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Residential Solar Energy

Archive for October, 2009

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Oct

Solar Powered Water Features

Posted by admin in Solar Panels

It’s difficult to truly sit down and relax in one’s own little garden, even with the soothing trickle of water playing on the pebbles of your favourite water feature. Why? Because you’re thinking about your electricity bill and the cost running those wonderful therapeutic little devices.

learn how to make your own solar panels very cheaply

Solar Powered Water FeaturesWell, why don’t you truly relax and forget about those bills. How? Don’t have any bills to begin with! (at least not for your fountain). The benefits of solar power all too well documented in this day and age, but here are a few things to think about which may have slipped your mind.

Solar energy is a renewable resource. It will last as long as we have a sun. Solar energy can be utilized every day, even on cloudy days and at night by means of batteries which charge up during daylight hours. Solar energy does not pollute. This is important for the environment and our consciences.

Solar cells are manufactured to last a long time and they require very little maintenance. Solar Powered Water Features cost NOTHING to maintain. Besides the initial purchase costs and installation you will have no further bills. Have a beautiful garden, save money and save the planet in the process, switch to solar powered water features.

The range of solar powered water features available covers almost every kind of water feature conceivable. If there is a regular kind of water feature out there, you can bet there is a solar powered version of it too. There are: cascade fountains, bird baths, floating solar fountains, solar pumps, and many more. There are also a range of solar powered lamps and aquatic lights available too. As solar power becomes more and more popular, so more and more solar products become available.

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I don’t pay for my electricity – I get paid By the electric company now – learn how I did it here.

Energy conservation is a hot topic at the moment. It is clear that energy conservation is a worldwide problem. Also, it is of interest that conserving energy is quite simple to practice as a single person.

Before we discuss some tips to help with your energy conservation, lets look at some of the ways that energy conservation has been defined:

* Energy conservation is protecting the planet.

* Energy conservation is intergenerational duty.

* Energy Conservation is frequently the quickest and most cost effective method of cutting your energy bill.

* Energy conservation is doing anything that results in the use of less energy.

* Energy conservation is mostly about adjusting habits and comprehension.

* Energy conservation is the act of improving the way you use energy so that we can achieve greater usable output for exactly the same energy consumption.

* Energy Conservation is important for lots of reasons; social, environmental and economic.

* Energy conservation is an important topic where ordinary citizens of any age or background can have an instantaneous, significant impact on our world.

* Energy conservation isnt something that need only be practiced whilst at work.

* Energy conservation is one of the most practical ways of both lowering greenhouse gas polution and reducing the cost to the consumer.

* Energy conservation is advantageous to the overall economy.

If conserving energy is so terrific, why aren’t we doing more of it?.

Heads of state wish to improve our energy conservation, and the best way they may decide to achieve major energy conservation improvements is to hike the prices of electricity or gas. Currently, energy conservation is justifiably efficient, cost wise, with a quick payback time and reasonable investment. As heads of state raise purchase costs, the fairly rapid payback time gets shorter still and the cost benefits even greater.

Consumer awareness today concerning energy conservation is a hundred times greater than it was two decades ago, but it still isn’t adequate. Indeed, improving awareness of energy conservation is becoming increasingly urgent because electricity consumption is developing much faster than our capacity to generate power.

What can we do to help ?

  Solar energy WakefieldClearly, there are many people worried about their heating bills this winter.
Remember that heating and pumping water is sometimes a big section of your electric bill. The cost of gas is at an all time high and heating oil isnt getting any cheaper either.

So, what options do you have to help save some of your hard earned cash and help the environment?

The best tip of all is to switch things off when you aren’t using them. Television, music center, lights etc. Don’t even leave things on ’standby’, it still uses energy without need.

Most power is used by heating, so carefully adjusting the temperatures on your thermostat is the biggest energy conservation step you can take.
Another good idea is to check the air filters on your heating and cooling system monthly.
Want a hot drink? Use microwave ovens instead of hotplates or kettles for heating water.

Changing your heating system? Select energy-efficient equipment when you buy new heating and cooling equipment.

If you are considering buying a gas fire, choose an efficient flueless design. With the latest hi-tech designs, absolutely no energy is wasted and lost up the chimney as it is with a conventionally flued gas fire. As a result all the heat generated warms your room. This means better energy costs and excellent energy efficiency. They are also far kinder to the environment, as the latest catalytic gas technology means the fire actually cleans the air it uses.

In conclusion, energy conservation is the end result of a lot of small things that produce a significant impact.

If you make enough of those small changes, energy efficiency and energy conservation are a win-win combination.

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Installing My Own Solar Panels: Some Basic Information

The evidence has become conclusive that solar panels can be a good investment and do create some benefit for the environment. It is possible for some individuals to complete the task with very little professional installation. Many individuals may find that they can complete the installation of the panels and then enlist the service of someone in the connecting of the electrical wiring. How you choose to install the panels is up to you but if you are considering whether installing my own solar panels is a possibility there are some things to be aware of.



Choosing the Panel Location

The first is placement. One of the most common places for solar panels to be installed is on the roof of a home. This involves positioning the panels which may weigh from twenty to forty pounds onto your roof. For some this is not that difficult. Next you will need to secure them using hardware. Most of this actual process does not require anything beyond typical handyman aptitude. Wires may need to be run from the panels through central routes, but at these points there is usually no real danger and most people should not have a problem with this. In general if the weight is not too much this step is probably something you can do. It is important to take safety precautions though and you should have plenty of help and adequate equipment. There is more to installing my own solar panels though.

Planning Advice

There are various details that are involved during installation. You will know which aspects of the installation you can handle on you own and those that you may want to consider asking for some professional help. Simply laying the panels flat on the roof may not create the greatest efficiency. You may know that the angle at which the sunlight hits the panel will impact the efficiency of the panel. Many kits include instructions and all of the necessary information to calculate the best angles, so you need not stop your plans to do it yourself. Know that the execution of this step will impact the amount of energy that your panel can create. Since the installation is a semi-permanent step it is best to have the planning done properly beforehand. Simply keep in mind the importance of this step of installing my own solar p 1000 anels.

Following the Installation

After the installation, there is still a lot left toward installing my own solar panels. There will still be the step of connecting the panels to your houses power wires. There are some options in this step including whether you want to connect the panels to the power grid or not. There are benefits to each and in the installation there are considerations to each. Because of the serious risks inherent in working with electricity it is a good idea to have someone present that is knowledgeable in safety. If not simply have a professional complete this part of the process. In addition to connecting the wiring there will be a number of components that need to be added.

This should not be considered a step by step plan, but it does give you an idea of how much you may be able to do if you are planning an installing my own solar panels project. Safety is vital and planning ahead will help increase safety and make the project go more smoothly. Things like planning the running of the wires all the way from the panels to their connection with your house’s wiring can help a lot. You can usually learn the details of installation involved with any particular system or part on the manufacturers website or by contacting the manufacturer.

By: D. Damore

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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If you need a reason to love the sun, then you might want to look at the many advantages you will get from a Sunforce 50032 15 Watt Solar Battery Charger. It is one of the very best ways for you to capture the energy-producing rays from the sun in a compact, attractive package.

Sunforce solar panels

All you have to do to get it to work is to plug it into your vehicle’s 12-volt lighter socket and put the charger somewhere that it can capture daylight. You will be more than satisfied with the results you receive and you can easily view the charger’s efficiency by looking at its brilliant blue LED charging indicator. Everyone who travels is finding that the Sunforce 50032 is an excellent addition to have in their motor home, boat or trailer. And, most important, it works regardless of weather conditions, even on cloudy days.

The Sunforce 50032 is composed of a durable ABS plastic material and uses amorphous solar cells. It is quite small, measuring just 15.5 by 2.5 by 41.5 inches so it is convenient to take along wherever you go. It works well in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Use it in the cold, icy artic or take it along with you when you jet to the tropics! It works most efficiently, however, when used with a Sunforce 60012 7 Amp Charge Controller recommended by the manufacturer.

 

The Sunforce 50032 can be purchased for less than $80.00 online at Amazon.com or from other websites. It also can be found at your local retail or electronics store. It is well worth your while to take a few minutes now to discover all of the important features that you can get from this remarkable product. Why not use the sun to your best advantage? And, with the Sunforce 50032 15 Watt Solar Battery Charger you won’t regret your decision to buy for even one minute. What a better way to power up the things you need when you are on those all-important trips away from home. Don’t have your vacation ruined by a lack of power when you need it most. Be prepared – invest in a Sunforce 50032 today!


Author: Matt Murren

Matt writes more about sunforce 50032 15 watt solar battery charger at http://solarchargers411.com

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Solar Heater for Swimming Pools – Say No to Cold Weather

Are you thinking about buying a swimming pool heater? A very cost effective option would be getting a solar heater for swimming pool. Solar heaters don’t require any additional source of energy, so it will heat up your pool for free.

solar panels for above ground pools

 Solar heater for swimming pools – how does it work?

Unlike other types of solar powered devices, solar pool heater works rather simple. Solar panels collect heat from the sun. They are typically installed on your roof or next to the pool. A pump forces water from your swimming pool through a filter that leads it into a solar collector. The water heats up in the collector then returns into the pool through the pump.

This won’t allow you to swim in January, of course. But it will make swimming comfortable when the weather just turned to be too cold for a comfortable swim. In climates with cold winter, installing a swimming pool heater can bring your swimming season up to five, six month a year, when without it you would only swim two or three month. Generally speaking, on a sunny day a solar heater can raise your pool water temperature by 7 to 10 degrees.

How big a heater is needed and how much will it cost?

The size of a swimming pool heater you need depends on the size of your pool and the climate in your aria. For bigger pools and colder places you need bigger solar heaters. The price of your heater is usually proportionate to its size. Heaters with 2′x20′ panels are the most popular. The price is about 150 dollars per panel. A set of two panels will keep an 18′-24′ pool warm. For bigger pools you will need more panels.

Installing your solar pool heater

Unlike solar water heaters, pool heaters are fairly easy to install. Every set should come with instructions. First you connect the panels to a pump. Than place the panels where the sun can heat them up. You can mount the panels to your roof or position them by the pool using frames available from the dealer. At first you will notice that the panels get very hot, but after a few minutes they will cool down.

Maintaining your solar heater for swimming pool

Your heater doesn’t actually require any maintenance. However it is important to keep balanced water chemistry. Also check the filter once in a while to assure that it is working properly.

Getting a solar heater for your pool makes much more sense than getting any other type of pool heater including gas and electric heaters. After you install your solar heater for swimming pool there will be no need to pay for energy to heat up your pool, the sun will work for you.

Tanya Turner is a publisher of Heaters Buying Guide which provides you with information about and comparison of best solar heaters including solar heaters for swimming pools

By Tanya Turner
Published: 1/13/2007
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