The average family spends $1,400 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of that spent on heating and cooling. Energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment, sized and installed correctly, with properly sealed ducts, can save homeowners as much as 20 percent on their annual energy costs.
Hidden gaps and cracks in a home can add up to as much airflow as an open window. The more heat that escapes, the more cold air enters, causing your system to work harder and use more energy. Home Sealing can improve your home "envelope" - the outer walls, ceiling, windows and floors -- and can save up to 10 percent in energy costs. Start by sealing air leaks and adding insulation—pay special attention to your attic and basement, where the biggest gaps and cracks are often found.
Did you know that simply wrapping your water heater with an insulating blanket cuts the cost (both financial and environmental) of heating the water? And depending on where you live, if you go tankless or solar, you might be eligible for a tax rebate too.
Likewise, if you or one of your family members feels cold while at home, revert to getting snug in a blanket or coat before cranking up the heat -- and the heating bill.
Believe it or not this tiny little car has over 1,000 pounds of torque. It's almost like riding a motorcycle when you think about the size, but this car is much safer. And though it doesn't look like even I could fit inside, the side protection is estimated at 4 times higher than a typical SUV.
To run the "Tango" all you need is a battery...the same battery that pulls freight trains. Before bed just plug it into a 110 volt outlet and by morning you'll be able to drive 80 miles.
Along with all the aforementioned pluses, I'm pretty sure you could park this car anywhere.
There are three models, the cheapest is $18,700 with a $500 deposit. Once you put your deposit down it takes about six months before you get your purchase. The deposit is fully refundable.
Again courtesy of Hippyshopper, there is a story about "Lights Out London." On June 2nd from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. many people participated in switching out their lights and other non-essential appliances for an hour, in a "symbolic stance against climate change."
The Lights Out London website claims, "An estimated 2 million light bulbs went out around the capital, saving roughly 750 MWh of electricity in just one hour – enough to run 3,000 televisions for a year."
I think it is just so cool that something that big went down. That so many people saw a need to ban together and show their support for making a change in the environment. This is proof that people can make a difference, even if only one light bulb at a time. =o)
Working for the University of Delaware as their web developer has been such an amazing experience. Being fortunate enough to be the developer for their College of Agriculture & Natural Resources in addition to their Cooperative Extension Programs for each county in Delaware has been an even greater experience. I'm learning so much about what is going on with the farms and environment around my own home. Things I never would have known about otherwise. This has piqued my interested in finding more Energy resource information to do my part in helping out.
For the last two years, UD has been leading the solar cell initiative. There are fifteen other participating colleges in the nation. Partial funding is being received from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). At UD, the goal is to create solar cells that operate at about 54 percent efficiency in the laboratory and 50 percent in production.
This spring, the U.S. Department of Energy highlighted 13 industry-led solar technology development projects for negotiation of up to $168 million (FY’07-’09), subject to appropriation from Congress; Newark, Delaware (home to the University of Delaware's main campus) was one of the 13 highlighted. There has been an abundant amount of people furiously working to find alternative energy plans. There are websites which give more information and explanations of why this is so important. Energy resources information.
I believe more and more colleges and companies will begin to put forth stronger efforts to harness solar energy as a form of electricity. Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source and with the price of electricity and gas these days it is imperative to find other means of not only creating, but storing solar power. It is very exciting for me to be able to spread the word about what my employer is doing to aide this cause. And it's even more thrilling to know I will be developing sites to further promote alternative energy methods.
People are debating whether or not windmills should be more actively used to generate electricity in the US. There is a debate that further studies should be done to find out who dangerous the blades of a windmill are for birds and bats.
I like animals. I had a bird once. I see bats all the time, they don't bother me. But I'm for windmills. So my thoughts are birds are dying for many reasons, many, many reasons including neglected habitats and pollution. Bats..yes, I know they fly at night but they have sonar abilities to sense sound and I am certain they would be able to feel the movement of the air near the windmill and know not to fly into it.
To have electricity generated by wind, carbon-free has so many benefits it seems silly to me to put a halt on their increase just because someone is concerned about the bird and bat population. No, I'm not dense, I know bats and birds eat bugs and if they die then we have more bugs which could effect produce, etc. There is going to be a domino effect or catch 22 to every thing. That is how life works. Cause and effect.
We'll see what happens. I'm sure people will study it to death and waste time brewing about the "what ifs." Until it gets settled we will just keep emitting more and more carbon dioxide into the air.
