Residential Solar Power – A Sustainable Green Energy Solution

March 12, 2010 by Tirelo Besele  
Filed under green energy

There is some debate among prospective and existing homeowners about the cost of residential solar power. Most feel a residential solar power system is too expensive for an average homeowner. And they also share the same feeling that, in earnest, solar power is a green energy solution and can combat global warming. However the cost seems to thwart any thought of having solar power for residential use. A few that know about do-it-yourself systems seem to be dragged into the notion that DIY solar power products are a fraud and a scam. As a word of caution, due diligence must be exercised before anyone can deem anything a scam or fraud because my failures are not necessarily your failures. Some most of the homeowners seem to be misled into believing that residential solar is expensive and it cannot be built from scratch as a DIY project.

Become A Residential Solar Power Expert with DIY

Amidst the scorn on residential solar power do-it-yourself products there is lot you can learn to make you an expert on how to go green using solar power or wind energy. Some people will want you to believe that DIY products don’t work because they didn’t work for them, making their mishap gospel to the masses. This failure or outburst may obstruct green energy aspirants from seeing these products through the eyes of wanting to learn. Though some products might have controversial headlines like ‘build a solar panel for under $100′ and this may not be achievable depending on what part of the world you are, it would be misleading to think you only learn how to build a solar panel from scratch. There is more… Like how to save money by first making your home energy efficient, how to calculate your energy needs to determine the size of the system you need, how to mount your solar panels plus more. When armed with this information from a DIY product you will never have a problem of finding qualified help when you want to have solar power for residential use. Why? Because you will know exactly what questions to ask or what you need once you start your project.

Do It Yourself Residential Solar Power

Designing a residential solar power system can be a taunting task that often requires help of a qualified or professional installer. It is also doable if you have a very well crafted DIY product because it can also take you step by step how to calculate the amount of electricity you need to power your home, how much shade you have on your property and how to monitor how much sunlight you have all year. Armed with these answers it becomes much easier to design your system because you will be in a position to tell how many solar panels you need, where to mount them, whether you need battery backup or not or how many batteries should you use to live off-the-grid.

So each system can be designed on its merits. This is where a diy product becomes even more handy than just making a diy solar panel. You will know that first and foremost you need to know your energy consumption, use your past 3 years energy bills for comparison, you need to know how energy efficient your household is. Discard or replace your refrigerator, your air-con, lamp etc. The following step will be to determine how much energy you receive from the sun. You might realize that it is both economical and best to combine a PV system with a solar thermal system.

Learn more about residential solar energy. Stop by gogreenresources site where you can find out all about diy residential solar power systems and how to make your own at a fraction of the retail price.

categories: residential solar power,residential solar energy,solar power,solar energy,go green,green energy,alternative energy

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How To Install A Wood Stove

March 10, 2010 by Kerri Liesel  
Filed under Alternative Energy

It is possible to save a great deal of money on utility bills by simply installing a wood stove. Not only that, but wood burning is known to be more environmentally friendly than burning fossil fuels. Traditional oil, gas and coal cannot be replaced once burned but tree can be endlessly replaced by planting new ones. So let’s look at how to actually install one of these beasts.

First understand that installing a wood burner is akin to putting in an above ground furnace, so always check with your insurance company before you commence anything. Most of insurers will require the burner to be professionally installed since there is a certain amount of precision required and a single mistake can easily cause a fire to break out in your house or apartment.

Now you need to estimate the capacity of the wood stove which will be a factor of how your house is laid out and how much heat you want available. You can work this out yourself if you research the appropriate calculations to use but your best bet is to just ask someone in the trade. Invite them to inspect your home and advice on suitable options.

While it is natural to focus on the wood stove it is in fact equally important to consider the flue, since flues fitted to wood stoves must be lined with material suitable for wood burning. If you are fortunate enough to have a conveniently located chimney you might be able to simply line this with the right sort of material, otherwise you will be looking at additionally installing a new flue.

Once you have had the wood stove installed you need to ensure that there a no flammable objects or materials anywhere within a safe distance. What precisely constitutes a safe distance should be documented in the manual for the stove. Also make sure that any children are also instructed to keep to a safe distance – in fact if you small children or pets you may want to fit a fireguard as a precaution.

During normal operation wood stoves need to be regularly cleaned and maintained in good working order. If you are familiar with cleaning a normal fireplace chimney this will be quite familiar. It is important to remove the build up of creosote especially since it can reduce the efficiency of the system and eventually damage the flue (it also smells somewhat if left un-cleaned).

An annual major clean carried out by a chimney sweep should alleviate the need to repair your stove. Some products such as the well known Creosote Sweeping Log can help the cause but are ultimately no substitute for having your wood burning stove properly cleaned annually.

To conclude, your best course of action when installing a wood burner is to get professional help on board from the outset. A professionally installed wood stove is both environmentally friendly and a big money saver too.

Check out these additional articles to find out much more about wood burning stove selection and how to fit a wood burning stove.


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Power Your Car With Green Diy Energy

March 9, 2010 by Zach Angelo  
Filed under Uncategorized

Often when we hear the terms green diy energy, we think of electricity for the home. It is also possible to produce your own DIY Green Energy for your automobile. This is sustainable energy that produce fewer pollutants than conventional fuels. For gasoline burning vehicles, this often involves production of ethanol. For diesel vehicles, biodiesel can be produced from a large variety of sources.

Ethanol is produced from many different fruits and vegetables. Since this is also drinking alcohol, you will need special permits to produce your own fuel. Yeast is added to the fruit and vegetable sugars to convert the sugar to alcohol. Low temperature vacuum fermentation and distillation allows the producer to get the most out of the sugar from the vegetable matter that is being fermented. If the alcohol is blended with normal gasoline, it can be used in a vehicle with no adjustments to the engine and without harm. Although the alcohol will burn straight in the engine, this could cause damage to your vehicle.

Biodiesel is an oil product that may come from several sources. Waste restaurant grease can be used to produce the product as well as any crop normally used to make vegetable oils. Since the fuel is low in sulfur it is also a greener choice for your vehicle.

Producing your own vehicle fuel will require room to grow the crop used for either ethanol or biodiesel. It will require that you have several acres of land in which to grow the crop. In addition you will need the equipment that produces your needed fuel from the crop.

In some areas there are cooperatives that share in the cost of producing the fuel. These can be an effective way to prepare your own fuel.

Electric vehicle owners may be able to use their solar panels or wind turbines to keep their vehicles charged. This will allow use of a vehicle without paying for any fuel.

Each of these methods of producing you own energy are both sustainable and green. They produce little to no pollutants and can actually improve the environment by lowering the carbon dioxide content of the air or making use of items that would normally be disposed in landfills.

Green DIY energy is an excellent way to power your home. It can also be used to power your vehicle to take you to work with no damage to the environment.

It is time for you to start saving money on your electric bill! Click Here to use solar panels to power your home and live off the grid. Visit http://getyourreviews.com/green-diy-energy for the full scoop on green diy energy.


Learning How To Build A Wind Generator Is Easier Than You Might Think

March 7, 2010 by Bryan Pierre  
Filed under Uncategorized

Considering the tough times we are now living in, you may likely be thinking of other options that could make living easier and inexpensive. Since we live our every day lives fully dependent on electricity, it is indeed beneficial to make use of the recyclable energy that is quite abundant in our surroundings. One good bet would be to take advantage of the wind that we have around us. To be able to do this, a device called a wind generator would come in handy. But how to build a wind generator?

That is a good question. Here are some simple steps to help guide you:

- Location, location, location. You will need an open area with at least a three hundred to four hundred foot radius. You also need to watch for any obstacles overhead since the tower can reach 30 to 40 feet high. A tilt-up tower is best for low areas since they are closer to the ground. This also makes them easier to maintain. However, a free standing tower will maximize the output since it is taller and has fewer obstructions.

- Secondly, focus on the materials needed, first of which is the motor, which converts the wind energy. It is a must to find a DC motor that is intended for high voltage, with low rpms, and high current.

- Now you need to create the blades of your windmill. These can be made of wood, plastic, sheet metal, or better yet, PVC pipe. Keep in mind that the longer the blades, the better. A wider covered area means the more energy it can extract from the wind.

- The next step would be about fixing the hub, that which connects the blades onto the motor. One easy way would be to look for a scrap steel disc with which you can drill holes into and attach to a shaft that would connect the blades.

- After this, the tail and the pivot are now to be put together to keep the apparatus turned to the wind. This can be done by using a square tubing, pipe nipple, flange for the pivot and a scrap metal sheet for the tail.

- After setting up your wind generator, one more important step must be covered and that is the battery. Batteries are essential basically because it is where the converted energy is stored. Keep the batteries close to the generator as much as possible to monitor the charging, and look for highly efficient batteries, which are low in maintenance.

Batteries to be used are those for power system applications are called “deep cycle,” which are rated in amp-hours and have indication of its charge-discharge cycles.

Once you have learned how to build a wind generator, you will need to place a diode between the generator and batteries. This is to prevent the energy from flowing back into the generator and being wasted. A secondary load to act as a depot for excess energy produced would also be a good idea.

Still confused about DIY home windmill power? We can help. Learn which do it yourself guides are easiest to follow and give you the most bang for your buck. Click here now: Earth4Energy Review


Ensure You Are Well Prepared In Any Catastrophe!

March 6, 2010 by Johanna Aveza  
Filed under DIY Energy

Imagine for a moment, you are in sitting in the dark after a major storm you check to make sure everyone is alright in your household and suddenly you realize you were not prepared. You are now without power and all these questions rush through your head. How long will the power be out? How will we see where we are going and not get hurt falling over something? How are you going to eat? It is so hot (or cold) how will I bring comfort to my family? We have digital phones, and without power I cannot make any calls, how do I get help if I need it? My cell phone battery is about drained, how can I report the power outage, or let friends and family know I am alright?

All of these questions and worries would be resolved if you make a smart decision to purchase a portable generator. A 1000 watt portable generator, a customer comments, to power up a 47″ LCD TV, Satellite Box, DSL modem and a computer router for about 6 hours with all of these things running and it only used 1 gallon of oil/fuel mixture!

Another great detail about a 1000 watt portable generator is that it is small and lightweight so it does not take up much space when storing it. The size averages around 44 pounds (20kg) so as you see it is not heavy yet it is mighty powerful for its size! The fuel tank holds 1-1/5-Gallon (4-1/2 liters) t on a full tank of fuel it will run for 8-1/2 hours!

To figure out what size generator you may want or need, you can look under your appliances or electronics there should be a label quoting how many watts are required to power them. You may need a 2000 watt portable generator or greater it depends on the number of items you require in the event of a power outage.

One thing to keep in mind, not only are generators great for emergencies, but they come in very useful for such special occasions as tailgate parties, camping, power outages and for people who may be a fair or carnival vendor to power up their appliances which enable them to make the foods we love!

If you are a contractor or a handyman, then you know all to well the importance having power at your disposal is required. You need energy for your power tools, lighting, and much more. While doing your work it will require a portable generator. Even if you are just your average Jo (or Jane) and you have a home project that you need to complete, like an add on room you will need a power source, and nothing provides movable power, like a portable generator. Get yours now, and be power ready for anything!

Get Your 1000 Watts Of Pure Power HereWith a Portable Generator Make Sure to Check Out Our 2000 Watt Portable Generators As Well.

categories: Home Improvement,Power tools,Do It Yourself,Energy,Alternative Energy,Camping,Vendor,Earthquake,Hurricane,tornado

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Important Information About Green DIY Energy

March 6, 2010 by Zach Angelo  
Filed under Uncategorized

In efforts to save money and to protect our planet, Green DIY energy is becoming more popular that ever. Persons that may have not been interested in green products a few years ago are becoming much more interested in such activities. The investment in the equipment to produce the power is paid off in a few years and power is then free.

For most homeowners, both types of DIY energy require a bank of batteries for energy storage. The batteries provide a more stable source of energy and helps to prevent fluctuation of the power source. Without the battery supply, the fluctuations could cause sensitive electronics to be ruined with power spikes.

Solar energy production is a great option for persons living in areas where there is often unobstructed sunshine. Solar panels may be installed on a rooftop of a home or other outbuildings to produce the energy needed to power your home.

If your home is located in a hilly area where there are often winds, then a wind turbine can be used to produce electricity for your home. Wind turbines work best when elevated about 100 feet in the air so that there is no interference from trees or buildings.

If you live near enough to public power lines that you are able to connect or are already connected, you can use your DIY power to supplement the power needs for your home. Today, many power companies provide reverse electric meters so that any excess power you produce can be sold back to the power company to lower your power bill. This can also provide a more steady power source on overcast days for solar producers or still days for wind producers of electricity. Connecting to the grid lowers the chances that you will need a back up fossil fuel generator.

Persons that cannot or are not willing to connect to the gird will need to prepare for those days when the power system does not produce sufficient electricity for the home. A back up generator that is fueled with fossil fuel is often a good alternative. This can prevent draining of the batteries to the level that damage is caused to them. Often the generators are powered using clean burning propane to protect the planet.

If you are producing your own power, you will soon find the necessity of low energy appliances for the home. The lower you are able to keep your load, the less you will need to install more equipment to produce power for your home.

If you want to save the planet and lower your energy bills, consider green DIY energy for home power.

It is time for you to start saving money on your electric bill! Click Here to use solar panels to power your home and live off the grid. Visit http://getyourreviews.com/green-diy-energy for the full scoop on green diy energy.


Alternative Energy Sources

March 3, 2010 by Josh Betterton  
Filed under Alternative Energy

Why should a nation invest its money to get Alternative Energy Sources? This is something that many people have taken ages to understand. Anybody with insufficient of the risk that a country puts itself into by relying on a single source of energy, is justified to ask such a question. It is very certain that getting alternative energy sources carries very many benefits and ensures quick economic and healthy growth for every nation.

This is quite often especially in the current global warming and the hiking prices of fossil fuels. For an average citizen, choosing between trying new ones and remaining with conventional energy sources is a difficult decision to make. Among the energy sources to look for are electric fueled cars, bio-diesel vehicles, solar energy and other types of recycled energy.

The world is in dire need of alternative energy sources to satisfy the rising demand on energy. Even if the prices of fossil fuels remain constant, the demand goes up every day. This demand is getting more difficult for the governments to satisfy. Alternative sources like nuclear energy are not widely utilized, so are alternative energy sources like wind. The great thing about wind is that wind mills work throughout to produce electricity so long as there is wind.

The need for alternative energy sources arises when you realize you have an energy deficit. Governments have realized that it is quite difficult to satisfy the ever rising demand for energy and fossil fuels. Irrespective of whether fossil fuel prices will rise or not, demand for such resources will continue to increase day-in day-out. Use of nuclear energy to generate electricity is not yet popular among many nations and private nations and private investors as well. Areas which experience unending strong winds can utilize windmills to generate electricity. Remember using wind energy, unlike solar, is tapped during both night and day times.

Using solar panels in your home partially or completely is a wise idea. Solar panels are used to charge installed cells in your home and these cells produce energy that is consumed in your home. While making use of solar panels for your home, you should transform your home into an energy efficient one. Your home envelope should be designed to be as energy efficient as possible. There are several eco friendly siding options which keep your home as warm as possible in winters and very cool during summers.

Several advantages of having alternative energy sources including saving on fuel prices, reducing the amount of poisonous emissions thereby contributing to the solution for global warming. Though these sources are expensive, their prices will reduce drastically once the market becomes big enough. In addition, they are a lot cheaper once installed.

If you want to see all of the Alternative Energy sources you can use in the World today, visit this site now.


Information Concerning 10kw Wind Turbines

March 2, 2010 by James Fraksburg  
Filed under Alternative Energy

Installing a residential scale alternative energy utilities can be a great way to save money in the long terms in power bills. Recent government tax credits up to thirty percent greatly reduce the initial out of pocket investment to do so. Of the options available, 10kw wind turbines can work well many residences and small farms. Here\’s some information to serve as a starting point to understanding the utility.

Residential homes generally use eight hundred to two thousand kilowatt hours of electricity per month. For this demand, a 10kw turbine is usually sufficient. The caveat being that the region in which it is installed has an annual average wind speed above eight miles per hour. Within this range, the unit can greatly reduce or eliminate current power bills.

Deciding whether this system makes sense economically for the individual, is key. It may be that at your current rate, the long term savings versus initial investment won\’t match your projected long term power costs with a traditional power company. For people who pay over twelve cents per kilowatt-hour, this investment can pay off. Estimate a long term projection by multiplying the expected demand for each option by the rate at which you\’ll pay the utility company. Then factor in the cost of the equipment and installation.

Horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) are the most common style, with the rotor and gearbox placed at the top of a tall pole or structure. Recommended tower height is eighty to one hundred and twenty feet. At a height of about seventy feet, rotor noise becomes very noticeable. Mounting the turbine on directly on top of buildings is usually not advised, as the sound and vibration can adversely effect nearby residents, and turbulence associated with the buildings can decrease power output.

Regions with hotter average temperatures might find that they require larger blades or turbines than colder areas. Hot air is less dense than colder air, thereby producing less power per unit air mass. This equates to a different power rating for the same turbine. Most turbines begin producing power at eight miles per hour. The optimal output speed between twenty five and thirty mph. The upper limit at which the unit cuts out is generally about forty miles per hour, as a safety precaution.

Each turbine is given a power rating for it\’s size considered under certain conditions. This sometimes varies per manufacturer, so it\’s a good idea to look for the Annual Energy Output (AEO) when comparing units. This standard has been established by and American wind energy association, and offers a baseline for comparison, similar to the Environmental Protections Agency\’s estimated gas mileage given to vehicles.

Hiring professionals to handle the installation is the best option. For those with the tools and knowledge, towers for turbines this size can be erected by attaching a hinge to the base of the tower and using a winch or vehicle to lift it into position. The least expensive towers available are the guyed-latticed kind that resemble those used for radio antennas. Aluminum materials should be avoided as they tend to crack and wear out prematurely. Extreme care should be taken when handling this installation.

The cost of a typical 10kw wind turbines is between twenty eight thousand and thirty five thousand dollars, including installation. Today\’s turbine designs are manufactured to last over thirty years, which nearly double the expected return payoff time of eight to sixteen years.

Installing residential and small scale alternative energy measures for example 10kw wind turbines has been incentivized by government tax credits. We have got the best inside scoop on 10kw wind turbine installation.


The DIY Project That Saves Money – Homemade Windmills

February 28, 2010 by Hope Lowry  
Filed under green energy

Is your electrical bill rising faster than your budget can handle? If you\’re like many Americans, you are feeling the incredible stress of rising energy prices at a time when no one can really afford it. Add this to the world concerns about the environmental impact of carbon based energy and therefore the push to reduce carbon emissions. If it appears like now would be a good time to explore alternative energy sources, you are not alone.

Most folks have heard of solar energy panels. These panels are a well-liked alternative for many households for supplementing standard energy sources. Still, solar is costly to line up and does have some significant drawbacks. If you reside in a location that has more cloudy days than sunny, they\’ll not be an ideal choice.

Another possibility for powering a home is wind turbine power. A homemade windmill will be made for around one hundred fifty dollars and makes for a good possibility in lieu of or in addition to solar power. Your average homemade windmill is actually quite small, thus if the thought of a big turbine in your backyard worries you, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Best of all, a wind turbine is simple to make and install if you\’ve got basic handyman skills and a quality set of plans. Once installed, a windmill will power a whole home or supplement traditional power sources on days with very little wind.

Advantages of a Homemade Windmill

There are many smart reasons to consider a homemade windmill. Most folks opt to create and install them for the financial savings. Having a wind turbine supplement your home\’s power may be a nice way to drastically slash energy costs. One more reason homeowners opt for to create a windmill is to get off of the grid and scale back their dependence on traditional power. A homemade windmill is an environmentally friendly way for generating energy.

Homemade Windmills vs. Manufactured Windmills

If you\’ve thumbed through Popular Science or similar magazines lately, you have in all probability noticed ads for premade windmills that you can purchase and install. These wind turbines do the identical thing as a homemade version with the sole distinction being the cost. To buy a windmill prebuilt can run you thousands. To build one yourself costs less than $150.

Is It Hard To Build a Working Wind Turbine?

It is not difficult to build your own windmill if you\’ve got the proper set of plans and instructions. With nothing more than basic tools and materials that you\’ll find at your area hardware store, you too can build your own windmill and produce your own power. It will be worn out simply a weekend if you are handy or over the course of a few weekends if you wish to take your time. Individuals who have made their own windmills find the experience fun and if you\’ve got older kids or teens, it makes for a great group project.

Finding Homemade Windmill Plans

The quality of your windmill can be directly impacted by the quality of your windmill plans. Online there are many totally different plans for building a homemade windmill and not all of them are of the same level of quality. Be certain to check around and scan experiences of others before you choose on which set of plans to build with.

For an inside look at how one man created his own homemade windmills, be sure to try Charlie\’s web site at http://HomemadeWindmill.net


What Exactly Is Green Marketing?

February 28, 2010 by Mike Keeler  
Filed under green energy

The selling of a product or service based on its environmental impact is called green marketing, which is rapidly developing in many marketing departments as its potential unfolds.

If a product is either made or packaged in an environmentally friendly way, then they can be legitimately labeled \”green.\” Green marketing is based on the assumption that the appeal of an environmentally friendly product or service will affect consumers\’ buying decisions.

One thing that green marketing does not necessarily always take into account is the fact that environmentally friendly products can cost more to the consumer. But just because a product is labeled \”green,\” it doesn\’t always mean that a consumer is willing to pay more.

Some consumers may be skeptical whenever a product is labeled as \”green.\” Therefore, if some green claims are revealed to be false, or if the company in question sometimes produces products that tend to conflict with its other green products, that particular company\’s brands or reputation might be severely compromised. Whenever a company has engaged in false labeling of a product as green, we say that it has engaged in a technique known as \”green washing.\”

Green marketing can give companies a bit of an advantage over competitors in the market, and companies that use it might uncover other opportunities. Being environmentally conscious can be a part of the practice of Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), which is when companies try to give back to the people.

Recently even the government has gotten involved in attempting to encourage more companies to go green. However, many companies are going green on their own because of increased competition. Green marketing makes a company stand out from its competitors, and also helps to increase a company\’s profit margins.

This does not mean that green marketing is totally free of problems. One of the biggest disadvantages of green marketing, in fact, is that it requires a lot of recyclable and renewable materials. Such makes green marketing therefore a little more expensive than traditional marketing techniques. Besides, green materials are not always easy to find, and they\’re more expensive. And green materials also require a huge investment in technology, which includes water treatment, thus making them even more expensive.

After the development of a green product, a corporation must education consumers about their green products. A lack of knowledge is existent among consumers about the benefits of green services and merchandise.

If you want to find out more about green marketing, make sure to check out Earth4Energy review.


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