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The Importance of Energy Efficiency in Home Appliances

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Due in large part to the current economic, energy, and environmental crises, product developers are putting particular emphasis on energy efficiency – as are nature-friendly consumers. Widespread effort to use the minimum amount of energy for maximum mechanical functioning is the aim of product developers and consumers – a fortunate trend since advances and personal effort in this field are essential for everyone’s well-being. Technology in everyday household appliances has made significant progress over the past 20 years, and brands are a ferocious competition to put out the most advanced and efficient products.

The well-respected ENERGY STAR program brands, with its logo products that are technologically up to par, are making it easier for consumers to make wise choices regarding their household items. ENERGY STAR evaluates a wide variety of products including appliances, electronics, and construction equipment. Those in search for new appliances are well-advised to consult the ENERGY STAR list of approved products beforehand! [1]

In addition to keeping an eye out for the best products, it benefits the individual to know what makes a product energy efficient, mechanically speaking, and how they can maintain their appliances to function optimally while using as little energy as possible. This is beneficial not only for the environment, but also for one’s electric bills.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators are the biggest energy guzzlers of the house accounting for about one-sixth of electricity consumption. One can reduce the cost of refrigeration by investing in an appropriately-sized model (a full-sized refrigerator is superfluous for a small household), by keeping the thermostat between 34 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit (an ideal temperature for food storage), and by regularly defrosting the inside. It is also important to note that top/bottom models use less energy than side-by-side models.

Washing Machines

The easiest solution to energy-efficient clothes washing is, of course, to do the task by hand. Otherwise, when searching for a washer, opt for front-loading washers (those with a horizontal spinner axis), which require less water to drench the clothing. Also, as water heating requires energy, cold cycles are more economical. One can also search for a washer with a fast spin momentum at the end of the cycle, as this lessens the need for machine-drying. A list of ENERGY STAR-certified washers, which must be 40% more energy efficient than the industry standard to qualify for the label, can be found on energystar.gov.

Dishwashers

Consistent with washing machines, the most energy-efficient dishwashers use minimal water and electricity. Dishwashers produced after 1994 that meet the ENERGY STAR standards use 5.8 gallons of water per cycle or less – however, one can use even less than this by setting the washer to the “short cycle” option. This simply abbreviates each stage of the washing, resulting in less water and electricity expenditure. Many washers also have a “no heat” drying option, which cuts down even further the amount of electricity used.

Dryers

Much like clothes-washing, it should be noted foremost that the most energy-efficient way to dry one’s clothing is to use a clothes line, or lay garments flat to dry. However, if one is committed to machine-drying, there are efforts that can be taken to maximize energy efficiency. To begin, gas-powered driers are better than electric ones because the burning of gas generates more energy than electricity. Proper maintenance of machines includes removing lint regularly and keeping the machine in a warm, dry space so that it doesn’t have to use as much power to reach the proper temperature – also, drying loads in succession recycles heat, reducing the machine’s task of producing it. ENERGY STAR does not label dryers because they all use similar amounts of energy, but it is agreed upon that combination washer-drier machines use less energy than two separate machines do.

Water Heaters

This appliance comes in more varieties than any other; the consumer can choose between heaters powered by gas, electricity, heat pumps, and solar power, among other sources. By far, the most cost-effective and energy-efficient option is the solar-powered model, although they are initially the most expensive. Unfortunately, they are only the best option when used in mid to warm climates. For consumers in colder hemispheres, heat pumps are a good alternative. Their advantage over conventional water heaters, which must constantly heat reserves of hot water, is that they simply move heat from one place to another; obtaining it from the surrounding room, for instance. It is helpful to keep the water tank insulated, and also to keep the thermostat around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A list of ENERGY STAR-approved heat pump models, which must be 10% more energy efficient than the industry standard to qualify for the label, can be found on energystar.gov.

Source:

1. http://www.energystar.gov

This article is from Wellhome, which provides Home Energy Audits or Assessments with the ability to upgrade HVAC, Windows, and Home Insulation, and perform Duct Tightening and Air Sealing to create a comfortable more well balanced home that performs at its best level. Home energy assessments through WellHome allow the homeowner to get a bigger picture of the efficiency of the home and its ability to maintain comfortable temperatures and air flow.

A Little Insulation Goes a Long Way

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Insulation vs. Conductivity

To understand insulation, you must also understand conductivity.  A good conductor transfers energy easily.  That’s why it’s dangerous to hold a golf club during a lightning storm and why it’s safe to be in a car during that same storm, because of the rubber wheels.  Rubber is a great insulator and a terrible conductor.  You mean the same properties that make a material transfer electricity also apply to transferring heat? Yes.  If a material is a good insulator then it will be a poor conductor, and vice versa.

The same principle of energy transfer that applies to electricity also relates to heat transfer.  Heat is but one a form of energy.  Good conductors will not make good insulation materials. Conversely, good insulators will not transfer energy (in this case, heat).  Wood, batt insulation, and rubber are a few examples of good insulators.  Copper, metal, and water are good conductors.  What you need to know, ultimately, is that you want to separate your property from the outdoors with the good insulators.

Windows

Windows need to be up to par and hold their own when it comes to insulation.  Wood is naturally a good insulator.  Its cellular structure makes it so.  Vinyl windows have made huge advancements over the past couple of decades in their insulation properties.  They’re quite good nowadays and with the lower cost of vinyl windows, they’re a popular option for many people.

Doors

This is another obvious one.  The place where you can lose a lot of heat is a where you purposefully put an entrance.  Make sure to have all cracks sealed around your doors.  Fresh sealing tape and caulking may need to be reapplied every year or two.  It tends to degrade over time.

Walls

Make sure the walls are insulated well.  Also, make sure the ceiling on the top floor of your home is insulated where the attic floor meets the rooms.  This is an area that is sometimes overlooked.  However, it separates you from the cold or hot air from the outdoors so take a look if you haven’t yet.

Insulate and Save

You’re home’s insulation is only as good as the last barrier that separates you from the outdoors.  Concentrate on that and you will save money on your heating and cooling bills.  Make sure to use quality insulation products and you’ll save money in the long run.

Elliot Roberts is a professional writer for numerous home improvement publications and home improvement blogs.

Solar Power Mentioned In President Obama’s State Of The Union Address

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

During President Obama’s 2011 State of the Union address, he made mention of a little known solar power option called “solar shingles”. The president stated that it was his goal to make 80% of America’s energy “clean energy” by the year 2035. For the USA, this means increasing the amount of power generated from solar, wind, nuclear, and clean coal technologies. Part of the plan involves increasing the use of solar shingles for solar power.

Solar shingles are a lesser-known version of solar panels. In spite of Obama’s saying that they are used all across the nation, the reality is that the technology is still in its infancy, and hasn’t quite caught on yet. However, their innovative design and solar power producing capabilities will ensure that they’re here to stay.

Although they come in many sizes and styles, most solar shingles are designed to look like ordinary roof shingles. Some types can even be placed directly onto the roofing cloth. For the aesthetically conscious home owner, this is a big plus.

Solar shingles offer two other great advantages that may increase the appeal of solar power for Americans. Firstly, they are cheaper to manufacture than some solar panels, and secondly they are easier to install. Therefore, although solar shingles may not be the most efficient photovoltaic energy producing technology available, it is expected that their cost of manufacture and installation may make them more cost effective on a per wattage basis. Given that cost is the principal barrier to entry to widespread adoption of solar power, it is easy to see why President Obama chose to mention them as a viable option during his speech.

During the speech it was also stated that 2 American entrepreneurial brothers have retooled their old roofing factory with the help of a government loan, and are now utilizing the space to produce solar shingles. The aim is to make them much more widespread and available.

Although Obama made it a point to say that these solar panels are already sweeping the nation, this is not exactly true. Before the speech, very few people even knew that this option existed. However, following his speech, people everywhere were looking into this option. In the days following the address, “solar shingles” experienced a big leap in search volume on Google. This spike in consumer interest is also being matched by a surge in supply. The Dow Chemical Company is joining a host of other solar power companies in ramping up production of the solar shingle product.

Maybe solar power’s time has come. By just mentioning this during his address, President Obama gave voice to the hopes of many people worldwide that solar power will become more common in the next few years.

Obama also talked about the United States becoming a world leader in driving electric cars and getting rid of federal subsidies to the oil companies. The time has come for green energy as it is now at the forefront of America’s consciousness.

Mike Willagee is an environmentalist and a big fan of solar shingle technology. He is also a member of the team at Sun Connect, Australia’s solar power specialists. Take a look at the profile for Sun Connect for more information.

5 Top Tips For Being Greener

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

Kermit the Frog may have been convinced its not easy being green but it turns out he was wrong, being green is easier than you think. In this day and age we have no need to be wasteful and with a little bit of common sense and a small amount of effort we can all reduce our carbon foot print to a tiny carbon paw print and here’s how.

Turn It Off

Leaving your electrical items on standby uses almost as much electricity as leaving them on. If you’re going to be away from the television long enough to put it on standby then you’re going to be away long enough to turn it off. If you make a habit of falling asleep in front of the television, set the sleep function so it turns off after a certain time or if this is too technical or you don’t think your television has a sleep function plug it in through a timer plug and set the whole unit to turn off at a set time. The same goes for the computer and laptop, they’ll all have power saving modes and if they’re going to be left inactive for more than half an hour they need to be programmed to turn off.

Turn It Down

Washing your clothes at 40 degrees rather than 90 degrees will save three times as much electricity. You’re not jeopardising the quality of your wash either as most washing detergent companies now boast their products give great results at lower temperatures. Not only are you saving the planet you’re going to be saving your cash too, the less electric you’re using the less you’re paying.

Re-use it

Every day most people throw so much away that can be reused or still has plenty of life left in it. Things like soap slivers get thrown away but they can be saved and compressed to make another bar of soap. When you get towards the bottom of a bottle of shampoo or washing up liquid  dilute it with water to make it last longer and to make sure you don’t end up throwing away the bottle with contents still left in it. If you have children that seem to be able to put holes in their clothes quicker than you can replace them, use them as rags for cleaning. Better still, you could keep a selection of their favourite t-shirts and turn them into a patchwork quilt; this will make a great present for when they’re older.

Shop for it

The shops are the biggest opportunity we have to be green, as this is where you’re buying what comes into your home. Be more aware when you’re walking round the supermarket, some brands are going to sell their products in more environmentally friendly packaging. Loose fruit and vegetables are typically cheaper that the pre packing produce and without all that extra packaging you’re really cutting your carbon footprint. When you get to the checkout make sure you’re packing your shopping into a cloth carrier bag that you can use over again rather than a plastic bag that’s going to take years to degrade.

Accessories it

One of the biggest ways to lose heat and energy in your house is through drafts. When the winter comes round you’re going to want to have the heating on and there’s no point freezing yourself in the name of being green but there are plenty of tricks you can try to make sure you’re not using any more energy than you have to. Carpet is a better insulation that laminate or wooden flooring but if you do have hard floors invest in some good quality thick rugs for the winter to keep that heat in. You lose most your body heat through your head and feet so before you turn the heating up make sure you’ve got a warm pair of socks and slippers on. Make sure your window is dressed with some heavy curtains to stop too much heat going straight out the window and of course cavity wall insulation will stop as much heat as possible from just escaping straight out the walls.

Jessica works for Surfdome who have a great selection of hoodies to make sure you’re keeping as warm as possible when it starts to get nippy

Tax Credits for Green Home Improvement

Monday, June 27th, 2011

Making green home improvements can be a wonderful thing to do, not only for the warm and fuzzy feeling it gives you inside from the realization that you are helping the environment, but also from the knowledge that you might be getting a little something extra in the way of tax credits for your efforts. Gone are the bigger tax credits of 2010, but don’t give up just yet, there are still tax credits out there for certain home improvements, and not taking advantage of these credits could cost you some hard earned money.

Times are tough, and many of us can use every extra dollar we can lay our hands on whether it’s in the form of straight up cash or tax credits. And while home improvements might not be on the top of the list for what to be doing with your money right now, when maintenance issues arrive on the home front, it can cost you a lot more down the road if you ignore them. So if you’re going to do some home improvements, you might as well look for ways to get a little money back in the process.

Federal Benefits

It is important to note that unless you are willing to play the tax credit roulette wheel, you should first check to make sure the improvements you plan to make to your home qualify for a tax credit. There are certain rules, regulations, requirements, and efficiency standards that your purchases must meet in order to make them eligible.

That being said, there are a number of modifications or installations you might make to your home that would entitle you to federal tax credits. From insulating material, doors, and roofs to heat pumps, HVAC systems, solar energy systems, and more, there are numerous home improvement options that could earn you a tax credit of up to $500, which is nothing to sneeze at.

To find out exactly what the standards for tax credits are, how they apply to your home improvement options, or just to find responses to unanswered questions at the site’s FAQs page, visit www.energystar.gov.

Lesser Realized Benefits

When it comes to taxes and home improvements, you must sometimes think outside the box as to where there could be additional advantages. Sure, there are the standard tax benefits in the form of credits, but your home improvements could be saving you on taxes elsewhere.

Have you ever looked at your natural gas, electric bill or water bill and how the charges are broken down? If not, next time they arrive you might want to glance over these charges. You could be surprised to find that you are likely being taxed for your utility consumption at the state and possibly at the municipal level as well. While the rates may vary depending various factors, it is important to realize that your home improvements could earn you additional tax savings through energy efficiency or reduced water consumption, and while this isn’t a tax credit in the typical sense of the word, it is a tax savings — and it’s tough to deny that every little bit counts.

Anastacio Mindiola is an accomplished attorney and business owner. His company helps home and business owners <a href=”http://www.republicpropertytax.com”>protest property taxes in Houston</a> and the surrounding counties. For more information on how you can <a href=”http://www.republicpropertytax.com/index.php?nav=services”>lower your property taxes</a> visit http://www.republicpropertytax.com.

The 5 Greenest Neighborhoods in the U.S.A.

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Being from the city of Grand Rapids, MI (about the only city left in Michigan that isn’t crumbling from economic downpour and a terrible housing market) I am very familiar with the idea of not only people, whole cities going green.

This is what our country will have to do in order to take steps to preserving our environment. Going green cannot only be targeted at individuals any more, the whole market must be targeted at communities and cities as a hole.

Cities with large populations have a huge effect on the health of our ecosystem. They can play a huge one the improvement of our air and water quality – especially since many big cities are located next to large water sources whether it is a lake or a river.

In the U.S.A., buildings account for 72% of electricity consumption and 39% of all energy use. That is a a very large number. A number so large, that with the right amount of planning and thinking ahead, steps can be taken to have a dramatic effect on the health of our ecosystems.

A green building rating system called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is used to certify cities in being green and the cities can compete with other cities based on how many green building they have and the overall degree of their “greenness.”

The chart shows the cities that are the leaders in terms of the number of LEED buildings. If you are thinking about moving to one of these cities solely on the “greenness” of the area, consider the following 5 cities. Not only do these cities contain a number of LEED buildings, but they are making substantial strides in other areas to become more green.

 

Cities No. of LEED Buildings
Chicago, IL 88
Portland, OR 73
Seattle, WA 63
Washington, DC 57
Atlanta, GA 53
San Francisco, CA 50
New York City, NY 46
Grand Rapids, MI 44
Los Angeles, CA 40
Boston, MA 38

Chicago

One of the biggest cities in the nation is also one that is trying to make the biggest difference. The windy city has planted over a half a million new trees, and it has over two and a half million square feet of plant life supporting city roofs. When you say “going green,” Chicago takes it literally. Hopefully it will help reduce the smell that you get when walking on the sidewalks and going over sewers!

Grand Rapids

This is the smallest city on the list by a landslide, making it the greenest city pound for pound on the list. It is recognized as a leader in pursuing renewable energy sources by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Every person in Grand Rapids can make a huge contribution, which makes it a great city for those who are passionate about going green.

Portland

Fifty percent of the city is powered by renewable energy – a remarkable number. The city also does a great job of keeping it’s money inside the city walls and its has a thriving local farmers market. It has over 200 miles of bike lanes within it’s city limits, making for less fuel emissions from vehicles.

San Francisco

The city takes recycling to another level – starting with the root of it: Psychology. They have hired artists to do work around the city that inspire recycling. They also ban free plastic grocery bags at shopping centers, and had a plan in effect to cut landfill waste by 75 per cent by the end of 2010. It is also the solar energy leader in the U.S.A.

Boston

The Boston Celtics aren’t the only thing green in this city. The city has a “Green by 2015″ plan. In this plan the city will promote motor bikes for use of transportation, replace taxis with hybrid vehicles, and incorporate the use of solar panels. The city also plans to build a power plant that would be capable of turning fifty thousand tons of yard waste (clippings of grass and leaves) into usable power and fertilizer. It does this by using methane produced by anaerobic bacteria to power generators.

This article was written by Laura Zanskey. Laura helps to run and maintain www.youreviewelectronics.com which is a web site that gives Vizio reviews.

5 Tips on Saving Energy At Home

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

With a minimal amount of effort, you too can save energy, even if you have a large family.  Computers, cell phone chargers and other devices can use a lot of energy, especially if everyone in your family has their own cell phone and computer.

It is Easy to Conserve Energy

While you might be hesitant to make changes in your lifestyle, it is important to remember that saving energy translates into saving money; the less energy that you use, the lower your utility bills will be.  Just think how rewarding it will be to help the environment as well as helping your budget too!

Make Changes Gradually

Instead of trying to make a drastic change in your lifestyle, or purchasing expensive appliances or light bulbs all at once, gradually incorporate energy saving principles into your routine.

  • Use compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent light bulbs.  Fluorescent bulbs give off the same amount of light as the incandescent bulbs, but they use less energy and have a longer life.  Because of these factors, you can save a lot of money while saving energy too.  Some electric companies have programs for low income customers and will actually give you the fluorescent bulbs for free if you qualify.
  • Install ceiling fans to circulate air.  Ceiling fans can help keep your house cool in the summer time and help to circulate warm air in the winter time.  This means that you can save on energy costs because you can set your air conditioning to a warmer temperature and your heater to a lower temperature because the ceiling fans will help to circulate the air.
  • Purchase energy saving appliances whenever possible.  Many states and communities now have programs to encourage people to purchase such appliances.  These programs include cash back programs as well as tax incentives.  Some states even have tax free weekends which encourage customers to purchase energy saving appliances.  Of course, programs vary from state to state as well as community to community.

A Solar Powered Gate Opener Can Add Convience and Security

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

A solar powered automatic gate opener will allow you security and convenience especially in an area where AC power may not be available. These gate openers come in kits, the prices have fallen dramatically, and it has become an easy do-it-yourself project.

The first step is to survey the gate itself making sure it’s perfectly level and swings without impediment on its hinges.

Next move the gate to its fully open and closed positions and make a mark. Place wooden, metal or concrete stops at each end of the swing arc to keep the gate from opening to wide.

Next mount the gate opener itself onto the gate. The motor assembly should be located on the gate post near the hinges. Attach the actuator arm to the gate itself. Also, find a convenient location for the control box. It needs to be at least 3 feet off the ground. And, mount the receiver to the top of the gate post. That unit will receive the radio signals from the remote control to operate the gate opener.

Next, attach the electrical wiring from the control box to the operating arm that control the gates movement. The kit includes a diagram showing which wires go to which termination block. It is important to get the correct wires to the right terminal block, as one set of wiring controls the opening movement, the other controls closing.

Now run the DC power connections from the gate motor to the battery assembly.

Away from the gate, set up the solar array. The solar unit captures power from the sun to charge a battery. That battery provides the energy needed to run the gate opener. Connect the DC power connections from the gate opener motor to the battery module. Then run the wires from the battery into the solar array control box. Attaching the positive wires to positive terminal blocks and negative wires to negative blocks.

Assemble the solar panel atop the provided curved pipe. The pipe and panel assembly can be attached to a fence post using clamps or lag bolts pointed toward the sun.

After ensuring direct-current power is coming from the panel, place the free end of the solar panel wiring into the control box. Again, be sure to attach the proper wires to the correct terminal spots inside this control box. Next, run the appropriate wires from the control box terminals to the battery compartment.

Installing a solar powered gate opener can be accomplished by a do-it-yourselfer in less than a day.

About the Author: S. Combs writes for the Residentialsolarpanels.org blog, her personal hobby blog sh uses to share tips on solar air heaters and energy efficiency.

Water Conservation Basics for New Home Owners

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

By John Kurowski, Kurowski Development Co.

Once we talk about “building green,” it’s often assumed that we are speaking about power effectiveness or energy efficiency. Even though power effectiveness is definitely an essential component of building green it is truly about the thoughtful use of all organic and natural resources, especially water. Clean water is one of our most important natural resources.

You will find a number of ways that homeowners can conserve water within their new homes, regardless of what style is preferred. Our trade partners and suppliers join us in making sure that comfort and ease of use are not sacrificed for efficiency.

For our first strategy for water conservation, we take a close look at how, what, and exactly where water will be used inside a home. We might think our first consideration is the kitchen area, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, but we also need to examine the use of water for irrigation along with other outdoor requirements.

Within each of these locations, we think about the appliances and fixtures. Using the kitchen as an example, today’s dishwashers are far more water-efficient and energy-efficient than those of just a decade ago. By providing a wider range of cycles and cleansing modes, these appliances decrease the amount of water to the minimum required for your task. Energy-saver cycles operate to get a shorter quantity of time, using less heat and thus save energy and time.

Each and every kitchen area also contains at least one sink and faucet pair, occasionally more can be found in connoisseur or custom kitchens. New home owners can select low-flow and much more sturdy faucets and also self-contained hot water dispensers. Low-flow faucets dispense a decreased quantity of water without diminishing the water pressure. Self-contained hot water heaters save energy by delivering steaming hot water right to the tap without the waste of waiting for the water to heat up.

The Bathroom also provides several opportunities to reduce water use. The engineering of low-flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets has reduced water usage and saved home owners money. These products pay for themselves over time.

Tankless water heaters, is an innovation that provides almost instant hot water to some or all of the faucets, rooms, or water-using appliances in the whole house Inside your home and especially in a large house, a lot of water goes down the drain before heated water reaches the user Tankless or “on-demand” water heaters save water (and heating power) because they don’t need to wait for the water held in a conventional water heater. As much as seventy five gallons can be wasted waiting for your shower to warm up to the desired temperature as it flows via the pipes and out the spout.

Of all the water-using appliances, washing machines have seen the most technological advances. Like dishwashers, they are engineered for a variety of cycles. Various settings can be selected, based on the type and volume of clothes being washed. Front-loading models, for example, allow homeowners to clean more clothes per load, therefore decreasing the number of loads (and water utilized) to get them clean. All machines have enhanced their per-load effectiveness, as drum and agitation technology have advanced to complete a much better task with much less water.

Let’s move on to more creative and fun subjects relating to home ownership, designing your own landscaping. We would like to inspire homeowners to consider native and drought-tolerant landscaping for their new homes, which reduce the quantity of irrigation water needed to maintain them. Healthy and flourishing landscaping does not mean buckets of water running down the street. Even with more traditional plant selections, using drip and in-ground irrigation systems is much more water-efficient than using a hose and sprinkler and will accomplish a much better result and save you money.

As with most features that affect the comfort ,ease and on-going costs of the home, greater performance requirements are accomplished via a partnership between us as being a home builder, within our style and also the goods and building procedures we employ, and our homeowners, as the users of those methods. Ultimately, the efficient conservation of water depends upon way of life options that optimize the goods and methods we install.

By John Kurowski, Kurowski Development Co. has been devoted to building power efficient, environmentally aware custom houses within the Denver area since 1976.

Studs Open House

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

This Saturday we will be hosting a Studs Open House at a home we currently are building. The purpose is to show and demonstrate the energy efficiency features that get covered up after the drywall is installed.  It is also a chance for us to thank our trade contactors and employees for their quality work. If you ever wanted to know the value of an open framing corner, and all the little areas that need sealing and see a wall of closed cell foam, this is your chance. The time is 1:00 to 4:00 PM Saturday March 26th.  For more details and directions contact carol@kurowski.com