Solar Energy: A Viable Option

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In a world that is racing to slow down the effects of global warming, solar energy has quickly become a contender in alternate energy resources. While not a perfect solution, it is one that the individual can take into his/her own hands, and it is beneficial to quell the rising cost of electricity and gas. There are many factors to determine solar energy’s true cost and benefit, but here are some of the reasons why it is worth further exploration.

Monetary savings on utility bills. The average American household uses 920 kWh per month. Some solar installation companies guarantee an average of >800 kWh per month. In conventional relationships with utility companies, the customers are totally dependent on them for electricity and gas needs. Solar power users are able to gain a measure of independence from their utilities with utility bills possibly being lowered by 50% or totally eliminated.

The average 20 year savings were estimated to be a little over $20,000 for Americans who went solar in 2011. This number went up substantially in heavily populated cities. Even if the solar panels aren’t able to supply all their power needs, they will be relying on conventional power a lot less. In the chance that a customer produces more power than they need, the utility company may pay them for it. Solar energy has the possibility of changing from a saving mechanism to an income stream.

Solar Energy

A reduction in carbon footprint. Through the use of an energy conversion calculator, studies have shown that the average American household generates 7.4 tons of carbon dioxide per year through electrical use. Carbon dioxide has been shown as a major cause of global warming, along with other emissions such as methane and additional particulates.

The production of solar panels does produce some substances that are unsafe to the environment, but the impact is minimal. Also, it pales in comparison to fossil fuel emissions and does not require any mining or drilling as found in more conventional energy sources. Also, solar panels and stations carry a much smaller physical footprint than conventional or nuclear power stations.

Although controversial, government subsidies have helped to make solar power cheaper and more available. There has been some benefit from this since the cost of a solar-power plant has dropped by 22% in 2010-13. In sunnier places, solar power is providing electricity to the grid as cheaply as standard coal- or gas-fired power plants.

Reduce reliance on foreign and nonrenewable energy sources. The sun is a reliable resource. We do not have to worry about sunlight running out as we do with oil and coal. With the sun’s reliability and the simplicity of solar panels, a country gains the benefit of energy security. No one country is able to monopolize the sun’s energy which creates independence from home owner to their nation.

Some countries have been noted to have saved billions already in lowered imports of oil and gas from neighboring nations. The technology has the potential to eliminate questionable treaties with nations that would otherwise consider each other to be hostile. In the long run, such progress could boost the economic security of citizens as a result.

Solar energy does have some disadvantages. It is not a perfect solution. For instance, we can only harvest solar energy while the sun is shining. Due to this, we may always need to depend on an alternate energy source or means of storing energy. Also, solar power stations presently produce less energy than conventional ones, and they are more expensive to build and run. Although these and other factors exist that need to be worked out, it is too soon to throw the baby out with the bath water. We are seeing many benefits with solar energy that shows there is value in working through the difficulties.

Energy Saving Myths: What You Think You Know Can Cost You BIG!

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As many of you already know, I love to look into commonly held beliefs and see if they are actually true or nothing more than popular myths. Our local energy provider recently sent out a list of some of the most common energy myths. Here are the ones which I found most interesting:

Common Energy Saving Myths

Energy Saving Myths

Setting the thermostat higher or lower will heat or cool your home faster. Homeowners often set the thermostat higher or lower than necessary, thinking it will warm or cool their home faster, but furnaces and air-conditioners work at the same speed, no matter what the thermostat setting. A home will warm up to 70ºF just as quickly if the thermostat is set at 70ºF as it will if it is set at 80ºF. In fact, more energy may be wasted as the heating or cooling system continues to run to reach the higher set point.

I have always believed this myth until we had someone come to service our central air unit. When he was testing the temperature of the air coming out of the vents, he explained to me that it takes the same amount of time to reach the desired temperature no matter how high/low you set the thermostat.

A heating and cooling system works harder to reach a comfortable temperature after setback or set forward. Many homeowners do not adjust their thermostat at night or when their home is unoccupied because of the common misconception that the heating or cooling system must work harder or use more energy to reheat or re-cool the house, but this is not how thermostats work. The system turns on to reach a set level and shuts off when that level is reached. It operates more like a switch that shuts on and off than a car that accelerates when you step on the gas pedal.

This is another one that I believed until talking to the same serviceman. I always thought it was the same as a car, so I’m glad they specifically mentioned that analogy.

Energy efficiency and energy conservation are the same thing. Efficiency refers to using less energy to perform a specific task. For example, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can light your home using less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs. Conservation involves reducing your need for energy through behavior changes, such as setting your thermostat lower.

I never really paid any attention to this, but I do think that those buying appliances should take note when analyzing products/plans using these terms.

When an appliance is turned off, it is off. Many appliances and home electronic devices continue to use power after they have been turned off—sometimes as much as if they were on. This is known as standby power or phantom load. The only way to stop the drain of power from these devices is to unplug them.

My wife and I are always unplugging the chargers for our cell phones and other electronics. In fact, we purchased a couple of surge protectors that allow us to shut off the power to all but 2 predetermined outlets, so we don’t even have to unplug the chargers from those areas.

CFLs are more harmful for the environment than traditional bulbs because they contain mercury. CFLs do contain a trace amount of mercury that can be emitted into the atmosphere if the bulb is broken. However, mercury is also emitted into the atmosphere through electricity generation. Using CFLs will help to reduce mercury emissions because they are more efficient and use less electricity. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical 60-watt incandescent bulb will result in 5.8 milligrams of mercury emissions over its lifetime, while a comparable CFL bulb will emit only 1.8 milligrams—even if it ends up in a landfill. Recycling CFLs can further reduce emissions.

I never heard that CFLs contained mercury, so this is new to me.

Leaving lights and electronic devices on uses less energy than turning them on and off. In most cases, the small surge of power needed to start a device is much less than the power that is wasted by leaving it on when it is not needed.

I’ve never heard this one either, but I can see someone believing this since you hear the same thing about the thermostat (see above) and allowing a car to idle.

Duct tape is the best choice for sealing ducts. Duct tape has very low durability when used to seal ducts. Over time, it will fall off as the adhesive dries out and the tape starts to wrinkle. Mastic or metal-backed tapes—available at your local hardware or do-it-yourself retailer—are better choices for duct sealing.

Ummm…it’s called duct tape, right? Who here didn’t think that was because it is perfect for sealing ducts? Yes, I have seen it dry out, but I always assumed that it was still the best option.

Purchasing an efficient air-conditioner or furnace will automatically reduce energy bills. This is true to an extent, but optimal savings will not be achieved unless the system is sized and installed correctly. Installing an efficient, but over-sized, system may negate much of the potential savings, while a poorly designed duct system will also impact efficiency and comfort. Windows, doors, and insulation also affect heating and cooling efficiency.

Things are never as easy as they seem. There are so many variables when it comes to reducing energy costs.

Dimming lights by 50% will cut lighting costs in half. In reality, the relationship is not quite direct and the savings may be less than expected. Dimmed lights do use less power, but when lights are dimmed, the voltage drops and the filament becomes cooler. This causes a loss in overall efficiency.

Again, a case where the simple assumption isn’t as accurate because of other factors.

Closing off vents will help to lower heating and cooling costs. Closing or covering up vents is typically not a good way to save on energy costs. Heating and cooling systems balance their load throughout the duct system. If one vent is closed off, it throws the system off balance. Pressure can build up in the ductwork, causing leakage and reducing the amount of air circulating in your home. This reduces system efficiency and home comfort.

My wife and I will do this under the assumption that this will just increase the airflow to the remaining open vents. We won’t be doing this any longer!

As you can see, these misconceptions and myths about home energy use are not merely interesting facts, but use can cost homeowners in the form of higher energy bills and can lead to unnecessary home maintenance and reduced comfort.

photo credit: Freedigitalphotos.net

Climate Change Levy: What’s the Score?

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[The following is a guest post about ways to reduce business energy and more specifically to lower the government taxes associated with excess energy consumption.]

In April 2001, a new environmental energy tax was introduced, known as Climate Change Levy (CCL). In an effort to encourage businesses to be more wary of their energy consumption, the CCL is an initiative that aims to make businesses of all sizes more energy-efficient, while common sense and energy efficient products could help them to do so.

CCL is a tax that is placed on energy delivered to non-domestic users to help reduce carbon emissions, minimize environmental impact and reduce energy costs. In short, with the help of suppliers such as British Gas business energy, business owners will be hit less by the CCL if they are more considerate towards their environment and reduce the costs incurred by the energy consumption.

Climate Change Levy

The levy forms part of the UK’s Climate Change Program and is charged on ‘taxable commodities’, such as gas, electricity and LPG. Whether these commodities are supplied for heating, lighting or general power for businesses is irrelevant – the CCL applies to all of it, if you’re in the industrial, commercial, agricultural or public sectors.

Luckily, although it’s charged on petrol, it’s not charged on road fuel due to the existence of excise duty already.

As a business owner, you will see the CCL as a separate line on your energy bills. As of the 1st April 2012, the rates for gas and electricity rose to 0.177p per kWh for gas and 0.509p per kWh for electricity.

While being more energy-efficient will reduce the CCL you will incur (due to less energy consumption), if you need more information about how to minimize the CCL you’re charged, you can fill in an Energy Savers Report which will advise you on what you can improve within your business to make your energy bill healthier.

Even the smallest of changes can help reduce your consumption and the impact on the environment. From changing light bulbs to energy-saving alternatives, to switching electrical equipment off when not in use, can save you huge amounts over the year – particularly if you get your staff members on board.

Look into energy-saving options today and implement an incentive plan to encourage your employees to join in too. You’ll notice the difference in your energy costs almost immediately.

Recession Proof Your Business By Cutting Your Costs

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The following is a guest post about cutting business costs in the face of a recession…

Times are tough for every business at the moment, from the sole trader to the biggest high street names. The recent news that popular card store Clintons, which is a familiar sight on every high street (or “main street” for my US readers ;-)), is in administration (this is essentially when a company goes bankrupt and sells off its assets in order to stay afloat), with 350 stores to close and 2,800 jobs lost, is just the latest in a wave of big name closures.

Other recent casualties of the recession include video game retail chain Game Group, fashion chain Peacocks and outdoor store Blacks Leisure – showing that big names are just as susceptible to succumbing to these difficult financial times as small businesses.

High streets now look like ghost towns, with boarded up shops lining the roads and, to put a figure on this downward turn, Price Waterhouse Cooper reported this year that retailers are closing at a rate of 14 per day.

Yet it’s not just retailers who are struggling. All businesses are likely to be feeling the effects, and as the UK has just plunged into a double dip recession, it seems that there may be more difficult times ahead.

In order to recession proof your business it’s important to cut your costs as much as possible. This will free up cash flow and create profit, giving you the best chance of weathering this storm and coming out the other side stronger, more streamlined and cost-efficient, and with a greater understanding of your business.

These are the simple steps that every business owner should look at taking, in order to lower expenses:

Shop Around

Now is the time to reassess every supplier of utilities or services that you use, to see if there’s a cheaper deal to be negotiated, either with the same supplier or elsewhere.

There are often good deals to be found for new customers, and swapping service providers is usually a simple task. British Gas, for example, is one supplier of electricity and gas for businesses that will beat your electricity renewal letter price by at least 10 per cent, meaning instant savings.

Shop around for everything from your utilities to communication services such as best business broadband and phone, to your business suppliers. It may take a few hours to complete the task, but the easy, instant savings mean that it’s well worth your time.

Cut Down On Consumption

Once you’re certain that you’re getting the best deals from all of your business suppliers, you should now look at where you can cut down on your consumption to save cash.

Becoming more energy efficient is not a difficult task, and simple changes such as ensuring that all equipment is turned off at the end of the day rather than left on standby can make a big difference.

Get any employees involved and make sure that lights and occasional equipment such as photocopiers are left off when not in use, and that doors and windows are kept closed where possible.

You could also invest in some energy-efficient equipment with an interest free loan from The Carbon Trust. While you might think that now’s not the time to be spending on replacing equipment, more energy efficient models can pay for themselves in time by reducing your bills, as well as increasing productivity.

There are other green grants and funds that you can apply for, which could have a great effect on your business finances as well as improving your environmental credentials. Take a look at the Green Grants Machine website and you can search by location and business type to see what you may be entitled to apply for.

Streamline Your Business

While the Clintons closures are no doubt disastrous, the group will be left with 438 outlets to focus all of its efforts on. Sometimes, these difficult decisions to ‘streamline’ businesses have to be made in order to protect the core brand.

There is a lesson here that every business owner, small or large, can learn from – so look at how you can streamline your business. If you operate in several markets, look at which are the best performing and focus your efforts on them. It is also essential to look at the role of every employee to ensure that you are operating in the most cost-effective way possible.

Tough times call for tough measures, and many businesses will have difficult decisions to make on how best they can preserve their core business. Yet, there are many straightforward ways to reduce business expenses, therefore increasing profitability (or minimizing loss) and giving your business the best possible chance of surviving the recession.

photo credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How To Reduce Home Energy Costs

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[The following is a guest post on behalf of Money Supermarket]

As temperatures drop, it is time to get your home ready for the winter. Some locations see lots of snow and below freezing temperatures. For these people, preparing for the winter takes some time, especially when the goal is to try and reduce home energy costs. For those that live with more moderate temperatures, much less preparation is required.

If not cared for properly, homes may need costly repairs that could mean applying for unsecured loans or even a consolidation loan.

How To Reduce Home Energy Costs

Reduce Home Energy Costs Inside the Home

There are several parts of your home that work together to make sure you stay warm and toasty despite the chilly temperatures outside. Your heating system is one of the most important parts of this system. Consider calling in for a maintenance appointment before it gets too cold outside.

A technician can provide you with an inspection checklist and even take care of minor repairs that you need. Remember that a little bit of money upfront could save you the search for unsecured loans if the system needs to be replaced.

Check your windows and doors for any type of leaks. You want your home to be energy efficient; in fact, this is the key to proper home energy management. When warm air is getting out and cool air is sneaking in, it takes more energy to heat your home. This means higher utility bills along with an inconsistent environment in your home.

Outside the Home

If you have any water lines or pipes outside, make sure that when it gets really cold, that you have them completely wrapped in order to prevent freezing. If a pipe does burst, you could be looking at an enormous water bill, the cost of fixing the pipe and the damage to your backyard. Unsecured loans could be required when you owe this much money in such a short amount of time.

Plants are often ruined during the winter. If the freeze hits and they aren’t protected, it could be the end. In most cases you can wrap them up with a blanket or sheet to prevent freezing. Having several sheets readily available can make it easy to cover plants if a last minute weather warning comes through.

As you look around the yard and the shed or even inside the garage, you may have tools and items that are sensitive to cooler temperatures. While you don’t expect the water, snow, or sleet to make it into the shed or garage if a storm hits, this is a possibility.

Make sure that everything you need that has the potential for damage is brought inside. With warmer weather, you may have just left things outside without worry, but as winter approaches, you don’t want to risk it.

Avoid unsecured loans and make it a point to prepare your home this winter. With a small investment of time (and maybe even money) you can avoid some of the common problems and issues that people face when the temperature drops.

Most of these tips can be applied to business energy management as well. Once these basic things are handled and you are prepared, you can sit back and enjoy the change of weather and the holiday season.

photo by Pixomar