Archive for March, 2009
Mar
22
Posted by admin
A few years ago having a home off the grid and using renewable energy sources such as solar power and wind power was impossible to imagine for many homeowners. Why? Because if you are going with a commercially installed system it was, and still is, very expensive to convert your home to use renewable energy sources from solar panels or wind turbines. And the fact was it would usually take years to recoup your investment. But recently all of that has changed.
Both solar power and wind power have become viable renewable energy sources sources in the last few years for the average homeowner. And the best thing is, you can easily build a wind turbine or solar panel for very little cost. This means you will be saving thousands of dollars by constructing them yourself, and then thousands more in energy savings after they are up and running.
Has there ever been a better time to go green? Not only is electricity still very expensive, but our planet is also in the worst shape it has ever been from an environmental standpoint. What do these two things mean to you? It means you should build a small renewable energy system and start generating at least some of your own electricity (even if it’s only 10-20% of your needs). It is not difficult to acquire the materials, and as long as you have a good guide to follow you should easily be able to implement your own system into your homes energy grid and start saving money on your electric bills.
Solar power is ideal for just about any home in America (and everywhere else). Wind power is also ideal for areas which receive a good deal of wind. You can even install both types of systems to compliment each other. On top of saving a lot of money on your energy bills, you will find that this is a very worthwhile family project which you will take a great deal of pride in.
Get started today and start saving money on your energy costs, and help our fragile environment at the same time.
Mar
14
Posted by admin
Relatively small and unobtrusive home wind turbines are the answer to small scale home wind power generation. Small wind powered turbines suitable for home use are manufactured by a number of companies and can easily be set up by anyone with average DIY abilities either on a rooftop, or as a stand alone unit mounted on its own tower. The usual recommended tower height is about 30 feet.
These types of pre-assembled home wind turbine kits, run in all price ranges depending on how much power you wish to generate but will easily pay for themselves in a relatively short time. It is by far the easiest way to start generating your own electricity without having to spend a small fortune on having a commercial system installed for you.
Some resources on this site for DIY Wind Turbine Kits:
Commercial Wind Turbine Kits
Residential Wind Turbine Kits
If you are interested in an even cheaper solution, you can build a home wind turbine from scratch with materials you can pick up locally. This setup will cost much less than buying a kit, but is far more labor intensive that buying something in kit form. That being said, it is still a viable option if you want to start generating your own electricity for a minimal up front expense.
If you decide to go this route, we recommend either GreenDIYEnergy or Earth4Energy. We have seen all of these types of guides, and these two seem to offer the most bang for the buck.
Mar
13
Posted by admin
You might be very interested in starting a solar/renewable energy project for your home. But the thought of spending thousands of dollars for a commercially installed solar system is not financially viable for a lot of homeowners, especially in the current economic climate.
If you want to use the free energy from the Sun to provide at least part, or all of your energy needs then there is another option. A complete solar kit.
These kits provide you will all the necessary prefabricated materials and components that you will need to assemble a complete and working solar energy system for you home. Such kits are a solution which might very well fit the bill, without costing nearly as much as having someone come out and install a system for you. On this site you will find solar panel kits and accessories.
A few other resources to find some good solar starter kits are;
Real Goods Solar
VESTA 2.4kW Grid-Tied Solar Electric System
EOS 1.9kW Grid-Tied Solar Electric System
Sunforce 50044 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit
Solar Panels & Solar Modules
55W Solar Power Kit for your RV.
Too Expensive?
As mentioned before, the cheapest solution is to build a solar system yourself entirely from scratch.
Building them yourself will be a far more labor intensive project, and the panels will be somewhat less efficient than prefabricated ones. However, if you enjoy building things then this will be a rewarding project that will teach you about the inner workings of solar panels, and how it is all wired together.
If you decide to go this route you can pick up one of the DIY Renewable Energy Guides in ebook form for under $50 which show you how to build a working solar panel, and how to set up your system to provide usable power. Our recommendation would be GreenDIYEnergy if you decide on this option.
Mar
11
Posted by admin
There are a lot of different reasons to begin using the efficient sources of renewable energy in your home. For starters, you can easily save anywhere from 10% to 100% off of your monthly utility bills (think about how important that is in this current economic climate). You will be able to generate some, or all of your own energy and will no longer need to rely solely on the power grid to provide your power needs.
In fact, if you are producing more than you use, then the utility company can buy it back from you.
But how do you go about it? What type of renewable energy source do you use? Solar, wind, or both?
Solar power has historically been the number one choice for most homes in America. In simple terms, solar power is produced by solar energy shining onto solar photovoltaic cells that are able to transform the suns energy into electricity. Then the cells send the energy to a storage generator, such as a series of batteries where it is stored until it is needed.
In recent years solar cells have become more efficient and what is even better is it is now possible (very easy in fact) to create your own solar generating system yourself.
The other most common form of renewable energy is from wind turbines. These are essentially generators powered by the force of the wind. These types of generators are of course, better suited to areas which receive a lot of wind. Much the same as solar panels are better suited to areas that receive a great deal of sun. That is why you will see many homeowners using both sources to compliment each other. So when the sun is down, you might still have wind, or when the wind isn’t blowing… You get the idea.
If you are interested in starting your own renewable energy project for your home, there is really no better time than right now. If this is your first project of this type don’t worry. ANY person with basic DIY know how can easily assemble one of these gadgets and begin producing their own power with ease.
Featured Products:
8.5 Foot Home Wind Turbine Package with Rectifier and AC Connection Kit
9.2 Foot Home Wind Turbine Package with Rectifier and AC Connection Kit
Air‐X Wind Turbine - Land 12V - Southwest Windpower
Air‐X Wind Turbine - Land 24V - Southwest Windpower
730W/12V WindMax Hybrid Solar-Wind Turbine (wind generator, controller and 1 of Sharp 130W solar panel)
BP Solar 115W 12V Solar Panel - BP3115J
BP Solar 140W 12V Solar Panel - SX3140J
BP Solar 175W 24V Solar Panel - BP3175J
Mar
08
Posted by admin
There is a growing trend in our world today toward using cleaner, and more importantly, renewable resources. It is really no longer just a question of if we will eventually run out of oil, but when. Even so, our responsibility to help the environment has become more important now than even before. Even if the earths fossil resources last another 100 years, the time to do something is now, not later.
The most recent trend has seen more and more home owners looking at renewable energy to provide at least some of the power needs for their home. This has become a necessary and logical step in our evolution as a society, and a sound economic choice for todays homeowners. What are some of the renewable energy methods that can be used to provide power for your home? Let’s take a look at a few of the more common choices.
1. Solar Energy
Everything on the planet is powered by the sun in one form or another. The food on your table is the result of solar energy, and our civilization would perish without it. So the move to solar power makes perfect sense. Solar power can be used in different ways. You can run your home directly off of your solar panels on a sunny day, and rely more on the power grid to provide the electricity when the sun is down or on very cloudy days. When your solar panels are operating, any energy you are not using or storing goes back into the meter and into the power grid. This has the effect of actually causing your meter to spin backwards when you are using less power than you are producing. The second and most common method is to have your solar panels continiously charge a series of deep cycle batteries that your house will draw power from when the sun goes down. Again, any excess energy produced can be fed back into the grid and sold back to the power company.
2. Wind Energy
This renewable energy source is best used along with the solar power methods described above. In stormy weather, for example, the sun may not be shining through the cloud layers, but the wind will probably be blowing, and vice-versa on sunny days. This can help balance out the renewable energy sources which are available, and result in more power production.
3. Geothermal Energy
Geothermal heat pumps use the relatively constant temperature of the ground or water several feet below the earth’s surface as source of heating and cooling. In this instance, geothermal energy is not so much a producer of energy but an energy saver. And since a great deal of energy is consumed to heat or cool the average home, then this could be a very good option for you. When used either in conjunction with solar and wind power, or on its own, geothermal energy can easily save you thousands of dollars each year on your energy bills.
Mar
07
Posted by admin
Frustrated about your energy bills? Solar energy is one of the wisest and most cost effective ways to save a lot of money over the long haul. The first impression a lot of people have is that it is technologically impossible for them to build a solar panel, but the truth is this project can be completed by any individual with an average DIY ability, and takes no more than a weekend to complete. If you are interested in learning more about this technology, then please read this report in order to learn more about the benefits of having a solar panel system for your home.
Introduction
If you are interested in building a solar panel array for your home then all you need to invest is some time, and a little bit of money. How much money and how much time will depend on your needs and abilities. But the average is around $200 or less for all the materials that you will need to construct a solar panel. The other thing you will need obviously are the right instructions, with easy to follow step by step diagrams which are pretty much “idiot proof”.
Choosing the right guide is paramount to your success. You will need to be sure that it provides clear information including, diagrams, and support. In any case, here are few key benefits to buiilding your own solar panel.
Quick advantages
There are many benefits of utilizing solar power to help meet your energy needs:
* Reduced effect of power interruptions.
* Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
* Can significantly reduce your electric bill.
* If you build a large enough system, the power company buys back the excess electricity that you generate!
Bottom line
Many of us are looking for ways to cut our energy usage and help the environment at the same time, there is no doubt that going solar is one of the smartest solutions to help you achieve that goal.
Mar
05
Posted by admin
With energy costs again on the rise and the effects of global warming being so prevalent today, many people are wondering if there is any truth to the concept of using renewable energy technology on a small scale for their home. There also appears to be some confusion about the differences between alternative energy and renewable energy.
In a nutshell, alternative energy encompasses all renewable energy sources, but includes things like nuclear power and energy developed from municipal waste. These are carbonaceous examples.
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that is replaced as it is being used, such as solar energy and wind energy. With that clear, are there truly benefits for the average homeowner or business owner to implement renewable energy technology? Absolutely. Truthfully, by using renewable energy on a home level you can easily save yourself thousands of dollars each year, and if it is a system you have constructed yourself, you will easily recoup your investment in a very short time.
Renewable energy technology has gained popularity in recent years for obvious reasons, and it has become increasingly easy to meet your home’s energy needs with just a little DIY know how and some free time. With the information that is readily available about renewable energy technology, it is possible to build a renewable energy solution such as a windmill or solar array for your home or business, entirely on your own. Do-it-yourselfers are finding out that they can save huge amounts of cash by building and installing these systems themselves. If you have the money to invest in a commercial professionally installed system, in general these are more efficient, however, with a homemade system you will still see a significant reduction in overall energy costs, and as mentioned above, you will recoup your investment in a matter of a few months rather than years.
Renewable energy technology is advancing every day. Solar electrical systems have seen advancements from the huge roof panels to thinner solar arrays that are twice as conductive and work with less sunlight. Thereby being much more efficient.
There are now solar powered chargers for cell phones, batteries and other smaller household items. Windmills have also become more efficient with better aerodynamics resulting in greater action and electricity generation. Renewable energy technology can even be seen along the side of the road as small solar/wind operations powering signs, lights and switches.
Many homeowners today are looking into integrating renewable energy sources for a more energy efficient home or business. The other benefit that renewable energy offers is their near zero contribution to the global warming epidemic.
The most popular of renewable energy sources is the sun. Of the renewable sources, solar energy is by far the most popular because it offers more options for use. Electrical energy is produced from the sun using solar panels which consist of a photovoltaic cell array that converts energy from the sun into usable electricity for your home or business. There are also solar hot water heaters that use the power of the sun to produce hot water. These solar energy sources are readily available and are increasing in popularity as of late, mainly because more and more homeowners are realizing they don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to have a workable solar system to take advantage of lowered utility costs.
The most efficient of renewable energy sources is wind energy. Wind has been used to pump water from the ground for centuries, but has grown in popularity as a way to supplement our electricity needs. Wind is the safest and cleanest of the renewable energy sources because it produces no pollutants and does not contribute in any way to global warming. Wind energy is harnessed by placing a generator on a tower that is powered by the wind, thus producing electricity. Unlike the sun, which is available everywhere, in order to utilize wind as a renewable energy source, you should live in an area where the wind more or less constantly blows.
In summary, becoming energy independent by using renewable energy sources is a real possibility and a very viable and practical solution to meet at least part of the energy needs of the average home or business owner.
Mar
04
Posted by admin
Are you sick of high energy bills? Wouldn’t you like to save some of your hard earned cash for other things and help our planet at the same time?
If so, you can easily harness the power of mother nature and make a windmill to generate free power for years on end! And the best part is, building a windmill is a heck of a lot easier than you may think!
So, what does it really take to make a windmill to generate electricity for your home? Some of the things you will need are:
- Deep cycle batteries
- Steel tubing (you can actually pick up recycled steel tubing for a lot less than regular tubing)
- Electrical wiring
- Sheet metal
Those are just a few of the supplies on the list that you will need to make your own windmill. The beauty about building your own wind powered generator is that all of the supplies needed can be acquired locally for less than $200. If you think $200 is too much, then consider this:
What are you heating/cooling costs and power usage each month?
A small investment now will literally pay for itself in a couple of months ans save you a LOT of money over the long haul. How? Because you will be using mother natures free wind power to generate your electricity!
Of course, building your own windmill requires an good set of instructions to follow. Don’t fall for the free tips you find online, as you will only become confused. The best guides provide a good blueprint that shows you how to build a windmill, step-by-step.
With that said, we recommend taking a look at one of the DIY guides we feature on this site. Both offer complete and easy to follow guide that provides full, detailed instructions on how to build your own wind powered generator, from start to finish!
Mar
03
Posted by admin
Are you spending hundreds or thousands of dollars a month on rising electricity-bills? It seems like a simple Alternative Energy System can easily save you a lot of money. The first impression may not reveal that, but using these techniques takes no more than just few days from start to finish to be completed. If you read this article you will find out more about how this technology can help you to significantly cut your energy bills.
Quick introduction
The basic idea behind Alternative Energy is teaching you how to assemble Solar-Cells or a wind powered generator by using materials that can be found at any average hardware store. Some guides can be really useful while others completely miss their target. You should always check to see whether it offers the following: clear information, detailed diagrams, video tutorials, and technical support. In any case, here are some key-advantages and tips to help you along.
Important benefits
Ther are several good reasons to use Alternative Energy:
* Cuts down on the usage of non-renewable energy resources and thus, reduces greenhouse gases.
* Will help our nation to become less dependent on oil imports.
* Save hundreds of dollars month-after-month.
* Knowing that you are doing your part to help our planet.
* Increase the value of your home.
Advice
Use the best quality materials - you want your unit to last for many years, don’t try to skimp and save a few dollars here and there only to see everything fall apart after a few years.
Summary
When we are looking for immediate and affordable ways to ‘cut’ our electricity bill, there is no doubt that Alternative Energy is one of the most sensible ideas that can help us to achieve our goal.
Alternative Energy Guides may be found all over the internet. One of the best places to find reviews and comparisons on various guides may be found HERE.
