Energy Efficiency - Green Your Current Desktop or Laptop Computer

According to the April 2008 edition of PC Magazine flaws in Windows XP's sleep mode may have added up to billion a year to power bills worldwide. Unless you purchased a special energy efficient model, have used third party applications to manage your power management setting or have manually adjusted your power management settings then your current computer is most likely not as energy efficient as it could be.

What can I do to improve my existing computers energy efficiency?

\"Energy Efficiency\"

Unless you are a computer expert, managing your system configuration for optimal energy efficiency may be a bit daunting. For the sake of simplicity to optimize the power management settings in Windows machines I recommend free software such as the CO2 Saver from Snap.com.

Energy Efficiency - Green Your Current Desktop or Laptop Computer

The CO2 Saver

This lightweight computer program manages your computer's power setting when it is idle. By managing your idle power setting the CO2 Saver can save you energy and in turn reduce harmful CO2 emissions and more. As an added benefit of the CO2 Saver clearly shows you what your personal CO2 reduction has been as well as total CO2 reduced by everyone using the program.

How effective is it?

To date Snap's CO2 Saver has prevented 607,206 lbs or 303.6 tons of CO2 emissions. To put that into perspective the total savings provided by this software is equivalent to:

• Not driving a vehicle for 552,005 miles. Why? The average car with a single driver emits 1.10 lbs of CO2 per mile.
• Planting 60,720 trees. Why? On average a tree absorbs 10 lbs of pollutants from the air each year.

Downloading Snap's CO2 Saver

You can download Snap's CO2 Saver free of charge at:

• http://co2saver.snap.com/

Even though this application is currently only available for Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista based computers it has already shown significant environmental benefits. It's easy to install, is free of any malware or spyware and gives you a constant reminder on your desktop of your personal environmental responsibility.

Energy Efficiency - Green Your Current Desktop or Laptop Computer

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist who works with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner. Cool-N-Save(tm) is an energy efficiency device for your air conditioner. This improvement in efficiency can reduce your AC electric bill by up to 30%. Saving energy helps fight global warming. Cool-N-Save(tm) is an easy and cost effective way for you to reduce your energy usage dramatically.

Energy Efficiency - Buying a New Plasma, LCD or Flat-Screen Television with Energy Star

Are you in the market for a new television set? Are you considering a plasma, LCD or flat-screen model? Have you considered it's energy efficiency? While most people shop for televisions with specific features already in mind, they rarely consider energy efficiency. Why is energy efficiency important in televisions? According to Energy Star, "today's TVs, when combined with related products like DVD players and set-top boxes, make up about 10% of a household's annual electricity bill."

Powering Your TV and it's Effect on the Environment

\"Energy Efficiency\"

Watching television may seem harmless enough, but it's important to realize the environmental impact of the electricity you use. Generating electricity is a dirty business - especially in the United States. In 2006, nearly half (49%) of the country's 4.1 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity generated used coal as its source of energy. Why do we still rely so heavily on coal in today's more environmentally conscious world? You can find the answer in a recent MIT report titled The Future of Coal where they state, "Coal is a low-cost, per BTU, mainstay of both the developed and developing world," they continue with the following frightening statement, "its use is projected to increase."

Energy Efficiency - Buying a New Plasma, LCD or Flat-Screen Television with Energy Star

Growing Power Needs

If 10% of your household's annual electricity bill doesn't seem outrageous to you then consider the following, according to Keith Jones of Digital CEnergy Australia, "by 2012, it will be safe to say that televisions will use more power than the average refrigerator in an average household."

Energy Efficiency - A Simple Solution

Thankfully, there is a simple solution - energy efficiency. The more energy efficient your new television is, the less electricity you use and the less pollution you contribute. With the help of Energy Star, finding an energy efficiency television has never been easier. Energy Star rated televisions use about 30% less energy in comparison to standard units. Energy Star also provides ratings on almost every type of television on the market - from standard TVs, to HD-ready TVs, to the largest flat-screen plasma TVs.

To maximize the energy efficiency of your new television, if possible, I recommend holding your purchase until after November 2008. According to Energy Star, "in November 2008, a new, much more stringent ENERGY STAR specification for TVs will be effective." This new standard will include efficiency improvements for both standby and active modes.

Finding Energy Star Rated Televisions

If you are ready to shop today then you can find Energy Star rated televisions using their free web-tool:

• http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=TV#FAPSearch

The following stores also carry Energy Star rated "Home Electronics" so you should be able to compare Energy Star models personally.

• Best Buy
• Costco
• Sam's Club
• Sears
• Wal-Mart

To find the closest store near you, Energy Star provides the following free web-tool:

• http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.store_locator

It's important to always remember using energy efficient devices is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint. Not only does energy efficiency help save the environment for future generations, it also saves you money each money by lowering your monthly electricity bill. When you purchase your next television, make the environmentally smart choice and purchase one rated by Energy Star.

Energy Efficiency - Buying a New Plasma, LCD or Flat-Screen Television with Energy Star

Sam Greyhawk is an environmental evangelist who spreads the message of reduce, reduce and recycle. Learn about greenwashing [http://www.stopgreenwashing.org/] and how to avoid it by visiting Stop Greenwashing [http://www.stopgreenwashing.org/]. Track interesting environmental stories by topic at Nature Web [http://www.natureweb.us/].

Energy Efficiency - Bicycles Are An Energy Efficient Transportation Choice

In the United States, we live in an automobile based culture. Many people don't think twice about driving their vehicle short distances to run errands - a mile here, a mile there. What many people don't realize or choose to ignore is that driving alone is one of the least climate-friendly forms of transportation.

Driving Alone

\"Energy Efficiency\"

How bad is driving alone relative to other forms of transportation? According to the Sightline Institute with a single driver, you can expect an average of:

Energy Efficiency - Bicycles Are An Energy Efficient Transportation Choice

• 1.57 lbs of CO2/Mile in a "Sport Utility Vehicle" (15 MPG)
• 1.10 lbs of CO2/Mile in an "Average car" (21.5 MPG)
• 0.59 lbs of CO2/Mile in an "Economy car" (40 MPG)

Obviously filling your vehicle to capacity helps, just consider this:

• 0.37 lbs of CO2/Mile in an "Average car" (21.5 MPG) when Carpooling with three people

While filling to capacity can help for short errands it isn't always an option. So what can you do?

Riding a Bicycle

Riding a bicycle isn't just good for the environment with a net 0 lbs of CO2/Mile, but it's good for you too. Short errands are just one of many uses you'll find for your bicycle - once you start riding again. While you may miss your trunk space at first a quality bicycle grocery bag, panniers or even a basket can reduce this stress. Which one you choose is up to you based on your own personal needs but for the average grocery hauler I would recommend one the following three products:

• Jandd Grocery Bag Pannier
• REI Grocery BagREI Novara 'Round Town panniers
• Cobbworks Oyster Bucket Panniers

If you expect to be hauling lighter loads then you may be a good candidate for a removable handlebar mounted basket - these can often double as a "reusable shopping bag" too.

How Energy Efficient is a Bicycle?

Did you know calories are actually a unit of measurement for the amount of energy that your body can extract from foods . With many new biofuel technologies available today, many of the foods we eat can also be converted into fuel for our vehicles.

According to World Watch Magazine the average automobile burns 1,860 calories per mile per passenger. How does that compare to the average bicycle? The average bicycle and rider burns 35 calories per mile.

Why are bicycles so much more efficient? The key to the energy efficiency of the bicycle is simple - a bicycle and rider are extremely light compared the average car. In a 2 ton vehicle with a 170 lbs driver the driver is only 4% of the total weight. On a heavier 30 lbs bicycle that same driver will be 85% of the total weight. In a vehicle 96% of the energy used each mile is used moving the vehicle itself - not the drive. On a bicycle only 15% of the energy used moving the bicycle itself.

Bicycles are so efficient in fact that under the right conditions a rider can ride faster then a cheetah. In 2002, Canadian rider Sam Whittingham reached 81 mph using a recumbent bike called the Varna Diablo II. That is 11 mph faster than a cheetah which over short distances can attain a top speed of 70 mph.

It's often said you never forget how to ride a bike so why not take advantage it. Riding a bike is not only one of the most energy efficient modes of transportation, it is also one of the most relatively inexpensive. Do you part to fight global warming by taking your bicycle out for a ride.

Energy Efficiency - Bicycles Are An Energy Efficient Transportation Choice

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist who works with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner based in Huntington Beach, California.

Cool-N-Save(tm) is an energy efficiency device that can instantly reduce the cost of operating your air conditioner. Installed in ten minutes with no tools required the Cool-N-Save(tm) is an Energy Star Partner [http://www.coolnsave.com/cool-n-save_is_an_energy_star_partner.html] and has been scientifically proven by Tulane University [http://www.coolnsave.com/scientific_analysis_of_cool-n-save.html] to improve air conditioner efficiency by up to 30%. Saving energy helps fight global warming. Cool-N-Save(tm) is a low cost way for you to dramatically reduce your air conditioners energy usage.

Energy Efficiency - Purchasing an Energy Efficient Room Air Conditioner

Are you in the market for a new air conditioner? Have you been considering a room air conditioner instead of a central air conditioner but aren't sure what you should be looking for? Purchasing an air conditioner of any type should be researched before hand simply due to the amount of electricity your air conditioner could potentially use. If you purchase the wrong unit you may end up with extremely large monthly electric bills and inefficient cooling.

As a consumer you definitely want to find the best performing unit for you. You want to find a unit which is very energy efficient because not only will it save you money in the long run, it's better for the environment as well. Energy efficiency is about making the best or most efficient use of energy in order to achieve a given level of comfort and convenience.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

What is a Room Air Conditioner?

Energy Efficiency - Purchasing an Energy Efficient Room Air Conditioner

A room air conditioner is an air conditioning system designed to cool a room or rooms instead of the entire house. Do you live in a smaller home, townhouse, condo or even apartment? Would you prefer or do you require a non-permaneant air conditioning installation? If you answered yes then a room air conditioner may be a good matched for you. In comparison to central air conditioners, room air conditioners are dramatically less expensive to operate - even though they are often less efficient.

While central air conditioners often need higher voltage connections a room air conditioner can often be plugged into any 15- or 20-amp, 115-volt household circuit. If you have a larger room air conditioner you may need a dedicated 115 volt-circuit. In only the most extreme cases will you ever need a dedicated 230-volt circuit.

Room air conditioners are often vented or window mounted so they can effectively expel hot air out. Be wary of any room air conditioner that does not offer proper ventilation.

How are Room Air Conditioners Rated?

If you are familiar with central air conditioners you may be already familiar with the SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Room air conditioners are rated not on in SEER but rather in EER or Energy Efficiency Ratio. The EER of a given room air conditioner is calculated by dividing the cooling capacity in British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour by the power input in watts. You can find room air conditioners offering a range of cooling powers from 5,500 BTU per hour to 14,000 BTU per hour.

While the national appliance standard requires that any room air conditioner built after 1990 to have an EER of 8.0 or greater, and the latest Energy Star standards require in some cases an EER of 10.7 or greater I support the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's (ACEEE) recommendations. The ACEEE recommends at least an EER of 11.6. Why? This will guarantee your unit is energy efficient throughout the year and when it is needed most - the hottest summer months.

Selecting a Room Air Conditioner

Once you've decided to purchase a room air conditioner make sure you look for the Energy Star label. If every room air conditioner sold in the U.S. were Energy Star qualified, we could prevent 1.2 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions to put that into perspective that is equivalent to the emissions from 100,000 cars. Energy Star room air conditioners use at least 10% less energy than conventional models.

In the room air conditioner game Energy Star isn't the only certification to be looking for. You should also look for Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers or AHAM Certified units. Why? AHAM Certified room air conditioners have their EER ratings verified by an independent laboratory.

Getting the Right Size

Room air conditioners like all air conditioning units are rated by the number of British Thermal Units (BTU) of heat they can remove per hour. Another common way of rating air conditioners is by the "ton," some example are 5,500 BTU per hour or 14,000 BTU per hour.

Getting the right size room air conditioner for your application is crucial. If you get the wrong size you can easily waste large volumes of electricity. The size of your air conditioner depends upon:

• How large is your home and how many do you have?
• How much shade do you have? Do you have shade on your home's windows, walls, and roof?
• Are the ceilings and walls of your home insulated properly?
• Do you have air leaks?
• How much heat do you, the occupants, and appliances generate?

Remember the key to any air conditioners efficiency and performance depend on you properly matching the size of the AC unit to your specific application.

If you find this a bit confusing then you can always use the free AHAM tool. AHAM offers a handy online tool which can help you calculate your air conditioner (or evaporative cooler) needs.

• http://www.cooloff.org/sub_cool.html

Installing your Room Air Conditioner

When you install a new room air conditioner you should try to locate the air conditioner in a window or wall area near the center of the room. It is also beneficial to install your air conditioner on the shadiest side of your house. Try not to let your installation increase air leakage - you can minimize this by fitting the either the room air conditioner or its ventilation snugly into its opening and sealing gaps with a foam weather stripping material.

Are Room Air Conditioners my only non-permeneant cooling option?

If you live in a drier climate, somewhere with a relatively humidity level below 50%, then you may be well matched for an "Evaporative Cooler" sometimes referred to as a "Swamp Cooler." An evaporative cooler cools by using a fan to force air through moistened pads. As the hot air passes through the pads, the pads absorb the heat and cool the air in some cases as much as 15-20 degrees.

Evaporative coolers are not for everyone. In the wrong climate, in the wrong conditions an evaporative cooler can create conditions of high humidity in the air which in turn can cause condensation and even corrosion.

In the right conditions and climate, evaporative coolers, can provide cost very effective cooling. When compared to air conditioners, evaporative coolers use an average of 75% less electricity. Evaporative coolers are very energy efficient.

If you think you are a good candidate for an evaporate cooler you can use the free AHAM tool referenced earlier to calculate the proper size for your specific application too.

In many parts of the world air conditioning can seem like a life saver, but it comes at a cost - first in dollars spent for electricity, and second in carbon dioxide pollution from the generation of electricity. According to the the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) we create an astounding 140 million tons of CO2 cooling our homes. You can easily save electricity by purchasing a correctly sized Energy Star rated room air conditioner. By saving electricity you are doing your part to fight global climate change.

Energy Efficiency - Purchasing an Energy Efficient Room Air Conditioner

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist who works with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner, based in Huntington Beach, California.

Cool-N-Save(tm) is an energy efficiency device that instantly improves the efficiency of your existing air conditioner. Installed in ten minutes with no tools required, Cool-N-Save(tm) is an Energy Star Partner [http://www.coolnsave.com/cool-n-save_is_an_energy_star_partner.html] and has been scientifically proven by Tulane University [http://www.coolnsave.com/scientific_analysis_of_cool-n-save.html] to improve air conditioner efficiency by up to 30%. Saving energy helps fight global warming. Cool-N-Save(tm) is a low cost way for you to dramatically reduce your air conditioner energy usage.

What's the Difference Between Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation?

Simply put, energy efficiency is a technological concern. Energy conservation is a human concern. For example, you can make furnaces and air conditioners more efficient by improving the technology that governs their operation. But people are responsible for turning the thermostat to 68 degrees instead of 75 degrees.

Yes, this is an oversimplification. But it makes an important point. Technology can take us only so far as we attempt to keep energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions down. People have to take responsibility for using the technology wisely.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

The focus on energy efficiency and energy conservation has been around for quite a while, at least since the 1970s when the oil crisis had gasoline and heating oil prices skyrocketing and cars lined up at the pump. A physicist named Amory Lovins introduced the idea of negawatts, which contradicted the notion that, to meet energy requirements, you have to generate more energy. He thought you could meet those needs by using energy more efficiently, not just providing more.

What's the Difference Between Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation?

From the technological point of view, making homes more energy-efficient is hugely important in reducing energy consumption. The steps toward greater efficiency can be pretty simple. For instance, you can exchange an incandescent light bulb with a fluorescent bulb and get the same light output for 13 watts that before required 60 watts.

Of course, your furnace and air conditioner use the most energy in your home, so they make good targets for action that can improve energy efficiency. One way to improve heating and cooling efficiency is to make sure your furnace and air conditioner are inspected each year and necessary repairs are made.

Another solution is to exchange your older-model furnace and air conditioner for a newer version. Today, manufacturers are producing units of very high efficiency that are able to pay for themselves in energy savings in a remarkably short time.

You can easily find out how energy-efficient a new furnace or air conditioner might be.

Air conditioners are rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The SEER is computed from the cooling output in British Thermal Units (BTUs) during a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during the season. The higher the SEER rating the more efficient the air conditioner.

Furnace efficiency is measured in the percentage of fuel - for example, natural gas - that is turned into usable energy - that is, heat. Thus and 80 percent energy efficiency rating is better than a 70 percent energy efficiency rating.

Keep current furnaces and air conditioners in good condition and, when the time comes, replace them with high-efficiency models to save energy and money.

What's the Difference Between Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation?

In addition to models of the Sure Comfort air conditioner and the Sure Comfort furnace, Midwest HVAC Parts also sells Sure Comfort parts.

Kids, Energy Efficiency - Fun

Energy Efficiency can be boring, can't it? Especially for kids. Boring or not, it's important. Make it fun and children are more likely to form positive habits they will pass on to their children. So, how can parents make Energy Efficiency fun...

Integrate Energy Efficiency Into Your Children's Favorite Activities

\"Energy Efficiency\"

1. For younger children who like coloring try some coloring books with an Energy Efficiency theme. Sioux Valley Energy's website has some on its kids page.

Kids, Energy Efficiency - Fun

2. For children who like animals, explain how Energy Efficiency reduces pollution and helps protect the habitat of their favorite animals from cuddly Pandas to slimy slugs. Any activity with animals becomes a fun Energy Efficiency activity too.

3. Use the internet. Chances are your children use the Internet at home, at school, at the library, somewhere. Some government websites have interactive pages for kids of all ages that teach Energy Efficiency. Try the Energy Information Administration's Kid's Page and the US Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's kid's page.

Talk About Energy Efficiency

If Energy Efficiency is a consistent family conversation topic, it becomes more natural so talk about it. Talk with your kids or talk among yourselves when your kids are around. Did you do anything at work that helped save energy? Have you or any of your friends done any Energy Efficient Home Improvements? Are any local schools doing projects on Energy Efficiency? Whether kids are involved in the conversation or listening in on you, they will hear about saving energy. No lecturing required.

Challenge Your Kids!

Is the family in the market for a new appliance? Make the children part of the process and have them research the Energy Efficiency of each product. Let them contribute to the decision making process. Make it even more challenging and give them a target price range.

What about a family challenge? See how much energy your family can save each month. Add bribes, uh, rewards for additional motivation. Reviewing energy bills with older kids helps them understand how much energy really cost.

Parents- You Can Do This!

As a responsible parent you already have so much to think about and Energy Efficiency is definitely worth your time and effort. Teach your children early to save energy and they will thank you later when they are paying their own energy bills!

Kids, Energy Efficiency - Fun

www.MakeYourHomeEnergyEfficient.com where you will find both big and small Energy Efficient Home projects you can share with the children. Be sure and take a look at our Games for Kids page too.

Energy Efficiency - Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home With Energy Star

As the cost of electricity continues to rise more and more people are looking for effective strategies to lower their monthly utility bills. Taking steps to make your home more energy efficiency can help you reduce expensive monthly energy bills. If your home is showing it's age with some common home problems then renovating green may even help you appreciate your most valuable asset.

Why is Green Remodeling for Energy Efficiency Important?

\"Energy Efficiency\"

Green remodeling for energy efficiency is important because it reduces the amount of energy your home will consume. Generating electricity is a major source environmental pollution. While it is possible to generate electricity in many "green" ways, the number one source of US electricity is coal. In 2006, we generated 4.1 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity and 49% of the electricity generated came from dirty coal. The pollutants released from power generating plants are known to contribute to acid rain, smog and global warming. Thus, the less energy we use in our homes, the less pollution we create.

Energy Efficiency - Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home With Energy Star

What are some of the "Common Home Problems" green remodeling can help with?

As homes age a number of common problems occur as various systems within your house breakdown. You may encounter:

• Drafty rooms
• Excess dust
• Ice dams
• High energy bills
• Moisture on window panes
• Mold or mildew
• Peeling paint

If you are experiencing any of these common problems then it may just the right time for some green remodeling. You can handle these common problems and more with some simple green renovations. Not only will you have improved energy efficiency, but you will also make your home more comfortable to live in as well.

Analyzing the Energy Use of your Home

Energy Star offers a free web-based tool, the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick, that can provide energy saving recommendations and compare the energy efficiency of your home against similar homes across the nation. In order to use this tool you will however need your last twelve utility bills. Once you have collected your bills you can find the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick:

• http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=home_energy_yardstick.showStep2

While this tool is obviously not as comprehensive as a home energy audit completed by a professional, it can still go a long way to get you started on the road to energy efficiency.

By understanding where you home is today relative to the home energy yardstick you can start to plan energy efficiency upgrades for your home. Saving money through energy efficiency isn't just good for your wallet, its good for the environment too. Help fight global warming by getting started on your green remodeling today.

Energy Efficiency - Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home With Energy Star

Cool-N-Save(tm) is a brand new energy efficiency add-on for your existing air conditioner. It can be installed in 10 minutes or less, with no tools required. In the hottest months, your air conditioner can be responsible for up to 90% of your monthly electrical bill. Cool-N-Save(tm) has been scientifically proven by Tulane University to improve air conditioner efficiency by up to 30% - which translates into real monthly savings for you. Saving energy helps fight global warming and (tm) is a cost-effective way to reduce your energy use. The Cool-N-Save(tm) is a cost effective way to instantly improve your air conditioner efficiency.

Energy Efficiency: Find the Potential in Your Home

Finding savings potential is the life of an Energy Auditor. The fun part is simple: no two homes are exactly the same and finding power savings potential in each home is golden. Looking for areas where energy efficiency can be increased and electric waste can be stopped becomes an energy auditors hunt for gold. Every home has energy efficiency potential, whether the home was constructed in 1911 or one hundreds years later.

The trouble is, we all can not be trained energy auditors: we all can not run around our homes with a blower door and a smoke puffer. To most of us, a duct blaster would do us about as much good as a gold pan and metal detector.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

The potential for saving electricity is usually found in areas of a home where something is missing. A n energy auditor looks for missing components of home power efficiency. Across the country, typical homes use as much as two times the energy as is necessary to maintain comfort and convenience. This unnecessary power use costs about 45 billion annually.

Energy Efficiency: Find the Potential in Your Home

Are your power bills heading north and growing like a redwood? Well, you are simply doing your part in covering that 45 billion. Little here and a little there, we do our best to help pay for the countries energy waste. The missing insulation, air sealing, and lack of efficient heating and cooling systems drives the waste that costs us all so much.

Energy Efficiency:

Fortunately, we do not need to continue to pay a share of the countries waste, we can choose to look for the potential savings in our home and let the neighbors pay the waste bill.

The do-it-yourself energy auditor with a desire for lower power bills has a better chance of finding energy savings than the average prospector with a gold dredge. If looking for energy waste is not your thing, but you would like to save energy and lower your power bill, contact you power provider and inquire about their program for providing free home energy audits. You will be surprised how much your power provider would like to have you save energy.

Use the Retrofit to Increase Energy Efficiency:

A retrofit is a change or addition to a home, or the homes heating system, that increases conservation. Retrofits can be the result of a homeowner that is sick of energy waste and high power bills or retrofits can be part of a weatherization program. Across the country - State and County weatherization programs set a great example for saving energy.

The weatherization programs are often utility sponsored and households that take part save about 23% on heating cost and 26% on cooling. All income level households can find some level of weatherization program that will assist them in conservation retrofits by contacting their power provider.

Residential weatherization programs use four main strategies to reach potential energy efficiency.

Retrofits to the building shell:

Studies in home electrical and gas waste point to holes in the building shell as a huge contributor to energy waste. Energy Auditors have learned that air leakage can vary greatly from home to home and energy savings come primarily from plugging large leaks.

Improved insulation products and installation methods have made retrofit insulation projects increasingly effective in maintaining an efficient thermal barrier. Insulation, air sealing, and heating duct sealing are cost effective by paying for themselves in energy savings in just a few years.

The continued development of improved window glass, coatings, and window frame stability have made window retrofits increasingly more energy efficient.

Thermal Improvements:

Old residential heating, cooling, and water heating systems perform inefficiently. New testing equipment and maintenance techniques can improve the energy efficiency of existing equipment and delivery systems. The energy auditor with a duct blaster can test your heating and cooling delivery system and provide accurate data on the efficiency of the system.

Improve Mechanical Equipment:

The efficiency of heating, cooling, and water heating equipment improved from 30% to 60% from 1973 to 1993. Equipment manufactures have continued to make improvements and today, gas furnaces have reached 95% efficient. Heat pumps and heat pump water heaters have made great strides and challenge natural gas in efficiency.

The Energy Star program has regulated appliance efficiency until the standard household appliances are more energy efficient than ever before. The refrigerator, dishwasher, and clothes washer operate on just 50% of the energy that was needed 20 years ago.

Resident Education:

Central to any retrofit weatherization program is household education. Occupant awareness of power saving equipment and methods is central to maximizing savings. The price of power may rise and fall, but our determination to increase household conservation and get the most out of our efficient equipment and appliances must not be a factor of the cost of energy. We all can see the dollar sign on a power bill, but successful household conservation requires a lifestyle adjustment.

Along with providing weatherization and home energy audit services, your power provider has likely developed a strong energy education program. In some cases, an Energy Educator can visit your home and provide a professional presentation and offer informational literature.

Join the energy auditors and the weatherization programs and look for the energy efficient potential of your home. Don't just live in your home and pay the electric and gas bill, look for your homes energy efficiency potential like a gold prospector would look for a pot of gold. Chances are, you'll find more gold in your house than Gabby and his donkey can find in yellow bottom creek.

Thanks for stopping by Detect Energy, hope you'll come back soon, but I won't leave the light on for you...

Energy Efficiency: Find the Potential in Your Home

Don Ames is a home Energy Auditor and your host at http://www.detectenergy.com. Please visit http://www.detectenergy.com to register for the FREE eNewsletter, the Energy Spy Insider.

Energy Sources - Energy Efficiency

Often the focus is on alternative energy sources and while it is commendable to consider and indeed take up such challenges as solar, wind, geothermal and many of the passive combinations. Of just as critical importance is the efficiency of the installation.

Along with the above the whole of life energy cost must also be considered. Many of the alternative energy solutions have a rather prohibitive energy cost when manufacturing costs and end of life costs are factored in. Often the perceived energy saving disappears as the whole of life cost is factored in.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

This is not to suggest that we should not consider alternative energy forms but we must ensure that we are not deceiving ourselves when we performing comparisons to traditional energy sources such as fossil fuel, coal or gas.

Energy Sources - Energy Efficiency

With these traditional energy sources we are well versed in the whole of life energy cost because we have used them for so long, but for the newer technologies we often can only see the benefits. It is a bit like remembering our youth we are able to focus on the good bits and the bad bits fade away into the never land.

Energy efficiency is about minimizing losses or using the 'lost' energy for some other useful purpose. A very simple example is that of a gas turbine powered generator, in what is known as simple cycle form the exhaust temperature (for a frame 6 gas turbine) is in the order of 540 degrees Celsius. This heat is often wasted and goes up into the atmosphere.

With the advent of a combined cycle arrangement, utilizing a HRSG (Heat Recovery Steam Generator) this waste energy can be used to drive a steam turbine driven generator and typical produce half as much electricity again as the original Gas turbine generator installation. Of course for the owner their is the extra capital cost of the combined cycle arrangement. Typically a simple cycle unit is in the order of 25-30% efficiency (energy in for energy out) whereas a combined cycle arrangement is up around the 60-65% efficiency. The extra energy can also be utilized in industry for process steam if required.

We need to make sure that we are well read and up to date on the topics of energy sources and energy efficiency if we are to make good energy utilization.

Energy Sources - Energy Efficiency

Read here for all the latest news and information on Sources of Energy.

Energy Efficiency - Cradle to Cradle Recycling with Glass

When discussing green products "cradle to cradle" packaging is often discussed. What does cradle-to-cradle mean? Cradle to Cradle is a phrase coined by Walter R. Stahel in the 1970s, it became popular in 2002 thanks to the book titled Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things written by William McDonough and Michael Braungart.

What is Cradle to Cradle?

\"Energy Efficiency\"

According to William McDonough and Michael Braungart, in cradle to cradle production all elements are viewed as either a technical nutrient or a biological nutrient. In their model, cradle to cradle, technical nutrients can be recycled or reused with no loss of quality and the biological nutrients can be either composted or consumed.

Energy Efficiency - Cradle to Cradle Recycling with Glass

Why Glass?

In a world filled with plastic and paper packaging, glass still remains the most readily recyclable container on the market. Unlike other container such as plastic which are " downcycled" from food grade products to lower grades, glass can be recycled an infinite number of times. In cradle to cradle terms glass is compromised of 100% technical nutrients or is 100% recyclable and reusable.

Glass is actually so pure it does not require any additional processing to recycle and it can be used for the packaging of food and beverages again and again. Starting from the time you properly recycle a glass container it is possible the same raw glass can return to your local supermarket shelf in as little as four weeks time.

Choosing Glass Saves Energy

Did you know? Recycling a single glass bottle saves enough energy to power:

• A 60-watt light bulb for four hours
• A Computer for thirty minutes
• A Television for twenty minutes

Consider this, O-I, a large scale glass recycler, recycles over 5 million tons of glass a year. O-I estimates the total amount of energy they save yearly through glass recycling could power the all the streetlights in the New York City metro area for an entire year If our manufacturers offered more glass containers that were in turn properly recycled, what else could we provide power for?

The Importance of Recycling

By recycling your glass containers you save both energy and raw materials. You also prevent the greenhouse gas emissions that would be created when new glass is created from raw materials, as well as reduce landfill waste. Thanks to the purity of glass, 1 ton of recycled glass is equivalent to 1 ton of raw materials to manufacture new glass - there is no loss of materials when properly recycled.

The Dangers of Single-Stream Recycling

While it's clear to many that recycling glass is important to energy conservation efforts, many municipalities are still moving towards "single-stream" recycling. While it is true that single-stream recycling has been shown to boost overall recycling statistics it does not properly separate glass by color, and as such it effectively reduces the cradle to cradle qualities of glass. Unless glass is separated by color it is not being properly recycled.

If you live in an area that only offers single-stream recycling, I encourage you to separate your glass and recycle it yourself. Single-stream recycling is growing in popularity, so there is a good possibility your area has already signed up.

Glass Waste

Understanding how valuable glass in comparison to other packaging material it becomes frightening to consider the amount of glass we simply throw away each year. In the United States, we send more then 11 million tons of glass to landfills each year. That's more than twice what O-I actively recycles each year. To put it into a more personal perspective that about 500 lbs of glass each US citizen simple throws away each year.

Due to its cradle to cradle nature, glass, should be our packaging of choice. While it may be more expensive to transport because of it's weight when in comparison to plastic or paper packaging the infinite lifespan it offers greatly outweighs any short term costs. Recycling isn't just environmentally smart it's also economically sound. According to a study by George Goldman, a UC Cooperative Extension economist, "Recycling generates twice as much income and sales and twice as many jobs as trash disposal." Do your part to fight global warming by first purchasing glass packaged products and then properly recycling them.

Energy Efficiency - Cradle to Cradle Recycling with Glass

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist working with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner, based in Huntington Beach, California.

Cool-N-Save(tm) is a brand new air conditioner add-on that can be installed in just 10 minutes with no tools required. In the hottest months, your air conditioner can be responsible for up to 90% of your monthly electrical bill. Cool-N-Save(tm) has been scientifically proven by Tulane University to improve air conditioner efficiency by up to 30% - which translates into real monthly savings for you. Saving energy helps fight global warming and Cool-N-Save(tm) is a cost-effective way to reduce your energy use.

Energy Efficiency - Benefits and Advantages

A variety of compact and custom home modular have been built to ensure the efficiency of energy. Their main aim is to use less energy, and as a result, the demand of these homes modular has increased in last decade. Homes or buildings made for the purpose to conserve energy, also ensure overall sustainable and renewable energy. They reduce the consumption of energy, in order to preserve resources for the future.

Energy efficiency is one of the important sources of new energy. It is basically an ability, to use less energy to produce the same amount of output, with desired quality and performance. A reduction in five percent of energy, can save the equivalent of 10 million barrels of oil a day, which can then be provided to other countries and areas of need. Using energy efficiently can reduce carbon emission and conserve the supplies that we own. In fact, everyone benefits from the conservation of energy, be it an individual or a company.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

Benefits

Energy Efficiency - Benefits and Advantages

Energy conservation can result in a lot of benefits. The benefits may come in various forms, for example lower utility bills, as well as protection against high energy costs. Technological advances in the past have improved energy efficiency from 30-60%. Energy efficient lights let you save money on electric bills. Some of the benefits that you can gain by conserving energy are:

• Reduced Air Pollution - About half of the electricity is generated by power plants that burn coal and other fossil fuels to produce energy. When fossil fuels are burned, a variety of gases and fine particles are emitted in air, which if not controlled, can damage your health and pollute the environment. Air pollution is a serious problem for every individual on earth, as well as the entire ecosystem and environment. Pollutants in the air can remain for long period of time and travel through wind for hundreds of miles. The pollutants can cause many problems in a human being. For example, nitrogen dioxide can cause visibility problems and mercury can kill fishes and other water animals.

• Better health and safety - By frequently cleaning appliances, we can make our homes more energy-efficient. Making them free from dirt and bacteria formation will let equipment and other items function properly. This will also guarantee improved indoor air circulation, as well as eliminate the possibility of diseases.

• Saving money - With the increase in global crisis, money-saving techniques and measures should be encouraged. By using energy conservation products, you can save a lot of money. Products where you can particularly save money may include lighting equipment, appliances, heating appliances, and other television sets.

• Life Span - With the invention of better technology now, using lower voltage bulbs and other electronic items will have more of a life span. This reduces maintenance time, as well as, overall cost.

• Improved image - Being an energy-efficient resource, you are recognizing and demonstrating your responsibility towards the environment. It also gives a strong message, which will help attract more customers, especially if you are a businessman.

Energy Efficiency - Benefits and Advantages

Connor R. Sullivan has noticed an increase of home modular styles because they are cost efficient as well as environmentally friendly. He and his wife are interested in homes modular to use as a vacation home.

Air Conditioning SEER - What Does That Mean?

When looking at a new air conditioner you will see a number that is boldly placed on the unit. That number gives you an idea of the efficiency of the unit. What does SEER mean and what do you do with it?

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is related to the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), this is the ratio of output cooling in Btu/Hr and the power in watts W used at a given operating point. The SEER rating reflects overall system efficiency on a seasonal basis and EER reflects the system's energy efficiency on peak day operations.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

Energy consumption for home air conditioning accounts for almost 5% of all the electricity produced in the USA. If your air conditioner is Energy Star qualified it has a higher seasonal efficiency rating (SEER) than standard models, which makes them about 14% more efficient than standard models. Energy efficiency specialist are certified and trained on retrofits and energy savings on both residential and light commercial units. This may enable you to save up to 50 percent on your air conditioning bills with the use of a high efficiency energy system. You will find that substantial energy savings can be obtained from more efficient systems.

Air Conditioning SEER - What Does That Mean?

The SEER rating is the Btu of output while during a typical cooling-season divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during the same time frame. SEER is also related to the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), which is the ratio of output cooling in Btu/Hr and the input power in watts W at a given time. The higher the SEER number, the better the efficiency of your unit. Therefore you will realize greater energy savings. The higher efficiency the efficiency of your product, the lower your long-term energy costs will be. Central A/C and air source heat pumps are both rated according to seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER).

Before you consider upgrading your cooling equipment, the best and easiest way to save money and energy from cooling is to reduce the need for mechanical air conditioning in the first place. Make sure to ask your contractor about a variable speed air handler. They will improve comfort and efficiency and allow continuous air filtering at minimum energy cost. Also, because ducts are often responsible for a lot of wasted energy, make sure you hire a contractor who knows about high-efficiency installations. If your old central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, you can replace it with an Energy Star qualified model that could cut your cooling costs by 30 percent.

Air Conditioning SEER - What Does That Mean?

Floyd Kolb has worked in the Mechanical/Hvac industry for over 20 years, gaining a wealth of knowledge to share. I have provided solutions to over 20,000 problems at Fixya.com You can check out my solutions and read the many tips that I have wrote about HVAC and appliance related problems. http://www.fixya.com/users/heatman101

The Ambit Energy Scam - Is Ambit Energy a Scam?

Ambit Energy is a below retail residential energy provider servicing throughout the United States. It started selling electricity and natural gas in 2006. The company does save you money on your electricity bills every month. The real focus of this article is about making money with this company. Ambit Energy is a multi-level company, otherwise known as an MLM.

Throughout the history of the mlm industry, 95% of the people in MLM or network marketing have failed to grow or make any money with their specific company. You see, in companies like Ambit Energy and other network marketing companies, they advise their new recruits to go out and recruit their friends and family. This is the problem. Who wants to spam people? Do you like when you get spam mail? People do not want to be sold on opportunities. Why should you harass your friends and family about your special business opportunity? People don't want to be bothered nor harassed. Ambit Energy is not a scam, it pays according to its compensation plan and is partnered with one of the most trusted companies in the world: Shell Oil.

Energy

The thing is, how do you sign up new distributors in Ambit Energy? Your success in Ambit Energy comes down to marketing. Think about this for a second. If you had the best business in the world with the most glorious product and compensation plan, what good would it be, if you can't expose your business to people who are interested in growing a business? That's the problem right there. Many people don't know how to market a business effectively. Are your friends and family interested in growing their own business? Most likely not. Let's say you manage to sign up one person from your list of friends and family. Now who is that person going to go recruit after you told them about your business? More friends and family? This is why so many people fail. When you join a business such as Ambit Energy, you want to make sure you join a team that has the marketing resources available to you so that you can start marketing your Ambit Energy business immediately from day one. Why go after your friends and family when you have hundreds of millions of people using the internet?

Ambit Energy is not a scam, it is just the plain old MLM business model that is the problem. When I first got started in MLM I could not get one person into the business. I tried everything. Chased my friends, and passed out business cards. Nothing worked. These methods only work for about 5% of the population. The people that succeed with these methods have a large network of people and are very influential. Most people are not influential and don't have large networks. That is why most people fail in MLM. The network marketing industry is headed to a new era and that is on the internet. People don't trust the traditional aspects of MLM. If you spoke to a person on the street and you told them about your business, things such as a pyramid scheme and other ideas of that nature instantly engulf that person's mind when they check out your opportunity.

There are so many marketing mediums out there online. It is just a shame that people are being taught to harass their friends and family about their business opportunities. It is vital that you join a team that has marketing tools in place that you can use to build a business. Ambit Energy is a great business with a product that is unconsciously purchased and habitually used. But all that doesn't matter if you can't market the business effectively.

The Ambit Energy Scam - Is Ambit Energy a Scam?

To learn how to market an Ambit Energy [http://www.theambitenergyreview.com/ambit.html] business using nothing else but technology to do it. Check out our Ambit Energy Review and get the insider details about whether this Ambit Energy Scam [http://www.theambitenergyreview.com/ambit.html] is real.

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Office Wall Decor - Office Wall Decor Ideas for Maximum Efficiency

Office wall decor, if executed correctly can easily boost the work culture in any office. It is quite easy to design an office interior with wall decor as a major area of attention.

In any office walls occupy a major visual attention in the form of cabin partitions. In most cases an office space is a large area with fiberglass or wooden partitions designed carefully to form a grid pattern. Each individual grid square is then consumed as a cabin.

Efficiency

So glass walls make a good visual connection between the adjacent cabins. However erecting glass walls can be an expensive affair and have much les scope as far as wall decor is concerned. So using fiber or wooden partitions can be a great alternative. But again if you are seeking visual connection between various areas of the office space a combination of glass and wooden partitions can be the best option.

The walls in an office space can be used to display "inspirational" picture frames that will "educate" the office workers about team building, leadership, success, motivation, goal setting. etc. Simple picture frames are available in gift stores, which can be hanged at prominent places that will "remind" the workers of these good virtues.

If wooden partitions are used as walls then horizontal paneling with grooves running across the length of the wall can make a feeling of "more" horizontal length of the wall and will help the office space look bigger. Colors of office wall decor theme can be simple white/blue combination that will form a design pattern and easy to execute and repeatable.

Design the wall décor in such a way that if the company for which you are designing the interiors, if decided to expand in a new space, the entire theme must be easily replicated in their new office premises easily.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya.

Office Wall Decor - Office Wall Decor Ideas for Maximum Efficiency

Want more amazing office wall decor ideas? visit my website http://www.ModernWallDecor.net to explore some great wall decor themes that can transform your home into a stunning interior masterpiece.

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Energy Boost Herbs - All About Energy Boost Herbs

Healthy food is still the best energy booster. A good meal can ward off fatigue. Unfortunately, it is hard to keep track of our food intake. What is the next best alternative? Energy boost herbs.

Herbs that give energy have become very popular as they claim to prevent fatigue from setting in. Energy boost herbs are natural and can be taken either as extracts or in liquid forms like tea. A lot of people have sworn by the great effects of energy boosters, saying that these supplements give them more energy to focus on other concerns that are outside work and career: relationships, fitness, relaxation, etc.

Energy

If you often feel burned out, then fatigue has already reared its ugly head and you may need energy boost herbs. Neglecting your fatigue may lead to worse problems such as high stress, increased candida (fungal) growth, poor immune system, thyroid and adrenal gland imbalances, presence of certain illnesses (e.g. diabetes, heart problems, etc), and vitamin and mineral deficiency, all of which make you more prone to a lot of diseases. Listed below are some of the most common energy boost herbs that are used in herbal supplements available to the market today:

Ginseng energy herbs

Ginseng is one of the most popular Chinese herbs that can stimulate the body and boost energy. However, people with high blood pressure should avoid taking this herb as it can be harmful to them.

Schizandra energy herbs

While schizandra may be a lesser known Chinese herb than ginseng, it has a revered place in East Asian medical practice.

Siberian ginseng energy herbs (Eleutherococcus senticosis)

In ancient China, Siberian ginseng is believed to enhance vital body energy and sharpen physical as well as mental performance and endurance. Siberian ginseng has been proven as an energy boost herb by German medical authorities as an invigorating tonic for fatigue.

Centella asiatica energy herbs

Used in traditional Indian medicine, centella asiatica benefits the memory, concentration, and mental performance of an individual. It is also a favorite food of their elephants.

Olea europea energy herbs

As an extract of olive leaf, it has been found to be effective against illnesses like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as it fights candida growth. Olea europea can lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol level.

Reminder: As energy boost herbs can play an important part in your diet, buy these products only from pharmaceutical GMP-compliant manufacturers to ensure your safety.

Energy Boost Herbs - All About Energy Boost Herbs

The product we personally use called Total Balance - http://www.health-product-we-use.com is the most natural and effective supplement we have come across. We have been using this product for over 3 years with excellent health results.

We highly recommend you learn more about our best natural nutritional supplement if you are interested in improving your overall health.

Jean Helmet runs a series of health websites, We offer a free health book for subscribers to our websites newsletter. We cover everything you need to know on nutrition and how to improve your general overall health. Check out our nutrition e-book, for more information on nutrition and the products we use.

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How to Make a Homemade Electric Magnet Motor on a Small Scale to Power Household Appliances

A homemade electric magnet motor is a new concept for some. However, it is very possible to use such a device and power your entire household.

Some homeowners have made an electric magnet motor on a smaller scale to power their household appliances like the computer and other electrical devices. It might seem intimidating at first, but it's very simple once you have the proper steps to follow.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

First step you need to take is get a hold of a pen. You will need to take off the tip of the pen, and save the tip and the end cap. Now the next thing you need to do is measure the internal diameter of the pen.

Now go and get a rod magnet that is just a little thinner than the inside diameter of the pen. Now place the magnet within the pen and place the end cap and tip back in it.

Now the next thing you need to do is get some glue and use it to hold the pen together. You will then take the pen shaft and tape the magnet wire to one end. Make sure you leave at least 4 inches of extra wire. Now take the pen and coil the wire around the pen until it reaches the opposite side.

The next thing you'll do is wrap the coil on the cap and then cut the extra wire loose. This should leave you with about 4 inches free on the opposite side.

Now you'll just need to scrape both ends of the magnetic wire with a knife. Doing this will peel off the coating. Now twist one end of the wire around each end of a small light bulb. When you shake the generator the light bulb should flicker.

This is some basic steps to make one electric magnetic motor on a small scale. If you implement this type of machine on a larger scale you can power your entire home, thus eliminating your energy expenses.

How to Make a Homemade Electric Magnet Motor on a Small Scale to Power Household Appliances

If you decide to implement one of these generators on a full-scale, it will independently power your household, meaning, you won't have to pay anything to the power company. Click Here and take a look at how you can begin producing free energy using one of these motors also known as a Permanent Magnet Generator.

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DIY Wind Turbine Plans - Instructions Building Wind Turbine

All you need is a good set of diy wind turbine plans in order to build your own. There's really no reason to buy a wind generator considering that you can build your own 1000w home wind generators for under 0 including the plans.

Our family has built 3 now for our own off grid home and are sure you will have no trouble building your own either.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

What will you need to get started?

• A decent sized garage or shop
• DIY wind turbine plans
• A good helper (it makes a great family project)
• Simple tools available in most households, no special tools

Where do you start?

First off, after examining the plans you will see that you need to order a DC motor to be used as a power generator for your home. The blades turn the motor in order to produce power.

It takes a few days to be sent directly to your home so don't hesitate to take this action first.

While you are waiting for your DC motor to arrive you can get started on the other parts as outlined in your diy wind generator plans. The instructions building wind turbine clearly show that the blades can either be fashioned from PVC or wood, with wood being preferred for bigger machines.

We have had good luck building wooden blades from spruce we got from the lumber yard. It is strong and not that difficult to find good clear lumber.

You do need good quality lumber as the forces of the wind, especially at blade tips when they are 8 foot diameter can be tremendous, in the hundreds of pounds.

Don't worry about the wind turbine blade construction being complicated either? Your set of blades can be made easily in one day with common tools.

We were excited to learn that most of the other parts could be obtained free including batteries, towers and all of the body parts.

When the DC motor arrives, put everything together and get it up there in the wind. You will need a location that is about 15 feet above anything within about 300 feet, so most areas this won't be a problem with a recycled 40 foot TV tower. They are available free as we mentioned.

Isn't it time you got started producing free electricity for your home?

Let's get started now.

DIY Wind Turbine Plans - Instructions Building Wind Turbine

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