This Lifehack article has got a great point, though, that a better guide to Green Living might well be David Allen’s Getting Things Done, since the principles of Green Living are not all that different from the principles used to be more productive.

…
1. Strive for Simplicity: More stuff means more complexity; more upkeep, more keeping track, more things to do. In global terms, it means more wasted resources.

2. Fairness: Much of our consumption-driven market is based on unfairness. If everyone along the chain, from a Bolivian granny making hand-woven grocery bags to the Wal-Mart worker, actually were paid what you’d expect, that hand-woven grocery bag would be out of most people’s price range.

3. Community: If you’ve ever had the pleasure of attending a local farmer’s market, you’ve experienced something few of us do these days: an encounter with a part of your community, an actual living and breathing person, who made that which you’re about to buy.

4. Sustainability: A system is sustainable when the negative outputs of that system are accommodated and turned into positive outputs. However, most of our global production is not sustainable.

5. Planning: Planning means looking ahead toward a desired outcome. It also means thinking a little bit about the community that isn’t here yet and dealing fairly with them. The decisions we make now will create the conditions our grandchildren and their grandchildren will have to deal with.

6. Transparency: Planning, community, fairness, and ultimately sustainability require transparency, but most decisions these days are made behind closed doors.

To take Green Living a bit closer to home, It is also encouraged to look into the principles of Bau-Biologie. Bau-Biologie is the holistic study of the man-made environment, human health and ecology, and you can use many of their principles to create a healthier indoor environment for yourself and your family.
Sources:
Lifehack.org

In a report called ‘Saving Electricity In A Hurry’, the agency predicts there will be outages like those experienced in the United States, Japan and Canada.

Several developed countries have experienced power shortages and more are likely to occur, it says.

A mix of factors lead to power cuts but pre-planning rarely happens, it adds.

More outages

The report lists recent electricity outages in the United States, Japan, New Zealand and Canada and says there is “reason to believe that this list will grow”.

“There is every reason to expect that another shortage… will appear soon,” the report concludes.

Consumers may see higher electricity prices, but this could reduce the risk of further crises in the long term.

“Saving electricity in a hurry is not an elegant localised operation like building a new power plant; it is a messy chaotic activity with groups scrambling all over (and sometimes bumping into each other),” the report lays out.

“It can be expensive in unfamiliar directions, such as for advertising, rebates, and other subsidies.

“But this may be the only alternative to much more severe economic dislocation and disruption,” the IEA warns.

California bungled

The Californian electricity crisis of 2001 was triggered by a variety of factors including “bungled deregulation” and “outright market manipulation” by energy companies, it says.

Power outages can be attributed to a mix of factors

This was then exacerbated by a drought and “mandatory price caps” that kept electricity cheap.

The end result was a crisis that was estimated to cost the state at least $893m (£490m; 730m euros).

The report looks at how consumers can be encouraged to save energy.

“In a crisis, it is acceptable to request consumers to make themselves more uncomfortable, hotter in the summer, colder in the winter, and be inconvenienced,” says the report.

‘TV in the dark’

Some of the advice peppered through the report makes almost amusing reading.

During a power shortage in New Zealand, people were asked to watch TV in the dark.

During the electricity crisis of 2001, Californians were asked to “unplug their second (or third) refrigerators”.

When power is short, maybe one fridge will do

The IEA also recommends “shorter showers”, making traffic lights flash instead of remain on permanently and even reducing the speed of lifts and escalators in commercial buildings.

Tips on how to save energy could be printed on “paper tray liners in fast-food restaurants”.

Measures as radical as changing the clocks to fit daylight hours are suggested as possible energy savers.

“Britain exploited the energy-saving aspects of Daylight Saving during World War Two. Clocks were changed two hours ahead of GMT during the summer (which became known as Double Summer Time).

“The clocks also remained one hour ahead of GMT though the winter.”

Of course, even Rebecca Loos and Abi Titmuss may be called upon to help out were Britain about to be plunged into darkness.

“A vital element of the campaign is raising conservation to the level of a civic obligation, patriotism and, if possible, fashionable and ‘cool’,” says the report.

“The information campaigns in Tokyo, California, New Zealand and Brazil enlisted celebrities in their television and print advertisements to help achieve that goal.”

Sources: BBC NEWS

Click to see also:->UK scientists await ice mission
Eco-Logical
We can solve the climate crises
It’s time that we not only realised the danger of this new reality that is threatening our existence but also recognised the urgency with which we need to act and do our bit to save the Earth.

Times Foundation has taken up several initiatives to raise awareness about this global challenge. It has partnered with JSW for the Times of India Earth Care Awards 2008. This is an effort to recognise local and relevant action in tackling challenges posed by climate change. Besides, encouraging corporates to actively engage in environment-friendly preservation activities and projects.

The awards are technically supported by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Centre for Environment Education (CEE). This is a pioneering step in response to the increasing need to provide credible and technically sound leadership to identify and foster actions across sectors with special reference to mitigation and adaptation imperatives related to climate change and global warming.

Concern Planet is the ongoing initiative targeting the youth to sensitise them about climate change. The Foundation recently conducted a teacher sensitisation workshop with 45 schools of Delhi/ NCR in partnership with TERI to create ambassadors among schoolteachers who in turn would educate the children.

On the occasion of Earth Day (April 22), the Foundation along with Tata Telecommunications Services Limited conducted an SMS campaign from April 22-24. The message stating ‘Let’s do our bit to save the earth - it’s now or never ‘ was sent to around 3 million subscribers in Delhi and NCR.

To pledge your support to save the Earth, visit the website and sign your name, www.timesfoundation.org click on ‘Today Let’s Pledge Our Support To Save The Earth’.

You can also take action in your own little way to save the Earth. Here are a few tips: l Shut down your computer to save power: Left on all day a computer uses 1000 kw electricity in a year, which means over a ton of carbon emissions in a year

Use a laptop to save energy: Laptops are more environmental friendly than desktops. It consumes five times less electricity. f you buy a desktop, get an LCD screen

Don’t wash your jeans often: Wear your jeans at least three times. Wash them in cold water. Don’t use the dryer or the iron. By following these practices people can consume up to five times less energy

CFLs to light your lives: Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs). These use four times less energy and last eight times longer

Don’t over-water your garden: Lawns only need watering once a week, post rain only after two weeks. Do watering early morning for minimal evaporation and water conservation

Serious issue over a tissue: Tissue paper is a major source of waste. Use handkerchief instead. It takes 60,00,000 trees to make one-year’s worth of tissues for the world

Pull the plug and save: Battery chargers, such as those for laptops and cell phones, draw power whenever they are plugged in and are very inefficient.

For more such interesting and easy tips you can log on to www.goodearth.timesofindia.com

Sources: The Times Of India

A sample urban installation - Roof rainwater collection - in a metropolitan city

· If you live in a single dwelling house or a multi-tenant apartment complex, you already have 80% of the RWH system. We just need re-orient the plumbing design.

· The present design of the house will take all the rainwater from the roof and all the ground level areas surrounding the house and flow the water towards the street. (where it floods the street, clogs the storm drains and sewer lines for a few days, before flowing away as sewage water)

· From the roof tops, bring the rainwater down using closed PVC pipes and direct it to a sump. Include a simple 3-part filteration unit consisting of sand, brick jelly and broken mud bricks

· If you do not have sump, use a well. In many parts of the country, old wells when they go dry, is used as garbage dumps. Please clean the well and put the rain water into it.

· If you do not have a well, construct a baby well (about 2ft in diameter and about 16 feet deep based on soil structure)

· Other types of RWH - collect the ground water and stop their flow at the gate. Put a concrete slab with holes in it, build a 2 feet deep pit, across the full width of the gate. Collect and connect a pipe and flow the water to a well or a baby well.

Benefits:

· A water tanker bringing water from unknown sources and untested for its quality will cost about Rs 1000 to Rs 2500 for 10,000 litres of water.

· You cannot put a price on ‘peace of mind’ knowing that you have water for a month.

Did you know that..

· A well is not for storing water. The well connects the surface to the underground water sources. Based on the underground water availability during a rainy season, the water level in the well will go up and down.

· Long after the rains have stopped, the well gets its water from the underground sources leaking into it.

· Where you get water using a bore-well, rain water did percolate through any soil structure at the ground level, including rocky, laterite rock surface.

· Every bore well will eventually go dry, some sooner, some later.

· Use a bore well in reverse. Use a dried up bore well to recharge the underground supply by adding a percolation pit at the top.

A sample rural installation - rain water collection - in a small village.

Recognize first that 3 positive aspects of a village as it relates to water harvesting.

1. The village population is about 500+ families or about 1,500+ residents.

2. Most villages don’t even have roads. There are no paved parking lots in a village.

3. A villager’s house is about 300 sq.feet - whether it is made of a thatched roof or a concrete roof. Even if you collect the rain water from the roof or from the sides, you often find kitchen waste water running in the middle of the street.

What types of RWH makes sense in the rural areas?

a. Build community wells in a few places in the village. Within 10-20 feet from the well, construct a bore-well using a hand-operated pump. Educate the villagers to keep the area around the well and the bore well clean - no washing (human, cattle, motor cycles, clothing), no defecation.

b. If there are existing water tanks in the village, desilt and dredge them every 3 years.

c. If there are any small rivers or streams, build check-dams across them to hold the rain water for usage after the rains have stopped.

Costs

All costs are subject to local variations in different parts of India. One may use these figures for rough budgetary purposes only.

· Most often, the cost is from the PVC pipes. A 4″ diameter PVC pipe costs Rs xx per linear foot. A 5″ pipe costs lot more than a 4″ pipe.

· If you do not have a sump, include about Rs 5 per litre of water storage. So, a 10,000 litre size sump will cost Rs 50,000. (For a family of 4, using about 80 litres per day per person, this 10,000 litre size sump will contain 1 month’s water needs for this family.

· If you do not have old style well - 6′ to 8′ diameter and about 60 feet deep, it will cost about Rs 5,000.

If you wish to construct a baby well, it may cost around Rs 2,500

Did you know that..

· A well is not for storing water. The well connects the surface to the underground water sources. Based on the underground water availability during a rainy season, the water level in the well will go up and down.

· Long after the rains have stopped, the well gets its water from the underground sources leaking into it.

· Where you get water using a bore-well, rain water did percolate through any soil structure at the ground level, including rocky, laterite rock surface.

· Every bore well will eventually go dry, some sooner, some later.

· Use a bore well in reverse. Use a dried up bore well to recharge the underground supply by adding a percolation pit at the top.

Click to learn more about Rain Water Harvesting process
Harvesting Rain Downunder
Rainwater harvesting

Resources:http://akash-ganga-rwh.com/RWH/WaterHarvesting.html

There are a number of things to consider before purchasing a reverse cycle airconditioner, including the size of the area you want to heat or cool, energy consumption and aesthetics. However, broadly speaking, the advantages of reverse cycle airconditioners lie in their convenience, cost and safety.

Reverse cycle effectively reverses the refrigerant flow to deliver cool air in summer or warm air in winter. This means the operation of the air conditioner can be internally reversed to provide indoor heating or cooling as needed. Being able switch onto warm or cool air whenever you need it are the big pluses for reverse cycle models.

This type of technology really shines in winter conditions, too, when running costs for a reverse cycle airconditioner can be as low as one third of those for portable heaters or panel convectors. As one industry expert explained to gadgetguy: ?When you use a heat pump or reverse cycle unit in heating mode, you are using electricity to move heat that already exists from outside your home to inside. It might be cold outside but heat or energy is still present, and can be cost effectively moved inside. Heat pumps require about one third of the electricity to move heat as an electric element heater requires to generate it.?

Add to this the longevity of products: you can expect to get up to 20 years out of products from the major brands provided they have been properly installed and maintained.

How reverse cycle airconditioning works and what types are available:-
Reverse cycle airconditioners extract heat from the outside air, even on winter nights, and transfer it inside. A refrigerant is passed through an external coil, absorbing heat from the outside air. This refrigerant is then pumped through a compressor into a fan coil unit (or condenser) inside the home, releasing its heat into the room. Reverse cycle is also one of the most economical forms of heating, can heat and cool and has no exposed elements or flames - a major safety benefit. But that?s not all. This technology can filter and dehumidify the air.

But more on that later.

Types of reverse cycle air conditioners:
There are two main types of reverse cycle airconditioners: split systems and window/wall units.

Split systems
Split systems are given this name because they have separate indoor and outdoor sections connected by piping. They are ideal for cooling or heating one or more rooms up to 100 square metres. As well, they are typically quieter to run than window/wall units.

Window/wall units
Window/wall units are small enough to fit into a standard window frame and are good for heating or cooling single rooms. Smaller capacity window/wall units are easy to install and can be plugged into standard power outlets while larger systems may need to be wired in by a licensed technician. Moreover, these are the most affordable reverse cycle units available, and are good for rooms up to 70 square metres.

Multi-split systems
Mulit-splits come with more than one internal unit connected to an outside compressor and they can heat or cool multiple rooms independently. Mostly these are mounted on a wall, floor or ceiling as a cassette and are suitable for much larger areas, up to 200 square metres.

Ducted systems
One of the more expensive and complex forms of heating or cooling is a ducted system. Ducted systems, which suit larger households or open plan design areas, are great for cooling or heating different parts of the home simultaneously. These systems, which can cost around $6,000-$12,000 including installation, consist of a heat pump (inside or outside or in a roof cavity); ducting (usually installed above a ceiling, to distribute conditioned air through the home); vents (attached to ceilings or walls and sometimes floor ? directing the conditioned air to each room) and a return air vent (grille), to recirculate air back to the system for reheating.

As the summer months become warmer and longer, and winter?s chill makes its mark, Australian households are craving more comfortable, manageable indoor climates. This is where reverse cycle airconditioners that can both heat and cool your home come into their own, writes Kymberly Martin.

There are a number of things to consider before purchasing a reverse cycle airconditioner, including the size of the area you want to heat or cool, energy consumption and aesthetics. However, broadly speaking, the advantages of reverse cycle airconditioners lie in their convenience, cost and safety.

Reverse cycle effectively reverses the refrigerant flow to deliver cool air in summer or warm air in winter. This means the operation of the air conditioner can be internally reversed to provide indoor heating or cooling as needed. Being able switch onto warm or cool air whenever you need it are the big pluses for reverse cycle models.

This type of technology really shines in winter conditions, too, when running costs for a reverse cycle airconditioner can be as low as one third of those for portable heaters or panel convectors. As one industry expert explained to gadgetguy: ?When you use a heat pump or reverse cycle unit in heating mode, you are using electricity to move heat that already exists from outside your home to inside. It might be cold outside but heat or energy is still present, and can be cost effectively moved inside. Heat pumps require about one third of the electricity to move heat as an electric element heater requires to generate it.?

Add to this the longevity of products: you can expect to get up to 20 years out of products from the major brands provided they have been properly installed and maintained.

How reverse cycle airconditioning works and what types are available:-
Reverse cycle airconditioners extract heat from the outside air, even on winter nights, and transfer it inside. A refrigerant is passed through an external coil, absorbing heat from the outside air. This refrigerant is then pumped through a compressor into a fan coil unit (or condenser) inside the home, releasing its heat into the room. Reverse cycle is also one of the most economical forms of heating, can heat and cool and has no exposed elements or flames - a major safety benefit. But that?s not all. This technology can filter and dehumidify the air.

But more on that later.

Types of reverse cycle air conditioners:-
There are two main types of reverse cycle airconditioners: split systems and window/wall units.

Split systems
Split systems are given this name because they have separate indoor and outdoor sections connected by piping. They are ideal for cooling or heating one or more rooms up to 100 square metres. As well, they are typically quieter to run than window/wall units.

Window/wall units
Window/wall units are small enough to fit into a standard window frame and are good for heating or cooling single rooms. Smaller capacity window/wall units are easy to install and can be plugged into standard power outlets while larger systems may need to be wired in by a licensed technician. Moreover, these are the most affordable reverse cycle units available, and are good for rooms up to 70 square metres.

Multi-split systems
Mulit-splits come with more than one internal unit connected to an outside compressor and they can heat or cool multiple rooms independently. Mostly these are mounted on a wall, floor or ceiling as a cassette and are suitable for much larger areas, up to 200 square metres.

Ducted systems
One of the more expensive and complex forms of heating or cooling is a ducted system. Ducted systems, which suit larger households or open plan design areas, are great for cooling or heating different parts of the home simultaneously. These systems, which can cost around $6,000-$12,000 including installation, consist of a heat pump (inside or outside or in a roof cavity); ducting (usually installed above a ceiling, to distribute conditioned air through the home); vents (attached to ceilings or walls and sometimes floor ? directing the conditioned air to each room) and a return air vent (grille), to recirculate air back to the system for reheating.

Inverter technology

……………………………..

A more recent innovation in reverse cycle airconditioning is inverter technology. Inverter technology, now available from brands including LG, Electrolux, Fujitsu, Panasonic, Daikin, Dimplex, Airwell, Toshiba and Mitsubishi, enables the compressor to operate at variable speeds depending on the output required, and can potentially reduce running costs, particularly over longer operating periods. They also have faster heat up times and maintain more comfortable internal temperatures. Generally, inverter models attract a price premium of up to 50 per cent. So a standard unit would cost you around $599 but an inverter unit would be approximately $899.

You may also like to consider inverter multi-splits. These systems give you the option of airconditioning more than one room when there is limited space for multiple condensers outdoors.

Portable solutions

Another option that is convenient for renters are portable reverse cycle units. Designed for smaller areas (or spot cooling) these are easy to move from room to room or house to house. These units are usually straightforward to connect and disconnect and can be plugged into a standard power point.

Image by Scott Burbidge via Flickr

An air conditioner is a very tough piece of equipment. It is engineered to withstand all sorts of abuse and keep on running. This is great in most respects, but it can lead to complacency about maintenance. Like a car, air conditioners need regular tune-ups to run properly.

Without regular maintenance an air conditioner looses about 5% of it’s original efficiency for each year of operation. This means that the 12 SEER unit that you bought just a few years ago may be functioning like a 9 SEER unit today! The good news is that you can recover most of that lost efficiency through regular maintenance. Studies show that with regular tune-ups a unit will maintain up to 95% of it’s original efficiency. This means that the cost of an annual tune-up is recovered very quickly in savings on your monthly electric bill and reduced repair costs. A properly serviced air conditioner will also do a better job of dehumidifying your home.

Many local air conditioning firms offer special prices at this time of the year. Some even offer annual service programs that insure that you will be reminded of the need to service the unit at the beginning of the cooling and heating seasons.

The service check should include cleaning the condensing unit coils, checking the amp draw of the compressor, oiling the fan motors, checking that belts are well adjusted, and checking the system operating pressures and temperatures against the manufacturers specifications. One of the most important items to check is the coolant level (commonly know as Freon) in the air conditioner. A system that is only 10% low on coolant will cost about 20% more to operate! The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) recommends that coolant levels be checked every year.

If your unit is low on coolant, and more must be added, there are new laws governing its use. Freon is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that will damage the Earths protective ozone layer if released into the atmosphere. The laws governing CFC’s now do not allow your air conditioner contractor to add Freon to a leaky system. They are first required to find and fix the leak in the system. Don’t ask them to violate this law as they may loose their license if they are caught doing this.

There are some things in addition to yearly tune-ups that you can do to help ensure a high level of comfort and proper system operation. First, buy good filters and change them regularly. Next, keep bushes and other materials away from the outside unit of your air conditioner. Another good idea is to avoid closing supply air outlets in your house. In almost all cases, closing supply outlets is harmful to the operation of the overall system.

All equipment, even the most reliable, needs routine maintenance. Complicated equipment like today’s air conditioners benefit in many ways from annual service. They recover much of their lost efficiency, they are less likely to suffer a major break down, they have a longer life span, they increase your comfort, and they operate for less money.

Click to find more information including the Sustainable Building Sourcebook compiled by the City of Austin’s Green Builder Program at the:-> Sustainable Sources website.

Sources:http://www.greenbuilder.com/general/articles/aas.ac.html

Image via Wikipedia

If you are like most other Americans, when it comes to purchasing an air purifier, you may make the decision to purchase one and then go right out and buy one. Although it is nice to get a product when you want it, often right away, there are disadvantages to doing so. Essentially, you may be purchasing a product that is poor in quality. Without the proper amount of research, you will never know.

As mentioned above, it is important that you examine the quality of an air purifier before purchasing it. You can easily do this online. A large number of online websites allow internet users to comment, rate, or write reviews on a product that they have purchased. These products also include air purifiers. If you know of anyone who uses an air purifier in their home, you may also want to think about asking them for suggestions. Feedback from those who own the same product is the best way to learn about the quality of it.

In addition to the quality of the product, it is also important that you examine the size of the air purifier you are interested in buying. When it comes to the size of an air purifier, you do not necessarily need to focus on the size of the actual machine, but you should focus on the size of the space that it is designed for. With cheaper, low-cost air purifiers, you will find that they only tend to treat the air in small rooms. These rooms commonly have a square footage of about 250-350 feet. If you are looking to treat the air inside a larger room, you may need to spend more money on a larger air purifier.

It is also important to consider the cost of an air purifier. Many individuals, regrettably, make a mistake when doing this. That mistake is believing that the purchase price is the only cost that they need to worry about. While there are some air purifiers that are filter-less, not all are. Many of these air purifiers, the ones that require filters, need to have their filters changed every so often. This can be as little as once every couple of years or as much as a couple of months. It is important that you keep the cost of replacement parts, including filters, in mind. When doing this, you may find that an otherwise low-cost air purifier turns into one that is too expensive for you to afford.

Since, in many cases, air purifiers are considered expensive, you are advised to look for air purifiers that come with warranties. In most cases, you will find that many air purifiers have a manufacturers warranty. That warranty typically tends to last about a year. If you are spending more than $400 on an air purifier, you may want to think about getting an extended warranty. If you purchase your next air purifier from a retail store, you may need to pay for the warranty. Despite possibly having to pay for an extended warranty, you will find that it is worth the cost. Should anything happen to your expensive air purifier, a warranty would, in most cases, prevent you from being out of luck.

The above mentioned points are just a few of the many that you need to take into consideration, when buying an air purifier. An air purifier can be a large purchase. That is why you are advised to fully research and examine all aspects of that purchase before making a final decision. It is the only way to make sure that you are not wasting your money.

Sources:http://air-purifier-guides.com/a/348261/What+To+Consider+When+Buying+An+Air+Purifier.html

If you are allergic to your family cat or dog, or any other animal for that matter, what do you plan on doing? Unfortunately, a large number of individuals make the decision to get rid of their pets. While this will completely solve the problem, it cant always be done. There are some individuals who love their pets too much to get rid of them. It may also be even harder to get rid of your family pet, especially if you have children. It has been noted that children attach quicker to family pets, when compared to everyone else. If this is the case with your pet and your family, you will not necessarily want to get rid of your pet, but you will need to look for alternatives.

One of the reasons why pet allergies are such as problem is because of the air particles that are created, from those pets. These particles often come from pet hair or droppings. To eliminate or reduce this problem, and maybe even your allergy, you will need to have cleaner air. While this may not sound like something that would be easy to do, the reality is that it actually is. All you really need to do is purchase an air purifier.

The easy part is making the decision to purchase an air purifier. The hard part comes when you need to make the purchase. It has been noted that all air purifiers are effective at eliminating air particles caused by pets, but they are not all the same. That is why it is important that you know what you are buying. A little bit of research online and you will walk away well informed. It may also be a good idea to examine air purifiers that specifically mentioned pets on their boxes or in their product descriptions. These types of air purifiers are often better, when it comes to eliminating harmful pet pollutants from the air.

Although an air purifier can help, there are also some things that you may want to do. One of those things is keeping your pets in a specific area of your home. Everywhere that your pet travels, pollutants and air particles will be left behind. Unfortunately, most air purifiers are not designed to treat a whole house. In fact, many air purifiers can only control the air in one room, sometimes three rooms, at the most. Therefore, the less space you allow your pet to invade, the easier it will be for you to keep the air in your home clean.

In addition to improving your homes air, you can also improve other indoor air. For instance, if you operate a business that is centered on pets, you may also be able to benefit from the use of an air purifier, especially those with a focus on pets. Essentially, this means that whether you are a vet, a pet sitter, or a pet groomer, you should not only be able to keep the air in your home clean, but also the air in your office. There is a good chance that you would not be the only one benefiting from the purchase of an air purifier. Your other employees, as well as your customers may also notice the improved air inside your office.

In the conclution it can be said to look for air purifiers that specifically mentioned pets. They will be your best bet, when it comes to creating healthy, breathable air for you and the rest of your family.

Sources:http://air-purifier-guides.com/a/348254/Pet+Owners+The+Benefits+Of+Using+An+Air+Purifier.html

When it comes to purchasing an air purifier, you will find that you have a number of different options. Not only can you purchase air purifiers from a large number of storefront retail locations, but you can also purchase air purifiers from a number of online retailers or online websites. It has been noted that you may be able to find a large selection of air purifiers, as well as better prices online. For that reason, you are encouraged to shop online for your next air purifier.

As previously mentioned, even online shopping gives you a number of different opportunities. Thes opportunities often include a wide variety of different online retail stores, product manufacturers, as well as online auction websites. With a wide variety of different choices, you may be wondering which online shopping method you should use. To determine which shopping method would be best for you, you are advised to examine the advantages and disadvantages of each.

When it comes to online shopping, perhaps, the best way to go is by looking for an online retail store. With air purifiers, you will want to look for an online retailer that has a focus on home improvement; however, you should also be able to find air purifiers from traditional online department stores. One of the reasons why these types of stores are the best is because many retailers offer discounts on their products. Depending on if a discount is offered and how much one is being offered for, you may be able to save a fairly large amount of money on a well performing and highly rated air purifier.

Aside from online retailers, the next best thing, when it comes to buying an air purifier, could easily be shopping online with the product manufacturer. When it comes to product manufacturers, including the makers of air purifiers, not all companies sell their products directly, but a large number of them do. Many times these costs are fairly low, due to the elimination of another middle man or seller. You will also find that manufacturers tend to have more information displayed on their websites.

As mentioned above, you can also shop for an air purifier online through an online auction website. In the past few years, the popularity of online auction websites has skyrocketed. As nice as these websites are, you are advised to be cautious when using them. You will never want to purchase a used air purifier from someone who you do not know. There may be something wrong with the air purifier or it may need a new, expensive replacement filter. Although there is a good chance that you could get great deal on new purifiers, you are advised to watch what you are buying, as well as the cost of shipping. Many online auction sellers charge more than they need to for shipping. This extra cost my dramatically drive up the cost of an air purifier.

In addition to using the internet to shop for an air purifier, you should also use it to research air purifiers. When shopping online, for an air purifier, you will likely find that there are a number of different makes and models. These of these products work and perform in different ways. That is why it is important that you know what type of product you are purchasing, before you actually go and purchase it. You are urged to search for product reviews. These reviews will help make sure that you will be spending your money wisely.

Although online shopping is a great way to find a quality air purifier, at an affordable price, there are some shoppers who are uncomfortable with online shopping. If you are one of those individuals, you should still be able to purchase an air purifier from one of your local retail stores.

Sources:http://air-purifier-guides.com/a/348257/Shopping+Online+For+An+Air+Purifier.html

Image by Lucius Kwok via Flickr

An air purifier is a machine that cleans and disinfects the air inside your home. There are different types of air purifier that effectively eliminate air particles or dust, decrease the bacteria and fungi and reduce unwanted odors.

What are the sources of indoor pollutants?

There are many sources of indoor pollutants and identifying them will help you decide whether you need a home air purifier. Those houses with pets, cigarette smokers, which are under repair or construction or with indoor heating appliances are advised to purchase an air purifier for their home. Below are some of the indoor pollutants that are harmful to you and your family’s health:

· Micro-organisms including molds, fungi, mildew, bacteria, pathogens and viruses that thrive in high humidity areas and in poorly maintained air conditioners, humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

· Biological Pollutants including dust particles, animal dander and pollen.

· Household Hazardous Wastes are materials that are toxic - Lead, Asbestos and Formaldehyde are some of these.

· Volatile Organic Compounds including paints, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, kerosene, disinfectants, cleaning supplies, adhesives, waxes, etc.

· Combustion Pollutants including gases or particles from cigarette smoking, heating appliances which burn fuel like burners, fireplaces, water heaters, clothes dryers and exhaust from vehicles and other activities like welding or soldering. The gases produced from the burning of fuels are carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. These gases when inhaled are harmful to your health!

What are the health effects of indoor pollutants?

Biological pollutants cause allergic reactions and can trigger serious asthma attacks. Others are infectious diseases caused by bacteria and viruses.

Hazardous wastes and volatile organic compounds on the other hand may cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headache or nausea; long exposure may lead to high blood pressure, anemia, kidney disorders and even cancer. For children, it may affect their mental development.

What are the things to consider in choosing the right air purifier?

Looking for an air purifier that looks best, of good quality and at minimal cost needs a lot of time for research and studyand there are things you need to consider before buying one. Aside from the price and the performance, some of the factors that you need to consider are the area of the room to determine the size and capacity of air purifier needed, the maintenance costs like the frequency of filter replacement. Sometimes filters to be replaced are more costly than buying a new air purifier. Another thing is the cost of energy consumption, the noise level, product features and warranty of product.

Before buying, try to compare the different types of air purifiers. You may visit a store or do some research online. There are product reviews on the internet that will help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of the purifiers available on the market today.

What are the types of air purifier?

There are different types of air purifier developed by different manufacturers and knowing how they function is important in choosing the best purifier for your home. Below are some of the purifiers available on the market:

· HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Mechanical Filtration

This unit contains a HEPA filter, which has filter media or paper with very small openings. It was originally designed by the Atomic Energy Commission to capture radioactive dust particles. Only very small particles can pass through and it is good for filtering house dust, pollen, animal dander and mold spores.

· UV Air Purifier

This air purifier has UV filters and a UV lamp that emits Ultraviolet light which kills bacteria and viruses. These are often used in hospitals, schools, hotels and clinical laboratories.

· Ozone and Ion Generator

This type of air purifier produces ions (charged particles) to clean the air. The ions and dust in the air combine, the impurities will then attach to surfaces.

· Electrostatic or Electronic Air Purifier

This purifier uses electronic cells to charge the particles in the purifier. It has a fan that pulls airflow over the collector plates where impurities are captured.

· Charged media Filter

It is the same as Electrostatic Purifier in function, the only difference is that it uses a fiber filter instead of plates. It is better because the fiber filter can collect even the tiny particles.

· Activated carbon Filter

This filter is good for eliminating odors from smoke and chemical fumes.

Shopping for the best air purifier really requires a lot of research and time. You do not want to end up choosing a product that is not worth the money. There are many options available so you have to think twice or many times before making a final decision!

Sources:http://air-purifier-guides.com/a/350169/Air+Purifier%3a+Facts+and+Buying+Guide.html

As previously mentioned, many department stores only carry a small selection of air purifiers. There are a number of different reasons why these air purifiers only tend to be air purifiers that are designed for small spaces, instead of the whole house. One of those reasons is because of limited floor space. In retail, retailers often try and place as many items inside their stores as they possibly can. Sometimes, larger items, especially items that may take up a large amount of space, are left out. The lack of space is why a large number of traditional department stores do not carry whole house air purifiers; however, it is important to note that some will.

If you are looking for a whole house air purifier, you are advised to check out your local home improvement store, especially if you would like to shop locally. Home improvement stores tend to have a focus on home improvement projects. Technically, improving the air inside your home, especially the whole house, can be considered a home improvement project. That is why a large number of home improvement stores carry a selection of air purifiers, including those that are designed for the whole house.

In addition to shopping at a local home improvement store, you should also be able to find whole house air purifiers online. In fact, if you are looking for the best prices or a larger selection of products, you may want to give online shopping some thought. With online shopping, you can easily compare prices, in a matter of minutes. When shopping online, you will want to search for the online websites of air purifier manufacturers, as well as the online websites of home improvement stores, home stores, or traditional department stores.

Although whole house air purifiers are ideal, especially if you want to clean up the air inside your whole house, you will often find that they are more expensive, when compared to most traditional air purifiers. In fact, whole house air purifiers can cost anywhere from three hundred dollars to a thousand dollars. Despite this high cost, you need to remember the cost of individual air purifiers. Depending on the number of rooms in your home, it is almost always cheaper to purchase a whole house air purifier instead of multiple air purifiers for each room. So, technically, in the long run, you may also be saving yourself money.

Whole house air purifiers work when they are attached to your homes heating or cooling systems. Despite being attached to your heating or cooling systems, you may find that your whole house air purifier needs maintenance. This maintenance may include a replacement filter. Whether or not the air purifier of your choice needs replacement filters is extremely important. When purchasing an air purifier, especially one that needs to have its filters replaced, you need to examine the cost of those replacement filters. If they need to be changed on a regular basis or if the replacement filters are expensive, you may want to search for a cheaper alternative. It may take a little bit of work, but they are out there.

When shopping for an air purifier in your local department store, what do you tend to see? Many department stores only carry a limited selection of air purifiers. Many times these air purifiers are only designed to handle one or two rooms. Unfortunately, this leads many individuals to believe that there is no such thing as a whole house air purifier. The good news is that if you are looking for a whole house air purifier, you can have one because they do exist.

As previously mentioned, many department stores only carry a small selection of air purifiers. There are a number of different reasons why these air purifiers only tend to be air purifiers that are designed for small spaces, instead of the whole house. One of those reasons is because of limited floor space. In retail, retailers often try and place as many items inside their stores as they possibly can. Sometimes, larger items, especially items that may take up a large amount of space, are left out. The lack of space is why a large number of traditional department stores do not carry whole house air purifiers; however, it is important to note that some will.

If you are looking for a whole house air purifier, you are advised to check out your local home improvement store, especially if you would like to shop locally. Home improvement stores tend to have a focus on home improvement projects. Technically, improving the air inside your home, especially the whole house, can be considered a home improvement project. That is why a large number of home improvement stores carry a selection of air purifiers, including those that are designed for the whole house.

In addition to shopping at a local home improvement store, you should also be able to find whole house air purifiers online. In fact, if you are looking for the best prices or a larger selection of products, you may want to give online shopping some thought. With online shopping, you can easily compare prices, in a matter of minutes. When shopping online, you will want to search for the online websites of air purifier manufacturers, as well as the online websites of home improvement stores, home stores, or traditional department stores.

Although whole house air purifiers are ideal, especially if you want to clean up the air inside your whole house, you will often find that they are more expensive, when compared to most traditional air purifiers. In fact, whole house air purifiers can cost anywhere from three hundred dollars to a thousand dollars. Despite this high cost, you need to remember the cost of individual air purifiers. Depending on the number of rooms in your home, it is almost always cheaper to purchase a whole house air purifier instead of multiple air purifiers for each room. So, technically, in the long run, you may also be saving yourself money.

Whole house air purifiers work when they are attached to your homes heating or cooling systems. Despite being attached to your heating or cooling systems, you may find that your whole house air purifier needs maintenance. This maintenance may include a replacement filter. Whether or not the air purifier of your choice needs replacement filters is extremely important. When purchasing an air purifier, especially one that needs to have its filters replaced, you need to examine the cost of those replacement filters. If they need to be changed on a regular basis or if the replacement filters are expensive, you may want to search for a cheaper alternative. It may take a little bit of work, but they are out there.

Works with the HVAC system to clean and circulate air throughout residence or office building.
Removes dust, smoke, pollen, automobile emissions, bacteria, mold, attached viruses. Also removes gas phase contaminants (with optional V.O.C. cartridges) such as volatile organic chemicals, formaldehyde, radon, and chemical fumes.
Far superior to electronic and electrostatic air cleaners and ionizers. Especially beneficial for today’s buildings where improved sealing methods can reduce ventilation and lead to a build up of indoor air pollution causing the condition known as sick building syndrome.

Click to see:-> improvised air purifier

Sources:http://air-purifier-guides.com/a/348263/Whole+House+Air+Purifiers+Do+They+Exist.html

Researchers have developed a “revolutionary” process for converting plant sugars into hydrogen, which they claim could be used to cheaply and efficiently run vehicles.

According to the researchers, the conversion process involves combining plant sugars, water and a cocktail of powerful enzymes to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide under mild reaction conditions.

The new system helps solve the three major technical barriers to the so-called “hydrogen economy” - the roadblocks involve how to produce low-cost sustainable hydrogen, how to store hydrogen and how to distribute it efficiently, the researchers in US said.

“This is revolutionary work. This has opened up a whole new direction in hydrogen research. With technology improvement, sugar-powered vehicles could come true eventually,” lead researcher Percival Zhang of Virginia Tech University said.

Zhang and his colleagues believe they have found the most promising hydrogen-producing system to date from plant biomass. They think they can produce hydrogen from cellulose, which has a similar chemical formula to starch but is far more difficult to break down.

In laboratory studies, the scientists collected 13 different, well-known enzymes and combined them with water and starches. Inside a specially designed reactor and under mild conditions (approximately 86°F), the resulting broth reacted to produce only carbon dioxide and hydrogen with no leftover pollutants. The method, called “in vitro synthetic biology”, produced three times more hydrogen than the theoretical yield of anaerobic fermentation methods.

“However, the amount of hydrogen produced was still too low for commercial use and the speed of the reactions isn’t optimal,” the ScienceDaily quoted Zhang as saying.

A sugar-fuelled car would be inherently safe because its hydrogen is used immediately, said Zhang. He added that it would also be cheaper and cleaner to run than even the most efficient petrol-driven car.

Click to see : Powered By Sugar: Cars Of The Future?

James May: Ray of hope for petrolheads

Sources: The Times Of India

A well-insulated floor can yield many sorts of benefits in addition to energy cost savings. For example, a well-insulated floor can:

*Improve comfort. Floor insulation can make your home more comfortable by buffering your home against high outside temperatures in summer and cold temperatures in winter. Well-insulated floors will help minimize uncomfortable drafts. Additionally, the surface temperature of your floor will stay closer to the desired room temperature (so the floor is warmer to the touch in winter, for example).

*Reduce moisture-related problems. Moisture can be introduced into floor cavities by outside weather conditions (humidity or precipitation) as well as indoor sources of moisture (people, showers, cooking, etc.) If the moisture meets cold surfaces along the way it can condense and invite mold growth or moisture damage problems.

*Improve fire safety. Well-insulated building envelopes can improve fire safety by reducing air leakage that could otherwise nourish a fire. And, uneven (or missing) insulation can provide channels through which fires can spread. The use of approved products and installation practices (e.g. electrical safety measures) must be observed to guard against insulation-related fires.

*Remain comfortable longer during power outages. Proper insulation reduces heat loss through the building envelope, allowing your home to remain comfortable and habitable longer during power outages.

*Lower the risk of frozen water pipes. Water pipes in uninsulated basements or crawlspaces can be exposed to freeze damage; proper insulation will lower the risk. Hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance claims are filed each year for frozen water pipe damages. In relatively mild regions that experience occasional strong freezes, people often don’t anticipate the problem and fail to take preventive measures ahead of time.

*Make your home quieter. A well-insulated building envelope can make your home quieter by blocking outdoor noise sources.

Click to see :->Details of floor insulation

Sources:http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/hit/nebs/neb_floor.html

Well-insulated basement walls can yield many sorts of benefits in addition to energy cost savings. For example, well-insulated basement walls can:

*Improve comfort. Basement wall insulation can make your home more comfortable by buffering your home against high outside temperatures in summer and cold temperatures in winter. Proper insulation will help minimize uncomfortable drafts.
Additionally, the surface temperature of your walls will stay closer to the desired room temperature (so the walls are warmer to the touch in winter, for example).

*Make your home quieter. A well-insulated building envelope can make your home quieter by blocking outdoor noise sources.

*Reduce moisture-related problems. Moisture can be introduced into basement walls by outside weather conditions (humidity or precipitation) as well as indoor sources of moisture (people, showers, cooking, etc.) If the moisture meets cold surfaces along the way it can condense and invite mold growth or moisture damage problems. Proper insulation reduces moisture-related problems.

*Lower the risk of frozen water pipes. Water pipes running inside poorly insulated walls can be exposed to freeze damage; proper insulation will lower the risk. Hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance claims are filed each year for frozen water pipe damages. In relatively mild regions that experience occasional strong freezes, people often don’t anticipate the problem and fail to take preventive measures ahead of time.

Sources:http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/hit/nebs/neb_bsmtwall.html

…………

Well-insulated crawlspace walls can yield many sorts of benefits in addition to energy cost savings. For example, well-insulated crawlspace walls can:

*Improve comfort. Crawlspace wall insulation can make your home more comfortable by buffering your home against high outside temperatures in summer and cold temperatures in winter. Proper insulation will help minimize uncomfortable drafts.

*Make your home quieter. A well-insulated building envelope can make your home quieter by blocking outdoor noise sources.

*Reduce moisture-related problems. Moisture can be introduced into uninsulated, leaky or poorly-installed crawlspace wall insulation by outside weather conditions (humidity or precipitation) as well as indoor sources of moisture (people, showers, cooking, etc.) If the moisture meets cold surfaces along the way it can condense and invite mold growth or moisture damage problems. Proper insulation reduces moisture-related problems.

*Lower the risk of frozen water pipes. Water pipes running inside uninsulated or poorly insulated crawlspaces can be exposed to freeze damage; proper insulation will lower the risk. Hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance claims are filed each year for frozen water pipe damages. In relatively mild regions that experience occasional strong freezes, people often don’t anticipate the problem and fail to take preventive

Click to see:->Insulating a Crawl Space

Sources:http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/hit/nebs/neb_cswall.html

A well-insulated ceiling can yield many sorts of benefits in addition to energy cost savings. For example, a well-insulated ceiling can:

*Make your home more comfortable. A well-insulated ceiling buffers your home against high outside temperatures in summer and cold temperatures in winter, making your home more comfortable. Well-insulated construction also helps minimize uncomfortable drafts.

*Make your home quieter. A well-insulated building “envelope” can make your home quieter by blocking outdoor noise sources.
reduce moisture-related problems. Moisture can be introduced into ceiling cavities by outside weather conditions (humidity or precipitation) as well as indoor sources of moisture (people, showers, cooking, etc.) If the moisture meets cold surfaces along the way it can condense and invite mold growth or moisture damage problems.

*Improve fire safety. Well-insulated building envelopes can improve fire safety by reducing air leakage that could otherwise nourish a fire. And, uneven (or missing) insulation can provide channels through which fires can spread. The use of approved products and installation practices (e.g. electrical safety measures) must be observed to guard against insulation-related fires.

*Remain comfortable longer during power outages. Proper insulation reduces heat loss through the building envelope, allowing your home to remain comfortable and habitable longer during power outages.

*Lower the risk of frozen water pipes. Water pipes in uninsulated ceiling areas can be exposed to freeze damage; proper insulation will lower the risk. Hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance claims are filed each year for frozen water pipe damages. In relatively mild regions that experience occasional strong freezes, people often don’t anticipate the problem and fail to take preventive measures ahead of time.

*Reduce the likelihood of ice forming in attics or “ice dams” on top of the roof. Ice dams are caused by the melting of rooftop snow over the warm roof, and re-freezing at the cold eave. Water pools behind the eave and can run under the roofing. Ice dams are a common cause of roof damages and also dangerous conditions for pedestrians around the home.

Sources:http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/hit/nebs/neb_ceil.html

The pressure to speed up plans for thousands of wind turbines and the controversial Severn barrage is likely to be intense. The EU is expected to order Britain this week to raise its game from 2 per cent of renewable energy to 15 per cent by 2020. The EU package, to be published on Wednesday, will also confirm a binding target for 10 per cent of all fuel to come from biofuel, despite the warning today from MPs about its drawbacks.

Green campaigners say that the renewable energy target, backed by hefty fines, will be tough for Britain to meet after years of talking up its environmental credentials without putting effective policies in place. Offshore wind and wave power are seen as the main sources of this green energy, which is likely to transform many coastal areas when at least 7,000 extra wind turbines are built. There may be benefits, however, if communities are allowed to set up projects to sell energy back to the national grid.

Ministers are keen on the Severn barrage, which could provide up to 5 per cent of the country’s renewable electricity needs, but wildlife campaigners have said that it will wreak havoc on surrounding ecosystems.

The EU insists that its proposals will cost no more than 0.5 per cent of GDP, in Britain’s case a total of £7 billion. Tony Blair signed up Britain last March to the general target of 20 per cent renewable energy across the 27-member EU and ever since diplomats have been wrangling over each country’s contribution. The 15 per cent goal for Britain is considered tough by ministers but they know that they cannot complain after claiming to lead Europe’s green campaign.

Other countries are already giving warning that their draft renewable targets are impossible. President Sarkozy of France is arguing against an increase from 10 per cent to 23 per cent.

The Government hopes that under the EU plan it will be able to buy renewable energy from other countries and count it against its own target. That would help to limit the impact of wind and wave projects around Britain but other countries fear that they will end up subsidising rich countries to carry on using fossil fuels.

Steve Webb, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, said: “We urgently need a blueprint on how we get to the new target, without paying someone else to bail us out. With our shoreline and our climate, we ought to be doing much better. Many comparable countries have already made far more headway than we have.”

In 2005 Britain was 22nd in the EU for renewable energy behind countries such as Sweden on 30 per cent and Portugal on 13 per cent. Britain’s 15 per cent target will cover all the country’s energy needs, including transport and industrial heating and cooling, which are more difficult to provide from renewable sources than electricity. That is why experts are giving warning that a goal set last year to produce 15 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2015 now looks underambitious.

Click to see also:->EU to auction all emissions permits
Raising use of biofuels would harm the planet
The weird and wonderful ‘must be saved with cute and cuddly’

Sources: TIMESONLINE:25TH.Jan’08

1.First, the photovoltaic panels — or array — collect sunlight and converts it into solar energy.

2.The energy is then stored in special batteries inside the home before being sent to a power inverter that converts the energy from DC to AC.

3.Once the power has been converted, a charge controller monitors and regulates the entire system.

PV Panel Manufacturing

And what makes PV panels work? Here’s a brief overview:

A power inverter (top panel) converts solar power from DC to AC; a charge controller (bottom panel) regulates the solar powered system.

1.First, the manufacturer molds treated raw silicon into blocks that are slide into thin, square wafers.

2.The wafers have impurities on both top and bottom surfaces, that causes the silicon to become energized when penetrated by sunlight. The interval electrical field created in turn creates electricity that can be used immediately or stored for later usage.

3.The wafers are mounted and connected together in a grid sandwiched between tempered glass panels and forged into a panel than can withstand winds of 120 mph — as well as almost any weather condition.

4.Finally, wiring is added to the back of the panels.

Homeowners considering the purchase of PV panels should consider their overall needs before investing. For example: deciding whether battery storage capability is desired or how much of the home will be powered by the solar system. Many manufacturers offer complete packages that make the installation easier and more economical — and now, even offer plyable panels that can be rolled directly over a rooftop.

For more information on solar power, including product specifications and installation instructions, see Resources below.

RESOURCES :
Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com

The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
ISBN: 0963738321
Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller Chelsea Green Publiishing Company

Solar Decathlon
U.S. Department of Energy
Website: www.solardecathlon.org

Solar Buildings
Covers zero-energy building and other solar technologies.
Solar Buildings
Website: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/

U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
Website: www1.eere.energy.gov/solar

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Website: www.nrel.gov

Photovoltaic Panel Installation Guide (BP Solar MST Integra-Mount)
Model: Solar Panel SX-110
BP Solar (Integra-Mount Photovoltaic Panels)
Website: www.bpsolar.com

Solar Panels and Hardware (BP)
Model: SX-110
BP Solar (Solar Panels and Hardware)
Website: www.bpsolar.com

Solar Inverter, Converters and Charge Controllers (Xantrex)
SW Series Solar Installation Guides, Battery Specs for model 2580NC and PV Series
Xantrex
Website: www.xantrex.com

Solar Power Products, Packages and Installation (Atlantic Solar)
Including installation and operation of Sunmate generators.
Atlantic Solar Products
Phone: 410-686-2500

Solar System Design and Installation
Chesapeake Wind & Solar
Website: www.cwsenergy.com

Sources:http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/he_diagnostics/article/0,2037,DIY_13893_2277456,00.html

1.Homeowner Joe Wilson has decided during the installation that he would also like to connect a back-up gas generator and well pump to his new solar system. To handle all this, solar installer Mike Howell recommends the installation of two 240-volt power converters to the right of the main breakers. All of the components — including the new converters — must be connected to the home’s main electrical system to function. Remember, when performing any electrical work, take all safety precautions. Because of the danger involved, intricate electrical work is often best left to professionals.

2.The team runs the electrical cable from the solar array (see picture below) into the house through the underground conduit. The cables are tied to nylon rope for easy threading, then pulled through the conduit to inverter panels.

3.The cables are connected at the fuse combiner box located at the base of the solar array. The green cable are first connected to the grounding strip. The red cable are connected to the PV out positive terminal block; and the black cable are connected to the PV out negative terminal block.

4.To finish the exterior work, Wilson taps a grounding rod into the earth near the array (see picture below) . The long rod is left extending above the ground about 6″.

5.The team runs copper grounding wire from the rod to the fuse box, and from the solar panels to the fuse box.

6.After the grounding wire is run, Howell makes the proper electrical connections inside. The cables are run from the array to the inverter panel disconnect. Again the red wire is connected to the positive terminal; the green grounding wire is connected to the grounding terminal; and the black wire is connected to the negative terminal.

7.The team installs the battery bank in the loft area above the new control panels. First, conduit is run through the ceiling into the inverter panel. Next, two heavy-duty battery cables are fed into the panel disconnect (see picture below). The other ends of the cables will be connected to the battery pack.

8.The battery system must be installed in a series — alternating positive and negatives — and secured into place.

9.Final tests are made and the component covers are attached.
The entire system costed about $10,000 installed.

For more information on solar power, including product specifications and installation instructions, see Resources below.

RESOURCES :
Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com

The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
ISBN: 0963738321
Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller Chelsea Green Publiishing Company

Solar Decathlon
U.S. Department of Energy
Website: www.solardecathlon.org

Solar Buildings
Covers zero-energy building and other solar technologies.
Solar Buildings
Website: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/

U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
Website: www1.eere.energy.gov/solar

Photovoltaic Panel Installation Guide (BP Solar MST Integra-Mount)
Model: Solar Panel SX-110
BP Solar (Integra-Mount Photovoltaic Panels)
Website: www.bpsolar.com

Solar Panels and Hardware (BP)
Model: SX-110
BP Solar (Solar Panels and Hardware)
Website: www.bpsolar.com

Solar Inverter, Converters and Charge Controllers (Xantrex)
SW Series Solar Installation Guides, Battery Specs for model 2580NC and PV Series
Xantrex
Website: www.xantrex.com

Solar Power Products, Packages and Installation (Atlantic Solar)
Including installation and operation of Sunmate generators.
Atlantic Solar Products
Phone: 410-686-2500

Solar System Design and Installation
Chesapeake Wind & Solar
Website: www.cwsenergy.com

Sources:http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/he_diagnostics/article/0,2037,DIY_13893_2277463,00.html

The “greening” of US campuses is gaining momentum. Many college and university presidents are committing their institutions to a reduction in their carbon footprint — the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by human activity over the course of a year.

A new sustainability report card grading the 200 most heavily endowed universities — schools with endowments ranging from $230 million to $35 billion — found a “green groundswell” on campuses, with nearly 45 per cent making a commitment to fight climate change through cutting carbon emissions

Almost 500 American college and university presidents have signed pledges to develop a comprehensive plan at their institutions to achieve climate neutrality — net-zero carbon emissions — as soon as possible. In the meantime, according to the pledge, they must take two or more tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases while the more comprehensive plans are being developed. One example of such an action is purchasing or producing at least 15 per cent of the electricity consumed by their institutions from renewable sources; another is investing the institution’s endowment as much as possible in green companies.

Finally, the pledge requires the institution to make its action plan and progress reports available to the public.

In 2006, the College of the Atlantic (COA) in Bar Harbor, Maine, located near the scenic Acadia National Park, pledged it would become the first carbon net zero campus. A small college (approximately 325 students) dedicated to ecology, COA made the pledge “because it’s the right thing to do”, said COA president David Hale in an interview. “The primary motivation,” he said, “is to practice what we teach.”

To reduce its carbon emissions — which play a key role in global warming — COA conducted a comprehensive energy audit and began extensive work to improve energy efficiency in all its buildings. Incandescent light bulbs were replaced with energy-saving compact fluorescents wherever possible. The college, which offers only one degree, human ecology, promoted alternative commuting methods, such as carpooling and biking, and instituted flexible work plans so more employees could work from home.

COA focussed the entire college community on the concept of sustainability — raising organic food and involving staff and students in such decisions as which furniture to purchase and which trees to remove for its new energy-efficient dorms, heated by wood pellets. The college also created an advisory committee.

Students studied the carbon-offset market intensively, looking for ways to counteract emissions the college could not avoid by investing in programmes that limit emissions elsewhere. They selected a project in Portland, Oregon, that optimises traffic signals and manages traffic flow, thereby reducing the amount of time cars spend idling at traffic lights. This practice of carbon offsets is based on the idea that because there is only one atmosphere, reducing emissions by a ton anywhere reduces emissions to the total atmosphere.

In December 2007, just 15 months after taking on the challenge of reducing its carbon footprint to net zero, COA announced it had fulfilled its pledge — becoming the first college or university to achieve carbon neutrality.

For its actions, an environmental news website (Grist.org) ranked COA the “greenest college in the world”. The nonprofit Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI) also named COA as one of the four colleges and universities to receive the institute’s first Sustainability Innovator Award.

For two years in a row, SEI has published a report card grading the most heavily endowed campuses. The latest found that green building standards guide new construction at 59 per cent of the 200 schools, and 42 per cent are using hybrid or electric vehicles in transportation fleets.

More than one-third of the rated colleges and universities are purchasing renewable energy, and 30 per cent are producing their own wind or solar energy. More than two-thirds are buying food from local farms. Biodiesel fuel now is being made and used by almost one-third of schools.

More than two-thirds earned a better report card in 2008 than in 2007. None of these generally large universities got an overall grade of A, but six received an A — Harvard University in Massachusetts, Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, the University of Washington, Middlebury College in Vermont, Carleton College in Minnesota and the University of Vermont.

These 200 colleges and universities represent more than $343 billion in endowment assets, and the SEI report card regards endowment practices and shareholder engagement as a vital component of sustainability practices. The report found that the percentage of schools with endowment investments in renewable energy funds more than tripled from nine per cent to 31 per cent.

More than a third of schools now have full-time campus sustainability administrators.

The College Sustainability Report Card 2008 (http://www.endowmentinstitute.org/sustainability) is available on the website of the Sustainable Endowments Institute.

The National Wildlife Federation recently released a study of best practices from US colleges and universities on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on campus. The report (http://www.nwf.org/ca-mpusEcology/BusinessCase/download.cfm) is available on its website.

Harvard University has adopted a series of campus-wide sustainability principles ranging from increasing efficiency and use of renewable resources to decreasing production of waste and hazardous materials. For details on the green building principles Harvard adopted and the products and technologies used, see the Green Building Resource (http://www.greencampus.harvard.edu/theresource/guidelines) on the Harvard website.

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

Three critical elements of that strategy are the type of insulation material, where it’s installed and how much is needed. If you’re having a new home built, be sure to talk to your builder about these three elements so that you can be assured the insulation strategy will contribute to a comfortable, efficient home.

How Much Insulation to Use and Where It’s Installed in a Home

How much insulation is needed in a home, and where should it be installed? Local building codes spell out the answers to these questions. At a minimum, insulation is placed in the floor of an unfinished attic, in the exterior walls and in the wall between the garage and the living space. It also may be installed over wall sheathing, which is a material placed between the exterior wall and the cladding material (the brick, siding or stucco on the outside of a house). In some regions, local building codes require the foundation walls and slab to be insulated, too.

What Type of Insulation to Use

The builder should choose the insulation type based on the design of your home and your climate zone. A good resource for more information about choosing insulation is the DOE’s website, click here.

The following is a guide on what type of insulation is typically installed in which parts of the house. Of course, this varies based on the climate the house is in and the individual characteristics of a house.

Exterior Walls – All building codes require insulation in the exterior walls between the wood studs that make up the frame of the walls. Of the many types available, fiberglass batt insulation is used most often. Fiberglass is an excellent insulator, and is very resistant to fire. Batt insulation is a type of insulation made of loosely matted fibers fashioned into a blanket-like form.

Fiberglass Batt Insulation

Attic — Most building codes also require insulation in the attic. Blown-in dry cellulose insulation is commonly used in this area of the home. It simply is blown-in to the depth required to meet the R-value specified by local code. Dry cellulose insulation is made from recycled, shredded newspaper, which has been chemically treated to be fire-resistant.

Blown-In Cellulose Insulation
Blown-in insulation refers to loose insulation made of fiberglass, cellulose or foam that is literally blown into place with hose-type equipment. Fiberglass and cellulose remain loose after they’ve been installed. Spray foam solidifies once it’s been applied.

Wall Sheathing – Rigid foam sheathing can be used to add thermal resistance to the exterior walls. Rigid foam sheathing often is used with a material that provides wall strength — such as plywood.

Rigid Foam Sheathing

Foundation Walls – In some areas, building codes require foundation walls to be insulated. To meet code, rigid fiberglass can be applied to the exterior of the foundation walls. For maximum benefit, foundation insulation is run from the wall sheathing to the bottom of the foundation wall

Rigid Fiberglass Insulation

Slab – In a slab-on-grade foundation, where the bottom of the house sits directly on the ground and doesn’t have a basement space, codes often require the slab to be insulated. The preferred method is to extend rigid foam board from the top of the slab to two feet below the bottom of the slab. An additional two feet should angle out away from the vertical piece, as shown in this image. Insulating this way helps to keep the soil surrounding the slab warmer, thus keeping the slab itself warmer.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation

Remember, talk to your builder early on, when your home is still in the planning stage, to find out about the strategy being used to insulate your home, including the type of insulation material, where it’s installed, and how much is needed.

Sources:http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/hm_insul_effncy/article/0,2085,DIY_16803_2644084,00.html

Hydrogen, produced from tap water, could become the forever fuel of the future, generating power for homes, industry, and cars.

A new day is dawning for a revolutionary way to generate electric power from renewable energy sources. Imagine a future where the electrical power needed to run your computer, TV and DVD is generated from a small appliance about the size of a dishwasher located in your home. Envision generating electricity without combustion, and producing heat