Do-it-yourself Geothermal Cooling

One form of alternative energy you can use in cooling your home is geothermal energy. This might sound surprising, but you can use the energy found in your own backyard by utilizing geothermal heat pumps. You can save up to 70% on cooling bills.

The bad news is that professionally installed geothermal systems are too expensive. The good news is that there are ways in which you can harness geothermal energy, to partially cool your house, without shelling out a fortune for it.

You might already be utilizing geothermal energy without realizing it. Northern state homeowners often use this renewable energy without their direct knowledge.

This article will teach you how to maximize the cool air that’s stored within your basement.

You need to have a basement, or at least some crawl space beneath your house, for this cooling method to work. You must be able to access the space from within the confines of your home. If the space has a small window or vent, this will help with the air flow. You’ll also need a small portable fan for this one.

The principle of geothermal cooling works this way. During hot summer days, the basement is cooler than most parts of the house. The basement’s exterior walls are controlled by the constant heat trapped a few feet underground, right next to the house’s foundation. The temperature penetrates the basement walls and cools the air trapped inside. You must then distribute the cool from this musty and damp air, throughout the rest of home.

The most efficient way of doing so is to cover your windows with shades or curtains during sunrise, to minimize the natural heating by the sun. During nighttime when the outside temperature falls below 75 degrees, open your upstairs windows while leaving your fan on, to suck in the cool air.

But, once the temperature get higher than 75 degrees, you can turn on your geothermal cooling system by opening one of the windows in the basement. You don’t need to fully open it. A small opening is enough just to let some air through. Be sure to close all other windows in your house except for one. That way, air flows through the open windows. The open window should be the highest one in your house. This will vent out the most hot air.

Your small fan should be turned on and pointed toward the window. This should make the air from the basement move up to the open window, and let the hot air go out. It usually takes between thirty minutes to one hour to circulate the cool air from the basement to the rest of the house.

This method of utilizing geothermal energy might seem to involve lots of work, but your family will benefit from it in the long run. You’ll see your dependency on your air conditioner decrease, resulting in lower energy bills.

————————

There are more ways to cool your homes without the need of plugging into the grid. For information on where to find complete and step-by-step instructions on how to install DIY Wind and Solar Power systems, along with pictures, videos, and diagrams, please visit Popular DIY Wind and Solar Power Guides.

You can also find more general information and solar power projects at Do-it-Yourself Solar Power.

Source Article: [uc]DIY[/uc] Geothermal Cooling

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Importance of Geothermal Power (themoderatevoice.com)

Technorati Tags: Geothermal heat pump, Geothermal power

Alternative Electric Sources – A Foil To Fossil Fuels

Education of the masses with regards to alternative electricity sources is the primary goal of advocates keen for renewable energy to be used more throughout the world. Most energy is produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, over 75%. Estimates suggest that nuclear power accounts for about 20% of electricity and the rest is created from renewable energy sources. It is possible to produce electricity from biomass, geothermal power, wind power and solar energy and this has far more wide ranging benefits for the environment.

SideBar: Looking for more on renewable energy resources then click solar power pannels and home built wind turbines for details on how you could be using renewable energy today, to not only save yourself a bit of money but also benefit the environment.

The principle behind electricity production is to keep the movement of a magnet around a conductor. This can be achieved by having two conductors in salt water, shining a light on the conductors or by touching the conductors together. The energy produced to keep the electricity moving comes from absorbing energy or energy collected for burning fuels. This energy is needed to keep the copper wire found between two magnets spinning as this is the most common form of electricity generation and delivery.

Wind power is one of the best forms of renewable energy but one of the least utilized. This is unfortunate as much of the electricity needed by the United States could be supplied by wind power, but knowledge of it's effectiveness if growing. Wind power is probably the most environmentally friendly source of electricity and also one of the more efficient as it produces more electricity than many other renewable resource for a small amount of wind power.

Solar power is about converting solar light into electricity. This is a much documented source of electricity that has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. Home solar systems and even commercial units are gaining in popularity as the prices come down and the incentives go up.

Converting your home to solar energy either on a piece meal basis or completely is an option form many homeowners and after the initial up front costs the benefits of reduced or even no electricity bills will be worth the effort. The initial installation costs can be out of reach of many people but as more tax breaks and other incentives are introduced by governing bodies this becomes less of an issue.

Hydropower generates electricity from the kinetic energy stored in moving water, so whenever you venture past a dam you will also notice an electricity generator or station nearby. Falling water that passes through a turbine created mechanical energy that can be transformed to electricity. The classic instance of this ocurring was in Niagara Falls when a mouse caused a large black out by chewing through a wire. You can also get a hydro electric generator to make electricity form a running source of water that may be on your land.

Biodiesel is increasingly being used to substitue for petroleum and more heavy gas guzzlers like long haul truckers are converting to biodiesel. Biodiesel is produced from animal fats and vegetable oils and was first used in 1895. Almost any vehicle that uses a combustion enegine for power can be converted to use biodiesel, though if you go down this road you may find your car smelling like French fries if you use straight vegetable oil!

Learn more about solar energy and wind powered system by clicking renewable solar power for more…

Technorati Tags: alternate electricity sources, alternative electric sources, alternative electrical sources, alternative electricity, alternative electricity sources, Alternative Energy Sources, alternative energy sources for electricity, alternative sources of electricity

What is Solar Cooling?

The best way to cool your home is to avoid using heat. But if can’t completely avoid the use of heat, and you certainly can’t prevent the heat which comes from the sun. Wind and solar cooling are among your options.

Solar heat can actually help cool your home. When a solar cooling system is set up properly, the hotter the temperature gets, the cooler your home will be. You might wonder how this works …

You can use heat to cool your home by using the forces of nature to pump air and drive the heat away.

Here are some DIY projects that you can consider, in the quest for a cooler home:

1. You can try building a thermal or solar chimney. This is a heated chimney that collects and ejects heat from the interior of the house. Once the chimney collects heat from the sun, it creates a vacuum effect that sucks in cool air, while hot air exits through the top vent. Your chimney can be in the form of a hole in the floor with ducts through the roof. You can cap the chimney with a turbine that will catch air, to help release hot air out of the structure. If you set it up in this fashion, your thermal chimney will be a wind chimney as well. This solution will make your cooling system work during the day, when the sun is up, as well as during the night, when the wind is blowing.

2. You could also use an evaporative cooler. We all know that when water absorbs heat, it evaporates. Thus, when air travels over water, it cools down. This method should be used when there is a low level of humidity. And be sure to use preventive measures against health hazards that can be presented by stagnant water – such as malaria, mildew, and Legionnaire’s Disease. The size of you evaporative cooler would depend on the size of your home. It usually consists of a box containing the fan, and a wet pad. It can be mounted on your roof, or at the side of your house. You can use a windmill to circulate the water that keeps the pad wet. The fan will blow the air through the pad and, and the air will eventually enter into the house via open windows or vents.

These are just some of the ways you can use solar and wind energy to cool your home. There are also kits you can buy – but like most DIY projects you can purchase what you need in a local hardware store. Commercially available kits are likely to cost more than what you would spend if you buy your parts separately, although they might also be faster and easier to set up.

————————

If you are looking for complete and step-by-step instructions on how to install DIY Wind and Solar Power systems, along with pictures, videos, and and diagrams, please see DIY Wind and Solar Cooling Methods.

For more basic information on solar cooling, see Solar Cooling

Source Article: DIY Wind and Solar Cooling Methods

Technorati Tags: solar cooling

How To Introduce Solar Power For Homes

Considering introducing solar power into your home? Well, if so, you’ll be pleased to hear that I have gathered together some information so you can get a good idea of how much it will cost and exactly what the scale of the job is.

Start by deciding what percentage of your home are you going to be running on solar power. You could use solar power to provide a water-heating system. You could go to the furthest extreme and take your home completely off-grid thus ensuring the whole house is running on solar power. It’s up to you, but you have to find out the average amount of electricity your house uses per month.

To work out the average energy usage of your home, simply dig out your monthly electricity bills going back over the last two years. Get the calculator out. Be aware of the year’s peak times, like Christmas when you would normally go through a lot more power than normal. This way, we can establish your home’s solar power system so it can surely cope with all of your home’s energy demands.

Now, so you can sleep easy at nights, multiply that amount by a minimum of 1.5. If any extra appliances are brought into your house you remain fully covered. So, by the time you’ve done this you will know how much solar power you need. You will also be able to tell how many solar panels you will have to buy and what size they have to be.

In this day and age, you would almost always be best advised to look online when buying solar panels. Go to Ebay and enter the words “solar panel pallet” exactly as is. Sit back and be prepared to be amazed by the incredible bargains you will find there. If you think they seem expensive, please don’t forget that these prices are a one time cost and solar panels tend to last 25 to 30 years.

In every case, always employ a skilled, experienced solar power technician to install your solar power. You will find plenty online or in your telephone directory. Keep going until you have three quotations for the job, but don’t necessarily choose based entirely on the price. Cost is important, but you may feel more confident to get a job well done from an experienced solar power technician when installing solar power for homes.

You will also have to shop around for a good quality inverter. Solar panels give out direct (DC) current when harnessing the sun’s energy. The inverter will convert this DC current into alternating (AC) current from which we can all enjoy running all our electrical toys and gizmos.

Roughly costing $2,000 plus maybe $500 for installation, inverters will last you roughly 10 years. Bare in mind solar panels.

If you want to go off the grid completely, it is essential that you use good quality batteries to store the excess solar power you pull down on sunny days. Use this reserve of power to run your home’s electrical needs at night-time. The deep-cycle batteries will probably cost $50 to $100. I suggest you buy 10 of them. Their longevity is not so good as the inverter. Expect to have to replace them every 3-5 years.

Always ask your local authorities if they will give you any assistance for the cost of installing solar energy. Most local authorities offer tax credits. Ask your local utility company as well. They might have some good incentives or special deals. Do this right and you could save 50% off the total cost or more.

Although it is essential you get a qualified electrician, it’s reassuring to know that installing solar energy doesn’t mean you have to have a lot of electrical work. normally, the older the house, the more additional rewiring will be needed. However, this is not often an extensive job. I repeat though, be sure to use an experienced, qualified electrician.

Always remember that solar power is a long-term investment. When estimating the value of installing solar power, the question is, “What is the payback time?” After knowing that you now have a house that will be enjoying free electricity for many years to come!

Technorati Tags: Solar Power, Solar Power Systems

Solar and Wind Power makes sense

In world today the sun has become a popular energy source and is becoming a more popular power source for homes around the world. Turning to green energy can not only help the environment but help you lower your monthly bills.

A solar powered home is becomong more popular, more and more people are building solar and wind powered homes. The rays of the sun will generate enough energy to run electrical appliances around the home. Use solar power to heat the water you use in your home.

By installing solar panel heaters you can save money after time and this could also mean the electric companies may end up paying you? By switching to solar or wind power will not only save money but will aslo make you money.

Solar and wind powered electricity homes are being built all around the world to reiterate to governments that solar homes are extremely efficient and make complete sense. Grants are available not only to companies but also the general public. The Goverment offer grants to help you switch to solar and wind power.

You can build your own solar panels or have a dedicated company assist you build them.

Solar water heating, solar electricity are efficient and will be financially benificial for everyone. Solar houses, solar flats, solar homes are now the next generation and the future.

There are numerous guides on setting up a solar environment within your home. These guides show you exactly how to build or buy the necessary components to start harnessing the solar energy.

There are many uses for solar power for example:  Solar electricity, solar water heaters and solar gadgets (Solar batteries, torches, clocks) Using solar PV is becoming so much more popular and governments are now starting to recognise this. Financial assistance is offered to everyone who wishes to use solar or wind energy in their homes.

Literature is available on the net and from a number of companies to help you make the switch to green energy.

Technorati Tags: DIY solar power, Solar Energy, solar homes, solar houses, wind power

Going Green Means Saving Water With A Low Flow Shower Head

If you’re looking to go green, one of the best places to start is by taking a look at one of our daily rituals: taking a shower. Have you ever stopped to think where that water comes from and how much of it is being used?

The EPA estimates that showering accounts for 17 percent of indoor residential water use in the United States. That amounts to an astounding 3.3 billion gallons of water per day, and 1.2 trillion gallons per year. This virtual ocean of water is being removed from delicate ecosystems, causing great harm to the environment. While some of this water eventually returns to the environment, much of it does not or does so only with pollution. It may be no surprise, then, that increasing water efficiency should be a high priority for governments and individuals seeking to make a difference for the environment.

One of the best ways to save water is to install a water-saving, low flow shower head. These showerheads are made with technology that manipulates a lower water flow so that you sacrifice none of the luxury you’re used to in your showering routine. Technology can vary from creatively designed orifices that focus the water stream and control water droplet size, to showerheads that inject air into the water to increase the blast.

Low flow shower heads typically use 1.5 to 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm). By contrast, older or non-efficient fixtures use more than 2.5 gpm, with those older than 15 years sometimes using more than 7 gallons per minute!

Not sure if you need one of these water saving shower heads? Try this test: put a bucket marked in gallons under the shower head, then turn on the shower at its normal rate. Use a watch to record how many seconds it takes to fill the bucket to the one-gallon point. If it takes less than 20 seconds then you definitely need a low flow shower head because you’re using way more water than necessary.

In addition to helping the environment, you also save money. Whereas a low flow fixture could run you as little as $15 (a bit more for higher quality ones), the 20% or more in water savings you’d realize would translate to $50-$75 a year on water bills and another $20-$50 a year on energy bills for heating the water. In other words, the showerhead almost immediately pays for itself.

Installing a new shower head is easy. You usually just unscrew the old one, screw in the new one, and you’re done!

If going green matters to you, there is every reason to change to a water saving shower head. There’s not much else you can do that is so easy and makes such a big difference for both the environment and your wallet without sacrificing one bit of luxury.

Technorati Tags: low flow shower heads

Simple Instructions To Build A Windmill For Everyday Use

With oil prices moving higher and higher, power costs tend to follow the same trend. Given that our daily life relies very much on the consumption of electricity, getting your power from alternative sources is an attractive option.

The sun, water, and even wind are viable sources of energy. What’s more, they are renewable sources of energy as they are continuously present in our environment. More and more people now want to set-up their own windmill at their homes. With the many instructions to build a windmill available out there, it is up to you to find the one that is easy to understand.

Here are some helpful instructions to build a windmill:

Basically, there are several distinct types of windmills, based on the direction their blades spin:

1. The Horizontal upwind, where the wind hits the blade before the tower and the shaft stands horizontally;

2. The Horizontal downwind where the wind hits the tower prior to the blade; and

3. The Vertical Axis, mounted on short towers and its blades are pointing upwards.

Essentially, a windmill has four componants that must be given extra attention:

- base
- tower
- blades
- nacelle

In constructing this structure, the main objective is to maximize the conversion of the wind’s energy into electricity. Therefore, it should be tall enough to take advantage of the wind’s action in obstructed terrains – an average tower usually stands at 5 feet.

The base must be strong and heavy compared with other parts, to assure a sturdy structure because it is the principal foundation. It is advisable to use materials like sandbags or concrete, and in the case of a five-foot windmill, the base must be at least 18 inches square thick and 20 pounds heavy.

The tower supports the blade in capturing wind energy. There are many approaches when constructing it. You can either use guyed lattice or steel and pipe tubings or make them using a jin pole or crane.

The nacelle attaches the blade to the tower and contains copper wires and magnets that run the blade and help convert the wind’s energy to electricity.

The blade is the propeller used to capture the wind’s energy, so it is necessary that the blades are able to gather the flow of the wind easily, turning with the least potential resistance.

Materials to be used for these parts must be lightweight, so you can make them from plastic or PVC pipes. Note that in strong winds and storms, the blades can pose a danger if separated from the structure, so be sure to lock in the blades tightly, keeping safety precautions in mind.

Considering that a simple windmill could cost at least $40,000, constructing one for personal use can be quite expensive, but utilizing what is around you can help you save some expenses.

It is thus recommended to recycle parts in order to cut your expenses. Following these simple instructions to build a windmill will enable you to create one from scratch.

Windmills are just the beginning. To learn more about solar and wind power, go to Solar and Wind Power For Residential Homes or if you are looking for a simple way of building your own residential wind generator, see our Energy4Green Review.

Technorati Tags: wind mill

The Cost of solar energy to generate electricity

Massive generation of electricity comes from fossil fuels. Now there is a huge demand for electricity but there are the fossil fuel reserves are decreasing every day. The solar power is gaining much attention since it is generated from sunlight,a natural resource that is available in plentiful. Even though Solar heating was used for centuries,solar electricity is now having greater demand. Taiwan has recently opened officially its first fully solar powered stadium. The Solar systems that are designed to replace electrical usage is now catching on in a very big manner.

 

The concept of using solar power for homes has come a long way in a relatively short period of time. The solar technology using solar cells converts the sunlight into electricity. The generated electricity can either be used directly or stored in the batteries and used for various applications like running tube lights, computers, dishwasher, ice maker, fans and TV etc. One of the major doubts that most of the people are what is the cost of solar energy? Is it cheaper or costly? Regardiing this let me share some information.

 

One of the major issues with the cost of solar energy has been that it costs more than electricity that is generated by conventional means. The Energy of sun is free but the technology required to convert it into electricity is expensive. The cost of solar power for one unit is Rs 15 while it costs just Rs 1.From coal it is 19 per unit. The price of solar power varies on the power wattage utilized by the consumer. More amount of amount means larger solar panels which comes at a higher price. The Price of a good home made solar water heater system is $14000. One can reduce their monthly power bills coming from heating hot water to 50%. The cost of a solar energy system to power a computer and few other small items will be around $700 to $1000.

 

The cost of solar power for your home depends on how much energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh) do you use per month. Investing by Dollars per Watt is the best way to choose solar panels. For last one decade,the price of photovoltaic panels have fallen at a steady rate of 3-5 percent per year. However, prices may not seem all that low to you, because in general the technology is getting better, so each panel is making more watts than those of a few years ago.

 

Because of strong demand for large photovoltaic installations around the world, there has been a general shortage of new panels. Search through local newspaper classifieds for PV panels. The Banks & Government provides loan facilities for purchasing solar lighting and heating systems. If you buy the solar panels for your house, then your insurance company also insures them, just like they insure the rest of your household items.

 

 

Now solar enterprises are spreading the awareness on the huge potential demand for solar batteries in the domestic market supported by government and implementing low priced solar technology. Unlike fossil reserves, which give power to the countries as long the resources are available, the sun is a limitless energy provider available to several generations. The Future will soon have vast solar farms generating cheaper electricity for the entire cities without emitting any pollution.

 

Technorati Tags: Cost of solar energy, cost of solar power

How Much Does Solar Power Cost And Can You Afford It?

The world needs a new source of energy. The current primary energy source is fossil fuel, which is not only expensive, but also hazardous and will eventually run out. With all these disadvantages, people are now becoming more aware of the advantages of using other sources of energy, such as solar power. But how much does solar power cost?

Using the sun’s radiant energy has some distinct advantages. Such as:

- It is free. As long as the sun comes up, you can tap into its energy.
- It has an unlimited supply. Unless you plan to still be here in a few billion years, the sun will always be there.
- It does not produce pollution.
- It will help you save money.

Solar panels today are very efficient. There are several types of panels out in the market. But the question is how much does solar power cost? The answer to that question can be tricky to answer. That’s because various types of panels can be determined by the efficiency and price. The balance between these two factors may give you the answer to the question.

There are two basic types of solar panels – One is crystalline silicon and the other is amorphous silicon. Amorphous silicon is much cheaper to produce, but is less efficient in producing electricity. Crystalline silicon, on the other hand, is more efficient in converting the sun’s energy to electricity but is much more expensive. To be able to find the right panel for you, here are a few of the solar panels that you can buy on the market:

- Sunsei SE-4000 – This solar panel is a crystalline silicon type that has a maximum power output of 65 watts and is priced at around $650.
- Kyocera KS20 – this is another crystalline silicon type that has a maximum power output of 20 watts. Its price is about $300.
- Silicon Solar – This is an amorphous silicon type that has a maximum power output of 40 watts. It is priced at around $250.
- Sanyo HIP-195BA3 – This is a combination of crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon. It costs about $1000.
- Then there is the do-it-yourself model. These can typically be made for less than a hundred bucks. They probably won’t be as efficient as the professional models and will take a few hours of your time to build it, but they can save you a lot on your initial investment.

To learn more about do it yourself solar power, be sure to read our Energy4Green review.

So how much does solar power cost? By looking at all these figures, the cost of these panels would be at $5 per watt, $10 per watt or $15 per watt. But remember that the numbers shown are the maximum output. The output will vary based on the intensity of the sun where you live.

Technorati Tags: Crystalline silicon, Fossil fuel, Solar Energy

Why Solar Power And Solar Panels Important

We have ways to heat our water, our homes and provide us with electricity. We probably take all of this for granted and if we lost them we would probably panic. We take for granted that these conveniences will be there for us from now on. We expect glitches to happen but we want them to be fixable without going long without all of these. We appreciate the heat in the winter when it snows outside and when the temperatures drop. We need water to live and although it is usually running under the ground we want the convenience of it running through our pipes and into our homes.

Some people use some of the heat generated from the sun in order to heat homes, power electricity and provide water to their families and businesses. When you think about all that you have that runs through a machine it may be possible to reroute that in order to run it all by sunlight. Scientists have only started to make this possible but it is far from being completed. When you consider all the solar energy that reaches the earth’s surface and then radiated back into the atmosphere, you could power electricity, heat and water from now on. This solar energy can be redirected and concentrated using special boxes that attract the light during the day to heat water and homes throughout the night.

Solar energy would not be affected by the supply and demand of fuel for it is free and it doesn’t pollute the atmosphere. It is natural and pure. It would provide us with better health.

In the beginning you may pay a minimal amount to be solar power efficient by purchasing a solar source. You can buy indoor and outdoor lighting, solar power windows and insulated doors in order to make your home more solar efficient. After that initial expense you don’t have the expense of paying a monthly bill to keep your service on. This also promotes others to use solar power to be more efficient.

Solar panels importance

Solar panels can be different shapes and sizes but their main purpose is to convert the light in order to make electricity. Photovoltaic, or PV, is the process of converting the light into electricity. Photovoltaic cells are self generating and consist of a very thing film made of silver. This film is placed on a semiconductor layer that can be found on an iron substrate. The photovoltaic cells are very important in producing enough sunlight and heat in order to successfully produce the energy that is needed in order to heat up water, heat homes and power electricity.

Solar panels can be found in all different shapes and sizes including round, square, and rectangle. You can see them on top of buildings and houses or standing alone in fields. Solar panels are in hand held devices and they are in energy efficient appliances. The sun is a wonderful natural resource and can greatly cater to our way of life. The study of natural resources like the sun is ongoing and the improvement that can be made in the future is anyone’s guess but you can’t go wrong when you use natural resources.

Find pragmatic advice about forex trading education – give a look to hyperlinked publication.

Technorati Tags: Photovoltaics, Solar Energy

Next Page »