Posts Tagged ‘water’

Living Off-Grid is Only Way to Keep Power When Storms Such as Sandy Strike

Published by fnever on November 4th, 2012 - in Knowledge Base

Nashville, Tenn. (PRWEB) November 02, 2012

Nearly 8 million homes and businesses without power. More than 85 U.S. citizens dead. Untold property damage from , and fires. That?s what occurred after Sandy wreaked its havoc earlier this week in the northeastern United States, according to CNN and other news sources.

Sandy is just the latest natural disaster to cause huge problems for people who are at the mercy of the U.S. power grid. Other storms including hurricanes and tornadoes, plus floods and fires, have also contributed to the loss of air conditioning, heating, lighting and food due to power outages.

Power4Patriots is finding that more and more people are deciding they don?t want to be dependent on an old and faulty power grid that falters so frequently and costs them hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars when it fails. Some of those people are turning to Power4Patriots to get off the grid and generate their own solar and wind power. In fact, the company recently sold its 100,000th unit since launching less than a year ago.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, the Power4Patriots system is a 100 legal way to cut energy costs by as much as 75 while making a , cabin or RV self-sufficient. And when the power grid goes down as it did earlier this week across much of the Northeast, Power4Patriots customers don?t go dark.

Power4Patriots is a collection of videos and manuals describing how to build , wind turbines, water heaters and solar heaters. The system includes six videos demonstrating how to build a solar panel, including choosing the right materials, finding the right for the system and avoiding costly mistakes, as well as two instruction manuals with step-by-step, illustrated directions. It also includes four videos detailing how to build a and two instruction manuals.

While experience in working with wood and other materials is helpful, users don?t need to be professional handymen to build these systems, and skills such as welding are not necessary. The company says that installing solar panels and a wind turbine at one?s home will cut energy costs by as much as 75 percent.

On average, the costs are under $ 200 to build a solar panel and under $ 200 to build a wind turbine. Consumers who purchase already-made solar panels and wind turbines spend three to four times that amount. The time commitment to build a solar panel ranges from two to four hours, with the first one requiring more time than subsequent panels. A wind turbine requires a handful of hours to build.

Importantly, the outside temperature doesn?t matter when it comes to benefiting from solar panels, which are energized by sunlight. Urban conditions work too because roofs, poles, fences and windowsills can be utilized.

Power4Patriots was created as a way to allow anyone to become independent of high power bills and outages. Cost-effective and uncomplicated, Power4Patriots teaches people how to build their own, environmentally friendly sources of energy. Visit Power4Patriots today to watch their controversial video that?s been viewed by millions of people all over the world.







Eco Smart Energy, LLC Installs New Eco-Friendly, Solar Heating System to Local YMCA!

Published by fnever on September 30th, 2012 - in Knowledge Base


, (PRWEB) September 28, 2012

The team at Smart Energy, and Blackall Mechanical, , worked together to perfect a solution to generate an -friendly hot system called Sun Equinox for the YMCA Town North located at, 4332 Northhaven Road in Dallas, . Blackall Mechanical states that this project began back in September 2011, and was completed in October 2011. John Blackall states, ?We selected the Sun Equinox System based on the following criteria: Equipment life longevity, reliability, its? solar capabilities, and energy efficiency. The System was a perfect solution for this application. There is no other hot system on the market today that offers 97% efficiency with a 40 year life, and has the ability to handle Hydronic heat, domestic hot , and a pool loop with one system.?

This project utilized the Sun Equinox system?s ?? that will allow the YMCA to eliminate the need for an annual state boiler permit, as well as a reduction in their insurance premiums. This system will also reduce their water usage by 27%.

Other benefits of this eco-friendly system are:

o

12 Volt Lighting Now Offers Underwater Outdoor Lighting

Published by fnever on September 9th, 2012 - in Knowledge Base


San Fernando, (PRWEB) September 08, 2012

, a leader in the industry for more than 20 years, announces it now offers underwater . These new durable fixtures are an excellent for pools, ponds or other bodies of where needs to be completely submerged. They are also a convenient for areas with a lot of water exposure from fountains or rain run-off. Underwater outdoor LED lighting options are available on most models as well.

All outdoor lighting needs can be met by 12 Volt Lighting. In addition to underwater lighting, they stock spot, flood, rope, path and area lights. Numerous configurations are available, including hanging lights, in-ground well lights and post top lighting. For a more energy efficient system, choose from a variety of LED lighting options, as well solar lighting. Improve the appearance and safety level of any outdoor with 12 volt deck lights. Choose from flush mounted, built-in or mounted lighting that requires no cutting into the area.

Consider 12 Volt Lighting the one-stop resource for outdoor lighting. Add an extra level of convenience by purchasing one of their LED landscape lighting kits. Each kit comes with everything needed to install a new outdoor lighting system, including fixtures, the transformer, wires and connectors. Alternatively, purchase just what is needed for your improvement . 12 Volt Lighting sells all products and accessories separately as well. Get the perfect timer, mounting accessory, bulbs, nuts and bolts, and tools all from one resource. Their experienced employees are available to help customers select the right kit or type of light to best fit their needs and budget.

In addition to a vast inventory, providing endless options for any project, 12 Volt Lighting prides itself on competitive pricing, fast and free shipping on orders over $ 50, high-quality products, a 30-day return policy and a safe, convenient ordering process through its Web . Additionally, customer service representatives and a highly skilled technical support team are available 24-hours a day to assist clients before and after the sale.

For the best LED landscape lighting and 12 volt outdoor lights, trust 12 Volt Lighting. Shop the most popular brands in lighting and accessories. 12 Volt Lighting carries Advantage, Best Quality Lighting, Hadco, Orbit, Troy and many other trusted brands. Learn more at http://www.12voltoutdoorlighting.com or call (877) 777-8421.







Geothermal Solar Electric Home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Receives The 2012 Sustainable Santa Fe Award for ?Clean Renewable Energy Project?

Published by fnever on August 12th, 2012 - in Knowledge Base


, NM (PRWEB) August 09, 2012

Faren?s latest award winning residential project is a , solar electric home that is poised to additionally receive a ?Gold? certification from Build Green New Mexico, based on the . This super green and energy efficient home, owned by Karen and Andrew Rodney, has no natural gas or propane and produces enough of its own energy to be considered a zero carbon residence. This leading edge design is the first home in Northern New Mexico to utilize geothermal for radiant heating, cooling and hot water. Much of the energy requirements are offset by a 3.6 kilowatt Photovoltaic Solar Tracker, which tracks the sun throughout the day, while providing a 20% increase in efficiency beyond a typical roof or ground mount installation. Mr. Dancer ?s show, Unicopia Green Radio, is a featured on Hutton Broadcasting radio station Talk 1260 KTRC. Hutton Broadcasting is the parent company of .com.

The Rodney residence also incorporates a super high-efficient envelope utilizing Energy star rated windows, doors and skylights, under slab insulation, blown-in cellulose and closed cell polyurethane foam. This leading edge application of science also addresses thermal bypass, the movement of air from one plane to another within the framing structure. A filtered air exchange system helps assure the finest possible indoor air quality, as tightly built structures require air exchanges during the heating and cooling seasons when the home is kept closed. This air exchange system also incorporates a dehumidification feature that maintains correct dew point during the summer rainy season, assuring the optimal function of the radiant cooling system.

Certified green products such as adhesives, caulks, paints, plasters and finishes, help achieve the goal of providing a healthy indoor environment by eliminating VOCs (volatile organic compounds). All cabinetry is formaldehyde free, thus eliminating another indoor pollutant typically found in residential construction.

Beyond energy efficiency, the Rodney home incorporates numerous features that assure the home?s commitment to all aspects of sustainability. These features address indoor air quality, efficiency, water efficiency and impact. Bamboo cabinetry, ceramic tile with high recycled content, natural plaster, recycled quartz countertops, energy star rated appliances and lighting package, dual flush toilets and waterless urinals are just a few of the features that demonstrate the attributes of an environmentally conscious and healthy home.

Faren is also in the completion phase of a unique off-grid, passive/active solar building model that utilizes 100% roof water catchment with no well or municipal water source. This home, located on 485 acres in a land conservancy with the Santa Fe Land Trust, also demonstrates land stewardship and restoration.

For further on the Rodney home and other green building models, please visit http://www.unicopia.org. While visiting the website check out the organization?s other endeavor, Unicopia Green Radio. Visitors are encouraged to print a wealth of from the site about the cultural evolution that is driving sustainability from its grassroots.

About SantaFe.com:

SantaFe.com provides locals and visitors to Santa Fe alike the most current interactive platform for events, music, arts, business, dining and lifestyle. SantaFe.com is a division of Hutton Broadcasting, located at 2502 C. Camino Entrada, Santa Fe, NM 87507

Contact Information:

Scott Hutton

SantaFe.com / Hutton Broadcasting

http://www.santafe.com

(505) 471-1067 (Media inquiries only, please)







Vons Credit Union Becomes First LEED

Published by fnever on July 29th, 2012 - in Knowledge Base

El Monte, (PRWEB) July 27, 2012

(VCU) announced today that it has been awarded Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building (). (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the USGBC?s leading rating system for designing and constructing the world?s greenest, most energy efficient and high-performing buildings, and verifies environmental performance, occupant health and financial return. was established for market leaders to design & construct buildings that protect and save precious resources while also making good economic sense.

Steve Weakley, Vons Credit Union CEO, explained that the pursuit of the LEED Gold achievement was a natural next step in the credit union?s quest to bring sustainable practices to its environment, members and employees. ?We believe that whatever space you have on this planet, it is up to you to decide how to take care of it,? Weakley said. ?At Vons Credit Union, we are committed to our and to our planet,? he continued. ?We believe that we should work to make California a better and cleaner place while being a responsible corporate partner. Safeway and Unified Grocers, our key sponsors, are also very committed to sustainability.?

Weakley added that were the centerpiece of their efforts to obtain because of the benefits of solar panels to the environment as well as their high return on investment. In 2011, Vons Credit Union added a 144-panel carport solar system to its existing 280-panel rooftop one, which, collectively, will lower VCU?s electricity bills by more than half.

?The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy, and threats to human health,? said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. ?The work of innovative building projects such as Vons Credit Union?s is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement.?

Geoff Tomlinson, LEED AP and President of Vaha Sustainable Energy, who designed both solar power systems and assisted VCU in obtaining LEED Gold certification, said that the VCU LEED team focused on the points that best addressed VCU?s goals for operational best practices and occupant comfort as well as energy and water savings. ?The team?s goal was to achieve LEED certification for energy use, water and material use as well as to incorporate a variety of other sustainable strategies, such as composting, advanced recycling and green cleaning agents and methods,? he explained.

Vons Credit Union?s LEED Gold certification was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the itself and the broader community. These features include waterless urinals and dual-flush valves for water efficiency, solar panels for energy efficiency and clean power, composting and advanced recycling for waste diversification from landfills, eco-friendly cleaning agents and techniques, computerized thermostats as well as eco-friendly consumable, such as paper, ink and carpeting, that support sustainability.

Vons Credit Union will celebrate their LEED Gold certification in August with an event at which the USGBC?s Los Angeles Chapter Executive Director, Dr. Jorge Partida, will present a plaque to the organization to commemorate this milestone. In addition, at their monthly city council meeting on July 31, the City of El Monte will recognize Vons Credit Union for its environmental commitment to the community.

About Vons Credit Union: Vons Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution that has served the employees and families of Vons Grocery Stores, Unified Grocers, and the San Gabriel Valley community for more than 58 years. Since its founding in 1954, Vons Credit Union has grown to more than 40,000 members with more than $ 387 million in assets and $ 77 million in capital. Recently, VCU was ranked among the top one percent of credit unions in the nation and has held consecutive top financial honors from Weiss Rating and Bauer Financial. Throughout the years, with its financial strength and commitment to its community, Vons Credit Union has been able to help its members build strong financial futures, one member at a time. To learn more, visit http://www.vonscu.com.

About the U.S. Green Building Council: The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit membership organization whose vision is a sustainably built environment within a generation. Its membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government agencies and other non-profit organizations. Since UGSBC?s founding in 1993, the Council has grown to more than 17,000 member companies and organizations, a comprehensive family of LEED

Aussie Pet Mobile Canada Rolls Into Delta/Richmond

Published by fnever on July 22nd, 2012 - in Knowledge Base


Delta/, B.C. (PRWEB) January 13, 2012

Aussie , the nation?s largest mobile pet grooming business in the $ 50-plus billion pet industry, announced the recent opening of its newest location in Richmond/Delta, B.C. Aussie serves Richmond and Delta in its solar powered Mercedes Benz Sprinter Pet Spas. The mobile spas are fully equipped with a patented heated hydro bath, as well as self contained water, waste and electricity. Aussie prides itself on being Savvy, as the pet spas are solar powered. This converts energy to electricity when required and helps reduce emissions when the pet spa is idle during appointments.

?The timing was right to move into the arena of becoming entrepreneur and working for myself. I love the service that Aussie provides. I also like that Aussie is more than just grooming. Aussie is about quality health and the welfare of pets. People and their loved pets are a high priority.? Said Dan Tius, owner of Richmond/Delta. ?As the new owners of one of the most recognized names in the mobile pet grooming industry, we look forward to meeting the demand for mobile pet grooming for South Delta, Ladner, Tsawwassen and Richmond.”

Aussie Pet Mobile’s unique offerings are ideal for condo residents, apartment and homeowners as the custom designed Mercedes Sprinter van is fully equipped with air conditioning, heat, electricity and water. It is common for pets to become anxious around going to the groomers. Aussie’s convenience and one-on-one attention in an inviting environment lend to a much more relaxed for pets and their owners that is not typically found in storefront grooming locations.

Aussie Pet Mobile?s professional groomers pets with a15-step spa treatment that includes a customized shampoo, massage, hand dry, brushing, and trimming, just to name a few. Extra treatments are also available, such as aloe treatments for dry skin, grinding and flea and tick control. A popular treatment is an excess hair removal tool known as the Furminator that reduces shedding up to 90% if done on a regular basis.

The royal treatment for four-legged friends continues with Aussie Pet Mobile?s ?pawdicures,? nontoxic and quick-drying nail painting. Pricing for all of Aussie Pet Mobile?s services depends on the breed, size, coat condition and scope of treatment.

?I researched many different franchise opportunities before choosing Aussie Pet Mobile. It has been great making some local connections and I look forward to community involvement with local animal shelters and pet supply businesses. I chose Aussie Pet Mobile because I can see that it is a company that wants you to have fun and enjoy yourself on the job.? Said Tius. For more information about Aussie Pet Mobile Richmond/Delta, please visit their website

Aussie Pet Mobile was founded in Australia in 1996 and is the world?s largest mobile pet grooming business serving more than 700 exclusive territories in the U.S. and 12 overseas countries including Australia, Japan, Ireland, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Greece the United Kingdom, and Canada. Aussie Pet Mobile was voted in the top 500 Franchises by Entrepreneur.com for 2012.

Aussie Pet Mobile?s certified and trained groomers pamper pets with personal, one-on-one attention in the comfort of their own surroundings. Aussie Pet Mobile affords the owner the luxury of not having to make repeat trips from their house to the grooming salon for drop off and collection nor the pet having to wait in a caged environment.

Solar Energy For Homeowners

Published by fnever on June 12th, 2012 - in Knowledge Base

Welcome to the revolution! We are all going to be involved in the drive toward , that is, becoming independent from foreign oil. Gasoline is selling for more than six dollars a gallon in both Germany and the U.K, and we know that, for all kinds of reasons, it’s bound to go up much more in the not-so-far future. Coal is plentiful here in the U. S, but the efforts to clean it up are going to be painful and slow in coming. The transition to solar power is also going to be painful and costly, but eventually it will begin to pay for itself. For homeowners especially, a move toward is really a wise investment, whether they are new or doing remodeling.

Some banks are beginning to loan money for solar retrofits. The solar energy facts clearly show us that once the payoff is complete for such a loan, the homeowner is ahead a great deal-even as much as the whole of his total former energy costs.

We have many suppliers in this country who can design systems for every environment and climate.

We’re going to look at four main systems for a homeowner to consider when going solar:

-Solar hot water
-Solar electric or photovoltaic
- heat pump
-Wind turbine

Solar hot water is a terrific investment due to low cost and high efficiency. Space heating can be incorporated for a slightly higher expenditure. An outlay of three to ten thousand dollars could lower your energy demands from thirty to fifty per cent. Our solar energy facts show us that hot water represents the second highest energy demand in U. S. households.

Solar electric or photovoltaic is another of my personal preferences because this is an arrangement usable by almost every household. A system consisting of photovoltaic panels with a grid-tie unit eliminates the need for storage batteries, and if supplied with enough , can even pay a homeowner for excess electricity generated. The costs for such a system are probably going to run from five to twenty thousand dollars. Photovoltaic coupled with solar hot water can be an ideal solution for many homeowners.

Geothermal heat pump- Although geothermal is not really solar energy, it is certainly . Geothermal uses the constant temperature of the earth along with a sophisticated heat pump to either heat or cool the . There are also designs which supply hot water as a part of the process. The installation of this scheme requires either a well be drilled or extensive trenching be done. The cost of this along with the heat pump may be somewhat costly. Photovoltaics or wind would also be an important part of any complete project.

Wind power is an extremely good source of power for anyone who lives in an area of plentiful wind and preferably doesn’t have neighbors too close. If a grid-tie is not possible, storage batteries can be installed. Costs for wind power machines can range anywhere from five hundred dollars for a small unit to as much as twenty thousand for a high end grid-tie unit with a sixty foot tower.

When we lok at headlines that say, “Pump prices rising despite glut of gasoline” (Chris Kahn-AP) or this: “Oil prices rise again” (APA), the solar energy facts assure us that by investing in solar power we can go a long way toward guarding our energy future. With the abundant sun’s energy in the southwest and the winds available in other parts of the country, our goal of energy independence is much brighter.

Harry Faris has been involved with solar, wind, and renewable energy for many years-since Stewart Brand started the “Whole Earth Catalog.” He generated his own power for twenty years using solar and diesel. “12 volt is great!” solar energy, solar hot water.

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One Stop Green Completes Install for 2.5kW Solar PV and Solar Hot Water System in Alexandria, VA

Published by fnever on May 31st, 2012 - in Knowledge Base


Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 14, 2012

After conducting an initial site survey and identifying the ideal area for a solar PV system, One Stop Green, an online retailer for and installer of solar systems for residential and commercial properties, has completed the installation of a 2.5kW Solar PV and Solar Thermal system for hot , which includes the expansion for additional modules.

Beginning in late 2011, One Stop Green was contacted by a who was interested in making a new they were building in Alexandria, Virginia, entirely green and energy efficient. One Stop Green sent out a sales associate who walked the through the entire process beginning with a site survey when the home was still in the phase of construction. From there, One Stop Green worked with the to determine a budget and identify those items that are most important to the eventual owner of the home. The was aware that energy prices will steadily continue to rise and a small solar PV system in conjunction with a to provide hot water for the home would help to mitigate those high electricity costs.

After working to prioritize the homebuilder?s requests, One Stop Green developed the plans for a 2.5kW system that would produce approximately 3,991 kWh annually, or about 40% of the home?s energy usage along with a solar thermal package that would provide hot water for the entire home. Because historic rates we?re not available, One Stop Green used surrounding homes to determine rates and estimate power production that will offset electricity usage. As prices become cheaper and more incentives become available in this area, the homebuilder wanted to give the option to the eventual to be able to expand their system, which is why One Stop Green installed additional flash mounts so as to prevent unnecessary work associated with installation of more modules. The homebuilder was so happy with the overall install of the solar PV and hot water systems ? the first in the neighborhood, and potential to save money for the on their energy bills that they have asked One Stop Green to return once construction is complete to offer additional products such as energy saving LED light bulbs, water saving toilets, faucets, and rain water harvesting systems to make this home as energy efficient as possible.

One Stop Green, facilitates environmentally friendly improvements to residential and commercial properties through distribution of green, energy efficient products and services. They offer every product needed for sustainable enabling homeowners, businesses and commercial property owners to master their usage by reducing waste and implementing efficient energy consumption methods. Their goal is to provide user friendly and practical long-term solutions to existing inefficiencies and their carefully selected products and professional installers offer a higher level of satisfaction and service for their customers.

Contact:

Nathan Kaufman

http://www.OneStopGreen.com

P: 877.449.9110|O: 713.541.2739|C: 210.846.5900

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Solar Panels for Swimming Pools

Published by fnever on May 13th, 2012 - in Knowledge Base

Article by Ernesto Maitim

Recognized nowadays as one of the most important , is widely tapped as a power source by many various solar devices and gadgets now available in the market.

One common sun-powered is the residential solar , the use of which is mainly focused in running the consumer’s appliances as well as light machines. Likewise, there are now other devices that run via the energy from the sun such as the solar outdoor lights and the RV solar panels. Worth mentioning as popular solar powered gadgets are laptop computers, watches, clocks and calculators.

If you own a pool, then one useful gadget that can effectively compliment it is the solar panel for . Its mechanism is quite similar to that of the solar panels. It works by gathering and creating power from the sun in order to heat up the of the swimming pool. How do solar panels for pools work? Instead of electrical power, heat is created and pumped to the pool’s heat exchanger, which is actually an important part of the heating system.

If you want to maximize the benefits that you can get from swimming pool solar panels, it is a must that they are properly positioned and installed. You have to look for the area where the sun will shine of the solar panels at its maximum. Avoid areas where shades and shadows might fall on the arrays, which in effect will block sunshine.

There are indeed a lot of quality tested solar panels for pools that can be bought from the market today. You only have to purchase the best and most reliable one that can provide you with the alternative heating source for the water of your pool.

For more interesting and engaging articles and discussions on solar panels for pools, solar fountain pumps and solar gadgets in general, do visit our Floating Solar Fountains blog.

Writer, abstractor and blogger.










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How Solar Energy Works

Published by fnever on April 3rd, 2012 - in Knowledge Base

Article by of SolarEnergyFacts.

There are more than one type of , but nearly all work by the same fundamental physics, and the very large majority of commercially available panels are made from silicon (Si). I will discuss this type here. When silicon absorbs sunlight of a certain wavelength (shorter than ~1100 nm), an electron is excited into a which is delocalized. In other words, this electron is now free to move around the entire with very little barrier. However, in a piece of plain old Si, there is no reason for it to go one rather than another (and electricity is the net movement of electrons in a single ). In fact, the electron will move around in the Si randomly, and then eventually this electron will simply return to the ground, or unexcited, state and release heat (just like any black object does in the hot sun). However, in the , there is something called a junction, where two slightly different materials meet. The two materials are actually both made of Si, but each one is doped (has a tiny percentage of other atoms mixed in) with a different element. The type of doping (the two types are called n- and p-type) of the Si determines its electrical properties. When an electron reaches this junction, it is either accelerated across it, or repelled by it, depending on which direction it is coming from (imagine and a accelerates down the hill, but can’t go up it). Now there is directionality to the system. You attach a wire to each side of this junction, and when sunlight is absorbed, the free electrons now only flow in one direction, from one side of the junction to the other, driving a current through the external circuit. Electricity is just that — electrons having a net flow in a single direction along a wire.

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