Solar Lighting For Subdivisions – Earth-Friendly Ways To Make Your Community Beautiful

Carl M Wright asked:

Solar lights solve many challenges for housing subdivisions. This article describes simple applications of solar technology that homeowners’ associations can use to cut costs, increase security, and improve the aesthetics of their community. These applications include:

Solar sign lights for entrance signs and public buildings. Solar-powered security lights to automatically light common areas as people approach. Deck lights for use around pool, patio and tennis areas. Landscape lights to highlight garden features and pathways.

Generally, solar systems save money in both installation and operation. They don’t need expensive wiring for installation and there is no need to connect to your local electric utility. The sun charges them every evening, and will automatically turn them on each evening.

Solar Sign Lights Most subdivisions have signs at their entrances, but these signs are typically far from the homes and utility connections. Rather than dig trenches and run wires to distant signs, solar sign lighting provides a cost-effective solution. They turn on automatically each evening, eliminating the requirement for a lamp timer. Smaller solar spotlights can even be used to mark street intersections or common buildings.

Motion-Activated Security Lighting Solar-powered floodlights come with motion sensors that automatically turn the light on as someone approaches. This capability can be used to improve security in dark areas around the complex, including entryways and walkways.

Deck Lights Many housing developments include swimming pools, tennis courts and common decks as part of their amenities. Solar deck lighting can be used to highlight these areas at night. Placed around the perimeter of a deck or walkway, these lights help guide residents to their destination and create a more festive atmosphere.

Landscape Lighting A wide range of solar garden lights are available to highlight landscape features around common areas. Most useful are solar pathway lights, which consist of decorative independent lights that emit a soft glow. These typically include an embedded solar panel so no wiring is necessary. All that needs to be done is stick them in the ground.

Help your homeowners’ association create an earth-friendly, low-cost and pleasant environment with solar lighting!

Tips To Save the Earth

Pauline Go asked:

What can you do to save the earth? Saving the earth is everyone’s duty. All of us can contribute some effort to make a better tomorrow. If you do not know how to begin, follow these tips.

Turn off your light: When you don’t need it, it only makes sense to turn off your light bulb. If you have a regular incandescent bulb at your house, you should change it to a compact fluorescent bulb. Believe it or not, it is good to the environment, and it can also save you a lot of money. Although a fluorescent bulb may seem expensive, energy experts confirm that you will save more money with a fluorescent bulb long term. Even though incandescent bulb may be cheaper, it will burn out often. Furthermore, fluorescent bulb will only use a quarter of energy to generate the same amount of light.

Running faucet: Turn off the running faucet when you brush your teeth. Believe it or not, if you leave the water running for two minutes, you waste up to ten gallons of water.

Turn down the heat: If you must turn on the heater in the winter, you should set it at 135 degrees. Try to put on thicker blanket or jacket when you go to bed. You may not even need your heater.

Carry cloth shopping bags: Cloth shopping bags are better than plastic shopping bags for the environment.

Recycle: Recycle newspapers, plastic, cans, or glass. Learn about your local recycling facilities. Recycle whenever you can.

Alert your family about the environment: If you have children, you should teach them about recycling. Teach them to love the environment.

Think Green, Go Green, Making Green - All the Way to the Bank

Mitchell Dillman asked:

It seems as if it’s everywhere. Go green this, think green that. You can’t go anywhere without seeing something about recycle this or reduce that. Every other commercial you see on television, there it is again. Earth friendly this or Global Warming that.

Maybe it’s time you took a serious look at what all this eco-friendly, environmentally conscience, sustainable living is all about. Maybe it’s time you realized this Green thing is for real and it’s more than just a few tree hugging environmentalists crying about the ozone layer. It’s a real movement, a real way of life, that’s here to stay.

By now, it should come as no surprise that there’s a whole lot of people making a whole lot of money from this whole new green thing. Every time you turn around there is another company releasing another new product designed to reduce something, all with the ultimate goal of helping our planet. A new and more efficient light bulb, a fuel re-formulator you pour in your gas tank designed to reduce emissions while increasing your automobiles fuel mileage, or a new, whisper quite, collapsible electric wind turbine you mount on the roof of your home. It doesn’t seem to matter what it is, if it helps to reduce energy, reuse something else, or it is made out another recycled product, it’s going to sell.

We have found ourselves living at a time where it has become politically correct to be environmentally correct. As more businesses strive to find ways to lower their carbon footprint, others are busy researching and developing the next hottest craze in helping the planet. There are guys out there like Al Gore who have not only realized the need to help the environment but have seized this incredible and vast market, making money hand over fist.

For many, the green movement means just that, more green. And I’m not talking about the chlorophyll that gives plant leaves their green appearance. I’m talking about the color of the all mighty dollars that are being made selling the whole green movement. You see, there has never been a better time to think green. There has never been a better time than now to go green. There has clearly never been a better time than now to make green.

It’s really quiet simple. If you want to make more green, perhaps it’s time to go green. No matter what your belief or personal opinion about the whole green movement, there’s no denying, green is good. Especially when it’s in your bank account. Now is the time to look into your own new source of green.

The Advantages of Pool Solar Panels – Use the Pool Throughout the Year

Nigel Whittaker asked:

Pool solar panels are usually manufactured to heat the pool water. The name suggests the meaning of the term. These panels are used to heat the pool by using the circulation of water. There are different kinds of systems which are used to heat the pools. If you are interested in these solar panels to heat the pool then you need to find the best type of panel.

Sun panels for pools are usually flat panels. These panels are made up of plastic materials that are very much durable. If these solar systems are not made up of durable materials they will not be able to endure the weather conditions. It can be said that getting a pool solar panel is a good investment.

Pool solar panels do not have any ongoing costs. You can save a lot of money in your electricity bills. Previously you had to pay a huge amount to the electricity company to keep your pool in comfortable temperature. But with the solar panels you can save that huge money. Solar pool panels will also allow you to use the pool throughout the year.

You just need to adjust the temperature accordingly. It is true that the solar pool panels are not so much in demand in the market. This concept is still new to lots of people. The cost of the pool panel is lower than that of a normal solar panel. But still the cost can mean great investment for many.

So there are lots of people who are not yet ready to invest this amount for their swimming pool heater. You might need to invest at least $3000 to $5000 for the pool solar panels used at home. This amount is quite big and people might try to avoid it especially just for heating the pool.

The cost of the solar panel for the pool will depend on the size of your swimming pool. It might also depend on the type of solar panel you purchase for your pool. But once you invest this money you will surely get some returns within a few years. It will not only help you to save the environment but will also allow you to use the pool whenever you want.

These pool solar panels have only one major problem. These panels are unable to provide any extra heat if you want. You cannot turn up the output of the heat that these solar panels provide. Other than this, the solar panels used for the pools are also quite advantageous.

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The Prime Reasons and Causes Of Global Warming

Carl Ganser asked:

Global warming is a phenomenon that has been discussed widely nowadays and global warming causes are one of the most studied subjects presently in the world. Through out the world many governments, institutes and universities are trying to find out what are the causes for global warming. As the effects of global warming is becoming more and more evident, many of us have started to realize that steps have to be taken to control Global warming at the earliest and various countries and people have started working towards it.

The earth, the 3rd planet of our solar system, the planet brimming with life and beautiful landscape, is on the verge of getting destroyed. The main reason is global warming. Global warming is the slow and steady increase in the temperature of earth and its atmosphere. The increase in the temperature of earth has caused many effects like the melting of ice in Polar Regions, increase in disease occurrences, drastic climatic changes including rainfall and dry periods.

One of the major causes for global warming can be attributed to the activities of man. The man which thinks of himself as the most intelligent thing on earth is knowingly or unknowingly destroying its own habitat. The activities of man has lead to an increase in the so called greenhouse gases which include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide etc. the gases have created an effect of green house on the earths surface which prevents the reflection of the rays from sun and thus causes the increase in temperature. Carbon dioxide concentration in the air has increased due to the emissions from cars, airplanes, power plants, industries etc. another reason for it is the deforestation. Forests have been cut down paying way for agriculture, industries and cities. The trees were natural regulators of carbon dioxide which used to control its level’s in the atmosphere.

Another is the CFC which is used in refrigerators, in fire extinguisher’s which destroys the natural ozone layer. The ozone layer was a natural barrier which used to prevent the harmful ultra violet rays of the sun. Without this layer, the rays fall on the earth and cause the temperature to increase. Researchers have found an ozone hole in our atmosphere, which they say is the main reason for the melting of glacier’s in the Polar Regions. Earth which mainly consists of developing or underdeveloped countries, which holds a major population needs electricity for the day to day activities. The electricity supply is mainly satisfied by burning fossil fuels. The fossil fuel on burning releases carbon dioxide which causes global warming.

The causes of the global warming have been in work for a long time and slowly it has caused the increase in the temperature. The satisfactory fact is that at least now the governments of various countries and its people have started to understand that they are one of the causes for the global warming. Therefore combined efforts by the different countries have started to control the global warming and thereby prevent our habitat from destruction. Awareness, alternative forms of energy, conservation of energy, and reforestation can help.

These are the major causes of global warming and hopefully by taking measures we can bring this grave situation under control. If people are educated about the global warming causes, they can do what they can to control global warming in their everyday life.

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Practical Solar Power For the Home

Chris Tyrrel asked:

Most people like the idea of solar power. Who wouldn’t? Solar power produces energy with no harmful emissions, totally silently and with no running costs. So why don’t we use it more in our day to day lives? Well, there is no reason why we shouldn’t, so if you’re interested read on…

Whilst powering your home with solar power is still prohibitively expensive for most, using solar power as a practical source of energy for smaller applications most certainly is not. There are literally hundreds of affordable solar powered products that will work well in the UK and that can be both useful and cost effective alternatives to mains power.

Micro Scale Solar

Small solar cells have moved on a step from powering the humble desk calculator. Solar power is now widely used to power everything from children’s toys to electric shavers! The most common applications include solar powered torches, radios, battery chargers (typically AA & AAA types) and chargers for mobile phones, iPods and the masses of portable electronic gadgetry that is so widely used today.

Great if you are on holiday, travelling or camping, these products will provide dependable power when otherwise you might have none.

Solar Lighting

Have you ever thought how useful it would be to have a light somewhere in the garden, on the outside of the house or perhaps in your shed or stable, but not wanted to go to the bother and expense of getting an electrician in to fit it?

Good quality solar powered lights can provide dependable light in any remote location without the need for trailing cables or any mains power at all. They can be DIY fitted in minutes and will work for years without costing a penny to run. Shed lights and movement operated security lights, right through to DIY systems for large barns and multiple stables are all readily available.

Solar Trickle Chargers

Solar chargers are ideal for trickle charging batteries on infrequently used vehicles such as vintage cars, sports cars, motorbikes, mowers, tractors and boats. With the help of a solar trickle charger you can return to your machine with the peace of mind that the battery will be charged and ready for starting duties.

Recreational vehicles such as camper vans, caravans and boats that run on board lighting and appliances from 12V leisure batteries can also greatly benefit from the addition of a solar panel to help with charging duties. Batteries can be topped up silently throughout the day with energy from the sun, which has to be preferable to running a noisy diesel engine or generator to do the same job.

So why not get powered up by solar energy? It really can provide practical and cost effective solutions in a wide range of day-to-day situations and, believe it or not, it makes you feel good too!

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Energy Conservation in a Few Simple Steps – Save the Planet for the Generations to Come

Tania Penwell asked:

The world is no longer a safe place to live.

But YOU can make it safer by acting a little more responsibly and sensibly.

YOUR little contributions toward energy conservation can make big difference for your home, for your family, and for this planet. Discover in this article a few easy ideas to get started in making your planet a better living place for the future generations.

Energy conservation and your environment

By saving energy you can have a fatter bank balance. But more than that, individual efforts for energy conservation mean cleaner and greener society as a whole.

Energy conservation means lowering the demands of such fossil fuels as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Drops in the use of fossil fuels means lower production of pollutants like carbon dioxide – the deadliest of all greenhouse emissions.

Energy conservation – a necessity, not an option

Did you know Americans as a whole expend a million dollars worth of energy every minute, night and day, every day of the year!

A little cut in this expenditure and pollutants are lesser by thousands of pounds!

And on the personal front – you can save a significant dollar amount on your annual energy bills.

Follow the simple steps described below and make the earth a better place for your grand children.

AT HOME
Insulate your walls and ceilings for cutting down 20 to 30 percent on home heating bills. Those living in colder climate should consider super insulating. For the same purpose replace the traditional windows with argon filled, double-glazed windows. Always use Energy Star certified (high efficiency) appliances for less energy consumption. Choose the model size according to your typical needs; don’t opt for the biggest size just because you can afford it. Be careful about your electrical appliances-don’t leave your computer, sound system etc in stand by mood. Always switch them off after the use. Consider adding a “smart” power strip to automatically turn off equipment. Don’t unnecessary set your refrigerator temperature at an extra ordinary low-set it at a reasonable point. Make sure that its energy saver switch is turned on. For the same reason, turn down your water heater thermostat from 140 degrees F to 120 F. Use such appliances as washing machine or dishwasher at their highest capacities. Make sure, you don’t overheat or overcool your rooms; always keep the air filters clean. Replace your ordinary lighting systems with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs; they cost more initially, but latter they pay off by using only 1/4 the energy of ordinary lights.

OUTSIDE
Make use of the public transport system wherever possible, or ride your bicycle. By saving just a gallon of gasoline, you are helping to avoid 22 pounds of CO2 emissions. When you are buying a new car, opt for the greener models. The cars giving better mileage costs more initially, but in the long run they help you save significantly on your energy bill. Avoid elevators and use stairs whenever possible. Reuse the things whenever possible to reduce the necessity of recycling. Plant shading trees around your home: it works as natural heater or cooling system.

Finally always stay informed about latest environmental issues-both at local as well as national level and vote to office the candidates who generally seem to take a constructive approach toward environmental protection and energy conservation.

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How Power Savers Work – Basic Buying Tips

Martin Pavion asked:

Can you really save 40% on your electricity bills by plugging a small box into your AC socket?

In the past six month a number of products have been advertised on TV and online which seem too good to be true. I’d like to explain the reality of these exciting claims and give you a layman’s understanding of how Power Savers work.

A Power Saver is a device which you plug in to your power socket. Apparently just by keeping the device connected it will immediately reduce your power consumption. Typical claims are savings between 25% and 40%.

The technology behind Power Saver units comes from German research coupled with Asian manufacturing and it is based on sound scientific principles.

Electricity is not stable. When electricity flows the voltage can rise and fall all the time. The rises in voltage are known as ‘spikes’ and they cannot be used by your appliances at all. All these spikes do is waste your electricity. These power spikes also convert electrical energy into heat energy which leaks power from your circuit. Not only that but the heat will also do long-term danage to your wiring and to your appliances.

There are a few Power Saver models on the market but they all work along the same principle. They store the electricity inside of it using a system of capacitors and they release it in a smoother way to normal without the spikes. The systems also automatically remove carbon from the circuit which also encourages a smoother electrical flow. This means that you will have less power spikes. More of the electricity flowing around your circuit can be used to power your appliances than before.

There are many factors which do affect the efficiency of your Power Saver. The device works immediately after plugging it in although it can take as long as 8 days before it has adjusted itself for peak performance. The rate of savings will depend on what kind of appliances you have connected. All appliances are different but expect savings of up to 25% on lights, 30% on air-conditioning units and up to 35% on other appliances.

The highest savings will be in areas where voltage supply is less stable. Locations close to shops, restaurants and light industries tend to gain additional savings from Power Saver devices.

So how can you be sure that your Power Saver is working correctly?

Most often Power Savers come fitted with a light to indicate that it is working. If you have access to an electricity meter then you should see it immediately slowing down. Assuming that the light is on and that you leave the device unattended you can expect savings immediately. Be aware that often electricity companies will not take meter readings each month. Often bills are calculated on monthly averages which self-correct over time so please be aware of that in using your bill as a guide.

Finally, it is highly recommended to order your Power Savers from companies offering 100% guarantees for longer than 30 days. Remember that 30 days may not be sufficient time to truly know if the device is working as effectively as you expect. Try to work with companies that extend their guarantee dates to at least 60 day which gives you a much longer period to assess the benefits.

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