Alternative fuels including wind, solar, geo-thermal, ethanol, coal seam gas and natural gas.
Posted: February 8th, 2010 | Author: Arnold Thompson | Filed under: Alternative Fuels | Tags: alternative, Alternative Fuels, DIY, energy, engineering, environment, green, hobbies, home improvement, how to, power, renewable, technology, Wind, wind power | No Comments »
More of us than ever are concerned with both protecting the environment and our wallets. People used to think that using alternative energies would simply be too costly to ever be practical, but with the rising costs of energy, many are starting to change their position.
The cost of installing a wind generator is a lot less than you may think and it quickly pays for itself by saving you a lot of money on your electricity bill. There are also a variety of incentive programs to encourage people to switch to alternative energies. These programs may allow you to be reimbursed for part of the cost of installing your wind generator.
There are programs offered by states and even some cities which can help you to save on the cost of doing the right thing for the planet. A wind generator will more than pay for itself over time anyway. Other than the savings you’ll see on your electric bill, you can sell any surplus energy to your local utility!
Electricity suppliers are required to buy the extra energy generated by consumers who use wind generators and other alternative energy sources who produce more than they can use. You’ll be doing your part by powering your home with clean energy and by selling the excess to your local utility; you’re also supplying clean renewable energy to other households in your area![youtube:UQWf_-OEHOw;[link:DIY wind power generators];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWf_-OEHOw&feature=related]
You are also making some money while doing it so it is truly a win-win situation for everyone involved. And if you are worried about whether or not you will be able to efficiently install the wind generators, do not worry. There are many step-by-step instructions available out there. It is a pretty simple job and as long as you are installing it all on the top of your house, you will be able to capture as much wind as possible.
What about a back up plan? If you live somewhere where they can be times of very little wind, you can fall back on the utility company. Simply do not disconnect your hook up to the electric company just in case you ever need to fall back on them. This will ensure that you are never left without the electricity you need to run your home in a safe and pleasurable way.
This does not mean that you are not truly making a difference though. Every day that you are able to run your home off of wind power, that is one day you are not using the energy produced by the electric company. Of course, the large the wind turbine you install, the more wind you will be able to capture and turn into usable energy within your home.
You can start small with your wind power system. There’s no need to buy the largest wind turbine available right off the bat. Buy something you can afford and upgrade later on when you’re ready to produce green, clean energy for yourself and to sell to your utility company.
Learn how to build some residential wind turbines for you home and save cash on your electric bill. Making your own wind power generators may save you hundreds on the cost of buying one at the store as well and still make lots of power.
Posted: October 26th, 2009 | Author: Arnold Thompson | Filed under: Alternative Fuels | Tags: alternative, Alternative Fuels, DIY, energy, engineering, environment, green, hobbies, home improvement, how to, power, renewable, technology, Wind, wind power | No Comments »
There seems to be a lot of people who are finally starting to see all of the various reasons for generating wind power for our electrical needs. With all of the environmental damage that comes from the power plants that are creating energy, it is important that people start to stand up and take action.
Unless people start realizing how important their planet is and the resources within it is, the situation will only get worse and worse. Now is the time for a major chance and you can start by taking a look into wind power. By installing wind generators, people are able to power their homes without having to count on the power plants for everything.
You can usually generate all of the power you need this way. However, you shouldn’t call the electric company to cut you off. It’s good to have a backup source of electricity for those times when your wind generators aren’t producing enough electricity to power your home all by themselves.
If during the extremely windy times you find that you are generating more energy then you can make use of in your home, you are able to sell it to the electric companies for them to make use of. Now, this is not going to make you enough money to stop working but it is enough to make it worth your time. Plus, you are helping to encourage clean renewable energy instead of using the other sources.
Now you have seen that it can be extremely good for the environment, it is time to see why it is worth your time. Even though there is going to be an upfront expense to the installation of the wind generators, it is important to know that it is worth it in the end. In the end, the clean energy does pay for itself. [youtube:vfCvu1sZAgY;[link:How to play guitar];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfCvu1sZAgY&feature=related]
Some states and even some cities have programs in place which encourage people to install wind generators and other alternative energy technologies by reimbursing them for part of the cost. Of course, even without these programs you’ll make your investment back and then some from the savings you’ll see on the cost of electricity.
The installation itself is fairly simple and can be done on your own. Some people think that installing a wind generator is difficult or complicated and should be done by a contractor. Of course, hiring a contractor can get pretty expensive, which keeps many from considering this renewable energy source. However, the fact is that this is an easy project which you can do yourself.
You’ll just need some standard tools and some well written instructions. There is plenty of material available in the web which can help you get started, including step by step instructions which take all of the guesswork out of installing a wind generator. You can have your wind generator installed and producing clean, renewable electrical energy for your home in no time!
Want a guide that can teach you how to build your own residential wind power easily and quickly? This is a great place to start. You can learn to build wind generators in your own backyard and save big money on your energy bill.
Posted: October 20th, 2009 | Author: Arnold Thomas | Filed under: Alternative Fuels | Tags: alternative, Alternative Fuels, DIY, energy, engineering, environment, green, hobbies, home improvement, how to, power, renewable, technology, Wind, wind power | No Comments »
The cost of maintaining your household can be staggering. One of the larger expenses for any home is of course the cost of electricity. Many people find themselves budgeting carefully for this expense and trying as hard as possible to conserve energy to keep pace with the increasing cost of energy.
Some of your monthly bills can’t really be adjusted. Your phone bill, your internet access and of course housing are usually not elastic. There are areas where you can cut costs, but these are not generally among them.
Electricity is one bill which you can save on, however. You can use the best conservation methods, unplugging unused appliance and the like, but there’s only so much money you can save this way and of course, if the people you live with aren’t also diligent about these things, you may be frustrating yourself quite literally over a few pennies.[youtube:qH4AMThBcgg;[link:Easy blues guitar lessons];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH4AMThBcgg&feature=related]
However, you can use all of the electricity you need if you can find an alternative source of energy to use other than what is supplied by your local utility company. Renewable alternative energy sources exist which you can use to keep your electricity costs down; and in some cases, you may even be able to sell excess electrical power to your utility company!
Two of the most popular alternative sources of energy are wind energy and solar energy. Solar energy is pretty common these days and its benefits have been talked about a lot in the past. However, wind energy is something that many households do not take advantage of because they think that they need big wind generators for them to work.
Actually all you need are small wind turbines that you place on your rooftop. You don’t need to worry about figuring out where to get them because you can actually make them yourself if you have the necessary materials that you can acquire online or in the junkyard.
If you live in an area which tends to get strong, steady winds, you may be able to generate the bulk of your own electricity! The more turbines you have the more power you’ll produce and the less you’ll have to pay your utility company for each month.
The way that a wind turbine works is simple – the kinetic energy generated by the rotors moving in the wind is converted into electrical energy which you can use in your home. Best of all, your wind turbines generate power day and night; unlike a solar panel. Excess energy can be stored in batteries and used later.
Wind turbines won’t be able to supply every home with all of the energy they need – since not every home has the space to build several turbines. However, even people in big cities can take advantage of this alternative energy source and lower their electric bills with their own clean, renewable energy. Cheap and easy to build and install, wind turbines are the answer to meeting your energy needs on a tight budget.
Check out how you can make diy wind power for your own house and save cash on your electric bill. Making your own wind power generators may save you hundreds on the cost of buying one at the store as well and still make lots of power.
Posted: October 8th, 2009 | Author: David Sullivan | Filed under: Alternative Fuels | Tags: alternative, Alternative Fuels, DIY, energy, engineering, environment, green, hobbies, home improvement, how to, power, renewable, technology, Wind, wind power | No Comments »
by David Sullivan
If you are looking to reduce your power bill or get off the grid completely, residential wind power is currently the simplest and cheapest way to do it.
So why don’t you and your neighbors go out and buy some turbines? Because commercial ones can retail for exorbitant prices – $2000 to $6000, even. They are still worth the money because they last for a long time and in a year or two they have paid for themselves, but there is an alternative.
You can build your own if you have the right plans for a fraction of the cost of buying one. You can have your own source of residential wind power for $150-$300!
What will you need?
First you will need a good set of plans, an area to work in such as a garage, common tools, and about four days to complete the job.[youtube:c62xOPaS0YA;[link:Windmill power generators];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c62xOPaS0YA&feature=related]
What are the parts of a wind generator?
The wind generator consist of four parts, the blades and hub, the body, tail, and the tower it sits on. It takes longer to build the blades and hub than it does the rest of the system, so it’s best to get that over with first. It is very easy but takes some time.
You will have to order the motor for the wind generator. Your plans will tell you where to get the motor, what size you need and all the technical stuff you need to know to be sure you get what you need. It is the most important part as it is what converts the wind power into electric to power your home.
For the body I recommend double walled stainless steel, which will last a long time and is very cheap. You can get it from a chimney pipe or a wood stove pipe.
The tail is simple and can be made from wood or plastic. You’ll need it so that the turbine is always pointing in the direction of the wind.
You can buy or build your own tower. The best thing to do is find an old TV tower and recycle it for you wind generator tower. Many people will even pay you to take them down and get them out of their way.
These are some of the basics of building a wind turbine (and believe me, it doesn’t get much more complicated). All you need now is a manual to get you started saving money and the environment.
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Posted: October 8th, 2009 | Author: Sanra Phillips | Filed under: Wind | Tags: Electrical, electricity, energy, Environmental, Green Energy, green power, Home Energy, Home Renovation, Home repair, renewable, renewable energy, Renovation, Solar Panel, Wind, wind power | No Comments »
by Thomas Hill
“Earth4 Energy”: An Overview
“Earth4Energy” teaches people how to build solar panels and wind generators in a comprehensive handbook. Since it comes not only with well written instructions but a video “Earth4 Energy” is very easy to follow. In addition, the parts for the panels and the generators are affordable and easy to find. All the parts can be found at a local hardware store and the two systems can be built for no more then a combined total of $300. As well as being easy to use the systems also significantly cut down the monthly energy bills. With “Earth 4 Energy” people are able to breakaway form their electricity companies.
“Earth 4 Energy” Review
For quite some time, I’ve really been thinking of what I can do to save the planet. I am worried about leaving the world in a worse place than I received it. I have children and I don’t want them to be condemned by my inaction. That’s why I decided to try “Earth 4 Energy”.
Overview
“Earth4 Energy” was created by Michael Harvey. He has been working in the renewable energy field for the past 15 years. “Earth 4 Energy” is do it yourself project kit that is designed to show people how to build renewable energy to run their homes.
Our Review of Earth4Energy
I was a little nervous when I first started with “Earth 4 Energy”. I’m not known for my skills when it comes to building things, so there was no telling what was going to happen.
My fears were put to rest immediately, though. The video that comes with “Earth 4 Energy” convinced me that I was more than capable of doing this for myself. The video took me through everything step by step. It looked so easy I was amazed. How could I know that building these kinds of things was so easy?
As soon as the video was over I was ready to get shopping. I didn’t have a big budget, so I was concerned. But again I found that there was no reason to be afraid. I went to the hardware store and spent $300. With that amount I was able to get everything I needed for both the solar panels and the wind generator.
Even though I could have just settled for doing one of them I decided to try both the wind and the solar. I wanted to give the planet all the effort I could and for that price it seemed silly not to.
I really was able to build a complete power station. I was also about to learn a lot more then just facts about wind and solar panels. I also got tips on how to find free batteries to store excess electricity, as well as instructions on how to build a renewable energy generator. With the information I was given, I now have full protection, even when there is a power outage.
I have been talking a lot about the environmentally friendly aspects of “Earth 4 Energy”. But here is my dirty little secret. As great as I feel about these being eco friendly, I feel even better about the savings I’ve been seeing on my electric bill.
Helping top save the planet, I knew, would make me feel good, but saving money make sit even better. I don’t even owe a thing some months. It all feels great.
The Bottom Line
“Earth4 Energy” is an affordable and effective product. I’m, saving money while helping the environment.
Using “Earth 4Energy” got me the best of both worlds. My conscious is lighter and I’m saving money left, right and centre. Can you imagine something better then that?
Posted: October 6th, 2009 | Author: David Sullivan | Filed under: Alternative Fuels | Tags: alternative, Alternative Fuels, DIY, energy, engineering, environment, green, hobbies, home improvement, how to, power, renewable, technology, Wind, wind power | No Comments »
by David Sullivan
Are you looking to get off the grid and stop depending on your power company for electricity? There is another way. The cheapest way right now is wind energy, and the best way to get it into your house is to do it yourself! You can save thousands of dollars.
You can build your own wind power generator for your home. The ideal situation is an area that is 20ft higher than the nearest obstacle or building, and about 250-400 feet away. The average wind speed in North America is about 9-10m/s, which is great for using wind power.
Wind power is a great source of renewable energy. It is much cheaper than solar power per Watt, as a wind turbine can generate 1000W while a single solar panel generates around 100 in daylight.
To turn the rotational energy of the turbine into electricity, the actual power generator is the DC motor. You will have to pick one up or order one – they can cost $50 on up depending on size.
You will also need to buy a tower, or improvise one. Recycling towers is a good idea – people that have old TV towers they don’t use any more may actually pay you to take them away. You will also need some great engineering blueprints to get you started on your project.
Many people have bought guides and made their own 500 watt turbines from scratch using PVC piping, a DC motor, TV tower recycled and a grid connector unit. This can be done in less than a week and for less than $300. On the other hand the same turbine might cost $1500 or $2500 commercially.
The basics of wind power generators have been around ever since the old windmills you still see at farms across the plains and prairies. Now you can find plans on the Internet for building your own system, or buy components or kits that contain what you need to know.
If you have a bit of land or a rooftop to place it on, some PVC, a DC motor and something to make a tower out of, you can put together a wind power generator with basic tools quite easily.
About the Author:
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Posted: October 1st, 2009 | Author: Mike Sullivan | Filed under: Alternative Fuels | Tags: alternative, Alternative Fuels, DIY, energy, engineering, environment, green, hobbies, home improvement, how to, power, renewable, technology, Wind, wind power | No Comments »
by Mike Sullivan
Power and fuel costs are just starting to skyrocket, and they are only going to get higher as the shortage of oil gets worse and demand goes up. Conserving energy is our next priority as a nation, but we can also go one step further to ensure that we never face an energy crisis again – start to create our own renewable energy. Solar power and wind power at home is becoming a common thing and it is becoming very cheap, especially if you create your own solar and wind power generators.
Solar and wind solutions will help you eliminate your power bill and help the environment. They will also save you from power outages.[youtube:eRamBgekKBY;[link:How to build a wind turbine];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRamBgekKBY&feature=related]
Wind power is a good idea if the following is true:
- You have a house or farmhouse spread over a big area. Typically, wind power solutions are employed in areas that spread over an acre.
- The average wind speed in your area is around 11 miles per hour. If you stay in a place that has little wind flow, your system will not work. Consult an expert before installing the wind power solution at home.
- Your house needs an uninterruped power supply. For fridges and computers that always need to be on, having wind power as a backup is a huge plus.
Your wind power turbine will consist of blades that spin in the wind, a body with a motor in it, and a tower. If you are in an area with low-wind you may need a higher tower because wind speeds are greater higher in the air, but if you have high wind speeds in your area a low tower may be good enough.
The spinning energy of the blades is converted into useful electricity by a motor inside the wind turbine. This electricity can be used to power your household appliances. If you use batteries, you can get off the grid completely or just store energy for later in case of a power blackout. If you stay on the grid, your power company will pay you for energy generated that you didn’t use!
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Posted: October 1st, 2009 | Author: David Sullivan | Filed under: Alternative Fuels | Tags: alternative, Alternative Fuels, DIY, energy, engineering, environment, green, hobbies, home improvement, how to, power, renewable, technology, Wind, wind power | No Comments »
by David Sullivan
Traditional energy sources are on their way out. Fossil fuel costs are shooting up because we are running low on them, so we need to prepare for the future. We need to change the way we think about how we get our energy and how much we are using to change our lifestyles into sustainable lifestyles.
And many have already begun doing so. New engineering ideas are allowing us to produce sustainable energy at less and less cost.
Using the right set of plans even homeowners who don’t know anything about construction or electricity can build their own alternative energy sources right in their backyards, such as wind power generators.[youtube:UQWf_-OEHOw;[link:DIY wind power generators];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWf_-OEHOw&feature=related]
Homemade wind turbines can currently generate enough power to reduce the average household’s monthly energy bill by as much as 70% per windmill. With inexpensive plans they can also be built for as little as $200 using some recycled parts.
They can also be built with materials from a local hardware store and basic tools. An easy way to estimate how much power your wind generator can create:
Power(Watts) = (Wind Speed)^3 * (Blade Diameter)^2 * 0.00478
The speed of the wind is cubed, so it makes the most difference in your power output. For example, if you have a good average wind speed of 10mph and an 8 foot blade diameter, then:
W = (10*10*10) * (8*8) * 0.00478 = 305 watts/hour – x 24 hours and you can calculate 7.3 kWh generated per day by a wind power generator.
On average, an American home might use 14-20 kWh per day. If you start conserving your power, you might use much less depending on the size of your home. Even with little wind speed in your area, you should be able to build a wind turbine that can significantly reduce your power bill for as little as $200. Wind power generators are cost-effective, to be sure.
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Posted: September 3rd, 2009 | Author: Miles Novak | Filed under: Solar | Tags: alternative, DIY, Do it Yourself Home Energy, energy, home, off grid living, power, renewable, Residential Solar Panel, Solar, Solar Energy for Home, solar panel kits, solar power, Sun | No Comments »
Light emitted from the sun can be used in a variety of different ways to produce usable energy. A few options include:
- Passive solar energy: taking advantage of the heat displaced by the sun to help regulate home temperature
- Thermal solar collectors: with the use of mirrors, the suns energy can be intensified and used to heat water or air
- Through the use of photovoltaic panels, the light emitted by the sun can be turned into electricity
Simply taking advantage of or controlling the heat given off by the sun is known as Passive Solar Power. Although most of these techniques are relatively straight forward, they can have a substantial impact on monthly utility bills. Some easy things that can be done around the house include:
- A well insulated home. This should result in an inside temperature that stays fairly constant. It is vital to have properly insulated ceilings, walls, and floors. Other key areas include around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. This is the most important step in taking advantage of passive solar energy.
- Another effective technique for keeping warm air in or cold air out is using curtains. Similarly, window shutters or clear insulating strips can also do a good job at regulating inside temperatures.
- Strategically placed vegetation, both inside and outside can help prevent heat from entering your home. When placed around windows or door ways, plants serve as a sort of heat barrier and can surprisingly keep a house quite cool in the summer. In addition to this, plants also provide fresh air, which is a nice thing to have!
In addition to taking advantage of the sun in a passive way, one can use a more active approach. As mentioned above, a thermal solar collector is a great tool for using the suns tremendous temperature output to heat water or a space.
A thermal collector is a device that features an array of dark metal plates, covered in a sheet of glass. The sun warms these metal plates, which absorb the heat and transfer it to a substance, for example water or air. This heated substance can now be used immediately, or stored in a well insulated container for later use.
Finally, light emitted from the sun can be captured and converted to electricity. Basically, this is achieved through a reaction that happens within the photovoltaic panels which results in charged electrons creating an electric current. This can then be stored in a battery or used directly.
Author Miles Novak is a writer and enthusiast of home energy. Visit his webpage for a guide to Do it Yourself products and Home Energy Solutions.
Posted: September 1st, 2009 | Author: David Glen | Filed under: Alternative Fuels | Tags: alternative, Alternative Fuels, DIY, energy, engineering, environment, green, hobbies, home improvement, how to, power, renewable, technology, Wind, wind power | No Comments »
With more people wanting to go green, it’s difficult to ignore ways we can make our homes more energy efficient. It is a wise decision to make an investment in alternative energy solutions. Things such as wind generators help wince it projects considerable downsizing cost, and aiding in helping the declining condition of our earth. With advancements in the renewable energy, it is now simple for people to make their own wind power generator for their residence.
So why pick a wind energy source for one’s own home? There is a myriad of advantages in securing a wind powered generator other than putting the lights on in a house. First of all, it is naturally replenished meaning it is renewable. Great for the environment as well as it creates less greenhouse gases than most conventional sources. Also, the amount of wind power that can be possibly produced is at least elevated five times as the total energy consumption of the entire planet.
Wind powered generators are also cost efficient. After the initial cost of building and installing the unity, the maintenance is almost free. The cost of operation is nearly nothing, making it a top reason people choose wind powered energy. Homes with wind energy have very few costs, subsequently making the energy produced by the wind nearly free for the home. That is one of the reasons it is such a good addition to your home’s power system.
Normally, wind power cannot be applied as the only source of electricity because wind patterns can be unstable and unpredictable. But this is a minor concern, since a wind turbine owner probably has a power grid connection anyway.[youtube:UQWf_-OEHOw;[link:DIY Wind Power Generator];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWf_-OEHOw&feature=related]
With the rising cost of electricity, owning a wind turbine power system can eradicate the stress of rising electricity bills. Since wind is renewable, it won’t run out. Wind turbine owners will see a decrease in electric bills while everyone else deals with increases.
Those with a residential turbine system will feel independence from the local utility company. Those who live in windy areas may want to consider installing a wind powered source on the roofs, or in a residential tower is available. They may be surprised when thy discover the savings. Most wind turbines, particularly the smaller ones, don’t have a lot of moving parts and don’t require regular maintenance. Designed to last several years, these operate automatically without a lot of prior knowledge to keep it working.
The only down side of owning a wind turbine is the lack of guarantee. While most homeowners will have an excess of power stored in the generator, sometimes there will be a necessity for the backup electricity. In spite of this, the savings still add up.
The best part of owning a wind powered generator is not having to worry about the electricity going out during a storm. Lower electric bills, natural reliable energy and a green home what else can you ask for?
See how to build a wind turbine for your backyard and save your hard earned money on your electric bill. Find out how to build a homemade wind generator and you’ll save money on the cost of buying one.