As more people become aware of the critical energy crisis, solar power is moving into the forefront of alternative energy sources. Here’s why:
Solar power produces almost no pollution
The amount of pollution produced by solar panels is significantly less than the amount of pollution produced by other power sources. For example, these days carbon dioxide is one of the most talked about atmospheric pollutants. Even though carbon dioxide is a natural part of the atmosphere, in recent years, we as humans have began to overwhelm the earth’s eco system to the point where carbon dioxide has begun to reach toxic levels. We introduce carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in many ways, but one of the primary ways is via burning woods or fossil fuels for heating. Solar panels do not emit carbon dioxide and when we replace traditional energy sources such as wood or fossil fuels with solar panels, we decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that we introduce into the atmosphere.
Solar power saves you money
The upfront purchasing and installation cost for solar panels on the typical home is currently more than the cost of equivalent traditional energy appliances such as more…
Arrange few bits and pieces from the next door hardware stores and set up solar water heater system in your house. It has become very common practice today. Global warming and soaring fuel prices have worked like catalyst in the promotion of usages of solar energy and its consequences can be experienced with the entry of company like rinnai.co.nz into the market with solar energy based product like solar water heater. The most amusing fact is huge positive response to solar energy based products. Certainly, it has defined the line for all new ranges of future products. Moreover, it approves public awareness pertaining to slogan like ‘save energy and green environment’.
Now, let’s check out characteristics of solar water heater and try to explore the factors behind huge public response:
• Self built water heater substantially reduced electricity bill. For the sake of assistance, you can download blueprints as well.
• If you are not using electric hot water system then real time solar heater is right option for you. Moreover, it does not require any water storage system. It heats water “on the fly”.
• If your choice is simple portable water heater only for showers or more…
Home solar energy has moved out of the pages of Mother Earth News and gone mainstream. The average homeowner is able to purchase the components necessary for a viable solar energy system from stores like Home Depot.
Beyond the environmental benefits, homeowners also save on their energy bills - even possibly generating enough electricity to sell back your local electric company to make a profit, and when the power goes out on the grid your home will still have its electricity. Anyone who lives in an area where natural disasters or extreme weather cause frequent power outages will certainly appreciate this aspect.
The consumer needs to consider whether the solar energy option is being added to an existing house or to a new build.
New builds are cheaper to add the features that make for an energy efficient home: solar panels for electricity and hot water on demand heaters or solar hot water units are much less expensive when installed on a new home.
Situating the house so there is optimal solar gain is also something that can be considered prior to building.
Existing houses are still able to benefit from solar energy though. Solar panels have become more…
In the Autumn of next year, the third ‘Solar Decathlon’ will take place in Washington, D.C.
When it is under way, the experts and spectators alike will see some of the best examples in the world of the relationship between design and solar power.
Comprising 20 teams - each representing universities or colleges - entrants are expected to build a house that is solar powered, and is judged on aesthetics and design.
The official Solar Decathlon website has this to say:
“Teams of college students design a solar house, knowing from the outset that it must be powered entirely by the sun. In a quest to stretch every last watt of electricity that’s generated by the solar panels on their roofs, the students absorb the lesson that energy is a precious commodity. They strive to innovate, using high-tech materials and design elements in ingenious ways. Along the way, the students learn how to raise funds and communicate about team activities. They collect supplies and talk to contractors. They build their solar houses, learning as they go.”
Perhaps the key phrase, then, is that “energy is a precious commodity”. What the Solar Decathlon competition tries to more…
Tankless water heaters are becoming all the rage with those who are seeking to cut money in their utilities costs while replacing that aging water heater in the home. a tankless water heater is one that is going to heat the water as you use it, not all the time as other water heaters will do.
A tankless water heater is going to heat the water that is fed through the system, and then move that water to the room where it is demanded. You can wash the clothes while you are taking a shower when using a tankless water heater. No more waiting until you are done doing the wash or the laundry to take a shower. There is enough hot water using the tankless water heater to meet all of your needs.
The tankless water heater is not something that is really new. It has been in the works, created about fifteen years ago. Now that testing in various types of situations is completed, so the system is up to the multiple demands of a home, and for commercial uses, the tankless water heater is one that is coming down in price ready for installation in your home. more…
What is a reasonable water heater price? This isn’t so easy to answer. Different units and models have large differences in their prices. Should you just base your decision on the price alone? Are there other factors besides the price that you should consider? Here are some tips for you to follow to find the best deals.
Read Reviews
Before anything else, you should read about water heaters first. Your objective would be not to become a heater expert but to at least get some basic information about heaters. Otherwise, nothing about heater specifications in various sites will make sense to you. Once you know a bit about heaters, your next step would be to go to review sites.
There are many different review sites. The ones you should check are the well-known independent review sites. Depending on the site you are on, you can get some information about various costs per model, installation costs and product reviews. These review sites are actually one stop sites where you can compare the prices and features. You can also benefit from various reviews from experts, amateurs and average consumers like you.
Consider Cost of Operation
There is more…
With the advent of solar and wind power consumers are changing the way they look at powering their homes. Instead of using polluting fossil fuels, many environmentally conscious people are turning to these clean and renewable energy sources to power their homes and businesses. In this article, we’ll detail how wind and solar energy works and how these systems can save you money.
By converting kinetic energy into mechanical power wind turbines it can then run a generator to produce clean electricity. There are several things that you should keep in mind if you intend to invest in wind and solar energy. Firstly, your property must have a good wind resource and you will have to check with your local government to make sure that tall towers are allowed in your area.
It is a fact that wind energy systems are one of the most cost-effective method for home-based renewable energy . Depending on your wind resources, a small wind energy system can lower your electricity bill by 50% to 90% and help you avoid the high costs of having utility power lines extended to remote locations, prevent power interruptions and pollution.
“Solar electric” more…
These days, energy conscious homeowners are turning more and more to solar and wind energy products to meet their energy needs. Both of these resources have advantages and disadvantages and a hybrid approach is proving to be the best solution in many instances. For example, wind turbines are gaining in popularity and hold tremendous promise for producing enough energy to for the average home today. When combined with solar energy, or any other type of energy for that matter, a more reliable supply of electricity results, improving the efficiency of the entire system.
In our homes, the single largest consumer of energy in our homes is the water heater. Operated by electricity or gas, water heaters consume energy that could otherwise be used for powering other devices and reduce the consumption of commercial energy. In those parts of the country with an adequate supply of sunlight, solar water heaters can prove to be an efficient way to generate hot water using the sun’s unlimited and free energy.
Solar water heaters are inexpensive and have a high heat capacity, which is a measure of the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of 1 cubic foot by 1 degree F. more…
Waitsfield, VT March 21, 2008 – Houseneeds.com, The Vermont based internet seller of energy efficient, environmentally friendly heating and ventilation products, has partnered with Fafco of Chico, California, to offer the Hot2o Solar Hot Water System to homeowners across the USA and Canada at a very special introductory price.
The Fafco Hot2o Solar Hot Water System was designed to work in conjunction with a household’s existing water heater, whether it’s a standard tank or a more energy efficient Tankless water heater, to dramatically reduce the typical Homeowner’s water heating costs. Utilizing the free energy provided by the sun, the Hot2o can produce up to 50% of the hot water required by the typical US household. The Hot2o’s unique drainback system protects it from the possibility of freezing, making installation quick and easy in any climate.
Besides savings of up to 50% for water heating costs, The Hot2o also qualifies for the 30% federal tax credit. Made right here in America, the system comes with a worry free 3 year warranty. Light weight and easy to install, Houseneeds.com is ready to ship the Hot2o out today for a special introductory price of $2203.75. more…
The Federal Government offers a 30% tax rebate for the purchase of Solar Energy for your home. The 30% tax credit is applied an income tax credit, where you can essentially write off 30% of the cost of system (including installation) on your tax return. Recently, the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Energy was extended through the year 2016 (it was previously set to end at the end of 2008) and increased to cap on tax credits from $2,000 to $3,000.The Federal Solar Tax Credits are run through the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), the national tax resource. If you have any specific questions about where to find the application forms, or how to file for your tax credit, you should contact the IRS by phone, email, or visiting their website. There are also a number of solar companies that provide detailed information and guidance on the Federal Solar Tax Credits, including Silicon Solar Inc.
If you are a looking for a great resource on information about Federal Solar Tax Credits, and Solar Products to save you money on your electric and/or heating bills, Silicon Solar, a large Solar Energy Company from New York is a great first more…
