tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80329925859013103302024-02-20T08:29:09.021-08:00Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money at Home, Work, and in your CarExploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving MoneyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-44298699044965644822008-08-31T20:29:00.000-07:002008-08-31T20:47:03.175-07:00Saving Energy by Eliminating Fax MachinesOne of the most common office machines besides a PC is the fax machine. Many offices have multiple fax machines on each floor. While they don't consume large amounts of energy, there is a promising technology on the horizon to reduce the number of fax machines. This technology is called IP Faxing or FOIP (Faxing over Internet Protocol). There is a good article explaining the technology and benefits to IP Faxing <a href="http://computingwishlist.blogspot.com/2008/08/fax-over-ip-foip-and-ip-faxing-being.html">here.</a> Saving energy and saving money with IP Faxing or FoIP.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-43769221527888103572008-08-30T08:01:00.000-07:002008-08-31T20:49:45.610-07:00Saving Money with Home Automation<a href="http://computingwishlist.blogspot.com/2008/08/amazing-home-automation-smart-home.html">Here's an article</a> about combining automation technology with residential appliances, air conditioning, even blinds and drapes to automate the functions of the home to make them more energy efficient.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-88733847571999043042008-08-29T21:11:00.001-07:002008-08-31T20:50:06.057-07:00Saving Money with an Energy AuditEnergy audits are a great way to get started in establishing your energy consumption baseline and to establish goals for reducing energy. There are many online checklists and forms to help with home/residential energy audits. <br /><br /><br />For commercial or industrial energy audits you will likely need to find someone certified as a Certified Energy Consultant or Certified Energy Advisor. There are also some online tips for locating and selecting an Energy Consultant or Energy Advisor.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-33749485204494461792008-08-29T14:12:00.000-07:002008-08-31T20:50:51.645-07:00Saving Energy with Window TreatmentsHave you ever gone out to your car on a cold winter day, get in and the car is toasty warm. Or have you ever gone out on a warm day and get in to find the seats and steering wheel so hot you couldn't touch it. Both of these are the result of the sun shining through the glass on your car. Fortunately most cars have some degree of window tinting to help reduce these effects. Unfortunately your house probably doesn't.<br /><br />Windows can be a useful source of free warmth in the winter but a big problem in the summer. Fortunately there are solutions in window treatments. These window treatments can be used like the leaves on a tree, there to provide shade in the summer and open to let the sun through in the winter.<br /><br />Window treatments can fall into many categories, each providing varying degrees of protection from the sun. <br /><br />Some options to investigate for your particular application are <br /> * Awnings<br /> * Blinds<br /> * Draperies<br /> * High-reflectivity films<br /> * Insulated panels<br /> * Mesh window screens<br /> * Overhangs<br /> * Shades<br /> * Shutters<br /> * Storm panels<br /><br />Some of these such as films and tinting work great in the summer but also prevent the warmth of the sun from penetrating in the winter.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-22287859981486149322008-08-29T10:31:00.000-07:002008-08-29T12:08:58.808-07:00Helping the Environment by Reducing Energy Consumptin and Improving Energy EfficiencyToday there is a lot of talk about <a href="http://computingwishlist.blogspot.com/2008/08/climate-change-fact-of-fiction.html">helping the environment, global warming, greenhouse gasses</a>, air pollution, water pollution, etc. There are some ideas such as carbon credits, carbon offsets by planting trees and reducing oil production. While these may or may not have a positive impact on the environment at some point in the future, there is a more definite way with proven efficacy to reduce the impact on the environment. <br /><br />The best way to reduce the impact on the environment NOW is to improve energy efficiency of our homes, cars, factories and schools. This is a doable process that begins within the pages of <a href="http://reducingenergy.blogspot.com">this blog</a>. Here we discuss many ways to make quick and lasting reductions in energy and utility consumption.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-3347652328235339492008-08-29T04:26:00.000-07:002008-08-29T05:40:50.271-07:00How Solar Power Works (A non-technical view)Reducing energy cost with solar power is a white hot topic today. Many people understand that solar power can help reduce energy but do not understand how. Nothing reduces energy like a free energy source (the sun).<br /><br />For a non-technical explanation of how a solar power(photovoltaic system) works and how a solar hot water system works, Duke Energy has a good article <a href="http://www.duke-energynewsline.com/Article.aspx?userID=160001&articleID=287&NL=5164">here.</a><br /><br />For a good explanation of how to size and install a solar power system, Duke Energy has a good article <a href="http://www.duke-energynewsline.com/Article.aspx?articleID=4221">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-5647521918145344592008-08-28T03:16:00.000-07:002008-08-29T06:34:24.398-07:00Reducing Energy with Water TreatmentMany industrial and commercial machines require cooling. Most often this cooling is done with cooling water. The two most common ways to cool with water are once-through or closed loop with a cooling tower.<br /><br />Once through cooling uses fresh city water, cools the machine and goes to drain. Replacing this, right off, is a huge dollar savings. With the cost of water and sewer a cooling tower could offer a 1 year payback or less just on these cost.<br /><br />The other, preferred, way to cool this machine is with a closed-loop cooler such as a cooling tower. Cooling towers use the evaporative cooling effect to cool water. They are very efficient and consume only what water is evaporated. The downside of a water staying in cooling tower is it's propensity to have biological growth such as algae. This is countered with water treatment.<br /><br />Proper water treatment can be as simple as using chlorine or bromine. Another, higher tech solution, is an ozone generator. The ozone generator produces ozone O3 and injects it into the water. This ozone is a powerful biocide and keeps the water crystal clear. Using a reputable water treatment specialist is key to understanding your water treatment needs. Proper water treatment can also improve air quality and <a href="http://computingwishlist.blogspot.com/2008/08/fighting-cancer-with-computer.html">reduce certain health issues such as legionnaires disease</a>.<br /><br />Untreated water causes machine fouling from algae inside the cooling tubes. This slowly takes machine efficiency away and can even cause machine damage. Properly applied water treatment with a cooling tower saves water, sewer and can improve machine efficiency reducing energy consumption and energy cost.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-73877533430001823832008-08-26T23:30:00.000-07:002008-08-29T05:42:43.964-07:00How do Variable Frequency Drives Work to Reduce Energy Consumption?Variable frequency drives (VFDs) also called variable speed drives or inverters work to electrically change the speed of a motor. There is a technical explanation of how this is done using terms like vectors, flux, feedback,motor slip, etc. There is also a practical way to understanding how they work and how they help save energy. Since we want to know how to save money, this is the route we'll take.<br /><br />Motors are everywhere in commercial and industrial facilities. Fans, pumps, conveyors, air conditioners, air compressors are all driven by motors, and the list goes on. Most of these devices are sized for maximum conditions such as maximum flow rate for a pump or fan, maximum output for an air compressor and so on. In the old days these devices normally ran at full capacity (meaning full load and maximum energy consumption). The output was then throttled in some way with valves, dampers or bypasses. This was a very inefficient way to operate and this is why the VFD is such a wonderful device. It helps precisely match the motor speed with the needed output.<br /><br />Typical motors in the US run at a frequency of 60 hertz or 60 cycles. This is the normal alternating current frequency for US power plants. Motors are designed to run full speed at 60 hertz. Slower speeds are directly proportional to the AC frequency fed to the motor. So at 30 Hz the motor is running at half speed and so on. As the name implies, it is the job of the variable frequency drive (VFD) to alter this frequency and change motor speed as needed.<br /><br />VFD's can work in two ways, manual or automatic. In manual mode the operator has to manually adjust the motor speed by manually selecting the frequency setting. This works fine for speeds that infrequently or never change. Settings such as conveyor speed, a summer and winter fan speed, etc. are good examples of when a manual speed change works fine.<br /><br />In automatic mode, electronic controls constantly monitor conditions and adjust the VFD accordingly. For example it may monitor pump pressure and automatically adjust speed to meet the pressure set point. This setting requires some additional controls and control feedback but, when set up properly, the speed control is remarkable.<br /><br />VFD's save money (and potentially lots of it) by running the motor only at what speed is required. No more running with the gas pedal at full throttle and adjusting the speed with the brakes! We now have a cruise control that tells the motor to only do the work required and no more.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-8761585452253132852008-08-26T11:32:00.001-07:002008-08-26T11:41:53.928-07:00Preheat Dishwasher Water?There are a lot of questions about preheating dishwasher water. Here are the answers:<br /><br />1. Should I preheat dishwasher water? No. It takes the same amount of energy to heat water inside the dishwasher or in the hotwater heater. Reduce hot water temperature as much as possible (target 120 degrees) in your hot water heater. This lets you still have a very warm bath or shower (hot tubs are less than 110 degrees). Heat the water in the dishwasher only. The goal is to heat water at the point of use as much as possible, not in a storage tank. The dishwasher is good at this. It monitors the water temperature and heats it at the point of use and only to the temperature required to get the dishes clean.<br /><br />2. How can I reduce my dishwasher cost?<br /><br />Use air dry only. Heat drying actually uses the dishwasher's heating element to heat the air in the washer. This drys the dishes but is very expensive. New dishwashers are very energy efficient. In fact it is cheaper to wash a full load of dishes in the dishwasher with air dry than to hand wash. <br /><br />Wash with full loads only. It takes the same amount of water for a full load or a partial load. <br /><br />Wash when you are gone or at night. The higher humidity from the hot water isn't as objectionable and doesn't add humidity to the house during the middle of a hot summer day. This also reduces air conditioning load.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-36294907385727146782008-08-25T19:16:00.000-07:002008-08-25T19:23:08.354-07:00Don't Gamble with Energy ConservationEnergy conservation doesn't have to be a gamble. It's not poker. Saving energy and reducing cost can be a sure bet with the following tips:<br /><br />1. Have a plan to win! Identify your highest energy consuming equipment (air conditioning, heating, hot water heating for the home, air conditioning, compressed air, chillers, boilers for commercial and industrial). and focus on reducing these by 10%.<br /><br />2. Don't roll the dice. Get help from a qualified energy consultant. In many cases there are local, state or federal grants to help pay for these energy audits.<br /><br />3. Keep an eye on the cards (monitor and chart utility bills on a monthly basis to identify trends). This will help identify winning strategies.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-37488570549798608922008-08-25T18:24:00.000-07:002008-08-25T18:45:17.337-07:00Reducing Heat Loss and Infiltration with Air CurtainsFor busy retail and commercial establishments, the simple fact of people coming and going can get expensive by the loss of conditioned or heated indoor air. Every time the door opens you are bringing in undesirable outside air, bugs, dust, pollen, etc. One solution for this problem is an air curtains at each doorway. These air curtains are mounted above the primary entrance/egress doors. Each time the door opens this air curtain turns on and blows a blast of air on the inside of the door locally pressuring this area. This slight pressurization and turbulence helps prevent the loss of expensive treated indoor air or the infiltration of outdoor conditions. It also helps to maintain indoor air quality.<br /><br />Air curtains are inexpensive, easy to install and offer quick payback.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-34350822293775014782008-08-24T10:58:00.000-07:002008-08-24T11:05:55.928-07:00Reducing Fuel Cost with VideoconferencingBy far the best way to reduce fuel cost and other associated automobile costs are to, well, eliminate them. In today's world this isn't as far fetched as it may seem with videoconferencing. <br /><br />Many people are familiar with and use consumer level videoconferencing like Skype and Microsoft Live Messenger. These products work adequately for home use. They have the ability to conference call multiple parties. They are also free. They are especially useful for one to one video conferencing with low to mid range quality.<br /><br />The next level of quality is the high end professional level conferencing. One product is DimDim. This is an open source videoconferencing product. You can pay a small fee to use DimDim's servers or download the source code, install it in your office and use it totally free. DimDim is a high quality videoconferencing solution that can be used for pure conferencing, computer training, etc.<br /><br />Another pay as you go solution is Cisco's Webex. This service is especially useful for computer training.<br /><br />With some use of technology, fuel cost can be dramatically reduced.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-30696271882049383242008-08-24T05:54:00.000-07:002008-08-24T06:14:54.052-07:00Reducing Heating and Air Conditioning Cost by Reducing Chimney Drafts with Chimney PlugsFireplaces are an often overlooked source for reducing heating and cooling cost. Fireplaces are vented to the outside by the chimney. This is an opening of several square feed for flue gases and smoke to escape. This is necessary for the fireplace to operate safely and effectively. Unfortunately this is also potentially one of the largest openings in your house to loose your expensive heated and air conditioned air. <br /><br />The chimney was originally installed with a door to reduce this air flow when not in use. This chimney damper is a heavy steel door that you should close when the fireplace isn't in use to prevent drafts through the chimney. At best the damper will act as a small window opening to the outside. In many cases it will act as a door wide open to the outside. Over time these dampers can break, warp or otherwise not close properly. This can be detected by smoke or other odors coming in throught the chimney, and cold drafts in the winter. When you fell cold drafts through the chimney in the winter you are also loosing expensive heat up the chimney.<br /><br />There are a couple of options to fix this. If the fireplace is no longer being used, consider having a professional cap the chimney. This will permanently close the window to the outside. Many houses built with fireplaces have never been used or are no longer being used.<br /><br />Another cheaper and less permanent option is an inflatable chimney plug. These chimney plugs (also known as Chimney Balloon (tm) or Chimney Pillows (tm)) act like a large, heavy duty inflatable fireplace damper. When not in use, these plugs are installed in the top of the chimney and plug off the chimney opening like a cork. When the fireplace is going to be used, the plug is deflated, removed and set aside for later. <br /><br />Chimney plugs or balloons are durable, effective and inexpensive. These plugs can easily pay for themselves in one heating season.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-80510351982650210122008-08-24T05:44:00.001-07:002008-08-24T05:44:15.905-07:00Reducing Air Conditioning Cost with Wind ChillWe all know the effect called wind chill. How a stiff wind makes wind chill numbers plummet below the actual temperature. The wind chill effect is more accurately called the evaporative cooling effect. Note that wind chill doesn't actually reduce the temperature of the air, it just makes the body feel like it is colder. This works because the wind blowing across the body evaporates moisture from the skin. This evaporative cooling effect will slightly lower the temperature of the skin from the evaporation and make the body feel cooler.<br /><br />So how do we reduce air conditioning cost? Simple, we bring the wind chill inside by using fans. Fans blowing across the body make you feel more comfortable at a higher temperature. So buy energy efficient ceiling fans or portable fans, place them in highly occupied areas and turn the air conditioning set point up. This will keep the air conditioning from running as much, make you feel more comfortable and save money all at the same time!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-64560332567202379482008-08-23T06:19:00.001-07:002008-08-23T06:23:22.168-07:00Solar Powered Air Conditioning Saves EnergyIt makes sense, the times we need air conditioning are also the most sunny. Merge the two together and you have the concept of solar powered air conditioning. It's now becoming a reality. Toyota has announced the availability of solar powered air conditioners on some of their premium efficiency cars like the Prius. Also solar powered home air conditioners are being developed and built on a small scale. That's a sure way to reduce air conditioning cost!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-21044259496121098382008-08-21T17:13:00.001-07:002008-08-21T17:22:49.883-07:00Reducing Energy in the KitchenResearch has shown it: food preparation can be an energy hog. In fact according to a study by Pacific Gas and Electric’s Food Service Technology Center, as much as 80% of the energy consumed by the foodservice industry is wasted. This accounts for $8 Billion annually in wasted energy. To reduce the cost of food preparation follow the tips below:<br /><br />Eat at home. Preparing and eating at home consumes less energy for the same dish as compared to a restaurant. In fact, restaurants consume more energy per square foot than most any other type of commercial building according to Energy Star.<br /><br />Use smaller appliances. Microwaves, toaster ovens, counter top grilles and roasters consume little as 25-30% of conventional ovens.<br /><br />Purchase energy efficient appliances at home.<br /><br />Purchase modern, energy efficient appliances in the commercial kitchen and restaurant. With all of the food warmers, steamers, ovens and commercial dishwashers in a kitchen, qualified Energy Star products can save as much as 50% of the energy compared to non-qualified equipment.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-87990372562995744152008-08-21T10:52:00.000-07:002008-08-21T10:53:56.598-07:00Saving Energy with Reflective RoofingIt may be easily overlooked but substantial energy savings can be obtained by looking up-up to the roof that is. Although it is easy to overlook, the roof is the perfect place to start on a bottom down energy conservation plan. Reflective coatings, shingles and materials now can obtain the coveted Energy Star rating. These reflective roof shingles and roof coatings can lower roof temperatures by 100 degrees. Reflective aluminum shingles also don’t hold heat like ordinary fiberglass and tar shingles. This means your roof not only stays cooler during the day, it cools off faster at night. The overall effect can reduce peak air conditioning demand by 10-15% according to energystar.gov.<br /><br />Many of the large reputable name vendors supply reflective shingles and coatings. Reflective or aluminized coatings can be over-applied to most industrial and commercial built-up type roofs. This coating can add additional life to the roof by reducing heat and reflecting UV radiation.<br /><br />For a list of Energy Star roofing partners, go to <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=estar_partner_list.showPartnerResults&s_code=ALL&partner_type_id=MANUFACTURER&category_id6=ROOF&country_id=ALL&category_id_list=1%2C2%2C3%2C4%2C5%2C6&resultsperpage=20¤t_sort_column=NAME¤t_sort_order=ASC&layout=default">Energy Star Roofing Partners</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-71687002325016759252008-08-19T20:07:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:13:09.128-07:00Saving Money with Wood Stoves and Pellet StovesDuring the 1970s and 1980 the "Buck Stove" became ubiquitous as people used wood to heat their homes and save money. These wood burning stoves were light years ahead in efficiency over an open fireplace and much more efficient over older style wood stoves.<br /><br />Fast forward to today. Even the more efficient stoves of 20 years ago are very inefficient compared to modern designs. Modern wood stoves and their ultra-modern counterpart, the pellet stove are extremely efficient, low smoke stoves.<br /><br />Many localities such as Nova Scotia and Spokane, are offering rebates to people who upgrade their older stoves. <br /><br />These stoves can easily heat an entire house even in the coldest of environments.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-52045027923288172962008-08-19T12:53:00.001-07:002008-08-19T12:55:08.452-07:00Arnold Schwarzenegger's Green Driving or Geo DrivingThe governor should have read our blog entry on saving money and reducing fuel consumption while driving here:!!<br /><br /><a href="http://reducingenergy.blogspot.com/2008/08/reducing-gas-cost-by-improving-mileage.html">Reducing gas mileage</a><br /><br /><a href="http://reducingenergy.blogspot.com/2008/08/reducing-fuel-and-driving-cost-with-gps.html">Reducing fuel cost with a GPS</a><br /><a href="http://reducingenergy.blogspot.com/2008/08/reducing-gas-cost-with-tires.html"><br />Reducing fuel cost with low rolling resistance tires</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-13896741305319754892008-08-19T12:52:00.001-07:002008-08-21T10:29:48.969-07:00Natural Gas CarsCould the 1st step in replacing the gasoline car be here? Quite possibly. The holy grail of automobile fuel appears to be hydrogen. Its only emission is water. However, an intermediate step to hydrogen by be natural gas cars. There is currently a lot of interest in natural gas cars. Natural gas burn extremely clean with low emissions. <br /><br /><a href="http://naturalgasvehicles.com/">Natural Gas Vehicle Information</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.omnitekcorp.com/">Natural Gas Automobile Conversion Information</a><br /><br /><br />While we continue to wait on hydrogen powered cars, this may be a viable alternative. The current price of natural gas for automobile use (measured in GGE or Gasoline Gallon Equivalent, 128 cubic feet of natural gas) is less that gasoline in many markets.<br /><br />Natural gas cars use compressed natural gas rather than the form typically sent to your home or business.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-54845295994251551462008-08-16T11:57:00.000-07:002008-08-16T12:04:44.696-07:00Reducing Energy with Crawlspace VentilationOne of the most noticeable discomforts in the home is humidity. Too little causes the skin to burn and tingle, too much causes a damp, muggy sensation. Controlling excessive humidity through proper crawlspace ventilation is essential. <br /><br />Excessive crawlspace ventilation can cause many problems, not the least of which is decay of wood under the house and buckling floors. Water vapor from the ground is also a key contributor to indoor humidity.<br /><br />Houses with a crawlspace are all made with ventilation grilles. These do very little to eliminate the humidity. Forced air ventilation is the most efficient solution. Many companies will now install automated systems which sense the crawlspace and outdoor humidity levels. When the outdoor humidity is less than the crawlspace they automatically start the forced air fans to force dryer air into the space and evacuate the humid crawlspace air.<br /><br />Minimizing water vapor from entering the house also has a positive impact on the efficiency of your air conditioning unit. The more water vapor in the air, the harder the air conditioner has to work. See the other post on improving air conditioning efficiency <a href="http://reducingenergy.blogspot.com/2008/08/reducing-heating-and-air-conditioning.html">here.</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-6762758517515215102008-08-16T05:24:00.001-07:002008-08-16T05:40:37.213-07:00Reducing Electrical Cost with a Geothermal Heat PumpGeothermal heat pumps aren't new but are certainly getting more attention of late. The theory behind geothermal heat pumps lies in the fact that ground temperatures below the frost line and well water temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the year. Depending on location, these temperatures range from a nearly consistent 45 degrees in northern areas to a nearly consistent 75 degrees in southern areas. This relatively cool, relatively stable temperatures are the source for the heat pump.<br /><br />Ground source heat pumps rely on the stable temperature of the earth below the frost line. With ground source heat pumps, pipes are buried in a zig-zag pattern blow the frost line. These pipes are filled with a heat transfer liquid. A pump circulates the liquid through the pipes where they are exposed to the cool earth. This naturally cools the liquid. Next a fan blows across a heat exchanger inside the house to blow the cool air inside. This adds heat to the liquid so again it goes outside to cool down in a closed loop. This is the principal behind ground source cooling.<br /><br /><br />Another variation is well source or water source cooling. In this instance water is pumped out of an underground water well. The cool water is pumped through an indoor heat exchanger and used to cool the air. The water is warmer but is still pure and clean. It hasn't come in contact with any contaminants so it can be sent back underground into the well. This way water isn't "consumed" and wasted. It is recycled taking the cool water from the well and returning warmer water.<br /><br />In any form geothermal heat pumps aren't cheap. The installation cost can easily exceed 2 times a standard heat pump but electricity savings can be substantial. Still, look for a 3-5 year payback in initial investment.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-22451366777029099932008-08-15T20:59:00.000-07:002008-08-15T21:03:51.396-07:00Reduce Water Usage With Rain BarrelsRain barrels are a cheap way to capture rainwater from downspouts to use for later irrigation or watering. One quarter inch of rain on a 12'X12' square area is 5 gallons of water. It doesn't take much to figure that the roof on the average house with 1/4" of rain will see 100 gallons or more depending on the roof size. This captured water saves in water and sewer cost. <br /><br />There are many sources online and in many localities selling rain barrels, gutter screens, etc. to help insure good clean water.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-6662412466105317042008-08-15T09:56:00.001-07:002008-08-29T12:05:13.156-07:00Reducing Utilities in the LawnThe lawn is an area that has potential in most areas for helping reduce overall utility cost. Most lawns are high maintenance, requiring frequent watering, fertilizing and mowing. Everyone loves a plush, thick lawn with colorful landscaping. This doesn’t have to be given up with some planning. <br /><br />Proper planning can help reduce fuel or electric cost to mow, edge and trim lawns. Lawn mowers are some of the most inefficient consumers of gasoline. In many areas lawns need to be mowed every 7-10 days. There are sod options that can reduce this mowing to monthly or even less. One such sod option is Zoysia grass. Zoysia is a very hearty grass that creeps (it spreads horizontally). Zoysia can be grown in most areas and is very drought resistant, high traffic tolerant and low maintenance.<br /><br />Drought resistant plants should also be considered. For most people on municipal water, for every gallon of water used, they are also being charged a sewer fee. So in addition to watering the plants, you are paying for sewer which you didn’t use. There are many drought resistant plants available. Your local nursery may have a limited selection of these plants but there are many online options. In fact, many western states are already requiring the use of drought resistant, low water plants and lawn.<br /><br />One way to help with your lawn is by using organic lawn care products and organic fertilizers. When your soil looses organic matter it can become compacted and dead. Organic lawn products can revive and loosen the soil and make it easier for your plants to grow. A properly planned lawn can use up to 70% less water than an ordinary lawn. <br /><br />Don’t overlook proper planning in your lawn to help reduce fuel, water and sewer cost.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032992585901310330.post-8653691484497194452008-08-14T13:25:00.000-07:002008-08-14T13:44:13.100-07:00Saving Energy with Attic VentilationIn hot summer months proper and adequate attic ventilation is essential for several reasons. First, it helps prolong the life of your roofing. The cooler the shingles stay, the longer they last. Secondly, keeping the attic cooler and properly ventilated can make a noticeable impact on cooling bills.<br /><br />Attic temperatures in hot climates can easily exceed 140 degrees. Even with good attic insulation, some of this heat will naturally radiate to the ceiling. Improving attic ventilation with electric fans or ridge vents can make a noticeable difference. Electric fans offer the benefit of forced air ventilation. They are more efficient but also cost electricity to run. Ridge vents are slots cut in the peak of the roof and covered with special ridge caps. This allows natural convection currents to come in through soffit vents and out through the ridge caps. <br /><br />By reducing attic temperatures we naturally lower the cooling load on the air conditioning system and lower electric utility cost.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0