reducing energy consumption http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for reducing energy consumption Copyright 2008 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:42:42 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/reducing+energy+consumption Low Voltage Lighting http://www.artwoo.com/article/low-voltage-lighting http://www.artwoo.com/article/low-voltage-lighting#comments Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:25:02 +0000 low voltage lightinglow voltage lighting systemsenergy consumptionenergy concernslight sourcemust take into considerationlight bulb http://www.artwoo.com/article/low-voltage-lighting energy consumption is a primary goal for all. This is a priority that all , no matter if you own your own business, home or you are renting. Anything we can do to decrease in daily energy consumption is not only a benefit to our wallets but also to society as a whole. One way to achieve these primary goals of reducing our energy consumption and therefore decreasing our monthly electric bill is to incorporate into your business or residence.

The beauty of low voltage lighting is not only the impact that it will have on your monthly electric bill, but you will also not have to sacrifice the ambiance that a traditional affords. Low voltage lighting provides you with the same beautiful light source that you are currently accustomed to without eating up an enormous amount of energy, making it the perfect alternative.

We no longer have to adhere to one type of ; there are currently a plethora of different options available. Xenon, halogen, and LED are some of the different versions of low voltage lighting that are available on the market today. Although you may spend just bit more for these types of bulbs at the register they will outlast and utilize less energy than their predecessors, making them pay for themselves in the long run.

Choosing which are right for your home or business and its configuration can be an easy and fun task for all. Get your whole family involved when making such adjustments or improvements to your home, as this can be a very important learning experience for young and old alike. Take the time to explain the reasoning behind implementing these fixtures or bulbs into your home, especially to the younger set as the is not going to go away anytime soon. In order to tackle these imperative goals, first identify what tasks are going to be preformed and in and around the area that you will utilize this type of bulb. One component that will most likely be utilized, in this type light system, is a transformer. A transformer will reduced the 120 volt of electricity to manageable 12 volts that is optimum for the utilization of low voltage lighting. Most current low voltage lighting fixtures today offer built in transformers. After you see the beauty that low voltage lighting has to offer you will want to incorporate it into every area for your residence or business that needs a light source or fixture.

Low voltage lighting is perfect to not only incorporate inside your dwelling, but also the surrounding landscape. Just as with a variety of low voltage light bulbs available there are just as many light fixtures to choose from such as track lighting and pendants. Forward thinking companies such as Phantom Lighting offer a plethora products that targets this low voltage initiative. Linear strip lights such as the ones this company makes offer an ideal source of low voltage decorative light that can transform and magnify the various decorative elements on display within a room or an office.

Such advanced low voltage fixtures are ideal for almost any type of shelving system or display cabinet. Compact, small in size and revealing no wires, enable you to move your treasured items around with ease all the while providing your collectibles with the beautiful illumination that it deserves!

This is only one of the many technologies that are emerging that will gear all lighting systems ultimately toward the utilization of low voltage as the wave of our future. Phantom Lighting manufactures proprietary art lighting projectors and linear strip lights and distributes these products through an intercontinental network of agents operating from Canada to Argentina. Visit http://www.phantomlighting.com to learn more about low voltage lighting resources and products. ]]> Solar Panels and the Environment http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-panels-and-the-environment http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-panels-and-the-environment#comments Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:50:31 +0000 reducing energy consumptiongreenhouse gasesusing solar energyburning fossil fuelspoor air qualitypristine wildernessnatural ecosystems http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-panels-and-the-environment
Yes! One person or one family can save 20,000 tons of greenhouse gas from polluting the environment just by to heat your hot water and heat your home. 20,000 tons is a lot of ! And that's just if one home just switches to solar energy. Imagine the decrease in greenhouse gases that could happen if 20,000 people per year switched to using solar energy to heat their hot water and heat their home. Add to that the effects of by 50% if you use solar energy for electricity and suddenly the impact on the environment is enormous.

In addition to reducing the amount of greenhouse gases that you put out switching to solar energy has a big impact on the environment because you will be reducing the amount of fossil fuels that you are using. Fossil fuels are very bad pollutants and contribute directly to and other environmental problems.

The environment isn't just hurt by people for energy. The environment is also hurt by what is necessary to get those fossil fuels. Enormous portions of the earth need to be dug up, processing plants and refineries built, and destroyed all over the planet just to get to the fossil fuels that are buried in the earth. Most of the is gone in any country that has natural deposits of fossil fuels because of the ever-growing demand that countries around the world have for fossil fuels.

When fossil fuels are processed there is a huge amount of solid waste, much of it toxic, that is left behind. This waste takes up space in landfills and then seeps into groundwater while the runoff flows to the waterways polluting the water and the soil. The carbon dioxide and other gases that are released poison the air for miles around the processing plants of these fossil fuels.

Solar energy might not solve all of the environmental problems that we face as a result of the overuse of fossil fuel but it's a start. Just having a few thousand people per year switch to using solar energy to heat and power their homes will be a big step towards creating a safer, cleaner environment for everyone. And since the costs of buying and installing solar panes is dropping all the time soon it will be a lot more common for homes to use solar energy for their power needs.

Some of the related articles at SolarPanelCenter.net are as follows:

* What are Solar Photovoltaic Systems?

* The History of Solar Panels

* Types of Solar Panels

* Solar Panel Shingles

* The Benefits of Using Solar Energy in Your Home

* How Much Money Can Installing Solar Panels Really Save?

* Solar Panel Use Around the World

* Solar Panel Use in the United States

* Is Using Solar Panels Right for You?Ainuddin Mohamad is the Webmaster of http://www.SolarPanelCenter.net and many other websites including http://www.Personal-Finance-Info.org and http://www.ForexTradingHQ.net]]> Trees - The Outdoor A/C http://www.artwoo.com/article/trees-the-outdoor-ac http://www.artwoo.com/article/trees-the-outdoor-ac#comments Sun, 01 Jul 2007 11:25:00 +0000 shade treesplanting treesclearwaterenvironmental protection agencyrooftop gardensvegetationstorm water runoff http://www.artwoo.com/article/trees-the-outdoor-ac Environmental Protection Agency, and is a simple and effective way to reduce heat islands. When a city such as Downtown strategically plants trees around homes and buildings the interior is directly cooled, therefore reducing air conditioning and peak energy demand. It has been proven that trees effectively cool the air and buildings around them through the production of shade and "evapotranspiration" which is the evaporation of water from leaves.

It is interesting to learn that the shade from trees make the surface cooler anywhere from 9 to 36 degrees F or 5 to 20 degrees C. This is much cooler than the peak surface temperature of un-shaded areas. These cool "shaded" areas decrease the quantity of heat transferring to buildings=85.thus reducing the energy needed for air conditioning.

We should also keep in mind that trees and vegetation improve air quality most notably by reducing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, decreasing and by improving community livability. NASA reported in a 2004 article that some US cities have initiated the planting of on city buildings to help cool the urban surface. Rooftop gardens insulate buildings and reduce energy consumption by intercepting solar energy that would otherwise heat the roof surface. And because rooftop gardens are irrigated, evapotranspiration helps cool the air.

What should you do this weekend? Cool down by planting a tree. But first we would suggest that you visit the official Clearwater website at www.myclearwater.com, and review the residential development guide. It's a great resource for recommended with low water usage that will fit into the landscape of beautiful Clearwater. Also for further interest and more in-depth research documentation, you can also visit www.epa.gov/hiri/strategies/vegetation.html. And as always, you can become a member of the Clearwater Downtown Partnership and help us create a beautiful downtown that will become Tampa Bay's new destination! Jenny Esno is an Executive Board Member of the Clearwater Downtown Partnership and owner of 1st Continental Mortgage. She travels to St. Pete or Tampa to enjoy shopping/entertainment but would love using downtown Clearwater. For information on the Clearwater Downtown Partnership at http://www.clwdp.org ]]> Top 10 Upgrades To Green Your Home http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-10-upgrades-to-green-your-home http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-10-upgrades-to-green-your-home#comments Sun, 08 Jul 2007 08:25:00 +0000 energy efficient lightingenergy efficient appliancesmailcompact fluorescent light bulbseschewincandescent bulbsenergy consumption http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-10-upgrades-to-green-your-home
Read the following top 10 ways to green your home.

1. Upgrade to greener appliances. Make your home energy efficient by upgrading to greener appliances. Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models that are Energy Star rated to scale down your energy bill. According to the Energy Star site, use of energy-efficient appliances in just one in 10 homes is equal to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.

2. Temperature control. More than 50% of a home's energy bill is from heating and cooling appliances. Moderating the thermostat according to the weather goes a long way in reducing . Other energy saving methods include using a modern furnace, cleaning its air filter every month and the use of ceiling fans instead of air conditioners.

3. Saving water. There are hundreds of ways one can save water and reduce energy consumption. A few include fitting faucets with aerators and installing water efficient low-flow toilets.

4. Clean with green products. Buy green household cleaners that are made of natural, non-toxic substances instead of toxic ones. Carpet and window cleaners containing grain alcohol, detergents made of coconut or other plant oils etc. are bio-friendly.

5. Energy-efficient lighting. Replace with (CFLs). CFL bulbs use 66% less energy and last 10 times longer.

6. Use recycled paper. Whenever you buy paper, get 100 % post-consumer recycled paper. These consume less virgin pulp and keep waste paper from ending up in landfills. You can also save more trees by opting out of junk lists. Using unbleached paper is more eco-friendly as the bleached paper process results in the creation of harmful byproducts. Also, paper and plastic bags and carry your own cloth bags for shopping.

7. Bamboo floors. Bamboo floors are more environmental friendly than hardwood floors. Bamboo matures in four to six years while it takes 50 to 100 years for typical hardwoods.

8. Shun plastics. Plastics are not bio-degradable. They produce harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming when processed, burned or dumped into landfills. The best way is to avoid plastics, the next best thing is to reuse and recycle them.

9. Eco-paint. Use environmentally safe paints that are organic and solvent-free to paint your home.

10. Green your garden. Avoid synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. Instead use organic manure such as compost and non-chemical pest control methods. http://www.sdhomedatabase.com ]]> Discover The Benefits Of Home Brewing With Hydrogen Cells http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-the-benefits-of-home-brewing-with-hydrogen-cells http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-the-benefits-of-home-brewing-with-hydrogen-cells#comments Sat, 07 Jul 2007 10:20:00 +0000 hydrogen fuel cellshydrogen cellcaptain picardgeorge jetsonenergy conservationbreweriescost conscious http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-the-benefits-of-home-brewing-with-hydrogen-cells George Jetson had his own microbrewery; what would it be like? Would the look be lustrous and space-like? How much superior and rapid could it would it operate? How about the formidable S.S. Enterprise? Can you just comprehend Captain Kirk or enjoying a pint of their own galactic beverage? As well as what would provide power to the machine making such incredible home brews? s are creating waves and news as well as the whole lot in between on a planet where shortages of energy are not about economical folklore.

What exactly is a hydrogen cell? What does home brewing have in common with anyway? Hydrogen cells are a class of fuel cell, which is on the whole an energy conservation device. Fuel cells deliver their own energy, almost always wit the service of a specific source of fuel and an oxidant. Hydrogen acts as the primary source of fuel and oxygen acts as the oxidant.

want engine capacity to manufacture their ales and lagers, and in reality cannot be lacking power at anytime. That is where play an important role; they keep the energy flowing. And being able to "make" energy at home is pretty darn cool. It also helps you being both energy conscious and pretty . You might even grace the covers of some magazines.

What can hydrogen cells be used for? Currently, they can be looked at as especially useful support generators of sorts. Scores of companies, including several respected breweries are looking to fuel cells as a means to be extra self-sufficient as far as energy is concerned. This could be excellent news for the future of making beer as a hobby; home breweries running on hydrogen cells. There would be significant reductions in energy usage.

Can hydrogen cells help home breweries? The hope for persons investigating fuel cells is that every individual will be able to exploit most of the advantages that this invention has to offer. You would be able to provide electricity to so much, from your microbrewery to each electrical device in your home by reducing your energy consumption.



There is a general shortage of information on the likely applications of hydrogen fuel cells. Even as some are using fuel cells, the level of what they have got to offer is still being studied. The Sierra Nevada Brewery is using molten carbonate fuel cells and are projecting a reduction of more than $400,000 a year in energy expenditure. Find more home beer brewing information at http://www.informationattendant.com/ ]]> The Investment Into Green Energy http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-investment-into-green-energy http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-investment-into-green-energy#comments Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:14:59 +0000 wind energy producersminimal percentageresidential consumersenergy coursegreen energyutility providerenergy providers http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-investment-into-green-energy residential consumers can buy from their standard local of from a provider that specializes in green energy. Many third party suppliers of energy provide green energy electricity that is produced from renewable resources. This energy is delivered to consumers by way of their local electric utility company. The consumer who opts for this green pays a small premium each month on her or his utility bill as the additional cost of the green energy they are getting. The other option is to buy directly from the green energy supplier.

Of course, when a consumer buys the green energy via the local utility company he or she can not know its really green energy in other words, they do not know that they truly got what they paid extra for. It is a matter of trust. The local electric company buys the electricity from the various producers. These can be nuclear, coal, hydroelectric power on a large scale or green such as solar and .

Must electricity from the local utility company in any country comes from fossil fuels or nuclear power that is not renewable and or pollutes the environment to a high and dangerous level. Green energy is the current provider of a of our worlds electricity. In fact, when utility companies buy green energy for the consumers that request it they generally only buy 25 percent of what they ultimately provide to all.

Consumers who sign up with their local utility provider to pay a premium each month for green energy are not only helping to save their environment but they are also sending a message to the utility companies and the legislature that they are willing to pay extra for healthy air for us all.

There are environmentally conscious, forward thinking countries such as the Netherlands that have committed themselves to matching their consumers purchase of green energy with an equal amount of green energy buy for governmental use. The government of Holland exempts green energy producers and users from its pollution tax. This exemption brings the cost of green energy consumption down considerably.

Several organizations in Europe promote the consumption of green energy, and there are a number of green energy providers, although the high cost of electricity in those countries has kept the use of the less expensive gas and oil the majority provider.

At work now are efforts to distribute cheap renewable electricity in these countries so the average electrical consumer can afford to support the environment and clean air efforts with the use of green energy products. Consumers can install their very own renewable green energy system, based locally.

This may be solar, wind or even water power. Geothermal heat pumps also provide green energy by tapping a few feet into the earths temperature.

Many U.S. states now offer monetary incentives for those who want to use the more costly green energy electricity sources. James Copper is a writer for http://www.plumbingcareer.co.uk ]]> Spa Covers And The Energy Star Program http://www.artwoo.com/article/spa-covers-and-the-energy-star-program http://www.artwoo.com/article/spa-covers-and-the-energy-star-program#comments Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:15:00 +0000 household energy consumptionenergy star logoenergy star programdavis energy groupenergy star partnerenergy efficient productsspa pumps http://www.artwoo.com/article/spa-covers-and-the-energy-star-program Energy Star program is run by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. It is a great idea and has helped manufacturers move toward more in many different areas. Unfortunately though since it is a program paid for with tax dollars it has to be limited in scope or targeted so that the products it covers would be something that the majority of tax payers could see a benefit in.

It would be really great if Every product or innovation that reduced the energy required could be considered however such is not the case. Understandably the program is focused on general energy consumption of household products, washing machines, refrigerators, and materials used in home construction that reduce energy needs.

Some products used in the home, for example computers are included, others in particular pools and spas are not. Unfortunate considering the percentage of that goes into a pool or spa. We have even seen the used in advertising spas even though the Department of Energy has clearly stated that it will not consider such a product for inclusion as an since the majority of taxpayers would not benefit from such a product.

Personally I would prefer that every tax payer would own at least one Hot tub. I can only see this as good for the country. If more people were spending more time in their spa they would be using less fuel driving around and have a lot less stress.

According to the findings of a 2004 study conducted by the sponsored Pacific Gas and Electric Co., pool and are almost always the largest single electrical end-use (appliance in a home), using more than three times the energy of a new refrigerator. This same study found that the average residential pool pump consumes 2,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually with portable spas not far behind at 2,500 kWh per year.

With an estimated 1.2 million pools and about half a million spas the State of California by itself has to have the entire yearly output of one nuclear power plant plus one conventional power plant just to feed the consumption of pools and spas. It's no wonder the California Energy Commission has recently approved new appliance efficiency regulations that for the first time include portable spas and a maximum allowable watt per hour usage.

As spa manufacturers struggle to meet these new requirements the bottom line for you the spa owner is how do you reduce the expense of operating your already purchased hot tub? Since most of the energy used in the spa is used keeping the water warm for the next time you want to dip into it, getting that water insulated is the key. If wrapping your water heater can make a difference in your energy bill, imagine what "wrapping" your other water heater (your spa) would do.

Your hot tub uses the same type of heater your household water heater does only your household water heater may have twice as many elements to heat up about forty gallons of water while your spa is trying to heat four hundred gallons. Good insulation around the sides and bottom of your spa play a vital role in helping keep that spa water warm. However most of the heat lost from your spa water is going straight up. Insulating the water with the best insulating cover makes the most sense.

With the new amendments of the California Appliance Efficiency Regulations, that state is taking the lead in setting tougher standards for the energy consumption of portable spas. Other states will no doubt follow suit. With the biggest use of energy going straight up out the top, looking for the best insulating spa cover will be the answer for the seriously energy conscious spa owner. The Energy Star may never be offered to spas or spa covers but it won't be long before meeting the California Regulations for spa energy consumption will be equal to the best endorsement. The Author is a former Police Sgt, Pilot, Trained Mechanic and over twenty years experience as a business owner. Please visit http://www.spacap.com ]]> Energy Performance Certificates For UK Commercial Property http://www.artwoo.com/article/energy-performance-certificates-for-uk-commercial-property http://www.artwoo.com/article/energy-performance-certificates-for-uk-commercial-property#comments Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:20:00 +0000 reducing energy consumptionkyoto protocolepcsperformance certificateenergy performanceminimum energytemporary buildings http://www.artwoo.com/article/energy-performance-certificates-for-uk-commercial-property performance certificate (EPC) whenever they are constructed, sold or let.

In this article Richard Hegarty discusses the implications of this new regulation which is part of the of Building Directive which requires all EU countries to establish performance standards for buildings.

Why are they being introduced?

According to the Government 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption arises from the country's 25 million buildings. The Government supports the and so is committed to . Improving the energy performance of our buildings will significantly help the country achieve our energy objectives.

When are they being introduced?

The Government have issued the following timetable for implementation:

From 6 April 2008 are required on the construction, sale or letting of all commercial buildings more than 1,000 sq m

From 1 July 2008 EPCs are required on the construction, sale or letting of all commercial buildings more than 500 sq m.

From 1 October 2008 EPCs are required on the construction, sale or letting of all remaining buildings.

Who is responsible for obtaining the certificate?

For buildings that are to be sold, the building's owner will be responsible for providing a certificate.

How long will an EPC last for?

An EPC for a non-dwelling will last for 10 years. If there is a change of tenants but the EPC is still valid, a new certificate will not be required.

What buildings will be exempt?

The following places will not require an EPC:

Places of worship Stand-alone building of less than 50 square meters (except for dwellings) with a planned time of use of 2 years or less Particular building with a low energy demand (e.g. barns) In some circumstances buildings to be demolished are exempt from requiring a certificate An EPC is not required for any (off-plan) sales or letting before the construction of the building has been completed. How much will it cost?

The price will be market driven. We expect the cost of EPC to be dependent on the size and complexity of the building. We anticipate that the cost of the EPC will be passed on by the seller or the landlord to the buyer or tenant.

What will the assessor look at in the building?

It is expected that the assessors will look at the following factors:

Thermal characteristics of the building, heating and hot water systems, air conditioning, artificial ventilation, built in lighting installations, the position and orientation of the building, solar systems, natural ventilation and indoor climatic conditions.

Will the energy rating of a building impact upon the market?

Buyers may be in a slightly better position to negotiate a better price if the EPC shows a low rating. However the location, condition of the building and state of the market will continue to be the dominating factors. I think people will treat the EPC as another box to be ticked before they can sell or rent a building.

However, there is some speculation that during 2008 there may not be sufficient numbers of energy assessors trained to handle the commercial property market. If there is a shortage then the cost of an EPC could be inflated and it may take longer to obtain the certificate. Richard Hegarty founded the firm of Hegarty LLP in Peterborough 1974; http://www.hegarty.co.uk and deals with company commercial property matters. Richard Hegarty has written a series of articles for people involved in the Property Market which can be viewed at http://www.hegarty.co.uk/comprop_intro_news.htm ]]> Going Green in the Data Center http://www.artwoo.com/article/going-green-in-the-data-center http://www.artwoo.com/article/going-green-in-the-data-center#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:01:27 +0000 heat reductionserver roomsincreasing energyextra energyusing energyserver backupenergy use http://www.artwoo.com/article/going-green-in-the-data-center increasing energy use, data centers are starting to find ways to lower their consumption.

Many companies are finding ways to make their data centers more energy efficient. One way of doing this is to use servers that shut down or idle when they're not in use. By allowing servers to have idle time, you save energy and power when the server is not in use. The problem that comes along with this is that it takes about twice as much energy to power the than it does to just let it run. So for this option to work you have to take into consideration the that will be used when the server needs to be accessed again.

One solution is to use the "80/20" rule, where 20% of the servers will be accessed 80% of the time, and the remaining servers being accessed the rest of the time. In this case, a plausible solution is to have only the most used 20% of servers on all the time. And the remaining 80% will run with energy-efficient servers that have the ability to power down when they are not in use. This way, the data center still saves energy without interfering with access to the server.

is the area that eats up most of the energy in many data centers. It can be a difficult task to keep the room cool with so many servers generating heat. Data centers can go green by -efficient cooling systems. Instead of using the traditional method of cooling the room with air conditioners, data centers can use water to cool the room.

Using water to cool the is much more efficient than air cooling because it can handle higher temperatures since water is more conductive of heat. Data centers are slow to implement this cooling system though, because of the potential problems it might cause within the data center. A small leak could do great damage to many of the servers. However, there are many systems available now that have been tested and are proven to be reliable.

Another idea that some people are throwing around for green cooling is using liquid metal to cool the racks. The benefit of this is that the metal can cool the servers without any moving parts and without the concerns of pumping water through the racks.

Other ways that data centers are implementing green solutions are by using on-site power generation using fuel cells, solar power, or by using direct-current wiring to lower electricity use. Collecting rainwater for toilet and landscaping, using non-volatile paints and using reflective materials to reduce heat absorption are some other techniques data centers are implementing to reduce costs and raise the overall efficiency of the building.

Energy consumption is rising exponentially and data centers are one of the leading consumers of energy throughout North America. With increased awareness to the problem of energy efficiency and over-consumption, it's important that data centers implement as many techniques as they can to curb the amount of energy they use.Saleh Tousi is the CEO of SmarttNet, a Vancouver IT company offering comprehensive business Internet services including Vancouver colocation since 1995.]]> An Overview Of Energy Efficiently http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-overview-of-energy-efficiently http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-overview-of-energy-efficiently#comments Wed, 30 May 2007 01:19:52 +0000 fossil fuel pollutionenergy efficiencyenergy efficient appliancesfossil fuelsharmful emissionsrespiratory diseasesacid rain http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-overview-of-energy-efficiently energy efficiency as the way to save our environment, we also often consider it a costly endeavor. Did you realize, however, that your homes energy bill might be reduced by up to 30 percent through energy-efficiency that includes the purchase or and other products? In other words, you can save yourself money while you do your part to save the planet.

Every time you buy a new air conditioning unit, a new washer or dryer, a new refrigerator, microwave, or piece of office equipment, you are affecting the environment, either positively or negatively depending on your choices. Smart choices of products designed for energy efficiency help the air we all breathe and reduce your energy bill each month.

Here is some basic information about how energy efficiency works and why its helpful. A great deal of the energy you consume in your home is produced by local power plants that must burn fossil fuel to create the energy. These might be natural gas, coal or oil.

These fossil fuels also create pollution. This pollution harms not only the environment but ultimately the people, as it causes smog, and . is also a strong factor in changing the climate of the globe.

While we hear a lot about the harmful gas emissions that emanate from vehicles, what we dont hear much about is the fact that your home probably produces twice as much of these emissions as the average automobile.

Opting for energy efficiency through your choice of products that are energy efficient is one of the best ways you can reduce your consumption of energy and thus your distribution of of greenhouse gas. Any household that buys equipment designed for energy efficiency puts a big dent in harmful emissions of carbon dioxide.

In fact, over the lifetime of one of these energy efficient appliances or other products you will have reduced pollution the equivalent of what would be saved by one fewer vehicle for seven years. The use of energy efficient household products reduces nitrogen oxides too, which contribute extensively to acid rain and smog.

The average U.S. household spends about 1500 each year on energy. Energy-efficiency can reduce this bill by 400-450 annually. If youre concerned about energy efficiency and wish to not only save the environment but save yourself some money it will help to know which appliances account for what portion of your energy use and bill.

The biggest, which probably comes as no surprise, is your heat and air conditioning. This is a whopping 45 percent of your energy bill. Your water heater uses up 11 percent of your energy, and your washer and dryer 10 percent. The lighting for your home is seven percent of your energy costs, while your refrigerator is six percent of your bill.

Your dishwasher, computer, monitor, TV, VCR, DVD player and similar equipment each use up about two percent of your total energy consumption. Stoves, microwaves and other smaller appliances generally account for the rest, though at less than two percent of the total each. James Copper works for http://www.newcareerskills.co.uk as an Energy Career Advisor. ]]> Who Knew Home Landscaping For Energy http://www.artwoo.com/article/who-knew-home-landscaping-for-energy http://www.artwoo.com/article/who-knew-home-landscaping-for-energy#comments Sun, 16 Apr 2006 23:50:04 +0000 landscaping ideastrees shrubsclimate zoneregional climateenergy efficientmicroclimateenergy consumption http://www.artwoo.com/article/who-knew-home-landscaping-for-energy energy consumption for heating and cooling by as much as 25 percent.!That's staggering, isn't it? Proper placement of trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and hedges lets you modify the around your home to maximize shade during the summer and reduce wind chill during the winter. Energy-efficient home landscaping is one of the best investments you can make, because aside from its potential to increase the resale value of your property, it can generate enough savings to return your initial investment in less than eight years. It is not surprising then that more homeowners than ever are implementing energy-conserving home on their property. So where can we begin with this exciting new landscaping adventure? I hope the following information will be of help to you.

Develop a Home Landscaping Plan for Energy Efficiency There are countless home landscaping strategies for energy conservation, but not all of them may be appropriate for your property and . Before you plant those evergreens in your backyard, make an assessment of the comfort and energy shortcomings of your current home landscaping. Things like the property's microclimate, house location, and the presence of surrounding structures will influence your energy-efficient home landscaping plan. Microclimate is the climate immediately surrounding your home, and along with the , it helps determine which plants and trees will thrive and provide the best energy-saving benefit to your home landscaping. Your home's location affects your dwelling's exposure to the sun, wind, and water, consequently shaping your home landscaping needs. Nearby buildings, walls, trees, and bodies of water can produce significant climatic effects that would impact your home landscaping strategies. A thorough analysis of your property's features enables you to devise an energy-efficient home landscaping scheme that addresses your needs and goals.

Landscape to Maximize Shade Properly planned home landscaping can reduce your air-conditioning costs in the summer by providing shade from the hot morning and afternoon sun. Deciduous trees (trees that shed their leaves in winter) provide shade in the summer when its leaves are in full bloom and warm the home in winter by letting low-angle winter sun filter through its bare branches. Home landscaping that maximizes shade can reduce temperature inside the home by as much as 8 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Would you think of shading your air-conditioner through home landscaping because that increases the unit's efficiency. In addition, shading the ground and pavement with trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants reduces surrounding air temperatures. Other heat-reducing home landscaping ideas include building a trellis for climbing vines to shade a patio and planting a row of shrubs to shade a driveway.

Landscaspe for Wind Protection Home landscaping to divert the flow of cold winds helps cut down your home heating costs in the winter. Trees, shrubs, bushes, walls, and fences make effective windbreaks for winter-protected home landscaping. You can achieve adequate wind protection through home landscaping by planting evergreen trees and shrubs along the north and northwest areas of your property. Windbreaks can decrease wind speed for a distance as much as 30 times its height, although maximum wind protection occurs at a distance of two to five times the mature height of windbreaks. For optimal wind protection, make sure that the foliage density on the windward side of your property is 60 percent. A well-designed home landscaping provides energy savings year-round. Enjoy the warmth of the winter sun by not planting evergreens too close to the south side of your home. Shrubs, bushes and vines planted close to your house create dead air spaces that insulate your home in both winter and summer.

I hope this article has been of help to you in creating landscaping for energy conservation. Reducing my household energy consumption by a possible 25% has motivated me to start looking around my yard. Sintilia Miecevole at http://www.landscapinggi.com">http://www.landscapinggi.com provides information and resources from landscaping, garden design and landscaping ideas to landscaping tips and more. Be sure to visit http://www.landscapinggi.com">http://www.landscapinggi.com for further information. ]]> Can Energy Drinks Help You Lose Weight? http://www.artwoo.com/article/can-energy-drinks-help-you-lose-weight http://www.artwoo.com/article/can-energy-drinks-help-you-lose-weight#comments Sun, 09 Jul 2006 02:27:06 +0000 energy drinkssports drinksfood and drug administrationguaranaephedrinebeneficialdietary supplement industry http://www.artwoo.com/article/can-energy-drinks-help-you-lose-weight Energy drinks are liquid soda-style beverages that are boosted by the inclusion of 'energy boosting' ingredients including sugar, caffeine and other caffeine-like substances like , and . Some energy drinks also have vitamins, "acid stabilizers" or other nutritious-sounding ingredients, too. With all of these ingredients one might well ask whether energy drinks can help you achieve your weight loss goals by giving you the boost you need to exercise consistently.

Red Bull, Jolt, Amp and Hype are four of the more commonly known energy drinks. Energy drinks themselves are classified as "functional beverages" which means that they do not form part of the bigger nutraceutical food or . So because energy drinks are not classified as either a food or a dietary supplement, they are not regulated nor monitored by the .

The aim of energy drinks is to boost your energy for physical activity and to improve your ability to concentrate on a specific task. Many believe these drinks can provide the energy they need to perform their exercise routine. But whatever you do, you should not confuse energy drinks with . Sports drinks are specially formulated to help provide energy to tired muscles and to help the body absorb water and glucose (sugar) -- energy drinks are not designed to do this.

While sports drinks are at their most if your workout is going to exceed an hour or so, plain water is generally a preferred option for quenching your thirst and replenishing your body fluid. Energy drinks, on the other hand, dehydrate rather than hydrate so this is why they are not designed for assistance with sports, but rather just to give you that quick energy-based pick me up.

While many people might claim that energy drinks are good for you if you are playing sports, the truth is that they are good for short bursts of activity and mental alertness only. It is vital that if you are consuming energy drinks that you know what you are drinking. Energy drinks are not necessarily bad for you, but they shouldn't be seen as natural substitutes for health supplements either. Some of the marketing for energy drinks claim that they "improve performance" and can be misleading because essentially all you are doing is over stimulating your body with caffeine.

There is not very much that is currently known about energy drinks and the effects that their consumption can have on a person's overall health and wellbeing. The creators, manufacturers and marketers of energy drinks will tell you about the numerous health effects of their products. Their messages will tell you that these products can increase your physical endurance, improve your reaction times, boost your mental alertness and concentration, increase your overall wellbeing, stimulate and even speed up your metabolism, improve your stamina and help eliminate waste from your body.

Ideally, energy drinks should not be used by someone exercising for a sustained period of time because the combination of fluid loss from sweating and the diuretic quality of the caffeine can leave the drinker feeling severely dehydrated at a time when their body needs to be replenished with fluids.

So, what is the deal with energy drinks and why are they so popular? Well quite simply, if you manage your consumption at only one or two a day, then energy drinks won't harm you and in fact can help you improve your day-to-day activities. Their super-concentrated stimulating ingredients will indeed wake you up and help you to improve the way that you conduct and perform simple mental tasks. There is plenty of sugar and caffeine in energy drinks though, so you should be sure that you minimize your consumption to one or two drinks a day at the most. Any more and you could well experience side effects. Lana Hampton is the publisher of "177 Fast Weight Loss Tips" (http://www.177FastWeightLossTips.com). Visit http://WeightLossFantasy.com to subscribe to her free newsletter and receive a copy of Lana's "Confessions of a Weight Loss Expert" report. ]]> Hybrid Car: To Buy Or Not To Buy? http://www.artwoo.com/article/hybrid-car-to-buy-or-not-to-buy http://www.artwoo.com/article/hybrid-car-to-buy-or-not-to-buy#comments Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:35:00 +0000 gasoline consumptionelectricity powergasoline enginecar expertsnecessary optionsenergy componentshybrid cars http://www.artwoo.com/article/hybrid-car-to-buy-or-not-to-buy Car experts now recommend buying more than any other type of cars.

What are hybrid cars? Basically, these are vehicles that run on two sources of energy---the usual gasoline or oil and electricity stored within an imbedded battery. The electricity from batteries serves as a back up or an assisting energy source. There are operations and functions of the hybrid car that utilize the electricity. This way, full consumption and reliance from the is lowered, making consumption of gasoline significantly lower. These days, hybrid cars provide about 60-40 gasoline-, wherein gasoline make up majority of the car functions.

Is there a need to prefer a hybrid car? Before any purchase transaction for such a fuel-efficient car, it would be wise and logical if you would first consider the following checklist:

1. Is a hybrid car the right and appropriate car for you? 2. Are your personal driving habits in favor of using a hybrid car? 3. What are the helpful and available? 4. Do you have enough information to validate the reliability and credibility of the dealer and manufacturer? 5. Are there options in terms of car dealers? Will it be viable to buy in dealers from another state or area? 6. Is there a sticker price or manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) that is the actual price of the hybrid car, no more, no less?

Looking at the pros and cons of buying a hybrid car is easy. First of all, you would be able to generate a significant amount of savings in the form of declines. However, it is just logical that hybrid cars currently cost higher than the normal and traditional cars. Hybrid cars are much lighter in weight and the basic structure and components and made of lighter alloys and metals, as weight is also a significant factor that boosts crude consumption. For its disadvantage, some people less prefer light structures and components in cars as such materials deform easier and are not too durable.

Hybrid cars perform full functions and features of a regular car. However, in comparison, hybrid cars fall less. For instance, if you are very particular about speed, hybrid cars would surely disappoint you. That is because electricity is not yet a viable source of power and energy for cars. That is why it just installed as a back up and secondary source of power in hybrid cars. If you are worrying about charging of batteries, do not worry. Hybrid cars are designed to have components that facilitate conversion of mechanical energy to stored-electrical. That is why through braking and acceleration, the car's battery is being charged. The disadvantage of this is that the major weight of the car and the overall space consumption can be directly influenced by battery installations.

It is advisable to buy a hybrid car, but if you are after superior performance, wait further because car makers are still in the process of researching and developing better and more powerful hybrid cars. Alex Baumm. Will you prefer to buy a hybrid car or not? As a buyer, the choice is up to you. Find more tips at http://www.carclubtalk.com ]]> Cholesterol Diet: Do's And Don'ts http://www.artwoo.com/article/cholesterol-diet-dos-and-donts http://www.artwoo.com/article/cholesterol-diet-dos-and-donts#comments Wed, 13 Dec 2006 06:27:31 +0000 high cholesterolcholesterol dietbad cholesterolcholesterol intakesaturated fataccustomedlife style changes http://www.artwoo.com/article/cholesterol-diet-dos-and-donts life style changes to curb the menace of high level of cholesterol. Improper dietary habits happen to be one of the most common causes of excess deposition of . So should be adopted by all, who suspect themselves for .

By cholesterol diet I peculiarly mean a diet free of cholesterol. Once you gear up to strictly follow a cholesterol free diet, there exist very remote chances of developing high cholesterol or cardiovascular complications. Although getting to this diet often turns out to be an ordeal for many, you can make yourself habituated of it with a firm resolution to combat any possibility of high cholesterol. Benefit is yours. By doing so you would save your life from a sequence of diseases facilitated by excessive cholesterol.

Cholesterol dietary measure is meant for following purposes-

Ensuring a decrease in over all fat intake by completely banning consumption of . Reducing over all to minimum, possibly by refraining people from consuming foods that bring surge in bad cholesterol. Encouraging folks to consume more and more fiber foods. Reducing intake of sodium to minimum possible. Suggesting to eat carbohydrates of complex nature in plenty. Curtailing over all calorie content of a day to get desired reduction in weight.

These dietary restrictions could be discussed in terms of common food items that we generally eat to survive. For example in order to make your diet completely fat free you are needed to stop taking milk and all milk products except for skimmed milk. Similarly you should keep yourself contended with poultry meat and strictly refrain yourself from consuming red meat that also include beef and pork. Even while using oils you need to be conscious of its fat content. Lipid rich oils must be avoided. You can rely on Canola and Olive oil.

You should try to look for good substitutes of fat food that you are accustomed to. For example, if you can't live without butter you can replace it by margarine.

You can increase consumption of fish as it contains Omega 3 fatty acids that help reduce bad cholesterol. Potato and whole grains could be consumed in plenty as they don't result in a surge in blood cholesterol.

Green vegetables and all other fiber products make an integral part of a cholesterol diet. Fibers are proved to be very effective in reducing bad cholesterol. You can also go for excessive fruit consumption, specifically for grape fruits.

Keep track of your calorie content and don't let yourself consume more. Consider fast foods as your enemy and never try to devour foods that are delicious but could add to your saturated fat contents.

A consistent cholesterol diet can save you from coronary artery diseases by reducing bad cholesterol. The author writes about a number of different topics. For more information on cholesterol visit http://www.urcholesterol.com/ and also visit the article pages: http://www.urcholesterol.com/reduce-cholesterol/ and http://www.urcholesterol.com/cholestrol-and-diet/ ]]> How To Save Energy In Your Home On A Shoestring http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-save-energy-in-your-home-on-a-shoestring http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-save-energy-in-your-home-on-a-shoestring#comments Fri, 11 May 2007 23:15:00 +0000 hot water cylinderelectricity billselectricity costsusing electricityhousehold budgetslow energythermostat http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-save-energy-in-your-home-on-a-shoestring household budgets, and many people also want to do their bit to help prevent Climate Change. Everyone seems to be getting in on the act, with politicians installing solar panels and wind turbines on their houses.

However, you don't have to invest in such expensive and sophisticated technology to make big savings on energy in the home. In fact you can save a large amount of money with some simple measures that are free, or else cost very little to do, with a very high return on your initial outlay.

You can start reducing your home energy consumption and your bills today with 10 simple actions:

1. Swap the 5 to 10 light bulbs that you use most with bulbs. Low energy bulbs now cost only about 50p each, and can save up to =A310 a year in . Over its lifetime, a low energy bulb will save you =A350-100 in . It's one of the best investments you can make. Plus always turn out lights when you leave the room

2. Don't leave appliances like televisions and computers on standby and remember not to leave appliances like mobile phones on charge unnecessarily. Things let on standby are still , and could be using 10-20% of your electricity per year.

3. Turning your down by 1=BAC could cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent (or an average of =A330). N.B. the recommended temperature for a living room is 21=B0C. And make sure you have set your thermostat to only heat your house when necessary, during the day when you are there. If you current heating controls don't allow you to program this, consider replacing them

4. Fit a hot water jacket to your that's at least 75mm (3") thick, and you could save around =A320 a year. And it should cost only around =A310 to do.

5. Make sure you are not overheating your hot water. Your cylinder thermostat should be set no higher than 60=BAC/140=BAF

6. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows, making sure that they do not cover your radiator.

7. A dripping hot water tap wastes energy, so make sure they're fully turned off and any leaking taps are quickly repaired

8. Use thick rugs with underlay on wooden floors to improve their insulation

9. Wash your clothes at no more than 40 degrees. All modern detergents are designed to clean successfully at 40=B0C and there is no need for a pre-wash. Washing at 65=B0C requires twice as much energy

10. Only fill your kettle with as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle)

You can also have other valuable energy saving home improvements done for free if you receive certain government benefits. These include loft and cavity wall insulation, and new central heating. Your energy supplier or one of the major national insulation companies should be able to tell you if you qualify for one of these.

So there you have it =96 you really can save a lot without having to invest a lot Alex Perry is a founder of http://www.downwithco2.co.uk, a site dedicated to making it easy for people to save energy and cut their personal contribution to Climate Change by giving them information and putting them in touch with companies that can help ]]> Easy To Get Flat Belly And Six Pack Abs? http://www.artwoo.com/article/easy-to-get-flat-belly-and-six-pack-abs http://www.artwoo.com/article/easy-to-get-flat-belly-and-six-pack-abs#comments Sun, 03 Feb 2008 11:15:01 +0000 getting a flat stomachblood sugar levelblood sugar levelseating habitflat bellysit upsdaily meals http://www.artwoo.com/article/easy-to-get-flat-belly-and-six-pack-abs
When I said it is not easy because there is no short cut to get a with 6 pack abs. Only those late night informercials can give you fake promises that certain gizmos can help you get a flat belly. If you want an easy way out, then part your money to those advertisers forever and then get ready to be disappointed.

No, even if you perform a trillion and leg raisers day in and day out is not gonna get you the coveted six pack abs. To get a flat belly you want, you will need to put in some work and get educated with some science.

Here some helpful pointers to help you achieve your flat belly objective and if you stick on to it, you will find that not only will your belly get flatter week after week, you will also reduce excess body fat from all parts of your body and soon, your 6 pack abs will be revealed.

Correct and nutrition is the most important factor in . Therefore you will need to control your s to lose body fat. One way to do that is to consume five to six meals small meals a day. Please note, I said small meals, such as dividing the portion of your three into 5-6 smaller meals.

Next, reduce your carbohydrate consumption to about 50 percent or less from your meals. Most people eat way too much carbs anyway and before their body can burn the carbs for energy, the carbs would have been converted to glycogen and the further excess carbs into body fat.

Consume your small meals at 2 to 3 hours intervals. This is because when your stomach is empty, your body will tend to conserve fat for energy and by eating frequently. You won't want that to happen right? Furthermore, you will be controlling your blood sugar level to encourage fat loss and you will start to lose weight gradually.

However, if you are still not losing weight, then you are consuming too many calories. In this case, make your meals even smaller by reducing more carbs.

By the first week, you will probably lose between 4 to 5 pounds (about 2kg) of water weight and some body fat. By continuing to eat like this, you should be losing about 1 to 2 pounds per week. If you are losing weight more than that, then you are probably losing muscle weight too. In this case, then increase your carbs consumption a little until you achieve a gradual weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week.

However, if you are not losing 1 to 2 pounds per week, then reduce another 100 calories from your meals. Remember to abstain from sugar laden drinks such as soda and soft drinks as these drinks are chock full of calories. Alcohol consumption is a big fat No No!

Now, when you are losing weight, your belly will get flatter and flatter but you will still need to incorporate exercises into your weight loss routine to burn more calories as well as getting your muscles toned and getting the 6 pack abs. Furthermore, for every pound of muscle you that you gain on your body, you will burn 30-50 extra calories a day. You will then become a natural calorie burner.

Is this get flat belly program easy? Nope, it is not and that is why so few people have flat bellies and tight six pack abs. However, it is definitely achievable if your desire to have a flat belly is strong enough. Chris Chew is the author of "Burn Fat Build Muscles Fast" at http://www.sgfitness.com and http://www.sgfitnessonline.com ]]> Sustainable Architecture Helps Texas Instruments Save Money http://www.artwoo.com/article/sustainable-architecture-helps-texas-instruments-save-money http://www.artwoo.com/article/sustainable-architecture-helps-texas-instruments-save-money#comments Mon, 10 Jul 2006 10:27:17 +0000 recently builttexas instrumentssaving moneypassive solar constructionwindmillsobviouslyconsumption http://www.artwoo.com/article/sustainable-architecture-helps-texas-instruments-save-money saving money.

If it takes $500 to heat your home in the winter, imagine how much it costs to heat a huge factory. any company building a factory needs to be as frugal as possible. Now, you can learn from their innovations.

In a heartening move against resource guzzling habits of big industry, a andquot;greenandquot; factory in a town near Dallas, Texas. The company had been tempted to build the plant overseas to cut costs, but instead got creative and redesigned the factory's blueprints to save money. It was a huge challenge and seemingly impossible feat for the design team, but it got done.

andquot;We have to [approach energy differently]...I think you do first have to set an impossible goal. Amazing things happen when people claim responsibility for the impossible,andquot; said Shaunna Sowell, the company's vice-president who oversees facilities world-wide.

Many changes were instrumented in building the new factory. Whereas the old factories were three stories, the new factory was redesigned to fit into two stories. More attention was paid to how the factory consumes its resources and short-cuts were adopted. Attention was also paid to the waste coming out of the factory, and now most of it is recycled. techniques were used so the factory could become more self-sufficient.

andquot;Green building is not necessarily about producing your own power with and solar panels. It's about addressing the consumption side with really creative design and engineering to eliminate waste and reduce energy usage--it's the next industrial revolution,andquot; said Paul Westbrook, who aided Texas Instruments in building their new factory and has a solar-powered home himself.

Texas Instruments expects to save big on energy costs for the life of their new building. Month in and month out, their bills will be low because they designed their building with energy conservation in mind. Dave Larsen has worked in the field of alternative energy and sustainable architecture for over 20 years. Originally trained as an auto mechanic, Dave left that field because he became tired of shop managers ordering him to rip people off. http://www.energy-efficient-car.com Dave now offers tips for people to save money on their fuel bills. ]]> Kitchen Appliances | Energy Efficient Appliance http://www.artwoo.com/article/kitchen-appliances-energy-efficient-appliance http://www.artwoo.com/article/kitchen-appliances-energy-efficient-appliance#comments Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:29:59 +0000 refrigerators dishwashershome appliancesenergy consumptionlife spankitchen appliancesair pollutionenergy saver http://www.artwoo.com/article/kitchen-appliances-energy-efficient-appliance kitchen appliances are those appliances which helps the user to complete the work in less time, in this way he is able to save time which he can spend with family and friends. These appliances also help to reduce by using sufficient energy they need to conserve the natural resources. Many different types of are available in the market, they look similar but the energy level that we produce is not the same. While purchasing home appliances, always keep in mind to see how energy efficient the appliance is, as this affects your monthly bills. Before purchasing an appliance certain things has to be kept in mind its price, how efficient the appliance is, fulfills all your requirements, knowledge regarding the product, its features and benefits. Energy can be efficient by following certain guidelines like defrosting the freezer frequently, whenever you are cooking use lids to cover the vessel which helps in saving energy, matching the water level and the temperature in the washer which later helps in energy efficiency.

They are three basic costs involved in owning a home appliance, the first price paid when you are purchasing an appliance, cost of maintaining the product which include parts and repairs, and working cost like . Always while purchasing a home appliance all the above things have to be kept in mind. The appliances which have low price are not ; instead spending little more can help you later on, in having small utility bills. Some home appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers have longer which can be around 8 to 10 years. But always prefer going for energy saving model as they save money year after year for the entire life span of the model you purchased. Always ensure to see the manufacturing label on the appliance, as this helps you to know the capacity of the product, the energy consumption and efficiency, the features and the warranty of the appliance may be different from different models available in the market. There are these simple things which needs to be taken care of, which really makes a big difference in the end.

You can find these energy efficient kitchen appliances easily from online shopping. With the advancement of internet in the modern times, the latest trend of shopping has become online. People don't have time to go to the shopping malls and look at different products and waste their time. In shopping malls you don't even get proper information about what is latest trend. Also some shopping malls have tie up with certain companies and they keep specific brands only. Whereas people can find all the various types of appliances under one roof, getting them at your doorstep is just a mouse click far. Also at Toronto appliance you can find home appliances at very low prices, since they sell products at warehouse prices. So what are you waiting for? Log onto Toronto appliance and find all the kinds of home appliances which can make your life simpler and comfortable. Thomas is an expert in http://www.appliancewarehousedirect.com/cooking-products-c-1.html kitchen -appliances,for more information please visit:http://www.appliancewarehousedirect.com/cooking-products-c-1.html ]]> Solar Energy Is Hot! http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-energy-is-hot http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-energy-is-hot#comments Fri, 23 Jun 2006 06:32:08 +0000 photovoltaic cellssolar cellssolar powerphotovoltaic systemfederal incentivesrebatesconsumption levels http://www.artwoo.com/article/solar-energy-is-hot solar power but always thought it was too expensive, aside from minor uses in the now popular garden lighting systems. However, with fuel prices climbing and becoming more reasonable, adding solar power to your home is a great, long term solution to high energy bills.

That isn't to say they're cheap. Before , it typically takes 12 or more years for a homeowner to make their investment in solar panels back. That's much longer than the average person is willing to wait. However, many states now offer rebates, so the final cost to the homeowner is much less than it use to be. The rebates vary from state to state, so it's impossible to say how much of an impact they have overall. There may also be .

Solar panels are also steadily becoming more efficient. They produce more energy than they used to. They require relatively little maintenance, many of which you may be able to do yourself. This helps to make them very cost effective.

Solar energy isn't just for making electricity. You can use it heat the water for your swimming pool or heat your home. There are many options available for those who are interesting in building an energy efficient home without sacrificing comfort.

Solar power is much, much cheaper than it used to be, as prices have fallen by 90% since the 1970s. That doesn't make it cheap - yet! - to install enough to power a house, but in some areas the incentives given to install solar cells cuts the overall cost to the homeowner about in half.

To decide if solar energy is right for you, take some basic figures into consideration.

• Check your energy consumption. You need to know how big a system you will need to power your home. Make sure you consider your highest and the possibility that it will grow somewhat.

• Find out how much a to meet your need will cost you. The size will depend both on your energy need and on the available sunlight (solar resource) in your area.

• Find out what rebates and incentives are available to you to help decrease your costs.

• Consider whether your system will be on the grid or off. On the grid has the advantage that you can sell when you have an excess and buy electricity when you don't have enough, while with an off the grid system you have a battery to store your excess.

• Consider what the environmental benefits are worth to you. This is a personal factor rather than a direct economic one. It won't save you money, but knowing that you're contributing a little less to pollution might change how you feel about the expense.

Choosing to use solar power in your home is an investment you can appreciate on many levels. Over a number of years it will save you money as you generate environmentally friendly energy. It's not cheap to get started, but when you combine the environmental benefits with decreasing your reliance on fuel costs you can certainly appreciate the possibilities. Stephanie Foster is the owner of Seriously Solar. If you want to learn more about how you can use solar power in your home, visit http://www.seriouslysolar.com/ ]]> Tips For Weight Loss http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-weight-loss http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-weight-loss#comments Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:14:58 +0000 calories per hourvigorous exercisecalories per dayenergy expenditureenergy consumptionweight lossdrastic changes http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-weight-loss drastic changes which cannot be maintained thus people end up going back to their old habits and are no better off and more discouraged than before. If people follow some simple steps and make changes gradually then they can start being healthier and start to lose weight and achieve fat loss without drastic changes. I hope to explain some things that people can do to get into shape.

What is ?

Weight loss is caused by the body using more energy than you consume. To change the amount your of energy your body expends you would exercise there are many ways such as running, biking, walking, lifting weights and playing sports. These are all goods way to exercise and boost your , can expend 500-700 exercise alone can help get you into shape even without dieting it may just take a little longer. is provided by the food you eat, the average caloric consumption for a person is about 1500-2500 , o gain one kilogram of weight you would need to consume about 7000calories above what your body requires and to lose one kilogram you would need to expend about 7000 calories more than what you gain from food. So you need to exercise more to increase you expenditure and then eat less. Below are some tips that you can follow to help you start with your weight loss.

Eat regularly

Some people tend to not eat breakfast and then maybe skip eating until later on in the day where they have a big meal. This is how you can easily store fat. With no food at the start of the day you feel tired and don't have as much energy to burn and your metabolism becomes slower. Then when you finally eat later on in the day your body starts to store fat as it cannot use all the energy from the food provided. It is recommended that your meals be spread out during the day into 5 or 6 smaller meals, start with a good breakfast and eat during the day and start to taper off the sizes of your meals towards the end of the day. If you eat a lot at night before sleep the only thing the body can do with the energy is to store it. If the majority of food is eaten in the first half of the day it gives you energy to use during the day thus reducing the likelihood of it being stored as fat.

The less processed the food is the better

Today you can by lots of fast food and convenience meals that the food is processed but you want to bring in more food that is not processed such as vegetables and fruit and more grains. Foods with a lower GI mean that the body converts the carbohydrates to sugar slower. This means that you feel full for longer and you body doesn't try to store the energy as fat as much. As a general guide food that is higher in fibre has a lower GI.

Exercise

Exercising is good for your health it improves the health of your heart and help reduce the chances of diseases such as cancer and diabetes. It is recommended by health experts to exercise for at least thirty minutes three times a week. This can range from going for a bike or a run to playing a game or soccer or tennis going for a swim or going to the gym and lifting weights. The added benefit is that it helps speed up your metabolism so that your body uses more energy to keep itself going. Exercise is a lot better than dieting alone as it promotes faster weight loss and improves your health.

Eat enough protein

Muscle is comprised mainly of water and protein when you exercise it gives your muscles the stimulus to grow however they cannot grow if you do not consume sufficient levels of protein. If insufficient levels are consumed the muscles can start to breakdown and even shrink! This results in the slowing of your metabolism and will increase the ability of your body to burn fat. The more muscle you have the easier it is to burn fat. Even if you are exercising and stay at the same weight if you are burning fat gaining muscle because muscle is denser than fat you can still end up becoming a smaller size. The recommended amount of protein to take is about 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight. If you weighed 80kilograms then 120 grams a day would be a good amount to eat. If you spread this out over your five to six meals a day this is 20 -25 grams per meal.

Can supplements help?

Supplements can never replace a good diet and exercise they can only help once they are in place. However they can be a help when they are used properly. The first one is the use of protein powders, when people are trying to make sure their protein consumption is sufficient it can sometimes be difficult to find a good protein source for each meal and sometimes you are short on time. Whey protein can be used as a meal replacement and are especially good after workouts and at night-time to replace a meal where you do not want to be consuming many calories before sleep but want to give your body the protein it needs to help repair itself during the night. Fat burners can also be a help, the main things that they do is help reduce your appetite when you are dieting and also to help boost your energies when you have reduced your dietary intake. They help with the last bit of dieting as sometimes your body will burn less energy because you are eating less. I have an interest in biochemistry weight training and bodybuilding my website is http://www.grmproducts.co.nz ]]>