 215 minutes, or 89 hours of work to their year. That’s more than two weeks of 9-to-5 work out of your life! You are probably better off to save that effort and look at other things you can do to save energy. Just think how efficient your house would be if you devoted an extra 89 hours a year towards weather-stripping, sealing air leaks, and changing light bulbs to more energy saving lights. Or how much more relaxed you’ll be by using your dishwasher. You just gained two extra weeks of free time! Robin Green owns Green-Energy-Efficient-Homes.com, a website that helps people find ways to use less energy at home. For more on saving energy while washing dishes, see Energy efficient dishwashers on Green Energy Efficient Homes.
Wind Power for Irrigation
Because the world is trying to be more environmentally friendly and keep nonrenewable resources for a longer period of time, scientists have been trying to find new inventions for just about everything. One thing that they realized is that they can use wind power for various types of things. Wind power is used to power homes and now they are using it for irrigation. Wind power is a renewable resource that can never run out. Not only that but it’s friendly to the environment because it comes from nature and it is also free. Scientists around the world have been proposing many different options for harnessing wind power for irrigation. Two of the different options that they have come up with are to take advantage of mechanical energy that is extracted from the wind and input it into a mechanical pump. They would also use a flywheel so that it would serve the purpose of being a buffer and as storage unit for low wind periods. The second option that they have will utilize the mechanical output from the windmill so that it can generate electricity. The next step is that this electricity is then fed into an electrolysis cell so that it can produce hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas that is produced is then burned in an internal combustion engine which drives the pump. Extra hydrogen is saved and put in depleted natural gas wells so that they can use it during low wind periods. They have a back up plan in both of the cases for if the wind is not blowing. Using wind power for irrigation is a very good alternative to using diesel pumps and electricity pumps for irrigation. It can easily be adopted for rural areas in developing countries, just the initial start up costs maybe a little on the expensive side. However charitable donations from not for profit organizations can help with that. If you need more information on wind power for irrigation, please visit our website: http://windgeneratorstoday.com
What Are You Doing To Take Action On The Green Movement (besides Obvious)?
Besides the obvious, do you donate to organizations such as Organic Consumers Association (who are trying to battle the big corps), do you volunteer for such organizations? Do you put your money where it makes a point — such as buying organic food and non-food products to help shift the demand? Do you take action on sites such as change.org, signing petitions, creating petitions, making pledges? Do you cut down on consuming/buying, and attempt to reuse items you already have? Have you learned how to do things, like sew, or garden, or cook, that you didn’t do before to conserve?
Raising Baby Green
Are you looking to raise a “green baby“? While parents certainly don’t want to bring up a child with jaudice, there are a number of eco friendly options available when it comes to raising baby green. Babies have exceptionally sensitive skin and very delicate immune systems so baby items need to be selected with care. ?Most people understand that residues from everything you put onto skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream and may also be responsible for rashes or irritation,’ says Catherine Cervasio, founder of Aromababy. Petro chemically derived ingredients, such as mineral oil, are reported to reduce the skin’s ability to ?breathe’. Cervasio suggests less frequent bathing, less use of commercial products and a more natural approach to personal hygiene for babies and children. Organic and natural fabrics for clothing and bedding will expose baby to less harmful chemicals and dyes that could be potential allergens. Toys should also be made from natural materials such as wood and cloth. Plastics, while durable, are made from petrochemicals and can contain polyvinyl chloride which has been known to release potentially harmful fumes – you’d be amazed at just how much plastic your child is exposed to from birth. Food is another area where sustainable, organic choices can be made. First and foremost, breast milk is one of the most nutritious and environmentally friendly foods for baby – just consider the elimination of packaging and food miles. Andrew Radford, from the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, estimates that if every baby in the US was bottle-fed, almost 86,000 tonnes of tin plate would be required for 550 million discarded formula tins. Formula must also be heated up in plastic bottles, which of course, uses more energy and resources. ?A 3 month-old bottle-fed baby needs 1 litre of water a day for mixing feeds,’ Radford says. Most parents find that they become much ?cleaner’ and more conscious of germs when they have a young child. The temptation may be to bleach, sanitise and sterilise everything baby can get his hands on. Opt for natural cleaners such as bicarbonate soda and vinegar, they do an effective job and minimise the family’s exposure to harmful chemicals. By taking the extra steps to choose a greener and more sustainable lifestyle from day one, your child can get off on the right foot to being more aware and environmentally conscious. Eco minded parents are most likely to pass their values and principles down to their children. While it seems clich
What Appliances Or Electronics Can I Take Apart To Find A Good Dc Motor To Use In Wind Power Experiments?
I am wondering if I could pick up some piece of trash appliance or electronic gadget at a garage sale and pull a good DC motor out of it to use in experimental wind power projects. The motor would need to contain magnets, and generate a current at relatively low RPM. Do VCR’s or blenders or tape decks or vacuums or shavers or ??? have any good DC motors in them for this kind of application?
What To Konw About Ethanol Industry ? And The Result Of This Political Idea? Another State Plan ?
Each year in early October my grandfather summoned my entire family to come to his farm and harvest potatoes. Hunched over on all fours, each person quietly filled their buckets with these “earth apples.” Each year he used a different field for his crop. One year he would plant potatoes, the next year beets or wheat. The potato replaced the grain diet on the European continent. It became survival food, especially during the two World Wars. Dumplings, potato salad and mashed potatoes are only a few potato dishes found in a long list in the European cuisine. The easy adaptability of the potato to grow almost anywhere in the world can produce an annual crop of 322 million tons of potatoes. Many African countries greatly benefit from growing the potatoes because they make them more self-sufficient in their food production. In the age of nation building, stamping out of global warming, and driving for energy self-sufficiency, the new state appointed rival of the potato is maize, which is better known as corn – the yellow cob-born grain used in the production of ethanol fuel. As a blend with gasoline, biofuel powers automobiles and farm equipment. Its environmental friendly side effect is to reduce greenhouse gases, and some say it is the key to everlasting energy security in the future. Ethanol fuel production received its first stimulus after the Arab oil crisis in 1973. During 1978 the US federal government sealed the project with the Energy Tax Act authorizing tax exemptions by blending gasoline with 10 percent ethanol. A floodgate of free money opened up for farmers and ethanol producers as the energy and agricultural departments spent billions of dollars on subsidies. This year’s estimates are between $5.5 billion to $7.3 billion of our tax dollars to be handed out to corn growers. The incentives for farmers to grow corn in the US is not to meet the needs of a market that entails a healthy profit. Instead, they plant corn because they get paid to do so by a federal government interested in ethanol production. And as it turns out, producing ethanol is an expensive process. Archer Daniels Midland Corporation (ADM) out of Illinois, one of the largest producers of ethanol, received as much as $10 billion in subsidies between 1980 through 1997 along with favorable tax breaks costing taxpayers an average of $30 for every dollar ADM earns in profits. Add to that the $500 of federal and state subsidies it takes to reduce one metric ton of CO2-equivalent, one can literarily say that it is governments who heat up the globe by burning cash. This year corn production has already increased by 15 percent over last year. Even President Bush, not a green lover but excited about ethanol, is expecting that farmers will plant 90.5 millions of acres of corn in 2007 in order to meet the demands of ethanol production of 132 billion liters by 2017. Corn prices already went up by 50 percent. The average price per bushel of $1.95, which had held steady over the past eight years, jumped up to $3.05 in January of this year, and is expected to rise as high as $3.40. Corn is feedstock. It is consumed not only by humans but also by hogs, chickens and cattle. The drastic side-effect of higher corn prices is now reflected in the higher prices in the grocery store. The price of food went up 3.9 percent last year – faster than the inflation rate, which ranges around 2.7 in 2007. In particular, pork, beef, milk, eggs and poultry show drastic increases in their prices. So do fruits and vegetables. Considering that most people spend an average of 10 percent of their disposable income on food, higher prices in grocery reduces the spending on cars, homes or clothing. Health Nazis should also be concerned, since these higher prices drive people to cheaper processed foods that add to increased health risks in the poor segment of the population. The US Federal Government’s targeted goal is to replace gasoline with corn-based fuel as an alternative energy source. This has caught the attention of poorer countries. Mexico, for example, is gradually replacing agave, a spiky-leaved, large plant which grows on high and arid land and takes eight years to reach maturity, with corn. Agave is the main ingredient for Tequila. Mexico produced 25 to 35 percent less agave this year and farmers take less care of their agave crop in favor of higher corn prices. The World Food Program (WFP), which recently stated that it can no longer feed the poor due to the impact of biofuel demand on food prices, is foolishly encouraging African and Latin American countries to take advantage of the rising demand of biofuels by planting corn; a popular world practice that is now devastating 900 million of the world’s poorest which rely on the UN feeding program. It is quite clear that the state-inflated demand for corn is causing a global imbalance in food production. Farmers are replacing a variety of vegetables and fruits with corn due to the higher profit-per-acre corn brings. The two-year practice of crop rotation for corn drains the soil and requires more fertilizers on the following soybean crop. The additional cost ends up with the consumer. As food prices rise, it is the poor who suffer most from this inflated demand for biofuel. It is a burden that most people cannot afford as inflation keeps rising because of irresponsible spending and government debt. The federal budget for the fiscal year beginning this October called for $2.9 trillion dollars in government spending. It includes increases for all the various cabinet-level departments. Among them were a 5.4 percent increase for the Department of Energy and 3.6 percent increase for Agriculture. According to Richard M. Ebeling, President of The Freeman, the average US household would have to shell out approximately $25,845 in taxes to cover the budget. Include with it the US federal government’s pre-existing liabilities of several trillion, and the average US household would have to pay an additional $31,000 a year for 75 years to pay off the debt already incurred by government spending. How can an average income household cover the basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter when tax burdens already devour the wages of a lower income population? Poor people only become poorer as spending continues. Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ron Paul seems to be the only congressional member who understands the global effects of subsidies. During his second presidential debate the question came up about oil profits. His response was: “I don’t think the profits are the issue. The profits are okay if they’re legitimately earned in a free market. What I object to are subsidies to big corporations when we subsidize them and give them R&D (Research & Development) money. I don’t think that should be that way. They should take it out of the funds that they earn…” Here lies the answer to many of the energy questions. Let the private sector find a solution to new energy sources. Already technology advances at a rapid speed and its products remain ultimately competitive on the market where prices drop and become affordable to the average consumer. Just think of recent changes from VCRs and phonograph records to DVD’s and CD players, and the addition of cell phones and portable computers to modern life. All are now available at reasonable prices to low-income households. Industry continually comes up with new inventions that contribute highly to communication, organization and entertainment. The only sectors that remain high in cost with outrageous prices are sectors that are under government regulation and control: health care, medicine, education, housing, and now food prices. It would be a life-saving act of mercy to close these various departments of government, if people want to have a future for the next generation. The trouble caused on the global market by the federal government’s sponsored ethanol industry increasingly outweighs the good it does. The idea of sacrificing food production in the name of biofuel as a future source of energy is an irrational concept. The consequence of higher food prices due to corn production hasn’t come from consumer choice but from government coercion. If the demand for energy is increasing, and biofuel is the answer, then where will the world grow its food? The big believers in a government supported biofuel industry might have to prepare for another big tsunami to hit the shores of Third World countries and at home if this insanity isn’t stopped. Just don’t blame capitalism if and when it comes. July 21, 2007 Sabine Barnhart
Insider Going Green Energy Tips
Step one is to hire an energy auditor. We need to turn to the experts, to people who are best at it when we need something done. They could tell you about what is making you poorer by heating and cooling your home as well as other areas. If you are not sure where they are located then just run a google search. Perhaps you might consider looking up the yellow pages otherwise. These guys have got some high-tech tools which include infrared cameras, pressurizing fans, moisture meters and smoke blowers (or pencils). He might even get a brand new house fan fitted to the outside doorway. It creates pressure, holding out a smoke pencil could help you understanding where you are becoming poorer. He might want to use a moisture meter to figure out extra moist places of your house. High RH or Relative Humidity can make a home’s inhabitants feel uncomfortable and add to high energy costs. Second step is to find effective solutions. I have got a problem. You have found a guy to investigate it. Now is the time to fix it. Mostly he is going to suggest solutions. Sometimes you might be able to fix it yourself or at times you might need those experts to do it for you. It may be as simple as caulking gaps on the exterior of the homes siding with a good silicone sealant and adding insulative foam electric outlet sealers to go behind your home’s electrical outlet switch plates with plug in outlet covers to reduce drafts and air loss. Other more extensive energy saving features may aid in lowering fuel costs as well. Among these are adding attic insulation, Low E glass windows, high SEER HVAC system (13 or better), tankless water heater and Energy Star appliances. Couple example cases, this place had absolutely no insulation in the walls, though it did have a little insulation at the attic. On pier and beam with hardwood floors, there was no insulation underneath the home as well. On acting on the experts suggestion, believe it or not, the gas and electricity bills dropped down. It’s a perfect way to check your energy efficiency. This expert is going to help you determine how to modify your house into an energy effective place which conserves energy. She conducted another audit on this one model 2 story with zoned HVAC. There was one heater and an aircon unit at all levels. At this audit, she learned more about the way air flow works. Apparently if you leave the bedroom doors open, then the HVAC is going to work better. So if you get an expert, he is going to help you modify older homes in energy effective, even though they weren’t meant to be that way. For more great tips to save money by saving energy visit earth 4 energy. With the right motivation to reduce your bills by going green we enjoy working with others by revealing earth for energysecrets, which most people will never know.
Green Snow Holidays – From Bbc Green
Here?s our essential guide to skiing and snowboarding the green way Skiing and snowboarding are not the obvious choice for an eco-friendly traveller. After all, air flights, luxury spas and hacking your way through the pristine snow are a far cry from a tree-planting camp in Devon. But it doesn?t have to be like that – winter sport is about enjoying the great outdoors, so we?ve looked at some of the best ways to respect it too. Here?s our advice on how to get there, where to stay and what kit you should bring with you.
The Revolution of Wind Power
Although the study and implementation of wind power is not a novice idea, it does seem to be a widespread deal lately. One look at a renewable energy news resource shows numerous pages of stories specifically on the topic of wind power. The purpose of today’s post is to take a look at the news stories of one day, today, and give briefings on each. In the Telegraph & Argus, a story regarding a charity and a wind turbine unfolds. The plan, the construction of a 15 meter wind turbine that was to provide power to a center for disadvantaged youth, has been rebuffed, however, by the planning panel of Bradford Council. The concern of the residents who opposed the new technology was the increased air flow that would be created in the area in which the turbine was to be placed. A new proposal will likely be created that involves moving the turbine to the opposite end of the center. How do wind turbines affect wildlife? That is the question that Keith DeWitt Lott, a wildlife biologist, hopes to answer through his latest research. Although Cleveland, Ohio is interested in the positive effects that wind-based energy can bring to the city, they desire to go about it in an environmentally responsible way. This news story was reported at Cleveland.com. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review provided a short clip on the considerations the city’s council currently has regarding using the high wind level in Green Tree Park to provide power to the park. A wind turbine may be put in the park to help offset some of the costs the city incurs through leaving the lights on throughout the night. The Bourne Carrier in Massachusetts reports the possibility of a wind turbine being constructed off Taylor’s Point. Three agencies, the Bourne Recreation Authority, Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) and Army Corps of Engineers, are seeking more ways to reduce their energy expenses and it is their hope to locate this alternative energy facility near the academy dock. This turbine would also aid in the Corps lowering its canal operation expenses. In addition to the wind turbines, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is also considering thermal panels on dorms and a hydro-electric facility. With every new idea come those who advocate it and those who oppose it. The latter of these two extremes, opposition, is what is being seen in Maryland over a wind farm proposal. Seven hundred residents arrived at hearings regarding this proposal with the intent of protesting the plans. These individuals share the frustration of having an otherwise faultless landscape (including forest, lakes and mountain views) being interrupted by the wind farm’s transmission lines webbing through the backdrop. The threat to tourism is also a concern for some of the residents. In response to the amazing opposition being voiced at the hearings, the commissioners of Garret Country voted unanimously against the wind farm proposal. Above is a small selection of five new stories being reported on today. This illustrates to some extent, however, the magnitude of wind power in the news, as well as a selection of stories accounting the advocating and opposition of this green energy source. David Tanguay is dedicated to providing research, reviews & helpful information to consumers and businesses. For more information related to Green Energy and Alternative Energy please visit http://greenenergyonline.org