The Three Little Pigs Story - Wise Building Materials and Energy Efficiency Considered

Not long ago, a friend of mine use the three-little pigs story in a blog post. Since, we all know the story, I will not repeat it, but do recall that the wolf blew over the first two little pigs homes and ate the pigs. The third pig made his home of bricks, thus the wolf could not blow it over. Later in the story the wolf tried to come down the chimney and he falls into boiling water instead of getting dinner.

In this story the Pig boils water to kill the Wolf in the choke point of the chimney, that takes energy, quite a bit of it. It takes a whole lot of energy to boil water. Now then, is this the true and efficient energy model of a prudent pig or is he an energy hog? You see, had the third pig used a solar collector to heat the water, bringing the water to boiling may have only taken a little extra energy rather than all the energy to bring the water from room temp to boiling.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

The pig waited until there was a crisis then used the most inefficient form of energy to boil the water in the chimney, he used wood, Natural gas is more efficient and you do not have to cut down the forest to do it either. I think we can show this as a bad example of energy use. There are easier ways to kill a wolf, and shouldn't that wolf have become dinner, why waste a perfectly good wolf.

The Three Little Pigs Story - Wise Building Materials and Energy Efficiency Considered

Further the two pigs who did parish along with their houses offer another opportunity - recycle-able materials - Why waste those materials, as they might provide decent insulation material?

Those who proclaim to be environmentalists are often hypocrites, because they would have attacked the third pig for using brick, as brick takes energy to make, transport, requires mining of materials and lots of water to be used (most brick making), it is a messy process. The finished brick home is deadly in an earthquake which could have crushed the pig and his piglets at a future date, through the law of unintended consequences of a black swan event in an area not known for seismic disruptions.

So, the environmentalists and their movement would have sued and prevented the EIR for the pig to build the brick house in the first place, if the pig built it anyway then the government would have torn it down for the wolf. Thus, the pig would have been eaten along with his brothers. Consider this.

The Three Little Pigs Story - Wise Building Materials and Energy Efficiency Considered

"Lance Winslow" - Online Blog Content Service. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

How a Magnetic Energy Motor Generates Never Ending Energy to Power Your Home - Energy Efficiency

If you are considering using alternative energy sources to power your home, then you might be interested in magnetic energy motors. A magnetic energy motor is similar to wind turbines and solar panel systems because they generate free energy. However, once you learn how it works you will see the differences.

These motors will generate electricity for your home using magnetic fields. The amount of energy a magnetic energy motor generates depends on the strength of the magnets being used. The stronger the magnets used for the motor, the more energy will be created by the motor.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

Moreover, this motor will use the energy it has produced to power itself. This means you won't have to worry about whether or not you have enough wind or sunlight to support your home energy system.

How a Magnetic Energy Motor Generates Never Ending Energy to Power Your Home - Energy Efficiency

These motors operate on the principle that opposite magnets attract, meanwhile, if they are similar they will repel. Magnetic energy will be created when the magnetic forces push against each other in the motor. The more these magnetic forces push, the more energy will be created until the magnets are removed.

Someone would have to strip the motor of it's magnets in order for it to stop producing energy. These motors use perpetual motion to produce never ending energy, and as long as the magnets inside the motor repel and attract naturally it will continue to do so.

There is no harmful emissions when you use a magnetic energy motor, making it very environmentally friendly. Also, when you use magnetic fields for producing energy for your home you don't have to worry about any excess heat being generated.

At the end of the day, when more people understand how a magnetic energy motor works solar and wind home energy devices will have a big competition.

How a Magnetic Energy Motor Generates Never Ending Energy to Power Your Home - Energy Efficiency

If you decide to implement one of these motors 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.

Benefits of Oil Filled Radiator Heaters Over Electric Or Propane Heaters

An oil-filled radiator heater can become quite an asset to your home as cold weather sets in. Somehow, you always forget about the drafty areas of your home when it is 70 degrees and sunny outside. But let those subzero temperatures start along with a kicking wind and suddenly you remember.

What is an Oil Filled Radiator Heater?

\"Energy Efficiency\"

Unlike portable electric heaters that radiate heat then use a fan to blow the heat in a directed area, an oil-filled heater has oil that is stored inside of a sealed compartment of coils and fins. The heat works by convection and the warm air generated floats up without any type of fan. Advanced models have a timer function that lets you set the unit 30 minutes before you get out of bed so it does not operate all night.

Benefits of Oil Filled Radiator Heaters Over Electric Or Propane Heaters

How does it Heat an Area?

As the heat rises from the unit, it comes back down, warming the immediate area surrounding the radiator. Although you will not be able to heat your room as well as a forced air furnace, a 12 x 18 foot room can warm up an additional 10 degrees by using this heater.

Where Does this heater do the most Good?

Most people have drafty spots in their homes that just never seem to warm up. They may be located by a window or door that is not properly sealed and your thermostat works very hard to reach these areas. When those spots are warmed, your furnace runs less. It usually takes this heater up to one hour to reach its best heat but once it gets there, your area is nice and toasty. It also takes the same amount of time to cool down.

What are the Benefits of Oil over Electric or Propane Heaters?

An oil-filled radiator heater is portable and energy efficient, much more than an electric unit that blasts the room with a surge of electricity or a propane heater that loses much of its fuel in waste. The nice part about an oil-filled radiator heater is that you never have to refill, is energy efficient and costs much less to operate than other traditional methods.

If you are looking for a small, dependable heat source to help keep your home less drafty this winter, an oil-filled radiator heater can be found anywhere where baseboard heaters, ceramic heaters or propane heaters are sold. A free advantage of an oil unit is that it will not dry out the air and your skin as others that blow dry air.

Benefits of Oil Filled Radiator Heaters Over Electric Or Propane Heaters

The cost for a 17 pound, 1200 to 1500 watt can be found for under 0 and runs on 110 volts. Many reviews mention that once you have tried out using oil filled heaters, you'll never used another type of portable heaters. Pick one up at your local building supply store or on the Internet and enjoy a better type of warmth this winter.

Reducing Heat Losses Through Energy Efficient Window Coverings

If your windows are ancient and aren't doing a passable job of keeping the warm air inside your house in cold weather (or keeping it out in warm weather), it might be time to consider having new, energy saving windows put in. But new windows, especially good quality energy saving ones, can be very expensive. As a result, their payback period can be quite long. For the amount of cash you would pay to redo the windows in a single big room, you can get almost the same energy efficiency with some basic weather stripping and by using energy efficient window coverings to eliminate heat transfer between your home and the out of doors.

Let's first look at how windows help keep the cold out in winter, and the hot air out in summer. Windows block heat transfer in three ways: convection, conduction, and radiation.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

Windows eliminate or reduce the convection airflow between the inside and outside, blocking heat from passing through the window along with the airflow. A leaky window, or one with cracked glass or broken putty, allows air through these gaps, so heat gets out in winter, and heat leaks in during the summer.

Reducing Heat Losses Through Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Even a very thin sheet of glass has some insulating properties, but if the glass is double-glazed and the space between the panes is an inert gas such as argon, the panes provide extra insulating value, which reduces heat transfer through conduction. Conduction is what causes the metal handles of a pot to heat up when you boil water in the pot; so you can guess that a metal window frame, if not properly built, can conduct a lot of heat. While you can't easily add extra glass sheets to a window, there are other techniques to create additional still air spaces between the window glass and the room, which will add insulation and reduce conduction losses.

Radiation, the third type of heat transfer, usually occurs when light in the infrared spectrum passes through windows, heating the air inside, or when heat inside the room radiates out through the glass. Home energy auditors sometimes take infrared photographs of a home to show where heat losses are most significant, and windows are typically one of the largest sources of heat escaping from houses in winter.

How does this knowledge about heat transfer through convection, conduction, and radiation help you cut energy losses through your windows?

The first problem to address is convection. If your windows have cracked panes, get them repaired. If you still have the old wood-framed windows with putty holding the glass in, inspect the pane for any peeling or missing putty. It's fairly easy to pull old putty out with a putty knife and put a fresh layer of putty on in its place. If the wood of the window itself is broken, or if the glass is hard to get out for replacing, you may not be able to put off getting new windows, but if you can cut the small air leaks, you'll have gone a long way towards minimizing energy losses and should feel some relief in your utility bills.

You may be surprised to learn how much heat can travel out of a home in cold weather through the wood trim around a window. Just wait for a really cold day, put all the exhaust fans on in your house( kitchen range vent, bathroom exhaust fans, etc.), and run your hand along the edges of window and exterior door trim on the inside of rooms. Anywhere you feel cold air coming in, you have a draft that should be sealed. It won't hurt to run a thin bead of clear or white caulking around window and door frames to cut this convection heat transfer.

The last thing to try to reduce convection heat transfers is to use tape-on or Zip-Loc type energy saving window kits to seal any windows that are particularly drafty, or windows that really need replacing but that can't be replaced because of your budget (or because you are renting the place). These kits are a great way to rapidly reduce your heating losses in winter: the kits normally come with several sheets of three by five foot transparent plastic, and a roll of double sided tape. (If you have a large number of windows to cover you can purchase a 48" roll of the plastic and buy the tape separately.) You measure and cut plastic rectangles slightly wider than the window, run the tape around the window frame, peel off the protective tape from the double sided tape, then set the cut plastic over the window, sealing along the tape line. Blow dry the plastic for five minutes, and it shrinks to form a tight, flat extra pane of 'glass' that is hardly unnoticeable. This plastic can hold its taut shape for months, although you may find it needs an occasional short blow dryer blast to pull up the odd wrinkle in the plastic.

The next heat loss you'll want to address is conduction - heat being conducted through the solid materials of the window. In terms of energy efficient window coverings, your goal here isn't actually to avoid this conduction - you can't usually change the materials the window was made of - but to add barrier layers between the window and the room to slow the conduction down. The plastic window insulation kits stop convection heat loss by eliminating drafts into the room, but they also eliminate conduction, by providing a layer of trapped air between the window and the room. A curtain can perform the same task: when closed, the curtain traps a small amount of air between the curtain and the window, so that on a cold day the air behind the curtain naturally gets cold but the room itself stays cozy.

When you install curtains on windows to reduce conduction heat loss, it's important to think about convection currents inside the living area. Hot air rises, and cold air falls, so if you install curtains you should make sure the air currents are stopped, preferably at both the top and bottom of the curtain. Otherwise, in winter, the cold window will cool the air between the window and the window covering, and that colder air will fall to the floor, pulling warm air from above the window covering down in front of the window in a continuous cycle. In summer, the flow runs the other way, with the air between the curtain and the window warming from sunlight, rising out the top opening, and drawing cool room air up towards the glass where it gets heated.

You should block these air flows by having the curtains flush against the wall at the top and bottom, or by having the bottom touch the floor and by closing in the curtain rod area at the top.

If you have cloth blinds that cover the window, you can use Velcro tabs along the sides of the blinds that you then press into Velcro tape along the window frame; this completely seals the air space between the window and the blind, providing an above average insulation layer. Cloth blinds as well as curtains can use a similar technique but with magnetic tape in the fabric, and metal on the framing, so that the cloth sticks to the walls on either side of and below the opening.

Another way you can try to add an insulation barrier to conduction through the window is to buy cellular blinds, which are made in a cellular or honeycomb cross section, or other blinds that incorporate a hollow space within the blind. Cellular blinds when fully pulled up use almost no space and the cells fold shut; when extended, they can add insulating value to a window from R-2 (for single-cell thickness) to R-5 (for double-cell).

Window blinds can help address the final type of heat transfer, radiation, by preventing heat from radiating through the glass (into the room from sunshine in summer, and towards the outside from the indoor radiant heat in cold weather). The most effective blinds use light, reflective colors on the outside, so that sunlight in summer is more or less completely reflected away from the room. Good window blinds can reflect sufficient solar energy away from a room to reduce heat gain by as much as 45%, but they do very little to the R-value of the window, so have little effect in winter.

Roller shades, which have a wind-up axle and can be pulled up or down (we used to call these blinds when I was young) are a great radiation reflector, and also provide superior insulating value to reduce convection air flows around the window that lead to conduction losses through the glass or window frame. Roller shades, because they are placed so close to the glass, do well at reducing convection currents, especially if their side edges and bottom are attached to the window frame (side tracks are used to accomplish this). Loose-sided shades can reduce heat transfer by up to 28%, while attached-edge shades reduce it up to 45%. Shades that can be reversed, with one side dark and the other light, are even better, because you can use the light side to reflect the heat where you want it (keep it out in hot weather, inside during winter).

Awnings and overhangs are a good way to cut direct light from entering a home and heating it up in summer. Because the solar angle is lower in the winter, such window coverings only block the sunlight you don't want, allowing the lower-angled winter sun in to help heat your home.

Storm windows - which were added to many older homes - can be up to 50% more energy efficient than single-pane windows, provided the storms are properly sealed against air leakage. So if you have old wooden-framed storms sitting around in your basement or garage, you should put them on each fall and take them down once winter has passed. If you have aluminum framed storms you can typically leave them up year round; just don't forget to slide the glass sash shut when autumn comes.

Windows form such a small percentage of the surface area of a house, yet they are one of the biggest potential sources of energy waste in a house being heated or air conditioned. So you should strive to do anything you can to restrict heat transfer through convection, conduction, and radiation. Just remember to set aside a portion of the money you save on reduced utility bills, so you can replace any old, energy wasting windows with brand new, energy efficient ones when the time comes.

Reducing Heat Losses Through Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Robin Green runs Green-Energy-Efficient-Homes.com, a website that helps people save energy in their homes. For more on energy saving window treatments, see Energy saving window coverings on Green Energy Efficient Homes.

Pros and Cons of Wind Turbines

Is it really worth it to build wind turbines? What are the pros and cons? We'll discuss these questions in this article.

In short: resounding yes. Many are against wind turbines and wind farm building and I have to admit they have a few good reasons other than the childish "I don't like the look of wind mills in the countryside". Well, I don't like that the Arctic is getting smaller and smaller every day, and the fact that maybe my children won't be able to experience the world as it is today. Letting go of the untouched view is a small sacrifice in exchange for nothing less than the whole future of the Earth.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

Other than the "threat" to the panorama there are a few reasons why one wouldn't choose wind turbines over regular electricity generation. Here are a few examples.

Pros and Cons of Wind Turbines

- Wind turbines do not produce constantly. Their performance varies based on the actual power of the wind. This can be from zero to storm force!

- Efficiency is not the best available: a modern turbine running at its desired speed can deliver electricity to 500 households. Count quickly how many would be needed for a city with a population of 20 million?

- It is not true that wind turbines are 100% environment friendly, because when factories build them, they do emit some pollution into the air. But that is a onetime pollution against the constant negative effects of regular electricity production with for example burning of coal.

- They are noisy mechanisms. One turbine can produce the same level of noise as a car travelling at 60mph on the highway! You certainly don't want that under your window constantly. But almost all of these are against the larger, industrial versions, not the ones built for home usage.

Now let's hear a few pros!

- The wind is free, and it can be captured with good efficiency nowadays compared to the results some decades ago.

- They do not take large portion of lands like solar farms do! The land around these small towers can be cultivated or used in a different way without any problems!

- A large group of people thinks they add to the view of the landscape!

- If you live on the top of the hill or miles away from any civilization you can still generate your own power with smaller wind turbines!

Pros and Cons of Wind Turbines

- And the last and best one: you can build a wind turbine yourself [http://www.wereview-youdecide.com/2009/01/review-and-evaluation-of-the-earth-4-energy-renewable-energy-production-guide/]! It's an easy process and there are complete guides [http://www.wereview-youdecide.com/2009/01/review-and-evaluation-of-the-earth-4-energy-renewable-energy-production-guide/] available.

How to Make a Solar Oven - Making a Homemade Solar Oven

Solar power has a wide array of uses, like using it in to power cars, small boats, and homes. You can also use solar power to cook food through the use of a homemade solar oven. You do not have to be a professional to take advantage of the sun's energy since it is simple to do with the right guide, and you can do this at home. All you need are a few simple materials and a little ingenuity, and you will then know on how to make a solar oven.

How do Solar Ovens Work?

\"Energy Efficiency\"

Because the sun is a great producer of heat for our planet, what you have to do is to harness it to build simple devices. These devices will amplify the sun's heat exactly where you want it, and this is the principle behind making a solar oven. The solar oven or cooker will then cook a variety of foods at a temperature of around 200 degrees Fahrenheit depending on your location. It is far less expensive and perfect for outdoor meals.

How to Make a Solar Oven - Making a Homemade Solar Oven

What are the materials in building a solar cooker or oven?

The materials you need are:

1. pizza box
2. plastic wrap
3. black construction paper
4. aluminum foil
5. tape or glue.

A knife to cut a hole in the box is also needed, and a stick to prop open the door on your solar cooker/oven.

Here are the steps :

Cutting the Lid

First thing when building your solar oven or cooker is to cut a hole into the lid of your pizza box. So that the lid can flap open, cut around three edges, leaving about 1 inch of space on each edge. Do not completely remove the lid. If you make a mistake, just tape it on with a heavy duty tape.

Building the Solar Reflector

Fold the flap out so that it can stand up on its own. Use the stick to secure it on a desirable position. Completely cover the inside of the lid with aluminum foil, and use the tape or glue. This foil will reflect the sun's rays to the pizza box.

Making the Window

Get your plastic wrap and create a window over the hole on the pizza box. Open the box and flip it over so you will be able to look through the hole. Put the plastic wrap over the hole and tape it.

Heating things up

Take the aluminum foil and line the inside of the box with it. Cover the aluminum with the black construction paper. This will absorb the heat that is produced in your pizza box. The heat absorbent construction paper and the heat reflective aluminum foil will create an oven atmosphere in your solar oven.

Now that you have made your solar oven or cooker, it's time to use it. Bring it to a sunny spot and open the lid. Also adjust the opening so that sunlight is reflected off the lid and into the plastic window. You now know on how to make a solar oven or cooker.

How to Make a Solar Oven - Making a Homemade Solar Oven

Do you know that you only need the top guide to use everything solar in your home, RV, pool, boats, and many others?

www.FullEarth4EnergyReview.com will show you this to you.

Materials Which Absorb Solar Energy

Solar energy is simply energy which comes from the sun's power. This natural energy source can be used for a wide variety of things inside your home. Many people think of using solar energy for their electricity needs, and that is certainly an excellent way to use it. In most cases though, you can actually just use the sun's energy to help heat your home naturally. Doing this does not require the use of solar panels, solar cells, storage batteries, or any complicated grid setup. Of course you'll get much more benefit from setting up an actual solar power system using panels and grids, but if you simply want to start utilizing the natural power of the sun today, there are several ways you can do so.

Essentially all you need to do is set up a way to absorb the heat from the sun. In the winter for example, you can start reducing your electric bill by allowing the sun to supply some of the heat for your home. The easiest way to do this is to just open the curtains and allow the sun to shine into your home during the daylight hours. The sunlight will naturally bring warmth, and items inside your home will actually absorb that warmth too. Any items which help absorb the warmth from the sun will also help your house retain some of that heat after the sun goes down.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

You'll have much better results though if you purposely set out to try and absorb as much of the sun's heat as you can each day. And to do this, you simply need to know which types of materials absorb and retain the sun's heat easily.

Materials Which Absorb Solar Energy

Most types of metal for example will absorb heat quickly and easily. Some metal gets hot faster than others and releases that heat much more slowly. If you lay a sheet of copper in the sun for example, you'll notice it gets hot quite quickly. Once the sun goes down, the copper will start releasing its heat into the air around it. And this can be used as a natural heating system for your home. You could do the same type of thing with most metals.

Dark colored items also get hot quickly. You may have experienced this yourself in the summertime actually. Getting inside of a vehicle which has black seats will be much hotter to the touch than getting inside of one which has light-colored seats. And you can use this to your advantage when heating your home in the winter time as well. If you have dark colored furniture, then simply positioning them in a location of the room which gets sunlight during the day will allow them to absorb heat. You can also place dark curtains at the window, or position dark pieces of furniture, accents, or decor in the sunlight too.

Other materials which absorb heat very nicely include concrete, brick, Adobe, and water. If you live in a home which has concrete or brick walls for example, those walls will absorb heat from the sun throughout the day and store it. Then as the nighttime coolness creeps in the stored heat will slowly be released which helps maintain a comfortable temperature in your home while using less electricity.

Materials Which Absorb Solar Energy

©2008, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Get the latest solar power news, tips, information, tutorials, and advice plus learn more about solar water heating, solar cooking, solar electricity and much more at OfficialSolarPower.com

Can You Really Make Money With Solar Power?

What's the real truth behind all those ads?

Just searching around online for information about solar power, solar energy, and installing solar panels on your own home, you've probably run across many claims which say you can earn money from solar power. So is it true? Yes... sort of.

\"Energy Efficiency\"

You see, it's not nearly as cut and dry as many advertisements would lead you to believe. There is a process involved, and for most people it requires extensive investments before you can actually start "making money" from the solar power you're generating.

Can You Really Make Money With Solar Power?

It's becoming a well known fact that installing solar panels on your home can drastically reduce your electricity bills. In fact, if you install enough of them, you can eliminate your monthly electric bill entirely. And if you happen to generate extra electricity... and you live in the appropriate place... you might be able to get "paid" for the solar power you generate.

The catch though, is that you have to be generating more power from your solar panels than you actually use.

Most residential solar installations only provide part of the total household electric usage, because installing a large enough solar panel system to cover the entire load can cost upwards of ,000. And even though building your own solar panels is much less expensive at an average of about 0 per panel, many standard size households in the United States need 10-20 panels just to get close to covering their own electricity usages each month.

Here's how the reality tends to work for most American families:

1. They install a small, starter solar panel system that's relatively inexpensive. This system helps them reduce their overall monthly electric bill, but in most cases the starter system only provides enough electricity to reduce the bills by 30%-50%.

Larger reductions can be obtained easily of course, simply by installing a larger solar panel system right from the start. Not everyone can afford that large initial investment though, so they go with a starter system instead.

2. Over time the family may add to their home solar panel array. As you add solar panels, you continue taking more of the load off of public electricity needs. This of course continues lowering your electricity bills.

3. If the family continues investing in additional solar panels over time, they will eventually reach the point where they are providing 100% of their own home's electricity needs. This is when the public electric bill is hopefully at .00 per month year round.

At that point, if the family wants to start "earning money" from their solar power installation, they will need to reduce their own power consumption, install more solar panels, or both. The only way they can earn money directly from this investment is to generate extra electrical power which can be sold back to the public electric company.

Not all electric companies will actually "buy back" the power you generate either. In fact, most of them simply give you energy credits which can be applied to your existing utility bill. In most cases if you have no electric bill to pay though, those credits can be cashed in a few times each year, for a partial part of their value.

So before you decide to install solar panels as a way to make money, evaluate your true situation first. Figure out how much electricity your family uses on average, and use that figure to know how many solar panels you'll need to buy. Calculate that cost first and if you're still determined to try and make money from this venture, research your local laws. Also be sure to talk to your local power company so you'll know their policies and restrictions before you invest more money than you need to.

Can You Really Make Money With Solar Power?

Related Reading: How Much Solar Power Do I Need?