Maria Polidoro is the owner of Ace Tool Online, a Wantagh, New York based dealer and service center for over 70 brands of hand and power tools. Find the right Milwaukee miter saw, Festool router and more at Ace Tool.
Homeowners are paying more attention than ever to energy efficiency when renovating, but you do not have to commit to a major renovation to improve the efficiency of your home. In fact, you do not have to renovate at all; small steps toward improved energy efficiency can save you money in the long run while reducing your home’s environmental impact. Here are some renovation-free upgrade ideas that will give you a more energy efficient home:
Look for the Energy Star label when replacing appliances and electronics. The Energy Star certifies that a product complies with precise efficiency guidelines put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy. The Energy Star qualification can be found on products ranging from light bulbs to kitchen appliances to new homes. Please visit www.energystar.gov to find Energy Star Qualified Products.
Replace incandescent light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Replacing incandescent lighting in your home with compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, is an inexpensive and easy step toward improving the energy efficiency of your home. According to www.energystar.gov, Energy Star CFLs consume around 75% less energy than incandescent ones, and that translates to real energy and money savings over time.
Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to set your heating and cooling system to automatically adjust at certain times of the day based on your schedule, allowing for reduced energy consumption at times when no one is home. Because heating and cooling accounts for a sizeable percentage of energy consumption in most homes, a programmable thermostat helps keep utility expenses down while making daily life a little more convenient.
Replace drafty or single pane windows. If your windows and doors are old or not properly sealed, a portion of your utility payments are going, well, right out the window. Though new windows require a more sizeable investment than most of the other upgrades mentioned here, homes with updated windows appeal to home buyers and the investment can likely be recouped at resale.
Want to learn more about energy efficient home upgrades? Please visit the home improvement section of the Energy Star website.
Filed under Home by miniwash
A green home is one that is eco-friendly and is at harmony with the environment. You can help the environment by making your home greener. Here is how you can do so by adopting a more energy-efficient and earth-friendly lifestyle.
Read the following top 10 ways to green your home.
1. Upgrade to greener appliances. Make your home energy efficient by upgrading to greener appliances. Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models that are Energy Star rated to scale down your energy bill. According to the Energy Star site, use of energy-efficient appliances in just one in 10 homes is equal to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.
2. Temperature control. More than 50% of a home’s energy bill is from heating and cooling appliances. Moderating the thermostat according to the weather goes a long way in reducing energy consumption. Other energy saving methods include using a modern furnace, cleaning its air filter every month and the use of ceiling fans instead of air conditioners.
3. Saving water. There are hundreds of ways one can save water and reduce energy consumption. A few include fitting faucets with aerators and installing water efficient low-flow toilets.
4. Clean with green products. Buy green household cleaners that are made of natural, non-toxic substances instead of toxic ones. Carpet and window cleaners containing grain alcohol, detergents made of coconut or other plant oils etc. are bio-friendly.
5. Energy-efficient lighting. Replace incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs). CFL bulbs use 66% less energy and last 10 times longer.
6. Use recycled paper. Whenever you buy paper, get 100 % post-consumer recycled paper. These consume less virgin pulp and keep waste paper from ending up in landfills. You can also save more trees by opting out of junk mail lists. Using unbleached paper is more eco-friendly as the bleached paper process results in the creation of harmful byproducts. Also, eschew paper and plastic bags and carry your own cloth bags for shopping.
7. Bamboo floors. Bamboo floors are more environmental friendly than hardwood floors. Bamboo matures in four to six years while it takes 50 to 100 years for typical hardwoods.
8. Shun plastics. Plastics are not bio-degradable. They produce harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming when processed, burned or dumped into landfills. The best way is to avoid plastics, the next best thing is to reuse and recycle them.
9. Eco-paint. Use environmentally safe paints that are organic and solvent-free to paint your home.
10. Green your garden. Avoid synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. Instead use organic manure such as compost and non-chemical pest control methods.
Filed under Home by miniwash
With gas and oil prices on the rise, many people are talking about energy efficiency and using renewable energy sources in the home. Some people automatically assume that making their home more energy efficient is going to cost a lot of money up front, but in reality that’s not the case. The first step in making your home more energy efficient is merely to improve your internal appliances and systems with a bit more thought. We’ll give you some simple rules that will make your home more comfortable, your fuel bills lower and your conscience lighter as you use less fossil fuels.
Rule # 1: Let There Be Light. We all need electricity but did you know that by using energy efficient LED lights and compact fluorescent bulbs in all of your home fixtures you could cut your energy use exponentially? For instance, one study found that merely by using LED lighting rather than traditional incandescent bulbs you could save 90% of home lighting energy consumption. In many cases, not only do fluorescent, LED and other energy efficient lighting options use less energy, they also last longer and are more durable. Yes, they may cost a little more up front, but you’ll see the value when they pay for themselves after a year or so of use and you can scratch light bulbs off your weekly list at the market or hardware store.
Rule # 2: Look at Your Appliances. As you review your electric load (or how much electricity you use to run your home) you should cast a glance at all of your appliances. Any that are very old and out of date, especially washers, dryers and refrigerators could all be costing you far more money than you think and taxing the environment to boot. When you look for appliances, try to find ones that are specifically designed to use less power and be more efficient. Not only will you probably be able to get some spiffy rebates, you’ll also be offsetting the cost of your new energy efficient appliance with the savings you’ll immediately see on your utility bills. Check out Energy Star’s website to find the most efficient models available for the appliance you’re looking to upgrade. Their website is www.EnergyStar.gov.
Rule # 3: Consider Your Climate. This relates not only to where you live and what your environment is like but also to how you regulate the temperatures in your home. First, is your home well insulated? If not, you are allowing in and letting out a lot of energy, heat and cold .Improving your insulation is one of the best and easiest ways to make your home more efficient. How are your windows? What can you do to retain heat in the winter and repel it in the summer? Also, if you have an attic, are you keeping it properly ventilated during the summer months? If it gets too hot up at the top of your house, your whole cooling system will have to work that much harder so you should consider installing a solar powered attic fan that will keep your attic well ventilated and moderate the overall temperature. A dry and ventilated attic is a happy one. Finally, how are you cooling your home in the summer? If you live in an arid climate and you are still using traditional air conditioning, you do have other options. Environmentally friendly evaporative coolers (or “swamp coolers”) are often just as effective and require a third of the power or less.
Rule # 4: Think Green. Whenever you make decisions about your major home systems in the future, think about installing systems that are more efficient and that could potentially be powered by an alternative energy source. If you have to sink a chunk of change into a new hot water heater, boiler or home heating system don’t just walk down the path of least resistance. It is possible that for a similar investment you could install a tank-less hot water heater or for a bit more money, install an energy efficient solar heating system in your home. It may seem far fetched, but when you see the monthly savings and you factor in the potential tax rebates and the money you would have spent either way, you’ll see how smart it can be. The key when looking at installing a solar power system or wind turbine system is that this is a long term investment, but you’ll actually see a return on it within as little as 2 to 6 years. By investing up front and ultimately off-setting your fossil fuel consumption your energy efficient hot water heater will actually pay for itself, unlike traditional fossil fuel dependent ones.
Rule # 5: If You Think You Are Ready, Review Rules 1-4. Even if you think you are ready today, right now to install solar panels or a wind turbine to power your home you need to make your home as energy efficient as possible FIRST. Why? Because, in general, for every $1 you spend on making your home more energy efficient you reduce the cost of your alternative energy system down by $3 to $5. Once you have reduced down your energy usage, you can accurately determine how much energy you will need to produce with renewable energy. Having this accurate information will tell you how many solar air heating collectors you need, solar water heating collectors your need, solar electric panels you need, or if you need a solar wind hybrid power system; if you can operate independently or if you need a grid-tie in system; and perhaps most importantly, how much you are going to spend to convert to renewable power.
So, start simple, invest wisely and think green and eventually you will be the self-powered, money saving, energy efficient one on the block.
Blair Stephens is a prolific copywriter and proud member of the altenenergystore.com team. The alternative energy store specializes in providing solar power systems, wind turbine systems and other alternative energy sources for home and commercial use at http://home.altenergystore.com/. They are truly Making Renewable Do-Able!
Filed under Home by miniwash
Green building is more than the actual construction of your home, though that is a big part of the process. It is a beginning to end process which begins with the selection of your land, the design of your dream home, the materials and practices used during construction and finally, how you operate and maintain your dream home once it is completed. You can incorporate as many or as few of these elements into your home’s design as you choose.
You decide how “Green” you want to be.
Let’s look at the four basic elements in Green Building:
1. Increasing energy efficiency
2. Materials selected for building your home
3. Increasing the efficiency of water usage both in and outside of your home
4. Improving air quality, which improves the health and productivity of your family
There are many parts to each element. Let’s look at each of these in a little more detail
1. Increasing Energy Efficiency
Advanced Framing - Use a framing contractor who can apply advanced framing technique during the construction of your home. This creates a structurally sound home with improved energy efficiency, and lowers material and labor costs. This technique replaces lumber with insulation material and maximizes the wall that is insulated, improving the R-value of the home. On average, advanced framing uses 30% less lumber, which reduces the building costs and saves 2% to 4% of the total energy use. Hot Water Heater - Water heating can account for 14% to 25% of the energy consumed in your home. To increase the efficiency of your hot water heater, locate it near the highest point of usage. This is typically near the shower followed closely by the clothes washer. Pipes - Insulate the hot and cold water pipes within 3 feet of the hot water heater. This reduces standby heat loss. Your hot water heater is continuously heating the piping and water in it, even when no water is being used. Household Appliances - A green built home features appliances that are as energy efficient as possible. The U. S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have developed a program called Energy Star which labels those appliances meeting strict energy efficient criteria. The typical household spends $1,900 a year on energy bills. As you can see in the diagram above, a great deal of that energy is consumed by the appliances in your home. ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models. Just look for the Energy Star label. The Federal Trade Commission requires that refrigerators, freezers, water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers and window air conditioners be labeled with an Energy Guide Label. The label for a hot water heater is shown here. This hot water heater uses 268 therms per year of energy and is being compared to other similar models which use anywhere from 238 to 273 therms per year. This model’s estimated yearly operating cost is $162.When comparing different appliance brands for your new home, be sure to look at their estimated energy consumption. This will impact the operating cost of your home for years to come. Air Sealing - This is advanced caulking which is a part of the airtight drywall approach (ADA). Specifically, caulk or gasket drywall is installed on exterior walls at the top and bottom plates, windows and door frames; on interior walls at the intersections with exterior ceilings; and at electrical, plumbing or mechanical penetrations in the drywall. This approach minimizes heat loss in your home. Work with your drywall contractor to see if he/she uses this method. Radiant Barrier - Reflect heat away from your home by installing a radiant barrier (a sheet of aluminum foil with paper backing) on the underside of your roof. This significantly lowers your cooling costs by reducing your heat gains through your ceiling by 95%. Insulation - Add insulation to your attic to keep the heat in your house. There are some environmentally friendly insulation products made from recycled blue jeans, soybeans, cotton or newspapers. Solar Power - If the sun shines on your home for most of the day in the winter, you have the potential for solar power to reduce your energy costs. A good solar design allows the winter sun to reach a thermal mass like a tile floor which holds heat and radiates it into your home for a period of time. Lighting - Install high-efficiency lighting systems with advanced lighting controls. This allows you to only use the light when you need it. Replace traditional incandescent lights with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs will use 75% less electricity and last up to 10 times longer. When designing your home or remodeling project, introduce natural daylight into as many places as possible. Thermostat - Use a programmable thermostat to provide you and your family the comfort you want day and night while minimizing heating use when you don’t need it. Ducts - Seal your ducts with mastic and insulate them to R-11. This minimizes the heat loss from your home. Paints - You can mix non-toxic ceramic powder into your interior paint to insulate your walls and reduce the amount of heat passing through to the outside. These ceramic particles create a radiant barrier that reflects the heat back into the room. Redirect The Heat - If you have a ceiling fan, redirect the heat back into your room by reversing the direction of the blades to counterclockwise. This brings the heat back down into your room.
2. Materials Selected for Building Your Home
Plastic Lumber - This product can be used for non-structural applications such as fences, benches, decks, retaining walls, and picnic tables. It is weather and insect resistant, and will not crack, splinter or chip. It does not need painting and will not leach chemicals into the ground or surface water. By doing this, you minimize the amount of lumber used in your home, reduce your ongoing maintenance costs, and you won’t harm your local habitat. The US is home to 4.5% of the population but is responsible for over 15% of the world’s wood consumption. Engineered Wood - This combines the raw materials of wood veneer and fiber with adhesives to produce such laminated lumber as wood veneers, I-beams and roof and floor trusses. The manufacturing process uses fast growing, small diameter trees, allowing more than 80% of the log to be used in the end product. This produces a product which is very consistent and stable while decreasing the impact on a natural resource. Fiber Cement Siding - This is a composite of cement and wood fiber reclaimed from wood processing waste or small diameter, fast growing trees. It produces a siding which is durable and low maintenance. Many fiber-cement composites offer a 50-year warranty, which increases the value of your home and decreases the maintenance costs. Brick -The process of extracting clay for brick results in limited wasted material. Brick has a limitless lifespan and can be recycled or salvaged after demolition. Recycling - The efficient use of materials when building Green comes in two forms. First, recycle construction waste and use reclaimed building materials during construction when appropriate. Once your home is finished, practice responsible recycling of the materials you use every day. Design - When working with your architect or designer, use standard dimensions, engineered wood and stacked floor plans to reduce the overall volume of lumber used as well as the volume of waste.
3. Increasing the Efficiency of Water Usage Both In and Outside of Your Home
Porous Paving Schemes - Watertight, or “impervious,” surfaces suchas paved driveways, walkways and patios don’t allow storm water runoff to infiltrate into the ground’s aquatic systems. Using uncompacted gravel, crushed stone and open or porous paving blocks for walkways and other light traffic areas minimizes the number of impervious surfaces on your property, allowing storm water runoff. Rainwater Collection - Rainwater collected from your roof is a free source of landscape irrigation water. This collection system consists of a suitable roof and guttering system, a storage tank and a simple filtration unit. Low Impact Development (LID) - This innovative approach mimics your land’s original method of water run-off instead of disposing and treating storm water in large, costly, end-of-pipe facilities. This can come in the form of open spaces, vegetated rooftops, reduced street widths and curbs, pervious parking lots and sidewalks, medians and other buffer zones using more vegetation. Plumbing - Design your home to use recycled water for toilet flushing. Use ultra low-flush toilets and low-flow shower heads. Some older toilets use 3-7 gallons per flush while an ultra low-flow toilet uses less than 1.6 gallons per flush.
A family of 4, each showering for 5 minutes per day will use 700 gallons of water per week - a 3 year drinking supply for 1 person in the US. Using a high performance shower head uses 1 - 1.5 gallons of water per minute - up to 60% less than a traditional shower head.
In Your Yard - Mulch exposed soils in your garden beds and improve that soil with compost to a depth of 8-13 inches to increase the ability to hold water. Select plants that have low water and pesticide needs. Planting trees not only beautifies your yard, but will also increase the value of your home while decreasing your impact on the environment. A single mature tree can provide nearly $300 in energy and resource values in terms of cooling, erosion and pollution control. Plus they reduce your “carbon foot print.” Putting the right plants in the right place and developing quality, healthy soil means less watering in the summer, less need for chemicals and less waste to worry about. Chemicals - Avoid outdoor chemicals and fix oil and other fluid leaks to prevent contamination of the water runoff. According to the NY State Attorney General’s office, 95% of pesticides used on residential lawns are considered possible carcinogens by the EPA. Hot water - Use recirculating systems for centralized hot water distribution or utilize “on demand” systems vs. traditional hot water tanks.
4. Improving Air Quality, Which Improves the Health and Productivity of Your Family
The EPA ranks indoor pollution among the top 5 environmental risks. Unhealthy air is found in up to 30% of new and renovated buildings. The electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than 2 average cars. Carpet - Using a low pile or less allergen attracting carpet and pad greatly improves air quality. Wool or PET carpet (made from recycled pop bottles) are good choices. In addition, at installation, have the carpet tacked down, not glued, to reduce pollutants. Many Green Built designs minimize the use of carpeted surfaces, replacing them with hard surfaces which don’t have these pollutants and are easier to keep free of dust, mold and mildew. Paints - Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds, such as formaldehyde) paints. Ventilation - While you want to seal your home to prevent heat loss, this creates a need for mechanical ventilation. Ventilation can be provided by quiet fans with automatic controls or by heat recovery ventilators. Talk to your HVAC contractor for the best system for your home’s design. Construction materials - To prevent microbial contamination, select materials that are resistant to microbial growth. Drainage - Provide effective drainage from the roof and surrounding landscape, as well as allow proper drainage of air conditioning coils. Window treatments - Avoid synthetic window coverings or those that cannot be cleaned easily.
Even though there is a lot to think about when using Green Building techniques and principles, it is manageable and doable. We here at UBuildIt can help you work with your architect or designer, subcontractors and suppliers to help you build or remodel your dream home while minimizing your impact on the environment. Taking the time to plan and build or remodel your dream home using UBuildIt and Green Building will positively impact you and generations to come.
Chuck Warrender, an experienced custom builder, opened UBuildIt in 1988 to show people how to become Owner-builders and save money or gain equity on their own custom home building and remodel projects. Chuck designed the UBuildIt System for Owner-builders who want to build more home for their money by directing their own construction projects. UBuildIt’s Construction Consultants guide Owner-builders every step of the way and provide a proven system, professional advice and trusted resources. UBuildIt now has over 100 franchises across the US. Learn more about Chuck and how to build or remodel your own custom home at UBuildIt.com
Filed under Home by miniwash
Solar Station Inc., a Palo Alto based renewable energy products company, has recently released a novel product called Micro Plug. Invented by an American entrepreneur, this device promises significant reduction in residential electricity usage throught the world.
What makes this device useful is the simplicity of its installation. In appearance, Micro PLug ressembles common AC to DC adapters and just like them it is plugged between the appliance and the wall socket. The device is automatically turned on once it is connected to the line and appliance. From that point on, depending on the case, the device saves 5 - 15% of energy. The impact on the owner’s utility bill, however, is more than that because Micro PLug also improves the power factor, which is a parameter that is taken into account in the utility bill. The Micro Plug is indeed a compact version of the industrial power factor correctors, innovatively scaled down.
Modern industrial power factor correctors use sophisticated electronics and state-of-the-art semiconductor switches. Micro Plug has succeeded in containing all these elements in a 5″ x 3″ x 2″ box. Thus, the benefits of power factor correction and harmonic filtering can be applied to any appliance having an AC motor. This includes refrigrators, washing machines, air conditioners, dish washers, driers, and incinerators.
The working principal of the Micro Plug is the elimination of reactive currents running through the appliance affected. Reactive currents are those electricity currecnts that do not create any useful work but merely flow back and forth in the powerline. Reactive currents increase the total current even if the effective current remains the same.
The increase in current means more loss as heat. Taking into account the internal resistance of appliancs, loss into hear is at least 10%. Thus, any reduction in reactive currents leads to significant savings. The extent of reactive currents is expressed by the parameter previously mentioned, called the power factor. The power factor can be thought of as the ratio of the effective (real) current to the total current. It is always a number between 0 and 1. The closer the power factor is to 1 the less the reactive currents along with the ohmic losses.
The Micro Plug eliminates reactive currents and raises the power factor up to 0.99. This not only reduces the ohmic losses to great extent but also eliminates penalties that some utility companies charge for power factors less than 0.75.
Another feature of the Micro Plug is its filtration of harmonic oscillations, which are secondary current waves with frequencies that are multiples of the standard distribution line AC frequency. These small oscillations occur when power is suddenly drawn from the powerline as for instance happens when an AC motor starts up. The harmonic oscillations not only increase the current flowing in the line but also can cause voltage drops at other device connected to the line and possibly resulting in damageor wear-and-tear in those devices. Elimination of harmonic oscillations elongates the useful utility period for those devices.
Adding up all these features, Micro Plug is a device that raises the quality of the electricity used, reduces wasteful currents, and protects the appliances from voltage drops and surges, reducing maintenance or replacement fees. Additional information can be found at www.solarstationinc.com.
Isik Kuntay is the COO of Solar Station Inc. and manages the technical staff of Solar Station for governmental, residential, and commercial projects. Prior to Solar Station, Isik has worked in the Automotive Industry as a Project Manager. He holds a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering, has publications on environmentally friendly process optimization methodologies and alternative energy technologies, and is a member of the US Green Building Council.
Filed under Home by miniwash
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. While some things, such as turning off appliances when not in use, are standard knowledge, there are many things consumers can do that may not be apparent to them. Today we will look at some of the various ways to conserve energy within the home.
In addition to adding proper insulation to your home, there is much you can do to increase your energy efficiency. One small and inexpensive step that consumers can take is to replace carbon filament light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. They fit into existing sockets and generate equivalent light while generating only a fraction of the electricity. Caulking or weather stripping around doors and windows is another excellent way to reduce energy use. In many homes, especially older homes, a great deal of heat or cool air is generated in an attempt to compensate for air entering the home through drafty windows and doors. By preventing this airflow, you greatly reduce your energy use.
When it comes to heating and cooling devices, the use of an energy efficient model is the best way to save on energy use. Taking care to not overheat or overcool your home is another excellent energy saver. Keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 55 at night is the median temperature for winter energy efficiency, and the median summer temperature is 78 degrees in summer. By replacing the air filters as needed in your heating and cooling system, you can also raise energy efficiency by as much as five percent.
The purchase and use of energy saving appliances is highly recommended for all homeowners and renters, as these appliances can use less than half of the energy needed by older models. Other ways to save money on appliance usage include such things as washing clothes on the cold or warm cycle rather than using hot water. Heating water is one of the biggest users of energy within a home. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater and wrap it in an insulating jacket. This simple change can save significant amounts of energy.
In truth, there are many ways to conserve energy from within your home. The two most important things to do are to block outside air from entering your home and to turn off appliances when they are not in use. These two things result in large amounts of wasted energy annually. When combined with energy efficient appliances and appliance settings designed to use minimal energy, you can significantly lower both your environmental impact and your energy costs. Following these tips can reduce your annual carbon dioxide emissions by thousands of pounds, which makes a significant change for the better in the environment. As more people begin to take these steps, we can begin to truly move forward in our fight against global warming.
Renewable Energy Today is devoted to providing individuals with up-to-date information and resources on renewable energy and sustainability. Through articles, videos and other content, you can learn how to implement renewable energy in your home as well as what the government is doing to help the environment.
Filed under Home by miniwash
Shading Devices
Both exterior and interior shades control heat gain. Exterior shades are generally more effective than interior shades because they block sunlight before it enters windows. When deciding which devices to use and where to use them, consider whether you are willing to open and close them daily or just put them up for the hottest season. You also want to know how they will affect ventilation. Exterior shading devices include awnings, lovers, shutters, rolling shutters and shades, and solar screens. Awnings are very effective because the block direct sunlight. They are usually made of fabric or metal and are attached above the window and extend down and out.
A properly installed awning can reduce heat gain up to 65% on southern windows and 77% on eastern windows. A light-colored awning does double duty by also reflecting sunlight. Maintaining a gap between the top of the awning and the side of the house helps vent accumulated heat from under a solid- surface awning. If you live in a climate with cold winters, you will want to remove awnings for winter storage, or by retractable ones, to take advantage of winter heat gain.
Roughly 40% of the unwanted heat that builds up in your home comes in through windows. The amount of drop (how far down the awing comes) depends on which side of your house the window is on. An east or west window needs a drop of 65% to 75% of the window height. A south-facing window only needs a drop of 45% to 60% for the same amount of shade. A pleasing angle to the eye for mounting and awning is 45?. Make sure the awning does not project into the path of foot traffic unless it is at least 6 feet 8 inches (2 meters) from the ground. One disadvantage of awnings is that they can block views, particularly on the east and west sides. However, slatted awnings do allow limited viewing through the top parts of windows.
Louvers are attractive because their adjustable slats control the level of sunlight slats control the level of sunlight entering your home and, depending on the design, can be adjusted from inside or outside your house. The slats can be vertical or horizontal. Louvers remain fixed and are attached to the exteriors of window frames.
Shutters are movable wooden or metal covering that, when closed, keep sunlight out. Shutters are either solid or slatted with fixed or adjustable slats. Besides reducing heat gain, they can provide privacy and security. Some shutters help insulate windows when it is cold outside. Rolling shutters have a series of horizontal slats that run down along a track. Rolling shades use a fabric. these are the most expensive shading options, but the work well and can provide security. many exterior rolling shutters or shades can be conveniently controlled from the inside. One disadvantage is that when fully extended, the block all light.
Solar screens resemble standard window screens except they keep direct sunlight from entering the window, cut glare, and block light without blocking the view or elimination air flow. They also provide privacy by restricting the view of the interior from outside your house. Solar screens come in a variety of colors and screening materials to compliment any home. Although do-it-yourself kits are available, these screens will not last as long as professionally built screens.
Although interior shading is not as effective as exterior shading, it is worthwhile if none of the previously mentioned techniques are possible. There are several ways to block the sun’s heat from inside your house.
Draperies and curtains made of tightly woven, light-colored, opaque fabrics reflect more of the sun’s rays than they let through. The tighter the curtain is against the wall around the window, the better it will prevent heat gain. Two layers of draperies improve the effectiveness of the draperies’ insulation when it is either hot or cold outside. Venetian blinds, although not as effective as draperies, can be adjusted to let in some light and air while reflecting the sun’s heat. Some newer blinds are coated with reflective finishes. To be effective, the reflective surfaces must face the outdoors. Some interior cellular (honeycombed) shades also come with reflective mylar coatings. But they block natural light and restrict air flow. Opaque roller shades are effective when fully drawn but also block light and restrict air flow. Ventilated attics are about 30 degrees F (18 degrees C) cooler than unventilated attics.
Removing Built-Up Heat
Nothing feels better on a hot day than a cool breeze. Encouraging cool air to enter your house forces warm air out, keeping your house comfortably cool. However, this strategy only works when the inside temperature is higher than the outside temperature. Natural ventilation maintains indoor temperatures close to outdoor temperatures close to outdoor temperatures and helps remove heat from your home. But only ventilated during the coolest parts of the day or night, and seal off your house from the hot sun and air during the hottest parts of the day.
The climate you live in determines the best ventilation strategy. In areas with cool nights and very hot days, let the night air in to cool your house. A well-insulated house will gain only 1 degree F (0.6 degree C). By the time the interior heats up, and the outside air should be cooler and can be allowed indoors. In climates with day time breezes, open windows on the side from where the breeze is coming and on the opposite side of the house. Keep interior doors open to encourage whole house ventilation. If your location lacks consistent breezes, create them by opening the windows at the lowest and highest points in your house. This natural “thermosiphoning,” or “chimney,” effect can be taken a step further by adding a clerestory or a vented skylight.
In hot, humid climates where temperature swings between day and night are mall, ventilate when humidity is not excessive. Ventilating your attic greatly reduces the amount of accumulated heat, which eventually works its way into the main part of your house. Ventilated attics are about 30 degrees F (18 degrees C) cooler than unventilated attics. Properly sized air conditioning and placed louvers and roof vents help prevent moisture buildup and overheating in your attic.
Often-overlooked sources of interior heat gain are lights and household appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers, and dryers. Because most of the energy that incandescent lamps use is given off as heat, use them only when necessary. Take advantage of daylight to illuminate your house. and consider switching to compact fluorescent lamps. These use about 75% less energy than incandescent lamps, and emit 90% less heat for the same amount of light.
New, energy efficient appliances generate less heat and use less energy. Many household appliances generate a lot of heat. When possible, use them in the morning or late evening when you can better tolerate the extra heat. Consider cooking on an outside barbecue grill or use a microwave oven, which does not generate as much heat and uses less energy than a gas or electric range.
Washers, dryers, dishwashers, and water heaters also generate large amounts of heat and humidity. To gain the most air conditioning benefit, seal off your laundry room and water heater from the rest of the house. New, energy efficient appliances generate less heat and use less energy. When it is time to purchase new appliances, make sure the are energy efficient.
All refrigerators, dishwashers, and dryers display an energy guide label indicating the annual estimated cost for operating the appliance or a standardized energy efficiency ratio. Compare appliances and buy the most efficient models for your needs.
Using any or all of these strategies will help keep you cool. even if you use air conditioning, many of these strategies, may not be enough. sometimes you need to supplement natural cooling with mechanical devices. fans air conditioning and evaporative coolers can supplement your cooling strategies and cost less to install and run than air conditioners.
Ceiling fans make you feel cooler. their effect is equivalent to lowering the air temperature by about 4 degrees F (2 degrees C). Evaporative coolers use about one-fourth the energy of conventional air conditioners. Many utility companies offer rebates and other cost incentives when you purchase or install energy saving products, such as insulation and energy efficient lighting and appliances. Contact your local utility company to see what it offers in the way of incentives.
Filed under Home by miniwash
We’ve all been hit in the pocket by rising electricity costs, at work and at home. The price of electricity is beyond our control, but it’s within our power to curb the amount of energy we consume. By following our power saving tips, you’ll be helping to reduce the impact on our fragile natural environment and preserve our planet’s resources.
First off, if you’re not using Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), you should be. Compact fluorescent lamps use only about a third as much electricity as standard incandescents. According to some experts, if you substitute compact fluorescent bulbs for a quarter of the incandescents used in high-use areas, you can cut the amount of electricity you use on lighting by half. I have CFLs in every fixture in my house, except for the fridge, oven, microwave and two fluorescent tube fixtures that are built in.
Use task lighting instead of area lighting. If you’re doing something at a fixed location, such as your desk or workbench, you don’t need to have the entire room brightly lit. Use an LED task light, one of the excellent units, or some similar small fixture to put light only where you need it. A 25 or 40 watt CFL can provide ambient light in the room, and you’ll reap the savings.
Use appliances that are efficient and no larger than needed to do the job. For many cooking tasks, a microwave oven will do what you want to do and save a lot of energy doing it. If all you’re doing is heating up some fish sticks, don’t heat the huge oven in your range, just use the toaster oven. Save heating that big space for something that won’t fit in the toaster oven. It saves money to make two and freeze one for later. You can save even more money by not preheating your oven, just let the food bake a little longer.
You’ll use a lot less energy in the winter if you put a programmable thermostat on your heater and let the temperature in the house drop quite a bit at night. In winter, set the thermostat to 21 degrees C when you are awake and 17 degrees C when you are asleep. In summer, set the thermostat to 26 degrees C and use a ceiling fan to cool your place. When the temperature outside falls to at least two degrees lower than the temperature inside, you should “vent” your home - that is, open your windows to let cool air in.
You might give some thought to a “ solar clothes dryer” like Grandma used to do - using indoor or outdoor clotheslines to dry your clothes. It’s low maintenance, no moving parts and the sheets flapping in the breeze give the puppy something to play with. It’s not for everybody, but if you don’t mind going back a few years, the initial cost is lower and the energy use much less than an electric or gas dryer. Doesn’t work well on rainy days though. Not using an electric clothes dryer can save $50 per year.
One last thing you must do to save money on your electric bill is to eliminate phantom loads. What, you ask, is a phantom load? A phantom load is any device that is consuming energy when you think you’ve turned it off. It all started with “instant on” televisions back in the vacuum tube days. When you “turned off” the TV, the tube filaments still had power applied to them, and were costing you money. When you turned the TV “on”, you were only turning on the high voltage and the warm tubes went to work instantly.
It’s even worse today. Anything that has a remote control is a phantom load. Think about it. There has to be a circuit inside there waiting to get the wake-up call from the remote control. The clocks on VCRs, ranges, microwaves and other gadgets are all phantom loads. And they are costing you money.
The way to cure phantom loads is to put the devices on a switched outlet or a power strip. Or simply unplug them. Unplug your toaster, coffee maker, hair dyer, some televisions, and power strips. It is good to note that some appliances have memory stored in the IC chips within the units. If you do unplug these units you may loose stored information. One of the really nice aspects of energy conservation is that you get to choose how much you want to save. It’s up to you which, if any, phantom load devices you leave connected when you’re not using them. Just balance convenience against savings.
You now possess the knowledge to cut your monthly electric bill. It is difficult to say how much you can save by making these ten simple changes, but here is an example: A friend of mine, living in an apartment at the time, followed these same recommendations and saw a 30% reduction in his bill the first full month. It can be done. And you can do it.
There are many reasons to lower your electricity consumption: saving money now, preparing for future rate hikes, helping to improve air quality and limit global warming, or just reducing waste. With increases in the price of electricity and gas bills, these methods help you try and get cheaper bills and save money.
Filed under Home by miniwash
As fossil fuel prices skyrocket to ridiculous all-time highs, green building techniques and energy efficiency become more important to the everyday homeowner. But what the average consumer doesn’t realize is just how much they can do to secure their residence against heat transfer and air loss. A tight building envelope seals cool air inside during the summer and warm air inside during the winter, reducing the run time of boilers, furnaces, and central air conditioning systems.
Below are six quick home fixes that the average homeowner can easily accomplish to conserve both money and energy. For dozens more fantastic (and easy!) ways to conserve energy, you can also visit Green Building with Energy Star.
<b>Put Tight Seals on Doors and Windows</b> - The most common place for a home to lose energy is at the entry and exit points: the doors and windows. Perform a thorough examination of these openings to feel for drafts or air transfer, then improve your home building seal by deciding upon the best method of better insulating them. Caulking up cracks and sealing gaps is one way to prevent unwanted airflow between conditioned and unconditioned space. Expanding foam products are sold to fill in larger areas between wall and door or window frame. Don’t be afraid to pull off your mouldings - you may be surprised at what you see! The fixes here are inexpensive and provide instant results.
<b>Purchase Energy Star Rated Products & Appliances</b> - The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program is designed to recognize building materials and appliances that save substantial amounts of energy over other materials within the same class or type. Doors, windows, and skylights bearing the blue Energy Star logo will contribute to a much tighter building envelope through the use of double-paned glass, warm-edge spacers, and low E-coatings that help reflect heat both inside and out. Seal home improvement savings for these products generally pay for themselves over their own lifetimes through reduced utility bills. Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators, as well as heating and cooling systems and home electronics are all rated by the Energy Star program… and the models that make the cut will save you tremendous amounts of energy, water, and money over the lifetime of the appliance.
<b>Seal your Home’s Floor Slab or Foundation</b> - The part of your home touching the ground is also the part most susceptible to moisture. Besides leading to mold and other health hazards, a wet or damp basement will decrease the effectiveness of heating and cooling units. If you’re about to undertake new construction, seal home improvement includes filter fabrics made of geotextile materials can be built beneath the foundation to help force water away from your home. For existing homeowners, waterproof membranes can be added to either side of your foundation or slab. Made from clay or even rubber-based substances, such a membrane can easily applied or even painted on to protect your home from unwanted moisture.
<b>Check Your Wall Cavity Insulation</b> - A tremendous number of brick or masonry homes were built with an empty gap between two layers of external walls, and you may very well be living in one of them. Such a cavity acts as a terrible heat sink and could easily be responsible for a large portion of your heating or cooling bills. There is a huge margin for seal home improvement here. Luckily, today’s modern methods for insulating these wall cavities is simple and wholly effective. Spray insulation includes recycled cellulose, polyurthane, or polystyrene fillers that expand to fill the gap and eliminate unwanted airflow. If you live in a brick home and your walls feel drafty, you may want to check behind them to see what you’ve got!
<b>Install a Radiant Barrier in your Attic</b> - As your home fills with conditioned air, it seeks to escape to the outside - and through your roof is the most likely getaway plan. One very easy way to slow the dissipation of heat and cold energy through the top of your home is by installing a radiant barrier. This simple product is little more than a thin sheet of reflective foil that you can roll out and affix to your roofing beams for substantial seal home improvement. Radiant barriers can also be installed along the floor of your attic or even in the exterior walls of your home, should they be open. These barriers and non-insulating but actually reflect radiant heat energy back into the home to keep it warm, or in the case of hot summer months they can reflect up to 95% of the sun’s radiant energy striking your roof, keeping your attic much cooler. Purchase them in panels or large rolls - installation is simple and the product is effective enough to lower your utility bills by up to 10 or 15% annually, especially in hotter climates.
<b>Replace your Standard Light Bulbs with CFL’s</b> - Yes, you’ve heard this one before. Perhaps you thought those spiral-looking compact fluorescent light bulbs were unattractive… or maybe you didn’t like the type of light they gave off. Guess what? Those excuses are empty now, as new CFL technology has created bulbs that look identical to standard incandescent bulbs and that give off much whiter, cleaner light than ever before. CFL’s will save you incredible amounts on electric bills because they use 75% less electricity than standard bulbs and give off 75% less heat also! Compact fluorescent bulbs have a lifetime that’s 8 or 10 times as long as a regular light bulb, and in almost all cases pay for themselves in energy savings over the bulb’s lifetime. For homeowners looking to go green and save energy, the installation of CFL’s is a given in the world of efficiency and home improvement.
Although not affiliated with the EPA’s Energy Star program, Green Building with Energy Star is dedicated to strongly promoting the use of seal home improvement and building materials displaying the blue Energy Star logo. Visit them today for many more money saving techniques and ideas!
Filed under Home by miniwash