Reusable Furnace Filters And Foam Insulation Pads For Electrical Outlets

While these are 2 things you will hardly ever hear about and probably won’t find them in any energy audit permanent furnace filters and foam insulation for electrical outlets are cheap easy additions to your environment. You will also notice that I have managed to discuss this whole topic of residential energy conservation withoutmentioning PAYBACK. The reason for that is I don’t believe in it. If you want to save energy/money, you will. If you do not then you won’t.

Professionals (gag and puke) will say rational sounding things like – Payback calculations allow consumers to prioritize their energy purchases. OR the equally obnoxious – If it takes more then 5 years to payback consumers won’t make the purchase. This is bullcrap, I know people who have wind turbines in their backyard. People who want to save WILL

Having said all that, both of these items payback are calculated in DAYS.

http://www.airfilterusa.com/residential-air-filters/electrostatic-furnace-filters?_vsrefdom=ppcgoogle&tsid=googleppc&ex=f06hqo-eep549-n3l9bq&gclid=CN6svrPYi6ACFRLxDAod0DEbfA

Electrostatic Furnace Filters

Electrostatic Furnace Filters

Air Filter’s Inc. Electrostatic Furnace Filters create its own electrostatic charge so it does not add to your electrical cost, but aids in reducing costs by keeping your air conditioning/ heating coils and equipment cleaner, so they operate at the highest capacity possible.Permanent washable electrostatic air filters are designed with a Heavy Duty Aluminum Frame, 2 Layers of special Polypropylene Weave on the front and back, with a unique poly internal lining designed for years of filtration.

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http://www.healthyhomefilterco.com/?gclid=COCGquzYi6ACFRHyDAod6j9SeQ

Our ELECTROSTATIC FURNACE FILTERS replace standard throw-away disposable air filters. Depending on where you live in the country, these filters are known as furnace filters, air conditioner filters or central air filters. They are PERMANENT, WASHABLE, REUSABLE and SELF-CHARGING. They have non-rusting ALUMINUM FRAMES and come with a LIFETIME WARRANTY.

These amazing filters reduce airborne dust in your house! Enjoy cleaner air and fewer allergy symptoms!

SAVE TIME…No need to search for that odd-sized a/c filter that nobody seems to carry.
SAVE MONEY…No need to buy a new furnace filter every few months. Pays for itself in about 1 year!
SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT…No need to fill up landfills with non-biodegradable fiberglass disposable filters.

We feature 5-Stage BoAir brand and 3-Stage Air Care brand permanent furnace filters. We pride ourselves on carrying the best air filters for the best price. Join our thousands of happy customers and switch to an electrostatic furnace filter today!

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!

:}

http://www.neverbuyanotherfilter.com/?gclid=CMbP4rLZi6ACFRDxDAody3DMdw

OUR ELECTROSTATIC FILTERS ARE PERMANENT, WASHABLE, METAL-FRAMED WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY.

* Replaces your furnace and/or air conditioning filters.
* Will work with all central heat and a/c systems.

Reduce dust in your house!
Enjoy cleaner air and less allergies!

Tired of forgetting to buy that pesky furnace filter every 3 months?
Tired of looking for that odd-sized filter that no one seems to stock? Stop wasting your time and money on ineffective disposable air filters. We offer permanent, metal-framed washable electrostatic filters from Air Care and BoAir. Never buy another filter again!

Our Electrostatic Filters Feature:

High Dust Arrestance…
Low Air Resistance.

Just vacuum off or hose off every 1-3 months and re-install.
Lifetime Warranty. 95% arrestance. Available in 41 standard sizes and custom sizes. Available in metal frame, deluxe frame and flexible frame (great for mobile home furnaces).
These same electrostatic filters retail elsewhere for $79.99-$99.99…
Get them at neverbuyanotherfilter.com for 50% OFF!

:}

Foam behind your electrical outlets? What is up with that. Well everytime I go into a house the first question I ask is, “do you have any holes in your wall?” They always laugh and say no. I take out a screw driver, take off a plug cover and say, “what do you call that?

http://www.homeadditionplus.com/insulation-info/Electrical-Outlet-Switch-Sealers.htm

Electrical Outlet and Switch Sealers

Photo by – Mark Donovan

Electrical Outlets and switches located on exterior walls are frequently found to be major sources for cold air drafts. Left unchecked you can waste a lot of money on winter home heating energy bills. By installing electrical outlet and switch sealers you can prevent this from happening.

Electrical outlet and switch sealers are thin foam pads that have cutouts for the outlet and switch receptacles. They are very inexpensive and extremely easy to install.

And most importantly, they will stop the cold air drafts and save you a bundle on home heating energy bills. You can find electrical outlet and switch sealers at any home improvement store.To see if you have cold air infiltration around your electrical outlets and switches just place your hand over them and feel for any cold air drafts. Ideally you should do this on a cold blustery day, as this will enable you to more easily detect the drafts.

:}

http://www.ehow.com/how_2383791_insulate-electrical-outlets.html

Heating or cooling a house seems to get a bigger piece of the family budget every month. Sealing the air loss around the home is critical and one of the often forgotten leaks is the electrical and light outlets that reside on the exterior walls of the home. A simple and inexpensive fix performed by anyone with a screwdriver and an hour to spare can save you money

:}

Anybody can change a filter or use a screw driver.

:}

Burning Behavior And The Energy Audit – It is very clear the connection between knowing and doing

The whole purpose of this blog is to combat burning behavior. Burning Behavior is very primite and at this point in our culture counterproductive behavior. Information can counter this largely instinctive behavior. Notice how quickly you want to put caulk in a hole that the smoke test shows you.

So while this meditation was about Energy Audits it is also about what to do when the audits produce KNOWN results. So let us go back to windows for a moment. It is true that they should all be caulk up by now and any holes filled with expanding foam from a can. Another basic question you need to ask for the heating and the cooling seasons is, “Do I have “storm” windows. These windows were originally installed to protect the interior window from storm damage, particularly in tornado country from damage by wind driven objects. They have since been taken on as an integral component of what is called the exterior envelop. In other words the dead airspace that they provide ups the R value of 2 pieces of glass whose R value collectively might be as low as 2. If you do not have storm windows or during the height of the cooling season in particular you put the back of you hand near the low e film cover window and you still feel cold, you may need to apply plastic to the outside or inside of the windows. You amy also need to think about buying new windows. This can be daunting at 160 $$$ a pop still it also is motivation to considering getting rid of some windows all together.

The exterior application used to be about the only way to do it. You bought a roll of 3 mill or 6 mill plastic, cut card board strips, and used carpet tacks to nail them up. With the invention of the staple gun things got alot easier but you still do damage to the window sills themselves. second story windows also require a 16 foot extension ladder. They come in kits now and may even include adhesive strips:

http://www.google.com/products?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1B3RNFA_enUS268US269&q=plastic+window+insulator+kit+exterior&oq=&ie=UTF-8&ei=2C-ES6uAIYzgngfwmrnpAQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQrQQwAg

  1. Outside Window Insulator Kit

    $14.00 new

    BIC Warehouse

    Outside Window Insulator Kit

    an extra pane of insulation, preventing frosty windows Special weather-resistant door plastic weatherstrip wndw insul kit window outside wndow insltr.

    Add to Shopping List

  2. Frost King P712H Economy Outdoor Plastic Storm Window Kits 3-Foot ...

    $1.95 new

    Frost King P712H Economy Outdoor Plastic Storm Window Kits 3-Foot …

    2 Pack, 3′ x 6′, 1,25 Mil, Exterior, Storm Window Cover Kits, With Fiber Framing Strips & Nails.

    Add to Shopping List

  3. Outside Window Insulator Kit

    $13.58 new

    GrabCart

    Outside Window Insulator Kit

    an extra pane of insulation, preventing frosty windows Special weather-resistant door plastic weatherstrip wndw insul kit window outside wndow insltr.

    Add to Shopping List

  4. Window Stretch Film Kit By Thermwell Products V93h

    $4.99 new

    eBay

    Window Stretch Film Kit By Thermwell Products V93h

    Frost King Outdoor Window Insulation Kit Outdoor use only, plastic stretch film installs easily from the outside. Apply double-face tape to metal, .

    Add to Shopping List

  5. Frost King P712H Economy Outdoor Plastic Storm Window Kits 3-Foot ...

    $1.42 new

    Frost King P712H Economy Outdoor Plastic Storm Window Kits 3-Foot …

    2 Pack, 3′ x 6′, 1,25 Mil, Exterior, Storm Window Cover Kits, With Fiber Framing Strips & Nails.

    Add to Shopping List

  6. Frost King P712H Economy Outdoor Plastic Storm Window Kits 3-Foot ...

    $2.36 new

    noble-sales-co-inc.amazon…

    Frost King P712H Economy Outdoor Plastic Storm Window Kits 3-Foot …

    2 Pack, 3′ x 6′, 1,25 Mil, Exterior, Storm Window Cover Kits, With Fiber Framing Strips & Nails.

    Add to Shopping List

  7. Frost King Outdoor Window Insulation Kit

    $4.37 new

    BIC Warehouse

    Frost King Outdoor Window Insulation Kit

    W. x 504? L (42′) Brand #: Thermwell Prods. Co. V93H UPC: 077578018119 Keywords: window insulator kit stretch shrink film wndw insul plastic weatherstrip patio.

    Add to Shopping List

  8. Frost King Outdoor Window Insulation Kit

    $4.61 new

    Frost King Outdoor Window Insulation Kit

    V96H: Patio doors up to 7′ x 9′ or picture window kit: 1 plastic film sheet 84” W. x 110” L., 1 roll tape 1/2” W. x 504” L. (42′).

    Add to Shopping List

  9. Frost King Outdoor Window Insulation Kit

    $4.24 new

    GrabCart

    Frost King Outdoor Window Insulation Kit

    504A” L (42′) Brand #: Thermwell Prods. Co. V93H UPC: 077578018119 Keywords: window insulator kit stretch shrink film wndw insul plastic weatherstrip patio.

    Add to Shopping List

:}

But for many reasons the  indoor kits are the ones that I would use. They are much easier to use, require no ladder and do no damage to the sills. My sister Joann puts them up at my dads house every year and I can attest to their effectiveness:

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3M 2141W Indoor 5-Window Insulator Kit
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3M 2141W Indoor 5-Window Insulator Kit

Other products by 3M

4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
40 Reviews
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List Price: $22.54
Price: $17.93 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $4.61 (20%)

Special Shipping Information: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.

Technical Details

  • Reduces heating costs and saves energy
  • Stops cold drafts, helps prevent frost build-up and reduces condensation
  • Performs like an extra storm window
  • Shrinks tight for wrinkle-free, clear-as-glass results
  • Increases R-value by 90% over an average single pane window.

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Get your home ready for winter with 3M energy solutions. Our window insulator kits are easy to install, and help keep your utility bill low during the cold months. Plus they use Scotch Window Film Mounting Tape and have the clearest film. The cost of heating your home may be rising, but there’s something you can do. 3M window insulator kits help keep the warm air in and cold drafts out. And your energy bill down. Tape: 1/2 inch by 12 yard. Film: 62 inch by 210 inch.

Product Description

Stops cold drafts and helps prevent frosty windows. Clear as glass. Easy to install requires only scissors and a hair dryer for installation. Safe application to aluminum, painted or varnished wood, or vinyl clad window moulding. Film wrinkles are removable.

:}

Oh and in the heating season don’t forget to bag and seal you window air conditioning unit.

:}

Compact Flourescent Bulbs – Now for the really painful part

These babies are expensive and are already being replaced by LED Technology but beginning in 2012 regular lightbulbs will be phased out and eliminated by 2014. Did I say they look funny too. So go around and count all your lights. We have 11 in the bathroom alone. At 2 $$$ a pop that is 22 $$$ just for our bathroom but they last three years, cut your energy use for lighting purposes by at least 2/3rds and are recyclable.

So go to the store and get these:

http://www.bulbs.com/Incandescent_Bulbs/results.aspx?cm_mmc=google-_-light%20bulbs-_-incandescent-_-incandescent&AffID=6

Select a sub-category or click here to see all 670 products in Incandescent Bulbs

“Regular” (A-Shape)

3-Way

Decorative Torpedo & Flame Tip

Exit & Display

Fiesta

Globe

Indicator & Sign

Industrial

Night Light & Holiday

PAR-38

Reflector

:}

You can actually spend 40 $$$ on a house…nobody ever said change was easy or cheap

:}

Insulation – What a way to end the week

It is Jam Band Friday – ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JW-OU3LkM8 )

Humans burn at 98.6. If we lived in a perfectly insulated and airtight world we would have to vent our homes in the winter. Some people in colder climates have those homes, but us’ens in the uninsulated leaky drafty Midwest don’t. I tell people to put as much insulation WHEREVER they can.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6x8GGXrCFQ )

These people favor fiberglass and are trying to dis’ cellulose:

http://www.naima.org/pages/resources/faq/faq_home.html

FAQs About Residential and Commerical Insulation

What does insulation actually do for my home?

What areas of my home should be insulated?

How do I know how much insulation I need for my home?

What is R-value?

Where do I find R-value information when I go to buy insulation?

What are the options when choosing insulation?

How can I be sure I’m getting the best performance from the insulation in my home?

Are there rebates available for installing insulation?

If I am adding more insulation to my home do I need to remove what I already have?

What Kind of Insulation Do Builders Use on Their Own Homes?


What does insulation actually do for my home?

Fiber glass insulation keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, because insulation resists the flow of heat. Heat is a form of energy and always seeks a cooler area – flowing out of the home in the winter and into the home in the summer. By reducing heat flow, a properly insulated home uses less energy for heating and cooling.

In addition to being an energy saver, fiber glass insulation also acts as a sound absorber. When installed in walls and ceilings, it can reduce the transmission of sound from one room to another or from the outside. In today’s noise-laden environments, more and more homeowners are soundproofing their homes.

A well-insulated home increases the overall comfort of the home and adds to its resale value. Whether your home is new or old, it pays to insulate.

What areas of my home should be insulated?

Insulation is not just for attics and outside walls. Insulation should also be installed in other areas of your home such as ceilings with unheated spaces, basement walls, floors above vented crawl spaces, cathedral ceilings, floors over unheated garages or porches, knee walls, and in between interior walls (especially bathrooms), ceilings or floors for extra sound control.

How do I know how much insulation I need for my home?

The amount of insulation in a home varies depending upon where you live. NAIMA has developed recommended levels of insulation for various climate zones. These recommendations are based on recommendations from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the International Energy Conservation Code which is the model building code for the United States.

Click here to visit SimplyInsulate.com to learn about what zone your home is in and how much you insulation you need.

What is R-value?

Insulation is identified and labeled by R-value. “R” stands for resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.

Where do I find R-value information when I go to buy insulation?

Insulation is identified and labeled by R-value. “R” stands for resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. Manufacturers of insulation products print R-values of their products either on the bags or on the labels. In most cases, R-values are also printed on the facings of fiber glass batts and rolls.

:}

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJCTrolF3CY )

You can use just about anything as insulation.

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/new-home-improvement/choosing/insulation-sealing/materials/khi-insulation.cfm?attr=4

The Proper Choice of Insulation

The proper choice of insulation depends on its final use. In most applications, good resistance to heat flow is not the only thing you will have to consider. In specific situations, insulation may also need some of the following properties:

  • resistance to high temperatures
  • resistance to moisture flow (can it reduce the movement of water vapour?)
  • resistance to air movement (can it act as an air barrier?)
  • a fire-rated protective covering

Once you have matched the material properties with the specific application, consider the following installation factors:

  • Is it relatively easy to install?
  • Is it the best buy for the space available (either high insulating value per dollar if you have lots of open space, or high insulating value per thickness if space is restricted)?
  • Is it available locally?
  • Will it be easy to install the insulation to fill the space completely?
  • Can it conform to surface irregularities?
  • Is it rigid enough to provide support for finished materials or resist pressures against its surfaces?
  • Does one insulation require more accessory products than another (fire protection, framing, air and vapour barrier)?

In short, the choice of insulation will largely depend on how it will be used. Different types of insulation are commonly used for insulating wallsbasements and attics. Fortunately, particular insulation jobs will quickly eliminate some materials, making the choice much easier.

:}

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ_kez7WVUU )

Batt or Blanket Insulation

Loose-Fill Insulation

Mineral Fibre

Cellulose Fibre

Glass Fibre

Mineral Wool (Slag and Rock Wool)

Vermiculite

Rigid Board Insulation

Glass-Fibre Boards

Expanded Polystyrene

Extruded Polystyrene

Polyurethane and Polyisocyanurate Boards

Phenolic Foam Boards

Spray-Foam Insulation

Polyurethane Foam

Semi-Flexible Isocyanurate Plastic Foam

Phenolic Foam

( http://www.youtube.com/user/thepurplechannel?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/2/1Xm4os2ugaA )

:}

Just copying all the types of insulation tuckered me out.

( http://www.youtube.com/user/thepurplechannel?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/3/wok0fV4Fp7w )

:}

Awnings For Doors And Windows – Solar Shading

Much of the common sense that was built into our homes up until the 1950s was thrown out for what was called modernism. We here call it 20 year obsolescence and stupid. One of those Common Sense ideas was the idea of solar shading. This meant that for most parts of the temperate US all the houses would have roughly 2 or 3 foot eves. The idea being that you want the Sun during the winter and you don’t want it in the summer. Since most houses no longer have such eves and especially in the south where your eves would have to be 5 foot long, awnings have gotten popular. In Springfield IL for instance:

http://www.benmarremodeling-il.com/

Benmar Remodeling & Building Corporation

(217) 814-0278 Our goal is not to be the biggest, but rather, the best! 929 E Carpenter, Springfield, IL 62702

In addition to renovating, designing or remodeling your outdoor spaces, we offer a large selection of awnings by several different manufacturers. Choose from a variety of styles and materials, including:

• Aluminum patio covers & pergolas
• Fabric
• Fiberglass
• Retractable fabric awnings
• Retractable – manual or motorized
• Stationary

We also sell and install Joyce windows, which are all welded, rigid vinyl construction and are extremely energy efficient. All styles are custom sized and have detailed contoured framing for an elegant “wood-like” look, all the while creating shadow lines in the main frame sash that mimic real wood windows. You really have to see them to believe how beautiful they are!

:}

http://www.cheapawnings.com/

Retractable Patio Awnings
Welcome to CheapAwnings.com!
Don’t let the name fool you! We offer high quality, do-it-yourself awnings, canopies, hurricane shutters and umbrellas at reasonable prices with FREE ground shipping.
Convenient On-Line Shopping and Ordering
Phone (800) 422-6827 ext. 278

Canvas AwningsCanvas Awnings
View our collection of high quality and affordable Stationary Canvas Window and Door Awnings for your home or office. Custom order your awning or canopy from our available line of fabric awning colors and available sizes.

Metal AwningsMetal Awnings
Choose from our distinct line of outdoor Metal Awnings and Metal Canopies. These rigid metal window awnings and metal door canopies are ideal for enhancing exterior looks and protection from the elements.

:}

http://www.awninginfo.com/


Welcome to the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA) Web Site – your first source for awning information. Learn about the benefits and energy savings of awnings, view awning designs, contact one of over 300 professional awning manufacturers who are PAMA members. If you are an awning company or a supplier to the industry, find out how membership benefits you by clicking on About PAMA! Enjoy your visit.

View Membership Advantage Video

Be part of the most exciting promotion ever attempted by IFAI/PAMA. Bring customers to your door by becoming a PAMA member. All PAMA members are included in the Awning Consumer Awareness Campaign. As an awning fabricator or industry supplier you can be part of this exciting initiative to educate millions of consumers about awnings and awning benefits. The campaign has already reached over 2 billion readers through publications, web sites and blogs. Join PAMA now to get in on this awning industry initiative to drive residential customers to your business, directly or through your customers. Join PAMA now.
VideosHow to Protect Your Pet from Sun & Heat

Awnings Today Awnings and Energy Savings ? Awning Benefits See how awnings help reduce energy usage, and how awnings can expand living space, protect from UV Rays and beautify the home exterior. The video features an interview with John Carmody, Director of the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota, discussing the Awning Energy Study, Awnings in Residential Buildings: The Impact on Energy Use and Peak Demand.

The video also features PAMA Member, Gary Buermann of G & J Awning discussing the benefits of using awnings on the home, and some of the attractive features of modern awnings including a wide selection of fabrics and remote controls.

Buying Awnings: A Homeowner’s Purchase from Start to Finish

:}

There you have it from the professionals

:}

Last Post On Windows – For this meditation on home energy improvements

Windows and Doors in your residence are the fine line between Rehabilitation and New Build. To use Professional Speak, your house consists of an interior and an exterior envelop with insulation inbetween even if that insulation is only air. The whole goal of energy rehabs is to dramatically tighten both the interior and the exterior of the house and then increase the insulation where possible. This is a separate issue in a way from the energy consumption in the house itself. So when you get to the parts that move…eg windows and doors that is where the expense can climb rapidly. If you are a home owner, new windows and doors make sense BUT once you open the cavities shouldn’t you check the insulation and what about upgrading the wiring? Why not tear the whole thing down and start again? HMMMM

So if you are interested in new here are all the usual suspects:

https://web.pella.com/supportcenter/Pages/Consultation.aspx/?Network=Google&Campaign=Champaign_722:{keyword:defaulttext}:P&Branch=Champaign+Local&gclid=CMnLu5–958CFRk45wodfk3tXA&sissr=1

http://www.searshomeimprovements.com/productoffer1.aspx?o=3&t=1482&gclid&OVMTC=Phrase&site=&creative=3524009401&OVKEY=windows%20and%20doors&gclid=CI62jcO-958CFdKO5wodhgaaYA

http://installation.homedepot.com/windows/google/index.html?cm_mmc=SEM|RPM|HS_Windows|GGL_8152

http://www.andersenwindows.com/

:}

For a lot cheaper you can get low e-films that will keep the heat in during the winter and out during the summer. You have to decide how far you go.

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/low-e-window-film.html

Green Your Home for Winter: Apply Low-E Window Film

Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA

Jasmin Malik Chua
By Jasmin Malik Chua
Jersey City, NJ, USA | Sun Mar 23, 2008 01:21 PM ET

If you haven’t socked away enough money for new, energy-efficient windows-or you’re a renter who doesn’t have the latitude to make major home improvements-consider applying one of several types of window film to your panes for instant energy savings.

A plastic film with low-emissivity (low-E) coating, which can reduce heat loss through old windows by 30 percent to 50 percent, provides a thin metallic coat the blocks off heat and ultraviolet rays. Apply the low-E film to the inside pane of your window to trap heat indoors in the winter. When the mercury begins to rise, flip the film over to the outside pane to keep the sun’s heat out of your domicile. Plus, according to Lowe’s, insulating window films will pay for themselves in less than a year in reduced utility bills.Do-it-yourself window film is available in rolls or in precut kits, but you might want to consult the professionals on very large windows. Here are some companies that manufacture energy-saving window films:

1. Bekaert

2. CP Films

3. Film Technologies

4. Madico

5. Plastic View International

[Via ::The Daily Green]

Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

:}

My brother tried it in Las Vegas and they dropped the temperature a lot. To summarize we have covered windows and door from shutters, to new windows and doors to films and sprays for windows and doors. The final step tomorrow is to deal with awnings. Isn’t the green economy fun!

:}

Taking A House Window Out Of Service – Get rid of the darn thing

It’s Jam Band Friday – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TChocbG_TTI

During the height of the summer and for most of the winter there are windows that you can probably do without. I hate windows. Even when you dress them up they are Energy Dogs. So here is an easy way to get rid of them. This only works for windows that move. Cut 2 pieces of plywood roughly 2 inches bigger than the window casement. Glue as much styrofoam insulation (R Board) as you can to each piece of plywood centered into the cavity of the window space. Drill 2 holes in each piece of plywood centered in the top and the bottom quadrant of each piece of plywood. Open the window so that the 2 panes are in the center of the window case. Fit the pieces of the plywood over the outside and the inside of the window. Insert long bolts through the two holes and tighten nut and washer to either the inside or the outside piece of plywood depending on which way you ran the bolts. You can even run a light bead of caulk around the two piece of plywood, the washer and the bolt head for complete air tighness. All done. Problem solved. Window gone.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TChocbG_TTI )

However if you are into appearances well you can invest in systems that accomplish some of the same goals.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/plylox

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1210347,00.html

http://video.bobvila.com/m/21315189/emergency-board-up.htm

I always wanted to get those last 2 back together again. If you have big bucks you may want to get shutters that actually work. Not the decorative ones you usually see.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSzWPNFX7sc&feature=related )

http://www.3dayblindsinfo.com/0-percent?source=gg-plantation-shutters&copy=shutters&gclid=CNijw8ue7Z8CFRAeDQodYHmIXQ

Looking for Shutters?
Let us help.

Shutters

From sleek contemporary styles to rustic charm, nothing adds value to your home like Shutters. Designed to last a lifetime, they are beautiful, versatile and control ventilation and light with unmatched precision. Our Design Consultants know how to use the beauty of your windows to inspire feelings of rest, drama or excitement.

http://www.hunterdouglas.com/

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvURG9-wK3w&feature=related )

http://www.makeyourhomeenergyefficient.com/energyefficientwindowcoverings.html

~Window Shutters

You can find both exterior and interior window shutters in a variety of colors and materials.

View all Blinds.com Plantation Shutters

Fauxwood Shutters

:}

More on windows tomorrow. God I hate those things.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2RSyMRJHUE&feature=related )

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Doing Your Own Energy Audit – Try some incense

So far our doityourself audit has consisted of  listing your major energy users, checking their condition and cleaning their filters, checking the ductwork for leaks (at least the ductwork you can get at) and spending some time cleaning out the coils on your refrigerator and freezer. Now we are going to check the house for air leaks. The first and easiest thing to do is walk around the house and simply look for obvious leaks. These would be where any outside service enters the house. Examples would be where your water pipes, electrical wires, phone wires and cable wires enter the house. They should all be sealed tight. If not buy a caulk gun and some caulk and seal them up.

http://www.essortment.com/home/caulkingtipsdo_seay.htm

If you do not know how to caulk, starting outside is easier because you do not have worry so much about the mess and you can wipe your hands on the grass. Also check around all of your windows and doors and vents to make sure they are sealed. If they are not sealed, do not seal those right away. Next we go buy some incense and go back indoors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incense

Congratulations by the way. You have joined the green economy. Now we are going to conduct a house purification ritual from the ancient religion of conservatorium. The reason why I did not have you seal your windows and doors on the outside is because it makes it easier to find the leaks on the inside if they are not plugged. Also it is best that you do this next step when it is pretty windy and preferably cold or hot. So light your incense stick and let it get smokey. Walk around the room very slowly holding the incense stick very close to the wall and chat “I save money” over and over again”. Stop every couple of feet and watch the smoke. If it moves anywhere but up you have a potential leak. Stick a Postit Note next to it and move on (or mark it with a pen or a pencil that is easily removed).

http://homerepair.about.com/od/exteriorhomerepair/ss/winterize_7.htm

Infiltration of cold air from air leaks around doors and windows is as significant a contributor to your heating bill as is poor insulation in the walls and ceiling. An easy way to reduce you heating bill is to reduce these drafts with simple weatherstripping.

Windows

  • On a day when it’s windy outside, close your windows and feel for air leaks. You can use an incense stick for this too if you don’t mind the smell. Watch the smoke trail and if it becomes anything other than vertical, you have an air leak. Typically air leaks will be at the edges where the window is hinged, slides or meets another unit, such as between the two panels of a double hung window.
  • Although you can tape plastic over the windows to seal them, this can be expensive and look bad. It can also reduce much needed light in the winter unless you use the shrink-wrap type of plastic seal. So a better and easier solution is to use inexpensive rope caulk.
  • Press the rope caulk into all the joints where air is leaking.

Doors

The easiest fix here is to check for weatherstripping on the side and bottoms of the doors. Install weatherstripping on any leaking doors.

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http://buildipedia.com/channels/at-home/item/892-winterizing-your-home

  • Walls
    • Inspect for air leakage on the inside of the home.  A candle or incense stick can be used to help locate the air leaks.  Flame or smoke will be noticeably directed away from the location where air leaks are occurring.  If necessary, insulate or seal air leaks around doors, windows, outlets, and other penetrations where air leaks are occurring.

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http://www.valuhomecenters.com/winterize.asp

Winterizing Your Home Tip #4: Weatherstrip Doors and Windows

On a day when it’s windy outside, close your windows and feel for air leaks. You can use an incense stick for this too if you don’t mind the smell. Watch the smoke trail and if it becomes anything other than vertical, you have an air leak. Typically air leaks will be at the edges where the window is hinged, slides or meets another unit, such as between the two panels of a double hung window. The easiest fix here is to check for weatherstripping on the side and bottoms of the doors. Install weatherstripping on any leaking doors.

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Go ahead and caulk the air leaks that you find that can be handled using that material. This would be typically around windows and doors, along floors and baseboards and around some ceiling fixtures. We will talk about windows, doors and outlets tomorrow.

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Back To The Residential Market – The Environment is important and so is the Community

Community Energy Systems’ is about where they meet. That is in the home. So it is Jam Band Friday and we need to get back to it.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUKufZGdeXY )

This may be one of the best residential sites I have ever found and it is in Britain. Go figure. I mean if you scroll down and look at all the stuff it is pretty amazing.

http://energysavingnow.com/

I am going to focus on what is called Distributed Generation today that really emphasizes getting solar and wind out into the community.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXE8u_HRpls )

The idea is simple lease everyone’s roofs and put generation on them.

http://www.energysavingnow.com/paper/dgindia/

DISTRIBUTED GENERATION AND ITS SOCIAL IMPACT
By Manu Avinash .G , S4, EEE, CET and
Krishna kumar .G , S4, EEE, CET

ABSTRACT- distributed generation, defined as generation located at or near the load centres, is being recognised as an environment friendly, reliable, and secure source of power which not only has minimal negative social impacts but also serves to promote social welfare. This paper aims to bring out the salient features of distributed generation from an economic and social perspective. The paper to identify the distributed resources available in India and proposes methods to tap them. It also studies the social consequences of wide spread deployment of distributed systems and their accommodation into the new liberalised energy market of India.

I. INTRODUCTION
Most of the electricity produced today is generated in large generating stations, which is then transmitted at high voltage to the load centres and transmitted to consumers at reduced voltage through local distribution systems. In contrast with large generating stations, distributed generation (DG) produce power on a customer’s site or at a local distribution network. DG technologies include

  • Engines,
  • Small hydro and gas turbines
  • Fuel cells
  • Photo voltaic systems etc


Although they represent a small share of the electricity market they play a key role for applications in which reliability is crucial, as a source of emergency capacity, and as an alternative to expansion of a local network, in developed economies where uninterrupted power supply is essential. In developing countries like India, where the generation is inadequate to meet the demand, reliability and energy security are of lesser importance. Developing country can tap the potential of DG to extend their present generation capacity in an environment friendly and cost friendly manner.

The paper is divided into two parts first part examines the various DG technologies and their merits and demerits and the second part studies the social impact of large scale deployment of small, mini and micro projects in India.

II. WHAT IS DISTRIBUTED GENERATION?
Distributed generation, is defined as generation located at or near the load centres [1]. They generate electricity through various small-scale power generation technologies. Distributed energy resources (DE) refers to a variety of small, modular power-generating technologies that can be combined with energy management and storage systems and used to improve the operation of the electricity delivery system, whether or not those technologies are connected to an electricity grid. . Projects are generally developed by either the user to avoid the purchase of power from the grid or an energy service provider who then retails the power to the site.

III. DISTRIBUTED GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES
Commercial energy technologies include:

  • IC engines
  • Gas turbines
  • Micro turbines
  • Energy storage technologies


Renewable energy technologies include:

  • Fuel cells
  • Solar photovoltaic
  • Wind & Wave Energy
  • Hydro electric energy


Some of them are discussed below:

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaKCLve_XDs )

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Don’t take their word for it. Pretty much everybody now agrees that it has its place in the world.

http://www.dg.history.vt.edu/ch1/benefits.html

What are the Potential Benefits of DG Systems?

Consumer advocates who favor DG point out that distributed resources can improve the efficiency of providing electric power.  They often highlight that transmission of electricity from a power plant to a typical user wastes roughly 4.2 to 8.9 percent of the electricity as a consequence of aging transmission equipment, inconsistent enforcement of reliability guidelines, and growing congestion. At the same time, customers often suffer from poor power quality—variations in voltage or electrical flow—that results from a variety of factors, including poor switching operations in the network, voltage dips, interruptions, transients, and network disturbances from loads.  Overall, DG proponents highlight the inefficiency of the existing large-scale electrical transmission and distribution network.  Moreover, because customers’ electricity bills include the cost of this vast transmission grid, the use of on-site power equipment can conceivably provide consumers with affordable power at a higher level of quality.  In addition, residents and businesses that generate power locally have the potential to sell surplus power to the grid, which can yield significant income during times of peak demand.

Industrial managers and contractors have also begun to emphasize the advantages of generating power on site.  Cogeneration technologies permit businesses to reuse thermal energy that would normally be wasted.  They have therefore become prized in industries that use large quantities of heat, such as the iron and steel, chemical processing, refining, pulp and paper manufacturing, and food processing industries.  Similar generation hardware can also deploy recycled heat to provide hot water for use in aquaculture, greenhouse heating, desalination of seawater, increased crop growth and frost protection, and air preheating.

Beyond efficiency, DG technologies may provide benefits in the form of more reliable power for industries that require uninterrupted service.  The Electric Power Research Institute reported that power outages and quality disturbances cost American businesses $119 billion per year.  In 2001, the International Energy Agency (2002) estimated that the average cost of a one-hour power outage was $6,480,000 for brokerage operations and $2,580,000 for credit card operations.  The figures grow more impressively for the semiconductor industry, where a two hour power outage can cost close to $48,000,000.  Given these numbers, it remains no mystery why several firms have already installed DG facilities to ensure consistent power supplies

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As EF Schumacher said – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Is_Beautiful – Small IS Beautiful.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmzN3KayWU8 )

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There She Blows – Why can’t the US be this aggressive

It’s Jam Band Friday ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRUWtrgTpcs )

We have so much coastline that we could use for this. But nooooo, the drill here drill now crowd would rather put drilling rigs there. First I have to say:

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2s6LZUdYaU&feature=related )

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Community Energy Systems is a nonprofit 501c3 organization chartered in Illinois in Sangamon County. As such we are dependent on public donations for our continued existence. We also use AdSense as a fundraiser. Please click on the ads that you see on this page, on our main page and on our Bulletin Board (Refrigerator Magnets) and you will be raising money for CES. We say a heartfelt THANK YOU to all who do.

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( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI1tW-YykWQ&feature=related )

5 Gigs Wow

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8447317.stm

New offshore wind farm contracts announced

Offshore wind farm

The licences could see the installation of hundreds of new turbines

Contracts have been awarded for a major expansion of offshore wind power in the seas around Scotland.

Moray Offshore Renewables and SeaGreen Wind Energy will develop offshore wind power in the Moray Firth and the Firth of Forth.

The energy companies have been awarded the contracts by the Crown Estate, a UK government agency.

The energy companies have been awarded the contracts by the Crown Estate, a UK government agency.

It is believed the development could lead to 1,000 new turbines generating nearly five giga watts of power.

Jobs could also be created in manufacturing, research, engineering, installation, operation and services.

The move comes just days after the Scottish government’s approval of the controversial upgrade to the Beauly to Denny transmission line of pylons from the Highlands to central Scotland.

We hold a competitive advantage in developing offshore renewables, including as much as a quarter of Europe’s offshore wind energy potential and a world-class scientific capacity and skills base

Alex Salmond
First Minister

First Minister Alex Salmond said: “The announcement by the Crown Estate is excellent news for Scotland.

“We hold a competitive advantage in developing offshore renewables, including as much as a quarter of Europe’s offshore wind energy potential and a world-class scientific capacity and skills base.”

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said Scotland was the windiest country in Europe and the conditions were being created for the energy industry to invest in harnessing it.

He added: “This is one of the strongest signals yet that Scotland is right at the heart of the UK’s commitment to a low carbon, energy secure, prosperous future.

“But it’s also great news for the manufacturing industry and supply chain in Scotland.”

‘Great opportunity’

The Crown Estate is the owner of the UK’s coastal seabeds and this third round of grants covers the Moray Firth zone, which will be developed by a partnership involving the Portuguese company, EDP Renewables and SeaEnergy.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX_mwDvcZ2I )

Scotland plans to get 50% of its power from alternative sources by 2020.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power_in_Scotland

Wind power in Scotland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Wind power in Scotland is an area of considerable activity, with 1550 MW of installed capacity as at October 2008.[1] Wind power is the fastest growing of the renewable energy technologies in Scotland and the world’s largest wind turbine generator (5 MW) is currently undergoing testing in the North Sea, 15 miles off the east coast. There are numerous large wind farms as well as a number, both planned and operating, which are in community ownership. The siting of turbines is sometimes an issue, but surveys have shown high levels of community acceptance for wind power in Scotland. There is further potential for expansion, especially offshore, given the high average wind speeds.

The Scottish government has a target of generating 31% of Scotland’s electricity from renewable energy by 2011 and 50% by 2020. The majority of this is likely to come from wind power.[2]

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We in the US can only close our eyes and dream.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W6mRy4jdk0&feature=fvw )

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