Wind Energy Voice

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Government statistics report that conserving energy costs in the home can save a household several hundred, even several thousand, dollars per year on their utility bills. Replacing your older appliances and elements of your home’s structure, such as older windows and doors, with more energy-efficient alternatives, such as products that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines, is an important step to maximizing the amount of money you can save.

ENERGY STAR is a government program that identifies products – including appliances, home electronics, and home improvement products – that meet energy efficiency guidelines that exceed the minimum federal standards, as determined by the U.S. Department of Energy. You can identify a product that meets the organization’s guidelines by looking for the signature blue ENERGY STAR logo.

The ENERGY STAR program began as a voluntary labeling tool to “identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” It started with the labeling of computers and monitors and more than a decade later, has expanded to identify all types of products used in homes and offices that conserve energy. The result: Consumers and businesses have saved billions of dollars since the program began – $12 billion in 2005 alone.

Energy-efficient appliances – such as refrigerators and freezers, clothing washers, dishwashers, dehumidifiers and window air conditioning units – can cut consumer utility bills in half when compared with standard models. And home improvement products with an ENERGY STAR rating – such as vinyl replacement windows, doors, skylights and siding – help to better maintain your home’s temperature control, cutting heating and cooling costs anywhere from $20 to $400 per year.

If you’ve been searching for a product in any one of the more than 40 categories rated by ENERGY STAR, you may have come across the organization’s blue logo. That seal of approval indicates that the item can perform as well as, or better than, comparable products, but save you more money than if you purchased a less energy-efficient option.

A refrigerator meeting ENERGY STAR’s energy conservation guidelines today: Uses 40% less energy than models sold in 2001, saves its owner 15% in energy costs when compared with other models (freezers save 10%) and compact models, with volumes less than 7.75 square feet, save 20%. A washing machine that meets ENERGY STAR guidelines: Saves its owner up to $110 per year, requires 50% less energy than standard washing machines, uses up to 50% less water and has more efficient spinning cycles to reduce drying time.

Energy-efficient appliances provide an obvious cost savings for a household’s energy expenses. And other products that meet ENERGY STAR standards, such as vinyl replacement windows, doors, skylights and siding, make a significant contribution to keeping those costs down as well. Replacing your existing windows and siding with newer, better designed vinyl replacement windows and insulated siding can quadruple the insulation value of your home and save an average of 30% on your utility bills.

In addition to saving money, vinyl replacement windows with this rating create a more comfortable living environment by eliminating drafts, blocking heat, Offering protection from sun damage and reducing interior condensation on windows. In the winter, energy-efficient vinyl replacement windows keep the interior glass warmer for better temperature control. And the warmer the window, the less interior condensation that, over time, can damage your window sill and paint job, and encourage mold growth.

In the summer, these windows also block 45 to 70% of the sun’s heat and provide “sunscreen” to your home by blocking ultraviolet light that can reduce fading up to 75% without compromising visible light.

Whether you are looking to add to the beauty of your home and lower your energy bills by installing vinyl replacement windows, or you want to make a smart decision when choosing your next dishwasher or window air conditioning unit, products that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines offer an economical alternative that leaves more money in your pocket.

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Juan de Bedout, a scientist at General Electric’s Globawind power Center discusses wind power at a recent energy briefing at the Technology Center.

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To beautify the front of your home and enhance your landscape, why not use the magical benefits of wind chimes? They come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and price ranges, and are sure to be the perfect compliment, regardless of exterior design.

Small nondescript houses are especially flattered by such yard features as trellises, decorative mailboxes, birdhouses, and wind chime designs that add a distinct country home décor charm.

Outdoor southwest décor can be enhanced by a more natural looking landscape, one harmonious with the eco-system. Use large wooden tubs of ornamental cactus or interesting semi-succulent flora, strategically placed in a section of the yard made up of ornamental stones, bark chips, or native ground cover.

Areas within the garden and along the perimeter can be planted with tufts of ornamental grasses. Drifts of native plants that flower at different times of the year will add color and give balance to the landscape design.

A stone or cement bird bath, garden bench, and perfectly tuned wind chimes suspended from the branch of a tree not only make the yard look more appealing, but more inviting as well. Hear the haunting “vocals” tapped from each pipe as the wind passes by, and enjoy the tranquil setting where harmony kisses the sun.

This type landscape design is not only unique and attractive, but low-maintenance; an added bonus that busy homeowners will surely appreciate.

Wind chimes can be used as an enhancement and to create a certain mood or compliment design in a variety of ways. A set of small diameter pipe wind chimes suspended from an elaborate hanger by the front door can replace a doorbell or door knocker during mild weather months. A small polished brass plaque beside it could announce a formal “Ring for service,” or a more playful, “Ring my chimes.”

Such an arrangement could enhance an otherwise plain porch. A natural wood or painted lattice or fan trellis, embraced by flowering vines, could complete the quaint scene. If positioning of the porch allows, place the trellis on the north end to reduce force of air current. That way, when the chimes “sing” you know you have a visitor.

Use decorating ideas that compliment the front of your yard, beautifying what you have to work with, instead of competing against it. Finely tuned wind chimes are a sure way to add a relaxing note; complimentary, therapeutic, and feng shui enhancing.

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Today’s home buyers increasingly prefer energy efficient homes and condos. An energy efficient home or condo not only contributes toward cutting your utility bill, but can also increase the value of your property.

Many features go into making a home energy efficient. Energy efficient products are available for almost every part of a house such as the plumbing system, water heating system, appliances, air conditioning, electrical system, roofing materials, windows, insulation, etc.

So where do you start to learn about ways to make your home or condo more energy efficient? Start with an Internet search. There are numerous web-based tools for home owners to help you calculate the power consumed by the various appliances and systems in a home. Armed with information from these sites, you will know exactly the steps to take in order to make your home more energy efficient.

Here are a few things you can implement now to make your home more energy efficient.

1. Improve insulation of attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors and heating ducts.

2. Use energy recovery ventilators.

3. Install solar power systems.

4. Block air leaks from holes or cracks in walls, doors, windows, etc.

5. Use lighting control systems such as occupancy sensors, timers and dimmers.

6. Keep the fireplace damper closed when not in use.

7. Install a programmable thermostat to change the settings automatically.

8. Test your ducts for air leakage.

9. Provide shading for the air conditioning condenser.

10. Wrap the water heater with a thermal blanket.

An Engery efficient home helps almost everyone. Prospective home buyers benefit from buying properties that have lower utility costs. Sellers may be able to charge a premium for homes that are energy efficient. And society benefits because there is less utilization of scarce energy resources.

If you are considering buying a home, condo, or any other type of real estate, seek out the services of a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about energy efficient homes. This agent should be able to help you find a home that not only meets your housing needs, but also offers the benefits of energy-efficiency.

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Imagine your neighbors told you they were going to produce their own home turbine wind power? Would you be shocked? Well, very soon that may be the norm. As we gain interest in making alternative power, we increase our understanding of making our own home turbine wind power. Lately, it has become so popular that a number of step-by-step instructions are available on the Internet, where in a short space of time you can learn to build your own home turbine wind power from scratch.

Before attempting to build any home wind turbine, it is best to do your research, such as on the various blades designs, what type of dynamo to buy, and how to put all the components together to make a working home wind turbine. While all the information can be found freely on the web, it is better to buy a complete step-by-step guide, with all the information in one place and easy to find. Another advantage to a guide is that it comes with free customer support if you need any help or assistance.

All guides are not the same, so investigate each guide thoroughly before pulling out your credit card. This can be as straightforward as reading customer testimonials and reviews, or contacting the seller. Things to take note of when reading reviews are:

1 – How simple the instructions are to follow

2 – Quality of customer support

3 – Quality of the finished home wind turbine

So what components make up a home wind turbine? And what tools will you need to complete the build?

A Home Wind Turbine consists of the following components:

The motor:

This is one part you are better off purchasing. Various motors or dynamos can be sourced over the Internet, but make sure you buy a dynamo that operates at low speeds. The motor requires the most maintenance and should be lubricated regularly to improve to lifespan an performance.

The charge controller:

The charge controller is there to ensure the batteries are not over-charged. Although you can do without it, your batteries lifespan will then be dramatically shorter.

The batteries:

To ensure power is available all day long, even when there is no wind, it is best to have batteries to store excess power. There are a number of batteries to choose, the best being 24 volt deep-cycle batteries that store the charge for longer and are big enough for you to scale up your system with.

The inverter:

Before the stored energy can be used to power your home, the direct current needs to fed through an inverter, where it is changed to alternating current. There are various types of inverters to choose from, each with their own voltage, but your power needs will help you determine which one to buy.

The tower:

With home turbine wind power the tower is the structure supporting the wind turbine. It can be made from any pole, and supported by guy ropes, and its height varies with the area’s wind conditions. For urban areas, its best to fix the tower on the roof for the turbine to catch as much wind as possible.

The tail:

The tail is fixed at the back of the dynamo and is responsible for keeping the turbine facing the wind.

The blades:

These are the rotors that catch the wind and spin the motor to produce power. They can simply be shaped from quartered PVC piping, but it can be little weak for very windy conditions. So it is beneficial to take the time to make them from tough, lightweight timber, such as balsa wood. The blades are generally about 8 feet in diameter so a decent sized workspace is essential.

The tools:

Like most DIY projects, the basic tools needed to make your own home turbine wind power are screwdrivers, a drill, a saw and some wrenches.

So what are the benefits of making home turbine wind power?

1 – The massive cost savings: When compares to getting a commercial small wind turbine, making your own will cost you less than a tenth of the price.

2 – Lower electricity bills: Making your own renewable power results in lower electricity bills and tax incentives from government.

3 – Improved knowledge: The expertise you gain from learning to source the components to putting a fully functional home wind turbine together is priceless. Also, if you enjoy it so much you could make a business from it by building home wind turbines for your neighbors and even your family and friends.

If producing your home turbine wind power was something you have always wanted to do, then there could be a better time to learn. So, start your new home wind turbine project today, and enjoy the benefits that cheap power and knowledge bring.

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