Doug Digs Real Estate

by Doug Hall

As the world teeters on the brink of a global energy crisis, it is imperative that we seek out alternative energy solutions to reduce our dependency on non-renewable sources. Renewable energy utilizes natural resources. Since they are naturally replenished, they can never be depleted. The most common types of renewable energy sources are solar, hydro, and wind.

The Solar Solution: The sun’s energy is the most abundant, free energy available. Harnessing the power of the sun to provide thermal energy for solar space heating, solar water heating and solar pool heating produces clean, affordable energy and reduces energy costs. The sun has always been a source of heat energy and light energy. With the advancement of technology, the sun’s energy can be utilized to produce affordable electricity. This is accomplished by means of photovoltaic systems. Photovoltaic technology makes use of the sun’s energy to produce usable electricity.

The Hydro Solution: Hydro or water energy is an effective and abundant renewable energy solution. Hydroelectric is the process of converting the power of water into electricity. Water behind a dam is channeled through an intake where it pushes the blades of a turbine. The turbine spins a generator that produces electricity. Hydroelectric power accounts for over 10% of all the electricity produced in the United States.

The Wind Solution: Utilizing the power of the wind is centuries old. The history of the windmill can be traced back to the 7^th Century Persians. Ancient mariners used the wind to power their sailing vessels; the Dutch used windmills to pump water from low-lying areas, and farmers worldwide have been using windmills to pump water from wells. The late 19^th Century ushered in the era of wind generated electricity. A myriad of wind turbines are in operation today, ranging from affordable, small-scale residential systems to large-scale wind farms that supply electricity to utility customers.

Wind and solar solutions are the most promising. Not many people can build a hydroelectric dam on their property, but just about everybody can implement some type of wind or solar technology. There are a host of inexpensive, do-it-yourself guides, and manuals that provide a blueprint for building wind and solar powered systems for home use. These systems can substantially reduce your electric bill or even generate enough surplus power that you can sell back to your power company for a profit.

Once available for only the very wealthy, these renewable energy sources are now affordable for anybody who desires them. Not only will they reduce power bills but also help contribute to a more energy independent world. Our future generations will thank us.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get the complete guide at http://www.dougdigs.com/recommends/energy.php

by Doug Hall

“How to build a solar power generator.” “How to build a simple windmill generator.” “How to make electricity using wind and solar power.” Why the fuss about solar and wind power? With the Internet all a buzz about wind and solar power, one might think we’re back in the ‘70’s again! In the ‘70’s, wind and solar power was more of a fad. Times have changed.

Emerging nations, such as China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, have dramatically increased the world demand for energy. Energy that was once plentiful and cheap is now considered a precious commodity. Consequently, enormous energy bills are devouring more of our monthly budget. Unless we take a pro-active approach to energy savings, utility bills may someday replace the home mortgage as the single highest monthly expense.

As the world scrambles for viable alternative energy sources, there are easy, but effective things you can do to substantially reduce your electricity bill. Here are a few basic, but simple steps:

Replace your incandescent light bulbs: Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs have many benefits. They use up to 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. They save about $30 or more in electricity costs over the life of the bulb. They produce about 75% less heat, thereby reducing energy costs associated with home cooling. Even though they are very energy efficient, leaving them on when you leave the room is wasting money!

Heating and Air Conditioning: Make sure your thermostat is programmable. If it is not, replace it with one that is. Thermostats with a 10 to 15 degree setback can reduce heating and cooling costs up to 10 percent annually.

Water heater: Reduce your water heating costs by simply lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. For each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs. Most households usually only require them set at 120ºF. Water heated at 140ºF also poses a safety hazard—scalding. However, if you have a dishwasher without a booster heater, you might want to set it at 130ºF. You might consider replacing that old water heater with an energy saving “on demand” type or maybe even a solar option.

Washing machines: Minimize the number of washes by washing full load of clothes every time. Consider replacing that old top load with a water saving front load machine.

Refrigerator and other appliances: Your appliances and home electronics are responsible for about 20 percent of your energy bill. If your appliances are older than 5 years old, consider replacing them with new ENERGY STAR® models. The savings can be substantial.

Consider a renewable energy option: Solar and wind power is becoming more mainstream. There are a number of inexpensive guides that show you how to build simple windmill generators, and solar generators that allow you to convert the power of nature into real, usable power that can actually allow you to live off the grid. Unlike the fad of the ‘70s, power generated by wind and solar has become a vital component of our economic stability.

For more information about how you can make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get the complete guide at http://www.dougdigs.com/recommends/energy.php