Author Archive

08
APR

Conor MacGuire says:
Renewable Energy – Power Your Home More Effectively and Efficiently

Category: Biomass Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Water Power, Wind Power
Tags:

In the recent years, the rising costs of energy have boosted the overall cost of living to all new heights. Thus, it now becomes necessary for the homeowners to set their sights on the alternative energy sources. These sources reduce both, energy dependence and expense to a significant amount.

As the fear of ending conventional sources of energy rises, the homemakers have started weighing other options for their energy consumption. More and more people now ought to invest in alternative energy resources of energy, and it seems to be a growing market. Along this, a number of states now offer rebates, tax credits, and other incentives to promote clean energy. So, now it’s your turn to switch to these energy sources, before it gets too late. Read out here to find some promising solutions, which can help power your home efficiently and effectively:

renewable-energy

Solar

When it comes to renewable sources, ‘Solar energy’ is the first to strike your brain. The reason for its ever increasing popularity is that it is the easiest solution, or better say, one of the most easily accessible. For your home, all you need is the photo-voltaic solar panels, batteries and an inverter.

The performance depends greatly on the region you are residing, for example, the location having sunny and brighter days for most of the time per year will show better results. But, that doesn’t mean the areas with less sunlight cannot use solar panels. Even, if the temperature falls off, the solar energy users can still keep their homes warm and bright.

Another advantage of solar energy is that it demands a little maintenance. The solar panels once installed, can provide large amounts of electricity and don’t ask for repairs often.

Wind

Do you know that wind energy is the second most widely used renewable source? But, many homemakers associate it with those mammoth wind farms, neglecting their usage at home. The fact which remains silent is that there are a number of small sized turbines available, perfect for producing a significant amount of energy.

So, it is a valuable solution for those looking for non- conventional sources. The speed of the wind in your region will decide over the right solution for your home. You can seek help from the weather services, they will let you know the average wind speed in your region.

Undoubtedly, bigger turbines are capable of generating a large amount of energy, but you can use a 10-kilowatt turbine for your home. It is 100 feet tall, the turbine is nearly 23 feet and is sufficient to produce enough energy for a house.

Micro Hydro Electricity

This is an effective solution and its installation is much easier. Warning!!! – It is ideal only if you live near moving water.

All you need is to place a pipe, running from the higher area (where water is flowing) to a lower piece of ground. As the water moves downhill, turns the turbine at the end of the pipe, energy is produced. Surprisingly, a number of micro hydro systems have been known to produce ten or even 100 times more power than wind or solar. Moreover, it is more efficient than the two other sources, as it can run non-stop and overnight.

Biomass

As far as the use of biomass for your home is considered, it usually includes the stove used to heat water or for general home heating. You can use plants, including wood waste, grass, crops or trees to fuel your stoves. It is sometimes reported to pollute the air, but it is still a green option as it produces less pollution than those fossil fuels, which involves burning of harsh chemicals.

So, there is a multitude of combinations available. Now, it depends on your budget to achieve energy independence with help of these renewable sources!

UK Gov is inspiring folks to use these technologies and providing loan under the scheme like Green Deal. If you need green deal in Scotland then contact Green Energy Scotland Limited for your needs. UK Gov is also running another scheme called: Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is the world’s first long-term financial support programme for renewable heat. The RHI pays participants of the scheme that generate and use renewable energy to heat their buildings.

0Comments | Be the first to comment

Top
04
JUL

Conor MacGuire says:
Some Ways YOU Can Help Reduce Carbon Footprint

Category: Climate Change, Combined Heat & Power, Energy Efficiency, Heat Pumps, Solar Energy, Sustainable Living
Tags:

Reducing carbon footprint is a mutual responsibility for all of us who inhabit this planet. It is not just your local municipality, state government, a well funded non-profit or national government that can do something significant to help reduce the carbon footprint. You too can do your bit. Read on to find out how!

‘Carbon footprint’ means the amount of carbon dioxide released into the earth’s atmosphere as a result of various activities. Increasing concentrations of this gas are resulting in higher overall temperatures, melting of glaciers and various other changes in the climate that are and will adversely affect the ecology of this planet. Listed below are some meaningful ways YOU as an individual can help reduce carbon footprint:

1. Start with how you use your car

Most people cannot stop using a car altogether but you can reduce your contribution to the carbon footprint by 30% per gallon.

  • Always accelerate slowly and as smoothly as you can.
  • Stay within the speed limit and drive steadily.
  • Always keep your car in good working condition.
  • Replace your filters on time.
  • Or invest in an Electric Car with zero emissions.

That’s all it takes!

2. Change the way you travel

By taking a handful of smart decisions related to travel, you can make a considerable difference to the emission level due to vehicles.

  • Combine errands in one trip instead of many.
  • Use a carpool and save up to 20% per gallon.
  • Once a week, use a cycle to reach office or take out the bike instead of the car. And if your workplace is less than a mile, why not just take a walk!
  • If possible, you can even work from home on some days.

3. Charity begins at home

  • Invest in programmable thermostats in order to control the temperature of your home.
  • Keep your house in prime shape by regularly maintaining the caulking and the insulation.
  • Change your lighting to CFL’s, they cut down the energy bill by two thirds and work for a very long time.
  • At all times, keep your heating and cooling systems in good shape to keep energy loss at the minimum.
  • Teach your children to keep the faucet off while brushing and shaving.
  • When buying appliances, check that it has the Energy Star Label.
  • Replace windows that are losing heat. And start looking for solar energy options for the house.

4. When it’s celebration time

  • Use recycled paper for sending out invites. Or go one step further and cut out paper altogether; go for a virtual set up for invitations.
  • Set a menu having ingredients that can be procured locally and are organic.
  • Set the venue outside in the lap of nature to avoid decorations and other fanfare.
  • Choose a location that involves very little transportation.

5. Reduction at your workplace

  • Shut down your computer and switch off the monitor before you leave for the day.
  • Before printing a document, see if it can be given on a pen drive or better still, can be passed on through an e-mail. If you really need to print, do it on both sides.
  • Carpool to work or walk it if possible.
  • Open your windows to save energy, if you can.
  • Carry your lunch from home or walk to the coffee shop; don’t drive just because it has become a habit.
  • Only switch on lights you need.

The most important thing to remember is – Reuse, reduce, and recycle.

You can do it! Let’s make our planet more beautiful than we our ancestors left it us for.

The article is by Conor MacGuire, author for Green Energy Scotland Limited, who provides energy saving advice in Scotland. They help people of Scotland to make their home energy efficient so that they can save on energy bills. They also replace boilers under boiler replacement scheme in Scotland.

0Comments | Be the first to comment

Top
26
JUN

Conor MacGuire says:
The Green Deal for Home – Explained

Category: Biomass Energy, Combined Heat & Power, Energy Deals & Offers, Energy Efficiency, Green Deal, Green Electricity & Gas, Heat Pumps, Solar Energy, Sustainable Living
Tags: , ,

Green Deal Plan for Home: Here is the Start to Finish Process

It’s called the Green Deal – a project designed to help you make energy saving improvements at home and also to find the ideal way to make payments for the same. Home improvements for maximum energy conservation generally depend upon the structure of the house. However the main focus of the project should be including solid wall insulation, double glazing, boiler upgrades, and much many other things discussed below.

After many years of talking and planning about the Green Deal, the flagship energy saving scheme designed by the government is finally up and running. The aim of the project is to make every house warmer and much cheaper to run. To achieve this however, people are not required to shell large sums of money upfront. 

The Green Deal project typically comprises of the following stages:

1. Assessment

Assessment involves inspection of your home or office premises by a fully accredited Green Deal Advisors. The respective advisor will perform the following functions:

  • Survey the entire property and come up with EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) in order to ascertain the current energy rating and also to recognize the types of developments which the Green Deal can fund.
  • In case the EPC recognizes any suitable measure fit for attaining Green Deal finance, the Green Deal Assessor will commence a Green Deal Occupancy Assessment and recognize what improvements are going to be cost effective and look out for any scope of cash back or subsidies.
  • Explain in detail the entire payment process
  • Prepare a Green Deal advice report that will outline all your available options
  • Also assist you in selecting a Green Deal Provider
  • Supervise the home improvement installations and sign off as soon as the work is complete.

2. Installation

The Green Deal Advisor will fix up with the Green Deal Provider and appoint a suitable Green Deal Installer for you. The installer will then make the required home improvement jobs – you and the Green Deal Advisor agreed upon. You are required to constantly access the installer to ensure he fulfills all the standards laid down by the Green Deal.

3. Repayment

You are required to pay back the cost of your various home improvement jobs over a period of time by means of electricity bills. Here your electricity supplier is supposed to pass on your payments to the respective Green Deal Provider. It is to be noted that the amount you pay via your electricity bill is not going to be more than you save upon your heating bills. This way you are guaranteed to be in profit from the very first day.

You’ll be required to pay for your home improvement services, but the payment you make will never be considered as your conventional personal loan. Reason – the payment will be attached to your electricity meter and paid back in the form of electricity bill. In case you vacate the property, the charge will be picked up by the new occupant, who will also benefit from the energy-efficient property.

A regular interest will be charged on all payments, but the rate will be fixed. In addition, you will be shown a complete schedule of all the payments before you finally sign up the plan.

Improvements covered by the Green Deal include:

  • Insulation
  • Glazing
  • Heating and hot power
  • Microgeneration

The non-domestic centers would also cover mechanical ventilation, heat recovery measures and lighting.

Incentives to Begin the Green Deal Scheme

Recently, the government launched the Green Deal Cask Back Scheme in an attempt to encourage more homeowners to take up home improvements right in the early days of Green Deal.

According to the scheme, the most eligible candidates will receive cash back guarantee as soon as they get their measures installed. The highest rates will be allotted to the earliest applicants.

The ECO (Energy Company Obligation)

The ECO for the large six energy suppliers comprises of three parts, including:

1. Affordable Warm Obligation

This will provide heating and hot water saving measures, glazing, micro generation technology and insulation to vulnerable and low-income households. There are however complex eligibility criteria for this scheme.

2. Carbon Saving Obligation

CSO is a means to provide funding in order to insulate solid-walled premises including those with tough to treat cavity walls.

3. Carbon Saving Communities Obligation

This will provide glazing and insulation measures to all people comprising of bottom 15% of the most deprived areas in UK.

0Comments | Be the first to comment

Top

Lets Get Energized with Renewable Energy!

Lets Get Energized is your online guide to renewable energy and sustainable living with the latest news, views and tips plus exclusive special offers to help you save energy and money, beat rising energy prices, combat climate change and be more self sufficient – right now, and for your future...

READ ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY

ENJOY EXCLUSIVE OFFERS,
NEWS + ENERGY SAVING TIPS:

CONGRATS TO OUR SUMMER E-BIKE HIRE WINNER: CLARE WEBB*

*This competition is now closed but you can still enter for the chance to win future competitions!

No Thanks - Hide This Pop-up