China Leading Global Race to Make Clean Energy
By KEITH BRADSHER
TIANJIN, China — China vaulted past competitors in Denmark, Germany, Spain and the United States last year to become the world’s largest maker of wind turbines, and is poised to expand even further this year.
China has also leapfrogged the West in the last two years to emerge as the world’s largest manufacturer of solar panels. And the country is pushing equally hard to build nuclear reactors and the most efficient types of coal power plants.
These efforts to dominate renewable energy technologies raise the prospect that the West may someday trade its dependence on oil from the Mideast for a reliance on solar panels, wind turbines and other gear manufactured in China.
“Most of the energy equipment will carry a brass plate, ‘Made in China,’ ” said K. K. Chan, the chief executive of Nature Elements Capital, a private equity fund in Beijing that focuses on renewable energy.
President Obama, in his State of the Union speech last week, sounded an alarm that the United States was falling behind other countries, especially China, on energy. “I do not accept a future where the jobs and industries of tomorrow take root beyond our borders — and I know you don’t either,” he told Congress.
The United States and other countries are offering incentives to develop their own renewable energy industries, and Mr. Obama called for redoubling American efforts. Yet many Western and Chinese executives expect China to prevail in the energy-technology race.
Multinational corporations are responding to the rapid growth of China’s market by building big, state-of-the-art factories in China. Vestas of Denmark has just erected the world’s biggest wind turbine manufacturing complex here in northeastern China, and transferred the technology to build the latest electronic controls and generators.
“You have to move fast with the market,” said Jens Tommerup, the president of Vestas China. “Nobody has ever seen such fast development in a wind market.”
Renewable energy industries here are adding jobs rapidly, reaching 1.12 million in 2008 and climbing by 100,000 a year, according to the government-backed Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association.
Yet renewable energy may be doing more for China’s economy than for the environment. Total power generation in China is on track to pass the United States in 2012 — and most of the added capacity will still be from coal.
China intends for wind, solar and biomass energy to represent 8 percent of its electricity generation capacity by 2020. That compares with less than 4 percent now in China and the United States. Coal will still represent two-thirds of China’s capacity in 2020, and nuclear and hydropower most of the rest.
As China seeks to dominate energy-equipment exports, it has the advantage of being the world’s largest market for power equipment. The government spends heavily to upgrade the electricity grid, committing $45 billion in 2009 alone. State-owned banks provide generous financing.
China’s top leaders are intensely focused on energy policy: on Wednesday, the government announced the creation of a National Energy Commission composed of cabinet ministers as a “superministry” led by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao himself.
Regulators have set mandates for power generation companies to use more renewable energy. Generous subsidies for consumers to install their own solar panels or solar water heaters have produced flurries of activity on rooftops across China.
China’s biggest advantage may be its domestic demand for electricity, rising 15 percent a year. To meet demand in the coming decade, according to statistics from the International Energy Agency, China will need to add nearly nine times as much electricity generation capacity as the United States will.
So while Americans are used to thinking of themselves as having the world’s largest market in many industries, China’s market for power equipment dwarfs that of the United States, even though the American market is more mature. That means Chinese producers enjoy enormous efficiencies from large-scale production.
In the United States, power companies frequently face a choice between buying renewable energy equipment or continuing to operate fossil-fuel-fired power plants that have already been built and paid for. In China, power companies have to buy lots of new equipment anyway, and alternative energy, particularly wind and nuclear, is increasingly priced competitively.
Interest rates as low as 2 percent for bank loans — the result of a savings rate of 40 percent and a government policy of steering loans to renewable energy — have also made a big difference.
As in many other industries, China’s low labor costs are an advantage in energy. Although Chinese wages have risen sharply in the last five years, Vestas still pays assembly line workers here only $4,100 a year.
China’s commitment to renewable energy is expensive. Although costs are falling steeply through mass production, wind energy is still 20 to 40 percent more expensive than coal-fired power. Solar power is still at least twice as expensive as coal.
The Chinese government charges a renewable energy fee to all electricity users. The fee increases residential electricity bills by 0.25 percent to 0.4 percent. For industrial users of electricity, the fee doubled in November to roughly 0.8 percent of the electricity bill.
The fee revenue goes to companies that operate the electricity grid, to make up the cost difference between renewable energy and coal-fired power.
Renewable energy fees are not yet high enough to affect China’s competitiveness even in energy-intensive industries, said the chairman of a Chinese industrial company, who asked not to be identified because of the political sensitivity of electricity rates in China.
Grid operators are unhappy. They are reimbursed for the extra cost of buying renewable energy instead of coal-fired power, but not for the formidable cost of building power lines to wind turbines and other renewable energy producers, many of them in remote, windswept areas. Transmission losses are high for sending power over long distances to cities, and nearly a third of China’s wind turbines are not yet connected to the national grid.
Most of these turbines were built only in the last year, however, and grid construction has not caught up. Under legislation passed by the Chinese legislature on Dec. 26, a grid operator that does not connect a renewable energy operation to the grid must pay that operation twice the value of the electricity that cannot be distributed.
With prices tumbling, China’s wind and solar industries are increasingly looking to sell equipment abroad — and facing complaints by Western companies that they have unfair advantages. When a Chinese company reached a deal in November to supply turbines for a big wind farm in Texas, there were calls in Congress to halt federal spending on imported equipment.
“Every country, including the United States and in Europe, wants a low cost of renewable energy,” said Ma Lingjuan, deputy managing director of China’s renewable energy association. “Now China has reached that level, but it gets criticized by the rest of the world.”
Monday, February 1, 2010
Energy management for consumers
Shopping Efficiently: Refrigerators
January 2010 – Because unplugging the refrigerator is hardly a practical way to reduce household energy consumption, a consumer's best option for saving money with this 24/7 appliance is to shop for the right model - and use it wisely.
Go With ENERGY STAR
If you're not sure whether to replace your refrigerator, first check the age on your current model. If it's from the 1970s, best get rid of it: you could save four times more energy by replacing it with an ENERGYSTAR model - nearly $200 a year.
The same goes for a 1980s model: replace it with an ENERGY STAR refrigerator and your utility bills should drop about $100 each year. And whatever you do, don't relegate the old one to the basement to hold overstock: refrigerators consume energy no matter where they're plugged in.
Tried and tested, ENERGYSTAR refrigerators are up to 20 percent more energy efficient than modern conventional models. You can even find out how much a particular ENERGYSTAR model will cost you per year by checking the yellow EnergyGuide label on the refrigerator. The guide also allows you to compare the energy use of similar models and estimate the annual savings.
Things to Look for
When shopping for a new model, consider a few features that make a huge difference to efficiency.
Top-mounted freezers use 10 – 25 percent less energy than bottom-mounted or side-by-side models; this can amount to hundreds of dollars over the lifetime of the fridge.
Also, think about skipping the ice-maker and door dispenser. Automatic ice-makers increase energy use by 14 – 20 percent; as an additional feature, they also raise the retail price by $75 – 250. Through-door ice dispensers often interfere with the door’s insulation and sometimes require their own additional cooling elements.
Use it Wisely
By following a few simple maintenance tips, you can reduce a refrigerator's energy use, no matter what the model.
1.Keep your refrigerator at 35 – 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Any colder, and you'll risk freezing the contents - a waste of food and energy.
2.Keep your fridge in a cool place, away from heat sources (oven, dishwasher, direct sunlight, etc.) that will force your fridge to work harder to keep its contents cool.
3.Check to make sure the seals around the door are airtight: a tight seal saves energy. If you can feel cold air around the edge, or if the door won't hold a piece of paper in place when it's closed, it's time to replace the seals.
Finally, keep the door closed! If you minimize the amount of time the refrigerator door is open, you reduce your utility costs, save money and keep your food fresh
January 2010 – Because unplugging the refrigerator is hardly a practical way to reduce household energy consumption, a consumer's best option for saving money with this 24/7 appliance is to shop for the right model - and use it wisely.
Go With ENERGY STAR
If you're not sure whether to replace your refrigerator, first check the age on your current model. If it's from the 1970s, best get rid of it: you could save four times more energy by replacing it with an ENERGYSTAR model - nearly $200 a year.
The same goes for a 1980s model: replace it with an ENERGY STAR refrigerator and your utility bills should drop about $100 each year. And whatever you do, don't relegate the old one to the basement to hold overstock: refrigerators consume energy no matter where they're plugged in.
Tried and tested, ENERGYSTAR refrigerators are up to 20 percent more energy efficient than modern conventional models. You can even find out how much a particular ENERGYSTAR model will cost you per year by checking the yellow EnergyGuide label on the refrigerator. The guide also allows you to compare the energy use of similar models and estimate the annual savings.
Things to Look for
When shopping for a new model, consider a few features that make a huge difference to efficiency.
Top-mounted freezers use 10 – 25 percent less energy than bottom-mounted or side-by-side models; this can amount to hundreds of dollars over the lifetime of the fridge.
Also, think about skipping the ice-maker and door dispenser. Automatic ice-makers increase energy use by 14 – 20 percent; as an additional feature, they also raise the retail price by $75 – 250. Through-door ice dispensers often interfere with the door’s insulation and sometimes require their own additional cooling elements.
Use it Wisely
By following a few simple maintenance tips, you can reduce a refrigerator's energy use, no matter what the model.
1.Keep your refrigerator at 35 – 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Any colder, and you'll risk freezing the contents - a waste of food and energy.
2.Keep your fridge in a cool place, away from heat sources (oven, dishwasher, direct sunlight, etc.) that will force your fridge to work harder to keep its contents cool.
3.Check to make sure the seals around the door are airtight: a tight seal saves energy. If you can feel cold air around the edge, or if the door won't hold a piece of paper in place when it's closed, it's time to replace the seals.
Finally, keep the door closed! If you minimize the amount of time the refrigerator door is open, you reduce your utility costs, save money and keep your food fresh
Monday, January 25, 2010
Lighting control and Management
Watt Stopper Introduces Its First Astronomical Time Switch to Help Homeowners Control Lighting for Security and Energy Savings
WattStopper has launched the RT-200 Astronomical Time Switch, augmenting the company’s already extensive line of energy-efficient residential lighting controls. The new user-programmable time switch turns lights, or other electrical loads, on and off relative to dusk or dawn, or at selected times of day, providing energy savings and security both inside and outside the home. It is compliant with the requirements of California’s Title 24-2008 for outdoor lighting control.
The RT-200 is the first astronomical time switch produced by WattStopper, and was developed to give homeowners a wider range of lighting control options. It includes a bright organic LED (OLED) display, hidden programming buttons and a large on/off control button. The time switch may be programmed with up to eight control schedules to activate lighting at different times on one or more days of the week. After entering the local time, date, latitude and longitude, users navigate through simple menus to establish the control schedules. The OLED display facilitates wide-angle viewing of the menus, and the control button allows residents the option of manually switching lighting on or off. Advanced features include an optional audible beep and/or a visible flash to warn of an impending off-time.
When programmed relative to dusk or dawn, the Astronomical Time Switch saves energy by automatically making daily adjustments to on- and off-times throughout the year, so lighting is only turned on when it is needed as the days become longer or shorter. The RT-200 was developed primarily for control of outdoor lighting, spas and entryway lighting, where it also provides security by turning lighting on to make the home feel inviting and appear to be occupied. The internal clock automatically resets for daylight savings time.
The low-profile, decorator-style RT-200 Astronomical Time Switch complements WattStopper’s countdown time switches and residential vacancy sensors, and is available in five colors. It operates most common types of residential lighting, including energy-saving LEDs, as well as motor loads up to 1/6 horsepower. WattStopper’s residential vacancy sensors and controls are available from electrical distributors and retailers, including hardware stores and home improvement centers. WattStopper’s award-winning “Quick Guide to Reducing Lighting Energy Use at Home” and an online multimedia program educate consumers about the benefits of energy-saving lighting controls and how to select the right product for each application
WattStopper has launched the RT-200 Astronomical Time Switch, augmenting the company’s already extensive line of energy-efficient residential lighting controls. The new user-programmable time switch turns lights, or other electrical loads, on and off relative to dusk or dawn, or at selected times of day, providing energy savings and security both inside and outside the home. It is compliant with the requirements of California’s Title 24-2008 for outdoor lighting control.
The RT-200 is the first astronomical time switch produced by WattStopper, and was developed to give homeowners a wider range of lighting control options. It includes a bright organic LED (OLED) display, hidden programming buttons and a large on/off control button. The time switch may be programmed with up to eight control schedules to activate lighting at different times on one or more days of the week. After entering the local time, date, latitude and longitude, users navigate through simple menus to establish the control schedules. The OLED display facilitates wide-angle viewing of the menus, and the control button allows residents the option of manually switching lighting on or off. Advanced features include an optional audible beep and/or a visible flash to warn of an impending off-time.
When programmed relative to dusk or dawn, the Astronomical Time Switch saves energy by automatically making daily adjustments to on- and off-times throughout the year, so lighting is only turned on when it is needed as the days become longer or shorter. The RT-200 was developed primarily for control of outdoor lighting, spas and entryway lighting, where it also provides security by turning lighting on to make the home feel inviting and appear to be occupied. The internal clock automatically resets for daylight savings time.
The low-profile, decorator-style RT-200 Astronomical Time Switch complements WattStopper’s countdown time switches and residential vacancy sensors, and is available in five colors. It operates most common types of residential lighting, including energy-saving LEDs, as well as motor loads up to 1/6 horsepower. WattStopper’s residential vacancy sensors and controls are available from electrical distributors and retailers, including hardware stores and home improvement centers. WattStopper’s award-winning “Quick Guide to Reducing Lighting Energy Use at Home” and an online multimedia program educate consumers about the benefits of energy-saving lighting controls and how to select the right product for each application
Friday, January 22, 2010
Energy Management
11. Past Decade Warmest Ever, NASA Data Shows
Jan 22, 2010 New York Times
By John M. Broder
WASHINGTON — The decade ending in 2009 was the warmest on record, new surface temperature figures released Thursday by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration show.
The agency also found that 2009 was the second warmest year since 1880, when modern temperature measurement began. The warmest year was 2005. The other hottest recorded years have all occurred since 1998, NASA said.
James E. Hansen, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, said that global temperatures varied because of changes in ocean heating and cooling cycles. “When we average temperature over 5 or 10 years to minimize that variability,” said Dr. Hansen, one of the world’s leading climatologists, “we find global warming is continuing unabated.”
A separate preliminary analysis from another NASA office, the National Climatic Data Center, found that 2009 tied with 2006 as the fifth warmest year on record, based on measurements taken on land and at sea. The data center report, published earlier this week, also cited the years 2000 to 2009 as the warmest decade ever measured. The new temperature figures provide new evidence in the scientific discussion of global warming but are not likely to be the last word on whether the planet’s temperature is on a consistent upward path.
Dr. Hansen, who has been an outspoken figure in the climate debate for years, has often been attacked by skeptics of global warming for what they charge is selective use of temperature data. The question of whether the planet is heating and how quickly was at the heart of the so-called “climategate” controversy that arose last fall when hundreds of e-mail messages from the climate study unit at the University of East Anglia in England were released without authorization.
Critics seized on the messages as evidence that, in their view, climate scientists were manipulating data and colluding to keep contrary opinion out of scientific journals. But climate scientists and political leaders affirmed what they called a broad-based consensus that the planet was growing warmer, and on a consistent basis, although with measurable year-to-year variations.
The NASA data released Thursday showed an upward temperature trend of about 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius) per decade over the past 30 years. Average global temperatures have risen by about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degrees Celsius) since 1880.
“That’s the important number to keep in mind,” said Gavin Schmidt, a climatologist at Goddard. “The difference between the second and sixth warmest years is trivial because the known uncertainty in the temperature measurement is larger than some of the differences between the warmest years.”
Policy makers at the United Nations climate change summit conference in Copenhagen last month agreed on a goal of trying to keep the rise in average global temperatures to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or 2 degrees Celsius, to try to forestall the worst effects of global warming.
Jan 22, 2010 New York Times
By John M. Broder
WASHINGTON — The decade ending in 2009 was the warmest on record, new surface temperature figures released Thursday by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration show.
The agency also found that 2009 was the second warmest year since 1880, when modern temperature measurement began. The warmest year was 2005. The other hottest recorded years have all occurred since 1998, NASA said.
James E. Hansen, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, said that global temperatures varied because of changes in ocean heating and cooling cycles. “When we average temperature over 5 or 10 years to minimize that variability,” said Dr. Hansen, one of the world’s leading climatologists, “we find global warming is continuing unabated.”
A separate preliminary analysis from another NASA office, the National Climatic Data Center, found that 2009 tied with 2006 as the fifth warmest year on record, based on measurements taken on land and at sea. The data center report, published earlier this week, also cited the years 2000 to 2009 as the warmest decade ever measured. The new temperature figures provide new evidence in the scientific discussion of global warming but are not likely to be the last word on whether the planet’s temperature is on a consistent upward path.
Dr. Hansen, who has been an outspoken figure in the climate debate for years, has often been attacked by skeptics of global warming for what they charge is selective use of temperature data. The question of whether the planet is heating and how quickly was at the heart of the so-called “climategate” controversy that arose last fall when hundreds of e-mail messages from the climate study unit at the University of East Anglia in England were released without authorization.
Critics seized on the messages as evidence that, in their view, climate scientists were manipulating data and colluding to keep contrary opinion out of scientific journals. But climate scientists and political leaders affirmed what they called a broad-based consensus that the planet was growing warmer, and on a consistent basis, although with measurable year-to-year variations.
The NASA data released Thursday showed an upward temperature trend of about 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius) per decade over the past 30 years. Average global temperatures have risen by about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degrees Celsius) since 1880.
“That’s the important number to keep in mind,” said Gavin Schmidt, a climatologist at Goddard. “The difference between the second and sixth warmest years is trivial because the known uncertainty in the temperature measurement is larger than some of the differences between the warmest years.”
Policy makers at the United Nations climate change summit conference in Copenhagen last month agreed on a goal of trying to keep the rise in average global temperatures to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or 2 degrees Celsius, to try to forestall the worst effects of global warming.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Energy management and control
2010 brings federal rebates for EnergyStar appliances
Jan 3, 2010 Washington Post
Vinnee Tong
SAN FRANCISCO -- This year may be to appliance buyers what 2009 was to car buyers: time for government rebates.
Modeled after the popular "Cash for Clunkers" program, which was intended to get cars with low gas mileage off the road, a federal appliance rebate program is starting in early 2010. It offers a boost to people buying energy-efficient clothes washers, refrigerators and other appliances -- those that qualify for the federal "Energy Star" designation -- and to manufacturers, whose sales fell 10 percent in 2008 and an additional 12 percent through mid-December of 2009.
The program has only $300 million, one-tenth as much money as Cash for Clunkers, or about $1 per U.S resident, so the money could run out fast. States are receiving roughly the same amount per capita, with California getting the most at $35.2 million, but what's eligible varies by state.
Here's what to keep in mind as you decide whether to swap your washer for that supposedly whisper-quiet model or your old white refrigerator for a shapely stainless-steel number.
-- What's my state offering? For state-by-state information, visit the federal Web site http://www.energysavers.gov and click on "State Appliance Rebate Program" on the right.
California residents, for example, can get cash back on three types of appliances: $100 for washing machines, $75 for refrigerators and $50 for room air conditioners. Wisconsin offers rebates on washers and fridges plus $200 for boilers or furnaces, $75 for central air conditioning or geothermal heat pumps, $50 for freezers, and $25 for dishwashers.
(Also in effect through Dec. 31, 2010, is a federal tax credit for 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500, of equipment for a primary residence.)
-- How do I know it's a deal? Joe McGuire, president of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, said buying Energy Star appliances can mean hearty power savings. But it's important to make sure you save enough in water and energy bills over time to justify paying for a new unit.
"A good example is a 10-year-old clothes washer," he said. "With Energy Star, you could reduce utility costs by $145 a year and save 5,000 gallons of water a year." At that rate, a typical $500 to $700 washer would pay for itself in four years. In larger households that use more power and water for laundry, the payoff can come much sooner.
It's probably not worth replacing appliances less than five to seven years old just because rebates are available, unless you plan to upgrade to a far more efficient model. That's because newer appliances are already more efficient. But switching from a top-loading to front-loading clothes washer could in itself cut water use enough to make a purchase worthwhile.
The older the appliance, the greater the possibility of saving money by buying a new one. McGuire says a 20-year-old refrigerator uses three times as much power as Energy Star-approved units made today, some of which run on less than 60 watts.
"You would save over $250 a year on an average 20-year-old refrigerator if you replaced it," McGuire said. "That's about $1,200 over five years. That is real savings to consumers." The Energy Department estimates Americans saved more than $19 billion on utilities in 2008 using Energy Star products.
-- When will it end? Rebates will be available until February 2012 or until the money's gone. And Jen Stutsman, a spokeswoman for the Energy Department, expects the funds to run out fast.
-- Associated Press
Jan 3, 2010 Washington Post
Vinnee Tong
SAN FRANCISCO -- This year may be to appliance buyers what 2009 was to car buyers: time for government rebates.
Modeled after the popular "Cash for Clunkers" program, which was intended to get cars with low gas mileage off the road, a federal appliance rebate program is starting in early 2010. It offers a boost to people buying energy-efficient clothes washers, refrigerators and other appliances -- those that qualify for the federal "Energy Star" designation -- and to manufacturers, whose sales fell 10 percent in 2008 and an additional 12 percent through mid-December of 2009.
The program has only $300 million, one-tenth as much money as Cash for Clunkers, or about $1 per U.S resident, so the money could run out fast. States are receiving roughly the same amount per capita, with California getting the most at $35.2 million, but what's eligible varies by state.
Here's what to keep in mind as you decide whether to swap your washer for that supposedly whisper-quiet model or your old white refrigerator for a shapely stainless-steel number.
-- What's my state offering? For state-by-state information, visit the federal Web site http://www.energysavers.gov and click on "State Appliance Rebate Program" on the right.
California residents, for example, can get cash back on three types of appliances: $100 for washing machines, $75 for refrigerators and $50 for room air conditioners. Wisconsin offers rebates on washers and fridges plus $200 for boilers or furnaces, $75 for central air conditioning or geothermal heat pumps, $50 for freezers, and $25 for dishwashers.
(Also in effect through Dec. 31, 2010, is a federal tax credit for 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500, of equipment for a primary residence.)
-- How do I know it's a deal? Joe McGuire, president of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, said buying Energy Star appliances can mean hearty power savings. But it's important to make sure you save enough in water and energy bills over time to justify paying for a new unit.
"A good example is a 10-year-old clothes washer," he said. "With Energy Star, you could reduce utility costs by $145 a year and save 5,000 gallons of water a year." At that rate, a typical $500 to $700 washer would pay for itself in four years. In larger households that use more power and water for laundry, the payoff can come much sooner.
It's probably not worth replacing appliances less than five to seven years old just because rebates are available, unless you plan to upgrade to a far more efficient model. That's because newer appliances are already more efficient. But switching from a top-loading to front-loading clothes washer could in itself cut water use enough to make a purchase worthwhile.
The older the appliance, the greater the possibility of saving money by buying a new one. McGuire says a 20-year-old refrigerator uses three times as much power as Energy Star-approved units made today, some of which run on less than 60 watts.
"You would save over $250 a year on an average 20-year-old refrigerator if you replaced it," McGuire said. "That's about $1,200 over five years. That is real savings to consumers." The Energy Department estimates Americans saved more than $19 billion on utilities in 2008 using Energy Star products.
-- When will it end? Rebates will be available until February 2012 or until the money's gone. And Jen Stutsman, a spokeswoman for the Energy Department, expects the funds to run out fast.
-- Associated Press
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Saving electricity
Construction Management Degree
Guide to online construction management schools and degrees The Fixer-Upper Blog
The Fixer Upper is a blog which covers issues ranging from finance, energy, technology, home ownership and maintenance, and any other issue of importance to homeowners. In addition to the discourse we foster on this site, we also attempt to introduce you to other sites and blogs which are likely of interest to homeowners.
8 Painless Ways To Cut Your Electric Bill This Winter
With the winter season upon us, the high heating expenses are not far behind. There was a time when the only to combat them was to stay away from the heater and suffer. However, in recent times there have been loads of advances in conservation, efficiency, and technology. Below are 8 painless ways to cut your electric bill that require a little time, less money, and can end up saving you hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of dollars across a short span of time.
1.Strip : According to the experts at Lowe’s, a 1/8″ space between a standard exterior door and its threshold is equivalent to a two square inch hole in the wall. Closing those gaps can save you up to 15% in heating costs and reduce the demand on your heating system. They also offer a guide on how to accomplish this at the beginner level. Only three tools, three materials, and a day is all it requires to weatherstrip your entire home.
2.Dodge The Draft : Cold air can seep in through your front, rear, or any entryway door. One of the best ways to deal with this is to install a draft dodger. As Seen On TV sells one for a considerable price. However, Green Upgrader shows you how to make one of your own at a fraction of the cost. All you need is some fabric and sewing supplies.
3.Find An Outlet : Another way drafts go in and out of the home is through the outlet and outlet covers, particularly the ones along exterior walls. Not to worry, there are special outlet and switch gaskets specially made to significantly reduce drafts. This store sells an entire kit for only $1.94.
4.Insulate : Water needs to be heated in the winter as well, so don’t throw money away by not insulating. If your water heater’s storage tank has a R-value of under R-24, adding insulation can reduce heat loss by 25-45%. The U.S. Department of Energy has tips on how to insulate both electric and gas heated water tanks. There are also other useful related guides.
5.Go Tankless : If you’re in the market for a new water heater, try a tankless one. They create hot water on demand so there’s no stored water needing to be continuously heated. They cost about $200 more than a standard water heater. However, the money you save by cutting your electric bills, especially in winter, can add up to that difference in just a few years. In addition, certain tankless heaters can qualify for up to a $1,500 tax credit.
6.Reflect On It : Radiator reflectors are insulation boards with aluminum or material on one side. When placed on the wall behind the radiator unit, they reflect heat back into the room, instead of allowing the heat to escape. An easy install for anyone looking to cut bills. They are also an inexpensive purchase at a hardware store, or you can make your own.
7.Program the Problems Away : A programmable thermostat allows you to set different temperatures for different times of the day, and even different times on different days. Cut your winter electric bills by setting it to automatically lower the temperature when you leave for work and raise it an hour before you return home. The DIY network shows you how to choose one and install it yourself, all in less than two hours.
8.Watch Out For Carbon Monoxide : The leading cause of poisoning accidents in the United States, a common cause of it is poorly maintained heating systems. Also, since the symptoms seem like the flu, it is not taken seriously. This video from WebMD show you how to prevent and detect it. Don’t waste the money you saved on winter electric bills with costly medical ones.
With just a little time and money, you can save an impressive amount of your hard-earned pay by following the tips in these 8 painless ways to cut your electric bill this winter. And since they only have to be done once, these tips can save you tons of money for years to come. All you have to do is decide what to spend all that savings on.
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The Fixer Upper is a blog which covers issues ranging from finance, energy, technology, home ownership and maintenance, and any other issue of importance to homeowners. In addition to the discourse we foster on this site, we also attempt to introduce you to other sites and blogs which are likely of interest to homeowners.
8 Painless Ways To Cut Your Electric Bill This Winter
With the winter season upon us, the high heating expenses are not far behind. There was a time when the only to combat them was to stay away from the heater and suffer. However, in recent times there have been loads of advances in conservation, efficiency, and technology. Below are 8 painless ways to cut your electric bill that require a little time, less money, and can end up saving you hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of dollars across a short span of time.
1.Strip : According to the experts at Lowe’s, a 1/8″ space between a standard exterior door and its threshold is equivalent to a two square inch hole in the wall. Closing those gaps can save you up to 15% in heating costs and reduce the demand on your heating system. They also offer a guide on how to accomplish this at the beginner level. Only three tools, three materials, and a day is all it requires to weatherstrip your entire home.
2.Dodge The Draft : Cold air can seep in through your front, rear, or any entryway door. One of the best ways to deal with this is to install a draft dodger. As Seen On TV sells one for a considerable price. However, Green Upgrader shows you how to make one of your own at a fraction of the cost. All you need is some fabric and sewing supplies.
3.Find An Outlet : Another way drafts go in and out of the home is through the outlet and outlet covers, particularly the ones along exterior walls. Not to worry, there are special outlet and switch gaskets specially made to significantly reduce drafts. This store sells an entire kit for only $1.94.
4.Insulate : Water needs to be heated in the winter as well, so don’t throw money away by not insulating. If your water heater’s storage tank has a R-value of under R-24, adding insulation can reduce heat loss by 25-45%. The U.S. Department of Energy has tips on how to insulate both electric and gas heated water tanks. There are also other useful related guides.
5.Go Tankless : If you’re in the market for a new water heater, try a tankless one. They create hot water on demand so there’s no stored water needing to be continuously heated. They cost about $200 more than a standard water heater. However, the money you save by cutting your electric bills, especially in winter, can add up to that difference in just a few years. In addition, certain tankless heaters can qualify for up to a $1,500 tax credit.
6.Reflect On It : Radiator reflectors are insulation boards with aluminum or material on one side. When placed on the wall behind the radiator unit, they reflect heat back into the room, instead of allowing the heat to escape. An easy install for anyone looking to cut bills. They are also an inexpensive purchase at a hardware store, or you can make your own.
7.Program the Problems Away : A programmable thermostat allows you to set different temperatures for different times of the day, and even different times on different days. Cut your winter electric bills by setting it to automatically lower the temperature when you leave for work and raise it an hour before you return home. The DIY network shows you how to choose one and install it yourself, all in less than two hours.
8.Watch Out For Carbon Monoxide : The leading cause of poisoning accidents in the United States, a common cause of it is poorly maintained heating systems. Also, since the symptoms seem like the flu, it is not taken seriously. This video from WebMD show you how to prevent and detect it. Don’t waste the money you saved on winter electric bills with costly medical ones.
With just a little time and money, you can save an impressive amount of your hard-earned pay by following the tips in these 8 painless ways to cut your electric bill this winter. And since they only have to be done once, these tips can save you tons of money for years to come. All you have to do is decide what to spend all that savings on.
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Biomimicry is this the answer to our prayers
What is Biomimicry?Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a design discipline that seeks sustainable solutions by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies, e.g., a solar cell inspired by a leaf. The core idea is that Nature, imaginative by necessity, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with: energy, food production, climate control, non-toxic chemistry, transportation, packaging, and a whole lot more.
Check out www.asknature.org
Check out www.asknature.org
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