Go Green With Wind and Solar Energy

Eco Friendly Guru — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:42:12 +0000

Green technologies form an integral part of green living. When you hear the term ‘green technology’, it indicates that eco-friendly natural resources like wind and solar energy are being used, to generate power. Green technologies hold the key to conserving non-renewable sources of energy for our future generations.

Understanding Solar Energy

Solar energy is an extremely popular renewable energy source, especially in sunny areas. Solar energy systems make use of sun’s rays/solar power to generate electricity. This is a great option if you want to go green, and stop using fossil fuels like coal, petroleum etc.

A large part of solar energy is absorbed by water bodies. It is critical to sustain life, since it is used by plants to carry out photosynthesis.

Nowadays, people have started using solar panels, which convert solar power into electrical energy. This energy can then be used to power various appliances at home. Solar panels can also convert solar energy into heat energy, which can be used to heat water. The heated water can be used in boiler systems and for geothermal heating of homes. Solar cookers convert solar energy into heat energy, which is then used for cooking food. They can also be used to boil water and milk. Solar cookers can produce temperatures in the range of 90 to 150 degrees Celsius.

A Closer Look At Wind Energy

Wind energy involves harnessing the power of wind to generate power. It is an eco-friendly option, since it does not cause any pollution, nor does it make use of any fossil fuels. In regions of the world which are very windy, wind turbines have been built. These wind turbines convert wind energy to kinetic energy, and this kinetic energy is then converted into electrical energy.

The electrical energy that is generated can then be used to power residential areas, as well as industries. Vertical axis wind turbines have become extremely popular now, and all you need to do is point them in the direction of the wind. By doing this you can convert wind energy into electrical energy, which can take care of your home’s electricity needs. Home based wind energy systems normally consist of a wind turbine and a generator. The wind turbine and generator are mounted atop a tall tower. Controls and other associated equipments are located in cabins.

How Wind Energy Can Power Your Home

There are three types of wind energy systems, which can be used to power your homes. The first one is called ‘Off-Grid’/'Stand Alone’ system. If your house is not connected to the grid, you will use the power that is generated by this system. Then there is the ‘Grid-Tied’/'On Grid’ system. This comes with a battery back up and so, you can store the energy, which can then be used in case of power outages. In this system, electricity is supplied to your home using power grid as well as wind energy system. The third system is called the ‘Grid-Tied’/'On Grid system without battery back up’. This is identical to the second type of system, but does not have any battery back up. Thus, in case of power outage you won’t have any stored power.

If you want to truly go green, remember that solar and wind energy are two of the cleanest green energy options that you have. They are renewable and don’t cause any sort of pollution.

Green Living Using Energy Efficient Lighting

Eco Friendly Guru — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:22:40 +0000

If you want to go green, you need to set up an energy efficient lighting system at home. Standard incandescent light can convert only 10 percent of the electricity into light. The rest of the energy is dissipated as heat, and is of no use. They also have a shorter life, due to the fact that they have filaments and other parts. Thus, they are not energy efficient and don’t last too long either.

Overlooked Benefits of Energy Efficient Lighting

By installing energy efficient lights, you can do a lot of good for the environment and save money in the process. Some firms had started giving out ‘water and energy saver packs’, to try out at home. Since there are several energy efficient lighting options that you can choose from, you need to understand how they differ. Only then can you decide on the best lighting option for you.

1. Use of LEDs- Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used in electronic devices like clocks, laptops, Stereo systems etc. LEDs generate a broad spectrum of bright colored light and so, they can find several other uses. They are a great choice to replace halogen globes, since they consume 70 percent less energy as compared to regular halogen globes. Small groups of LEDs can be placed at various locations in your home, to produce sufficient light. They can be arranged in various configurations, which is great. LEDs are mercury free and so, they are the perfect eco-friendly lighting solution.

2. Use CFLs with shade- According to a British study, CFLs produce small quantities of ultra-violet radiation, when they are unshaded. This can be harmful when they are close to us and so, it’s best to use ‘encapsuled’ CFL globes. You can also make use of shades while using a CFL. This will reduce the harmful effects of UV radiation.

3. Use of Compact Fluorescent Lights- Compact Fluorescent lights (CFLs) are highly energy efficient. They use about 20% of the energy required to produce the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp, and they last about 10 times longer. Thus, CFLs can reduce the cost of lighting your home drastically. Thanks to CFLs, your electricity bills will reduce for sure.

4. Recycling CFLs- Most CFLs contain about 4mg of mercury in them. Some CFL manufacturers have reduced the amount of mercury to about 1-2.5mg. Since CFLs contain mercury, they need to be handled with extreme care. Also, make use of CFL recycling programs, so that the mercury does not end up in landfills.