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Homeowners and businesses are turning to solar power to reduce their energy bills. Purchasing a DIY solar power kit is perhaps the fastest way to implement this kind of renewable energy to your system. However, there are five important things with which you should be familiar before you make such a purchase.

Dimension of the Solar Panels

The DIY solar power kit should list the panels’ precise measurements, which will help you determine if you have the proper roof space for the solar module. Further, ensure that you know the solar panels’ weight, which is necessary information if you have roof tiles as they will factor in determining if your roof can support the solar panels. You will be able to more easily determine if your roof is stable enough structurally to handle the added load if you know the weight and dimension of the panels.

Total Power Generation

You should calculate the amount of power you use in your home before you install any DIY solar power kit. Then decide on the number of appliances you’ll be connecting to your solar power system. Choose an appropriate DIY solar power kit once you’ve come up with this figure. Kits of a variety of sizes are available; further, some kits can be interconnected if one alone is not sufficient.

Durability

Solar power panels are constantly exposed to harsh outdoor elements like rain, hail, sun and snow. Due to this exposure, the frame should be constructed of aluminum or another durable material, while the solar cells should be covered with tempered glass.

Long-Term Warranty

It can take years before you see a return on investment, or ROI, from the installation of a DIY solar power kit. It is important to consider the length of a product’s warranty before buying one. Most experts recommend getting a 20- to 25-year warranty on new solar panels.

Installation and Maintenance

Select a DIY solar power kit that has easy installation. Kits that contain all the necessary components to start your own solar power system are on the market. Additionally, you should also consider one that will require only minimal maintenance over the years in service. Solar panels that require an annual scrubbing to keep them working at their maximum potential are your best bet.

Anna Vera Williams helps others understand how to utilize solar power to live cleaner and more eco-friendly lives.

This article was originally published on Anna’s blog, at Five Things to Consider When Purchasing a DIY Solar Power Kit.

Tags: alternative energy, DIY, DIY Solar Power, Do-it-Yourself, Eco-friendly, energy, Energy Efficiency, Gadgets, green, Home Improvement, Renewable Energy, Solar, solar power

We seem so engrossed as we run in place, just to make ends meet, that we are not capable of standing back and looking at the bigger picture any more. Why are we so grossly inefficient at the way that we run our lives? For many years now, we have dealt with pretty good times and have not had to worry about putting such expensive petrol into our cars, nor be concerned about the fact that without those cars we simply cannot exist. A recession was something that we could barely remember or if we were young enough, we read about it in economics books. Perhaps it was time for a wake-up call, but time or not we have certainly received one.

It is crazy that we rely on mechanical energy forms to help us do everything, without question. Energy inefficiency has led to huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, causing damage to the environment and forcing us to consider major changes, right now. We have been able to analyse the situation quite well and talk about the benefits of renewable energy, but we’re certainly not helping the environment by diverting the funds we should be investing in development, failing to allow these options to do any good.

Now we can see how vulnerable we are to an economic downturn and we can see that the “great recession” has exposed this vulnerability. Now, efficiency is everything and this most definitely includes the use of energy. We all have to learn to turn appliances off, to think of what we could do as an alternative and not just opt for the easy way. We must review our transportation habits and not clog the roads with single occupant vehicles each and every day as we go back and forth to work.

If you happen to be the decision-maker either at home or in the office, come up with ways to save electricity and then put an action plan in place. Insist that your family turns off all the lights, turn up the thermostats by a notch – don’t allow them to be altered, and make sure that all family members wash clothes at the same time and not individually, and generally be a better keeper of the space that you occupy.

We shouldn’t rely on politicians to do our work for us. Few seem to doubt the validity of those environmental claims, but political agendas are still getting in the way of making any headway. Just look at what failed to come out of that summit of “leaders” in Copenhagen – inaction once again.

We don’t have to wait around for politicians to try and force big business to solve these issues. If we all do our own bit, we can save ourselves money by steadily reducing our energy use and our own carbon footprints every day, and although we can’t get this all done by ourselves, we can achieve real results if we all work together. ‘People Power’ really can achieve this quite easily, after all, there are billions of us, so let’s just do it – start right now!

Tags: environment, environmental sustainability, Renewable Energy, saving electricity, saving money

According to what the best historians tell us, since 1750 our reliance on fossil fuels has risen unabated as we turn to coal and oil for everything. We have developed systems over the years and become smarter for sure, inventing new ways to use the energy that we rely on to make our lives better. This has been going on in the background, just as we have ignored scientists and environmentalists who have warned us about greenhouse gas emissions and the damage that is being caused to the world all around this.

It has only been fairly recently that we have actually woken up to understand what is going on. We have caused considerable damage so far and are now in danger of not being able to slow our reliance on fossil fuels sufficiently to enable us to reverse and repair this damage. Now we can clearly see the benefits of renewable energy and know that helping the environment through tangible change is a necessity.

It is sobering to realise that only about 5% of our energy needs can be met by wind, water, geothermal and solar renewable energy means. It is certainly possible for us to generate enough electricity from such sources for our own consumption, but again unfortunately, it is prohibitively expensive for us to invest in such systems for our homes alone. Solar energy, as an option, is perhaps most often used by home owners, especially in sunnier climes, where they can put panels on the roof to help heat water and run certain appliances.

Some appliance manufacturers are working on the development of “smart” products that can be run individually from external, renewable energy sources. In certain cases, a solar panel may be able to run a refrigerator, for example.

Governments around the world are finally taking notice of what’s happening and are making available funds for incentives and grants. If, as a home owner, you are willing to replace appliances that use a considerable amount of energy by retrofitting the systems accordingly, you will have the opportunity to get grants from the taxpayer. This is a good investment, as in the long run, a lower reliance on raw energy needs can only be viewed as a security enhancement from a wider point of view.

When it comes to ways to save electricity around the home, we can do this by using a type of renewable energy in its most basic form. If the climate that you live in allows this, why not consider using solar energy to dry your clothes? A typical clothes washer and dryer cycle can add to your energy bill considerably. Remember that it is a question of taking baby steps to make a difference and we can all get there if we apply ourselves in this way.

If you cannot directly introduce the concept of renewable energy into your home, the next best thing is to insist that the companies you patronise become more sustainable. Look for information on companies that favour renewable energy sources. These days, it is good public relations to be doing so and companies that are making a difference are only too keen to tell us all how good a corporate citizen they are! Make sure they pay attention!

Tags: environment, environmental sustainability, Renewable Energy, saving electricity, saving money

It’s important to keep in mind that you don’t have to live off the land or move to a cabin in the mountains to start helping the environment! You must have noticed how environmental issues are in discussion everywhere these days, not to be ignored. We use way too much energy and are very careless with our consumption and must all learn how to be more sustainable as we go forward. Yes, this means we will have to think about everything that we do as we go about our daily lives. Look for as many ways to save electricity at home as you can, while learning about the benefits of renewable energy and seeing how these options or solutions can be applied for all of us.

How can we help save the environment, individually? We have compiled a list of things you can do at home, immediately, which will help to make a difference. If all of us were to apply what we read here, there would be a remarkable change over the long haul.

1. Look at all the bulbs you have in your house. Compact fluorescent bulbs are much better than incandescent bulbs which simply burn energy. Begin by changing all the light bulbs in the house. You’d be surprised just how many bulbs you have. While you might be a little shocked when you buy these bulbs to start off with, government energy statisticians tell us that you could save the difference in cost within your lower electricity bills, during the space of a year.

2. Be a better steward. Get used to sending a lot more to the recycling plant. Bury biodegradable waste and food leftovers in the ground rather than clogging up the local landfills. Experts tell us that 20% of the rubbish that we produce is actually biodegradable and we could get rid of it ourselves without stressing the system unnecessarily. Think of the energy used to collect this excess waste and save them the trouble of doing so.

3. Rethink your transportation. Consider whether you could share transportation with fellow worker/employees on a daily basis. Why not pool resources and cut down your bill, and the bill of a co-worker at the same time. Why is it that those traffic jams that we experience daily on the motorway when going to work, are all made up of vehicles that just seem to have a single occupant? We have known about this for some time and cannot deny that it is really silly and as we wait for politicians to perfect public transportation systems, we should all exhibit some common sense.

4. Plant trees in your back garden. Did you know that trees are very good for our environment and considerably help the problem of climate change? They attract carbon dioxide emissions that are otherwise spewed into the air by power consumption. Plant them to protect your home from the direct sunlight and even cut down on your cooling bills in the summer. If you have a noisy highway nearby, a couple of well positioned trees will help to cut down on your noise pollution, as well.

With a little bit of creativity, we can make a difference in virtually everything that we do!

Tags: environment, environmental sustainability, Renewable Energy, saving electricity, saving money

There’s no point in trying to brush the problem of excess energy use under the carpet any longer. We need to realise that change begins at home and it is up to each one of us. By renting or owning a home and just by living and taking advantage of all the comforts that we are so used to, we use an increasing amount of energy and must take responsibility for this, as it results in a large carbon footprint individually. No longer can we expect big business to shoulder the blame and it’s no longer good enough to say that we take the bus to work and don’t drive. We all need to make big changes and look for ways to save electricity wherever we can find them. You need to take one single step if you are going to begin a journey of 1000 miles.

To start off with, you should make sure that all your windows and doors are fitting properly and you should go and check this right now. You might not be able to see any issues and should check by running your hand along the edges or by using an open flame of some kind to see whether you have any drafts. There is no sense whatsoever in heating the inside of your house or using air conditioning to try and cool it down during the brief hot spells that we get, if your hard earned money is flying out the window. Take steps to secure your home in this respect and then start to worry about your air heating and cooling costs.

Rooms that are only rarely used should be isolated and you can put timer activated lighting appliances in these areas. You could also put them on a motion detector, so that they will go on and off if someone enters or leaves the room. Unplug all electrical items when they’re not actually in use, as they can still drain electricity when connected to a wall socket. Turn off computers at night. There’s no need for you to maintain them and they tend to build up heat within the casing anyway. Remember every bit helps and it will all add up over the course of a year.

We all know of the benefits of renewable energy, but once again, we tend to think that it’s a project for somebody else. Solar energy panels could be a good idea? Some home owners run their entire property on solar power, using either roof mounted panels or additional panels in their garden. If you don’t extract as much electricity from the grid, you would be saving and reducing the size of your carbon footprint at the same time. If our footprint is too big, we need to get more energy efficient “shoes” and not continue to be extravagant in everything that we do. Turn your water heater thermostat down a notch and try to avoid using electricity to heat your water, as it is very inefficient. They say that roughly 2/3 of the energy actually produced to get the electricity to you, to heat your water in the first place, is lost in the distribution system. Direct oil or gas fired water heaters are far better at helping the environment and are much more efficient in the long run.

Tags: environment, environmental sustainability, Renewable Energy, saving electricity, saving money

It’s not as if saving money has ever been “out” of fashion, as such, but it is certainly en vogue these days. We used to be concerned about receiving those energy bills and would mutter under our breath as we tore open the envelope. This would always be the time to make a resolution, vowing to turn off all unnecessary lights. Invariably though, we would forget as it didn’t seem quite so urgent for some reason. If we fast forward to today, we seem to be living in a different world. Now we are looking for a whole array of different ways to save electricity, as we realise just how pressing this need is.

Once the domain only of environmentalists and tree huggers, we now all know how important it is to cut back on our energy use, so that we do not emit carbon dioxide and damage the planet. We hear all kinds of reports on the news about how global warming is changing polar ice packs and that people in far-off countries are in danger of losing their ability to feed themselves, due to climate changes and weather pattern alterations. On our own doorstep we hear about companies, which will soon be penalised for failing to reduce their energy use and for emitting carbon, fairly sure that the consequence of these actions will result in additional costs for us to deal with.

Quite apart from the holistic considerations and our concern for Mother Nature, energy costs themselves have been going through the roof. The government has tried and seems to be failing to regulate the energy industry and infrastructure seems unable to cope and is constantly under pressure. How much longer will the system be able to put up with spikes in energy use, as we rely on those old fossil fuels to provide the raw material? You don’t have to be a scientist to understand the benefits of renewable energy, but nevertheless, we still seem hesitant to move forward and do something about it. Just think of the extraordinary ways in which we would be helping the environment if we were able to turn to wind, solar and other renewable sources for the majority of our energy.

Getting down to business, what can we do at home to help both ourselves and the environment? There are many things. For a start, we should always purchase highly efficient equipment for our kitchens and for our heating and air-conditioning needs. As an example, some refrigerators are available that consume only 100 kWh per year and these appliances are said to be four times more efficient than similar appliances found in the European Union. If you have to spend up to 10% more to actually buy a machine like this it would be okay, as you could save a significant amount of money annually, greatly reducing your electricity bill. If you purchase new appliances, they will last for at least five years and the money that you pay upfront to purchase them will certainly be saved over that period of time. Remember that they will need less repairing as well and you won’t be as annoyed by that fan circling on whenever you are trying to sit down and watch the television!

Tags: environment, environmental sustainability, Renewable Energy, saving electricity, saving money

Homeowners and businesses are turning to solar power to reduce their energy bills. Purchasing a DIY solar power kit is one of the simplest ways to add this type of renewable energy to your system. But before you make such a purchase, you should be familiar with these five important aspects.

Dimension of the Solar Panels

The DIY solar power kit must indicate the exact measurements of the solar panels, because this will let you know if you have enough roof space for the solar module. You will also need to know the solar panels’ weight, since they will determine whether your roof can support the solar panels if you have roof tiles in place. The dimension and weight are needed to determine if your roof is structurally stable for the added load.

Total Power Generation

Calculate how much power you consume in your home before installing a DIY solar power kit. Additionally, determine how many appliances you want to connect to the solar power system. Choose an appropriate DIY solar power kit once you’ve come up with this figure. There are a variety of kit sizes available on the market; additionally, certain kits are designed for interconnectivity if one is not sufficient.

Durability

Due to their outdoor installation, solar panels suffer constant exposure to harsh elements like sun, snow, rain, and hail. Due to this exposure, the frame should be constructed of aluminum or another durable material, while the solar cells should be covered with tempered glass.

Long-Term Warranty

Be aware that it can take years to see a return on investment for a DIY solar power kit. It is important to consider the length of a product’s warranty before buying one. Most experts recommend getting a 20- to 25-year warranty on new solar panels.

Installation and Maintenance

Select a DIY solar power kit that has easy installation. You can purchase kits that come with all the components you’ll need to start your own solar power system. Additionally, you should also consider one that will require only minimal maintenance over the years in service. Solar panels that require an annual scrubbing to keep them working at their maximum potential are your best bet.

Anna Vera Williams helps others understand how to utilize solar power to live cleaner and more economical lives.

This article was originally published on Anna’s blog, at 5 Things to Consider When Buying a DIY Solar Power Kit.

Tags: alternative energy, DIY, DIY Solar Power, Do-it-Yourself, Eco-friendly, energy, Energy Efficiency, Gadgets, green, Home Improvement, Renewable Energy, Solar, solar power