Wind Energy Voice

We visit with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Larry Flowind power the economics of wind power.

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CTV Informative Clip on improving your home’s energy efficiency with EnWise Power Solutions.

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Real quick…Here are seven reasons to install energy efficient windows:

- Save energy

- Save money from using less heating or AC

- Add to appearance of the house

- Protect a home’s interior furnishings from fading

- Higher impact resistance

- Make outside noise less audible

- Insulate your home better, keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer

With reasons like those, it’s no wonder energy efficient windows are all the rage. If your windows need to be repaired or even replaced, consider installing energy efficient windows.

How exactly do I pick out energy efficient windows?

When picking out energy efficient windows, you want to look for windows that are Energy Star certified.

Energy Star was developed by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The government program’s purpose is to help individuals and organizations protect the environment through energy efficiency. The standard does not just apply to windows but to other products as well.

For the purpose of this article, we will be taking a look at windows that are Energy Star certified. What makes windows Energy Star certified? Any Energy Star product including windows must meet the following criteria:

- Have an NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) label. The NFRC tests the insulating quality of the entire window.

- Be 40% more efficient than the product usually requires under most building codes.

- Reduce energy bills by up to 15%.

Customers cannot just rely on the Energy Star label to pick out a good energy efficient window though. An important consideration for consumers is to select windows that are appropriate for the area of the country in which they live. Energy Star labels windows three ways:

- “N” for northern climates

- “S” for southern climates

- “C” for central climates

The three types of windows are designed to address the heating or cooling concerns in each climate: mostly heating for the Northern Zone, mostly cooling for the Southern Zone, and both heating and cooling for the Central North Zone and Central South Zone.

How Energy Efficient Windows Improve the House

Aside from saving energy, energy efficient windows are particularly fantastic in states that can get extremely cold. These windows work to make homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, which becomes particularly evident in states with very cold winters and states with extremely hot summers. With these windows insulating well, homeowners spend less on heating and air conditioning bills. Energy efficient windows also improve the house due to their attractive appearance, though not all energy efficient windows are the same. Homeowners have choices concerning main parts of the window, such as the frame, panes, and spacers.

Parts of the Window

- The frame

Look for windows that have fiberglass, wood composites, or vinyl because these materials are better at insulating. One negative aspect of using wood material for framing is that wood can be difficult to maintain, often needing painting after a few years. Thus, if you choose to frame your windows using wood material, it’s advised to get some exterior vinyl or aluminum cladding to cover the wood frame.

- Window Panes

If wondering whether having multiple window panes is preferred to having one window pane, remember the phrase ‘Two is Better than One’ or ‘The More the Merrier.’ Two panes of glass with space in between filled with air or krypton or argon insulates better than just one pane of glass does. Certain Energy Star windows have windows with three or more panes of glass, which do the best job of insulating and have greatest the impact resistance as well as improved energy efficiency. Another benefit of multiple panes is that they keep outside noise out better than a single glass pane does.

- Low-E glass coating

Low-E coating is a special coating on the window that is great to have. It reflects infrared light to keep heat outside in the summer and inside in the winter. It also reflects ultraviolet light to protect a home’s interior furnishings from fading.

- Warm Edge Spacers

Warm edge spacers are great for reducing heat flow and preventing condensation. Made of foam, steel, fiberglass, or vinyl, they keep a window’s glass panes the right distance apart.

There are many brands of energy efficient windows from which to choose. Manufacturers include those such as Accent Windows, Andersen, Cascade Windows, CertainTeed, Gorell, Marvin, Winstrom, and many more. Home improvement companies select which manufacturer brand they would like to make available to their customers. For example, Highland Windows, a Connecticut home improvement company based in Hartford is licensed to install Alside, another energy efficient window manufacturer, which has won The Energy Star Window of the Year Award three times.

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this is my large homemade 500 watt wind turbine in action!

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Maple Honda will install a private wind turbine at its new dealership in a unique partnership with Power Stream. In keeping with leading edge technology pioneered by Honda Motor Co. Maple Honda has taken the innovative step of integrating energy efficiency in an automotive work place. “This is a new venture for both Power Stream and our leading regional automotive dealership. Our goal is to provide a tangible model for alternative energy options in Ontario. The Production of wind energy creates no air pollution and, if the turbines are sited properly, has minimal environmental impact.” says Mr. Zanchin. This is the first commercial-scale use of wind power to generate electricity in the region. The wind turbinwind powervide supplemental wind power to Maple Honda, and will produce approximately 110 MWH/Yr-which is the equivalent of powering 17 homes. It removes 82.5 tons of CO2 emissions/Yr and is completely Canadian made. Maple Honda will open for business in early fall 2006.

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It has been proven by experts that cost effective backyard landscaping which takes into account energy needs can save the average household approximately a third of their usual costs on heating and cooling throughout the summer and winter months. In reality, we could be talking about $250 of savings over a twelve month period.

The question is ‘ how do you create an energy efficient yard? There are several things to consider when learning how to do this, whether your yard is already landscaped or still yet to be done. Here are a few suggestions.

Keep Out the Sun

One of the main things to think about when landscaping is the prevailing weather conditions. Where does the sun shine on your property and what path does it take? When hit directly by the heat of the sun, the walls of a house will attract nearly 90% of the sun’s heat, and in doing so, put more pressure on the air conditioning or other cooling system to keep the inside of the house at a pleasantly cool temperature.

If you want to block out the sun you can plant dense and wide trees at south or west facing areas of the house and the foliage will give shade from the hot summer sun. You will find that temperatures within the property are reduced by nearly ten degrees Fahrenheit simply by following this procedure.

During the winter months when the deciduous trees shed their foliage, the winter sun will be allowed access to your walls and foundations, just when the heat it needed.

Break the Wind

The winds which blow through your house are a main contributor to the lower indoor temperatures experienced especially in the winter-time when the cold wind chill factor is present.

If you can set up a wind break, either by the use of strategically placed fences or evergreens and trees, this will cut down the winds blowing through your home a great deal.

Capturing the Heat or Cool Indoors

Much energy is regularly wasted when the heat or cool within the house is allowed to disappear through the windows, doors and even the roof so it is necessary to find a way to capture the heat or cool and store it inside the home. Shrubs around the perimeter of the foundations of the property will create a dead air barrier, thus keeping the heat and cool indoors. It has been suggested by the experts that to widen the area between the foundations or walls and the planted shrubbery will create more space for the dead air.

When landscaping your garden or yard, maximize the advantages of using materials and greenery which are appealing to look at. You will then find that not only is your garden a pleasure to behold but it will be preserving energy and saving you money at the same time.

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www.ecopoweredhome.com To Find out How to contsruct Your Own Wind Turbine For Under 100$ using easy to find material visit www.ecopoweredhome.com wind turbines wind turbine domestic wind turbine wind turbine generators wind turbine power residential wind turbine micro wind turbine…

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Theo Jansen is an engineer and artist. He makes “dynamic” sculptures, to me it’s like a robot – powered only by wind. A lot can be learned from here. One type of his sculpture robots is called “beach beast”.

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Most skylights are now generally sealed well and the double glazing helps to minimise condensation and heat flow through your skylight.

In Australia, skylights are now also rated by the Skylight energy rating system, and 5-star energy efficient skylights are available. The rating calculates the performance of your unit in winter and summer.

The WERS (Window Energy Rating System) for Skylights provides you with an energy rating analysis and comparison. The scheme takes account of key differences between the energy performance of windows and skylights and how your home will respond to the different units.

Which type of skylight is bet for your home?

When choosing skylights you can select between a sky window, which opens up for ventilation, or a skylight/dome light. Depending upon the manufacturer of your skylight, these may have slightly different names.

Sky windows
Sky windows are particularly suited to rooms that have a cathedral or raked ceiling but no roof space. Having an openable sky window is great for warm summer months to release heat that gathers at your ceiling.

Double-glazing and the use of selective low-e coatings reduce solar transmission. The use of a sealed IGU (Insulated Glazing Unit) allows the option of argon gas in the gap instead of air, which reduces further still the heat transfer through your unit.

Skylights/dome lights
Dome skylights typically have long shafts and a diffuser panel fitted at ceiling level. Ensure that the shaft walls are closed/lined and insulated so not to act as a giant hole in your ceiling insulation.

Tubular skylights reduce absolute heat loss and heat gain because of their small cross-sectional area. This lighting effect relies on your unit’s ability to capture direct-beam sunlight and diffuse it at ceiling level around your room.

They will work best in your home only if your climate has a high incidence of clear, sunny days. On cloudy days the amount of daylight admitted is considerably less than for a large-area, conventional skylight.

So what type of skylight is best suited to my local conditions? Sunrise HomesTasmania has identified four key components to determining the right skylight for your location:

1. Do I live in a hot or cold climate?

2. The angle of the sun in the sky (different in Tasmania to Rockhampton)

3. The amount of overcast versus sunny weather at your place

4. Are there high levels of air pollution and haze?

Skylights can come with internal shutters or other types of protection from summer sun o you can get the most out of your skylight all year round

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I built a new Wind Turbine to replace my old wind turbine. Upgraded to a WindBlue DC-540 PMA, and Im very happy with the results. I plan to rebuild my old turbine (using gears) and add it to my configuration. I built the frame and welded everything together. Im going to replace the 3 blades that Im currently using today with a 5 blade configuration from Windynation.

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