Category: Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency Can Be Helped With Enterprise Energy Management Systems

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Although efficiency has always been relatively defined by every kinds of enterprise. For instance, there would be companies which qualify productivity as a measure for asset efficiency. Although there have been plenty of reviews on asset and appliance energy consumption, there had been little on energy efficiency per se.

While companies are getting busy plotting their action plan, they are also giving attention to the fact that energy efficiency is of utmost importance. Measured against the pervasive threat of climate change, society dictates that business interests are inferior.

Our society presses on having each business take accountability for its own emissions and justification of such. This is an emerging threat to the viability of organizations and will now require them to adopt enterprise carbon and energy management systems as they not only begin to understand their actual positions but get ready to answer to society and legislators.

A common organization operates through the interaction of its assets. Each asset is responsible for the consumption of energy and the consequent emission of greenhouse gases. Emissions which are related to energy consumption are one of the largest contributors to climate change and other environmental degradation which should be stopped if needed.

While we are not yet at a position where the preceding statement can be viewed as black and white, we are certainly heading in that direction. For an organization to exist, let alone prosper in the future it must justify its possession of each asset and be sure that the asset is performing to ultimate efficiency. Enterprise carbon and energy management systems enable such tracking and provide a clear correlation between energy use and emissions spent.

We are very likely to see legislation. which requires consent for using energy and carbon emissions, enclosed within market forces. In this highly competitive and market-based economy, involved parties need to have openness and encourage transparency in conducting business to be satisfactorily compliant. Again, in this world a healthy balance sheet owes a lot to the performance of individual and sometimes lowly asset groups and thus the significance of asset performance tracking may not be understated.

There is a clear link between asset energy efficiency and carbon emissions and as carbon becomes a protected, trackable and tradable commodity, organizations must enable the link.

Enterprise carbon and energy management systems focus on energy efficiency and performance. Software providers such as Verisae have already amassed experience by providing such an approach to a number of retail organizations worldwide. Forward-thinking companies know and understand that although legislation would not be targeting enterprises at the moment yet, they also understand the importance of adamantly acquiring the most effective information possible.

While political debate and agendas can often slow the advance of legislation, societal opinion appears to be consolidating and organizations that are slow to take the initiative and adopt a clear path toward sustainability may indeed be very shortsighted.

How To Improve the Energy Efficiency of Baxi Boilers

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With energy prices seeming to be constantly on the rise, homeowners are always on the lookout for ways of saving money through lower energy bills. Fortunately, one of the best ways of cutting energy is by taking steps to make a Baxi boiler more energy efficient. While Baxi already produces some of the most energy efficient boilers on the market, homeowners can always take further steps to help improve the environment and save them money on their next energy bill. Energy saving tips can range from the simple, like fitting pipes with insulation, to the extreme, like getting a brand new boiler installed. This article will look at just a few of the measures homeowners can take to make their boiler systems more energy efficient and thus cut their energy bills at the end of the month.

Use Room Thermostats

Installing a room thermostat is a great way of being able to control the temperature in individual rooms. Having better control over a homes temperature will go a long way in cutting down on wasted energy. Room thermostats can save consumers about 70 a year and they will go a long way towards protecting the environment. Once the room thermostats are installed, homeowners should turn down the temperature until it is warm enough to still be comfortable. Turning down the temperature just one degree can make a world of difference, and could save families 65 a year.

Hot Water Cylinder

Similarly, most UK families keep the temperature of their hot water cylinders up too high, which is not only wasting energy, but costing consumers more in higher energy bills. The ideal temperature for a hot water cylinder is 60 degrees Celsius, which is more than hot enough to still be comfortable for most homeowners. Water that is kept any hotter than this is not only wasteful, but it runs the risk of scalding human skin it comes into contact with. To make the hot water cylinder even more efficient, the main tank should have a tank jacket wrapped around it. Additionally, any pipes around the tank that are exposed should be insulated. Insulation will not only improve energy efficiency, it will also help the system last longer and perform better. The total cost for the tank jacket and insulation should cost no more than 30, while it could save families 60 a year in lower energy bills.

New Boiler

While all of the above recommendations are good and cheap to follow, by far the best thing people can do in order to cut their energy bills and improve their homes efficiency is to invest in a new energy efficient boiler. It is usually fairly easy to determine if a boiler is in need of replacing. Older boilers usually have a pilot light which burns continuously. The pilot light itself is not only wasteful, but these older boilers also have much lower efficiency ratings overall. Newer boilers have pilot lights which light automatically whenever the boiler is put into use, meaning that less gas is wasted when it is not actually being used by the homes occupants. In fact, the newer energy efficient models have an efficiency rating of up to 90 per cent. From a consumer standpoint, this increased efficiency could translate into an annual savings of over 300, not to mention a household that is much gentler on the environment. Of course, the main disadvantage of getting a new boiler installed is that they are very expensive, often running into the thousands of pounds. However, compared to the savings possible, a new boiler may be worth the investment. Furthermore, grants and trusts have been set up that can help the most disadvantaged improve their homes energy efficiency thus saving them money.

Many consumers are seeking to improve their households energy efficiency for a variety of reasons, ranging from wanting to save money on energy bills to trying to do some good for the planet. One of the best ways of cutting down on carbon emissions is by improving a houses current Baxi boiler system. By taking the measures listed above, whether that means buying a new energy efficient boiler or simply reducing a homes temperature by just one degree, homeowners will be doing their part to make the planet a little greener and their utility bills a little lighter.

Furnace and Heater Maintenance Maximizing Energy Efficiency

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Most likely the type of heating system you have in your home is a forced air system. This type of system typically will continue to run smoothly with regular maintenance. Without regular maintenance, your furnace can quickly wear out. Maintaining your furnace should cost you around $100 a year, if not less. This is definitely more favorable than replacing the whole system. Proper maintenance will also keep your furnace operating efficiently. Efficiency is key to saving money on heating bills since heating accounts for about one-third of your energy bill. However, the biggest motivation for having your furnace serviced regularly should be safety. Your home furnace could be a source of a carbon monoxide leak if not properly maintained.

The number one thing you can do to keep your furnace in top working order is to clean it regularly! If you hire someone to do the job they will replace the air filter and clean the filter system, motor, and blower. If youre cleaning the furnace yourself, you may use a toothbrush to clean the fan blades and any other small areas accumulating dust. Before providing any maintenance on your heater be sure to switch off the power to the appliance by locating a switch. Also, do not forget to shut off the gas to the furnace by locating the knob near the gas line. The gas line is a black pipe that will be connected to the furnace. Turn the knob so that it sits perpendicular to the line to shut it off. It is now safe to open the furnace door, and vacuum in all the crevices your vacuum attachment can reach. Remember to vacuum out the base and around the base of the furnace. Try to remove as much debris and dust as possible. After cleaning the actual unit, make sure the area around the furnace is clean and clear of clutter as well. Never store any flammable liquids nearby or even in your furnace room.

Once all debris is removed, remove the old filter and replace it with a new one. The filter on your heater should be replaced monthly during the heating season. Continue to check all fan belts. The fan belts help the furnace blower operate. If you ever find that your furnace is running but heat is not being pushed through the vents, check for broken or worn fan belts. Replace any that look frayed, cracked, or worn. Check the tautness of the belts by pushing on the center of the belt. If the belt gives in more then an inch, the belt needs to be tightened by adjusting the the attachment bracket. If at any point you smell a gas leak, this is a serious problem. Do not continue to work on the furnace but leave your home and report the gas leak to your fire department and gas company.

If the unit constantly shuts off whenever the furnace kicks on and trips the circuit, this is due to an electrical problem. In this case, it is necessary to call an electrician or service professional to take a look at the problem. They will know how to safely fix the issue.

When all inspections and cleaning has been completed. Replace the anything that you removed such as the access panel. Turn the gas line valve back on and return power to the unit. You may need to relight the pilot light as well. Allow your pilot light to continually run. This will keep condensation at bay even when the furnace is not being used. Finally, use your furnace only as much as you need. In the colder months, dress a little warmer so you can set your thermostat lower. Youd be surprised how much you could save over the season by dropping your thermostat a couple of degrees! Also, try turning down the temperature even more when no one is home to maximize your energy savings.

Complete Wind Energy Kit for your RV

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Have you ever jumped in your RV for a weekend, or week long getaway, only to find that the batteries in your RV were dead, or close to it. That means no TV, no fan, no fridge, no lights all those necessities you take for granted at home, but can disappear in a heartbeat when your batteries arent charged. Or, of course, you could run out and buy new batteries every time you need them. But that doesnt help when you use up all of your power on the road and you need to recharge your batteries.

However, the Complete RV Wind Energy Kit from Silicon Solar can help keep your batteries charged and ready to go, even when you are miles away from the nearest electric outlet. This unique kit allows you to install a Wind Generator on your that is powerful enough to keep your batteries fresh and charged at all times, can be quickly hoisted up in the air when you are parked and lowered when you are heading out on to the road.

The Complete RV Wind Energy Kit includes all of the following; the major components you need to get your system installed and up and running in no time.

Kit includes Air X Land Wind Generator in either 12, 24 or 48V Configuration Also includes 15 ft Telescoping RV Tower Kit that attaches to your RV and quickly raises and lowers your wind generator

The Complete Wind Energy RV Kit is comes in one size, and provides enough power to charge the batteries of even the most heavily used RVs, and can easily be installed in a few hours getting you back on the road and ready to go in no time.

The Complete RV Wind Energy Kit is only available through Silicon Solar, and costs only $1500. Similar kits are sold by competitors for over $2000. You can more information on the Complete RV Wind Energy Kit, or buy your own today through Silicon Solar at www.siliconsolar.com and www.windenergydirect.org.

Ac Buying Guide-energy Efficiency In Air Conditioning Units

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Air conditioners are some of the home appliances that homeowners need to keep their homes comfortable. However, they are also some of the home appliances that raise the energy bills in your home. Buying an energy efficient air conditioning unit is therefore necessary if you want to keep your energy bills at a manageable level and still keep your home cooled. The following is a short buying guide for buying an air conditioner.

First, decide whether a ducted air conditioning unit or a split wall hung air conditioner best suits your home. Ducted air conditioners best suit large houses with multiple rooms. Split systems are best suited for small rooms.

Second, start by looking at your home before going shopping. This will allow you decide what sizing of the air conditioner is required for your home. The sizing of the air conditioning unit doesnt mean its physical size. Rather, it means its capacity in British Thermal Units (BTU). To determine the air conditioner size you will need for your home, there are a number of features to look at. The most basic feature is the size of the rooms. In addition to this; look at the insulation in the rooms, window orientation, number of occupants in each room, artificial lighting and, appliances and furniture in the room among other features.

Third, look at additional components in each air conditioner and how useful they can be in making the air conditioning unit more energy efficient. For example, an air conditioner with a programmable thermostat will enable you set the unit to switch on and off at predetermined times. Most air conditioners with additional components will be on the high end. The best way to determine whether they are worth investing in or not is looking at what value they are adding in terms of reducing the energy consumption of the air conditioning unit.

Fourth, look for alternative air conditioners. Common air conditioners are plugged onto the electricity outlets in the house. Today, there are green air conditioners which are solar powered. These will enable you save on up to half the energy consumption in your home.

Fifth, look at the manufacturers warranties placed on the air conditioners. Like other electrical appliances, an air conditioning unit is prone to ear and tear. The warranty on the parts guarantees that the manufacturer will replace or repair worn out parts within the warranty period. Since the average air conditioner will last between 5 and 20 years, its best to look for an air conditioner with a longer warranty period to ensure that worn out and broken parts are replaced on time ensuring efficiency.

Finally, look at the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio value of the air conditioning unit. A higher value indicates that the air conditioning unit is energy efficient.

Install New Entry Doors On Your Home For Energy Efficiency

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In todays economy, everyones looking for new ways to save money. Scrimping and saving is one route to take, but the old wisdom that tells us to spend money to make money is more often the bigger producer of long-term results. And its definitely sound advice when it comes to your homes entry doors.

If the doors on your home are dated or warped, then theyre leaking more than just air through your house: theyre leaking money out of your wallet season after season. Installing new entry doors that are energy efficient is one money-saving project any home owner can afford to look into. Check out how new doors can add value to your homes investment and what to look for when it comes time to buy them.

Benefits of Energy Efficient Doors

The number one reason home owners will purchase new energy efficient entry doors is because they pay for themselves. These doors tight seal reduces air flow in and out of your home, which not only solves the problem of a drafty house but decreases your energy bills. Every summer youll pay less on AC costs because more cool air will stay in your house. In the winter, your heating bills will also see a major decrease, as your new entry doors will keep more cold air out.

Energy efficient doors also give you more durability than older models offer. A hard-wearing entry door can battle any weather condition better. In the long run, this means that a new door will last, saving you from maintenance costs or new purchases in the future.

And if youve already chosen your side with the green team, theres no reason your doors cant either. By buying energy efficient doors, youll be doing your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cutting back on your energy consumption each year.

What to Look For

If lower heating and cooling bills have you curious about this home improvement project, then youll need to take a few notes on what to look for when shopping for energy efficient doors.

Two words to remember: ENERGY STAR. Door systems that are ENERGY STAR rated or compliant will bring you guaranteed energy efficiency. Backed by the government, ENERGY STAR is a program that helps others protect the environment through its superior energy-saving solutions. Theyre a name everyone trusts for proven results.

If youre still hesitant about hunting, a good name to start with is Therma-Tru. Therma-Tru doors are ENERGY STAR compliant and NFRC Certified, and companies that supply you with these products will give you a quality energy-reducing solution. As a leader in green energy construction, Therma Tru has won green awards and remains a favorite name among builders.

Now that you have your guide to energy efficient entry doors, its time to start searching, shopping and saving for life.

Hybrid Cars For Energy Efficiency

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A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more discrete power sources to propel the vehicle. Common power sources include:

On-board or out-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a fueled powA hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more discrete power sources to propel the vehicle. Common power sources include:

On-board or out-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a fueled power source (internal combustion engine or fuel cell)

Air engine and internal combustion engines

Human powered bicycle with electric motor or gas engine assist

Human-powered or sail boat with electric power

The term most frequently refers to Hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) which comprises internal combustion engines and electric motors.

Early hybrid systems are being examined for trucks and other heavy highway vehicles with a few operational trucks and buses initial to come into use. The chief barrier seem to be smaller fleet sizes and the extra costs of a hybrid system are yet remunerated for by fuel savings, but with the price of oil set to persist on its upward trend, the tipping point might be reached by the end of 2008. Advances in technology and lesser battery cost and higher capacity etc. urbanized in the hybrid car industry are already filtering into truck use as Toyota, Ford, GM and others initiate hybrid pickups and SUVs. Kenworth Truck Company lately introduced a hybrid-electric truck, called the Kenworth T270 Class 6 that for city usage appear to be competitive. FedEx and others are preparatory to invest in hybrid delivery type vehiclesmainly for city use where hybrid technology may pay off first. The U.S. military is inspecting hybrid Humvees and other vehicles.

When the term hybrid vehicle is used, it normally refers to a Hybrid electric vehicle. These cover such vehicles as the AHS2 (Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, and the Saturn Vue), Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid and others. A petroleum-electric hybrid normally uses internal combustion engines and electric batteries to control electric motors. There are loads of types of petroleum-electric hybrid drivetrains, from Full hybrid to Mild hybrid, which proffer varying merits and demerits.
While liquid fuel/electric hybrids in the late 1800s, the braking regenerative hybrid was invented by David Arthurs, an electrical engineer from Springdale, Arkansas in 1978-79. His home-converted Opel GT was reported to get as much as 75MPG and plans are still sold to this novel design, and the “Mother Earth News” customized version on their website.

Hybrid fuel (dual mode)

Additionally, vehicles that use two or more different devices for propulsion, some also deem vehicles that use discrete energy sources or input types (“fuels”) using the same engine to be hybrids, even though to avoid confusion with hybrids as described above and to use in the approved manner the terms, these are perhaps more suitably described as dual mode vehicles:

A few electric trolleybuses can switch between an on board diesel engine and
Overhead electrical power depending on circumstances (see dual mode bus). In principle, this could be pooled with a battery subsystem to create a true plug-in hybrid trolleybus, though as of 2006, no such design seems to have been announced.

Flexible-fuel vehicles can be able to use an assortment of input fuels (petroleum and biofuels) in one tank characteristically gasoline and bioethanol or biobutanol, though diesel-biodiesel vehicles would also meet the criteria.

Dual mode: Liquified petroleum gas and natural gas are diverse from petroleum or diesel and cannot be used in the identical tanks, so it would be unfeasible to build an (LPG or NG) flexible fuel system. As an alternative vehicles are built with two, parallel, fuel systems feeding one engine. While the replicated tanks cost space in some applications, the augmented range and flexibility where (LPG or NG) infrastructure is incomplete may be a noteworthy incentive to purchase.

Few vehicles have been modified to use another fuel source if it is available, such as cars customized to run on autogas (LPG) and diesels customized to run on waste vegetable oil that has not been processed into biodiesel.

Power-assist mechanisms for bicycles and additional human-powered vehicles are also integrated.

Fluid power hybrid

Hydraulic and pneumatic hybrid vehicles employ an engine to charge a pressure accumulator to drive the wheels through hydraulic or pneumatic (i.e. compressed air) drive units. The energy recovery rate is elevated and therefore the system is more efficient than battery charged hybrids, demonstrating a 60% to 70% increase in energy economy in EPA testing. Under tests performed by the EPA, a hydraulic hybrid Ford Expedition returned 32 mpgU.S. (7.35 L/100 km / 38.4 mpgimp) City, and 22 mpgU.S. (10.69 L/100 km / 26.4 mpgimp) highway

The most recent hybrid technology is the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The PHEV is inclusive of a gasoline-electric hybrid whose battery pack (usually Li-ion) is upgraded to a superior capacity, which can be recharged by moreover a battery charger curved into the electrical grid or the gasoline engine (only if required). The car runs on battery power for the first 10 to 60 miles (16100 km), with the gasoline engine on hand for faster speeding up, etc.

After the battery is almost discharged, the car reverts to the gasoline engine to recharge the battery and/or return the car to the charging station. This may get around the fundamental barrier of battery range that has made nearly all pure electric cars impractical. Fuel rates, in principle, may be as low as 5 cents/mile. It’s not obvious yet whether converting an existing hybrid car will ever pay for itself in fuel savings.

The major problem is finding a good, cheap, high-energy battery packthe equivalent problem that has plagued the unpolluted electric car. If everyone plugged into the function grid to charge up their car this would seem to be just displacing the gasoline/diesel combustion crisis to the trait coal powered electrical generating plant. But, if cars were recharged tardy at night this would allow the base load of the electrical system to be more capable with a much more even base load and electrical power can also be generated by clean wind, hydro, tide power, etc. while most travel is regarding 30 miles/day this may be the cleanest personal transportation system at present available.

There is a “cottage” conversion industry for owner- existing hybrids, and more than a few huge auto industry groups (GM, Toyota, Mercedes etc.) plus the US Department of Energy are investigating this system. No chief car company (as of late 2007) offers PHEVs yet. The characteristic “cottage” industry conversion car is the Toyota Prius (cost of conversion $5k-$40k), as it is a full hybrid with sufficient power in its electrical system to maintain distinctive city speeds.

Fuel consumption and emissions reductions

The hybrid vehicle characteristically achieves greater fuel economy and lower emissions than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), ensuing in fewer emissions being generated. These savings are mainly achieved by four elements of a typical hybrid design:

-Recapturing energy generally wasted during braking etc. (regenerative braking) this is a mechanism that condenses vehicle speed by converting some of its kinetic energy into a further helpful form of energy, particularly in stop-and-go traffic.

-having important battery storage capacity to store and recycle recaptured energy;

– shutting down the gasoline or diesel engine in traffic stops or while coasting or other idle periods;

– civilizing aerodynamics; A box shaped car or truck has to put forth more force to move through the air causing added stress on the engine making it toil harder. Improving the shape and aerodynamics of a car is a fine way to help better the gas mileage and also get better handling at the same time.

– By means of low rolling resistance tires; (tires these days are made to give a fine, smooth ride but hardly ever is efficiency taken into consideration. These tires cause a great pact of drag, once again making the engine toil harder, intense more gas mileage. Hybrid cars use special tires that are more exaggerated than regular tires and stiffer, which decreases the drag by about half, humanizing fuel economy by mitigating stress of the engine.

– relying on mutually the gasoline (or diesel engine) and the electric motors for peak power requires ensuing in a smaller gasoline or diesel engine sized more for normal usage rather than peak power usage.

These features make a hybrid vehicle chiefly efficient for city traffic where there are recurrent stops, coasting and idling periods. Besides noise emissions are condensed, mainly at idling and low operating speeds, in similarity to conventional gasoline or diesel powered engine vehicles. For constant high speed highway use these features are much less helpful in reducing emissions.er source (internal combustion engine or fuel cell)

Air engine and internal combustion engines

Human powered bicycle with electric motor or gas engine assist

Human-powered or sail boat with electric power

The term most frequently refers to Hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) which comprises internal combustion engines and electric motors.

Early hybrid systems are being examined for trucks and other heavy highway vehicles with a few operational trucks and buses initial to come into use. The chief barrier seem to be smaller fleet sizes and the extra costs of a hybrid system are yet remunerated for by fuel savings, but with the price of oil set to persist on its upward trend, the tipping point might be reached by the end of 2008. Advances in technology and lesser battery cost and higher capacity etc. urbanized in the hybrid car industry are already filtering into truck use as Toyota, Ford, GM and others initiate hybrid pickups and SUVs. Kenworth Truck Company lately introduced a hybrid-electric truck, called the Kenworth T270 Class 6 that for city usage appear to be competitive. FedEx and others are preparatory to invest in hybrid delivery type vehiclesmainly for city use where hybrid technology may pay off first. The U.S. military is inspecting hybrid Humvees and other vehicles.

When the term hybrid vehicle is used, it normally refers to a Hybrid electric vehicle. These cover such vehicles as the AHS2 (Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, and the Saturn Vue), Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid and others. A petroleum-electric hybrid normally uses internal combustion engines and electric batteries to control electric motors. There are loads of types of petroleum-electric hybrid drivetrains, from Full hybrid to Mild hybrid, which proffer varying merits and demerits.
While liquid fuel/electric hybrids in the late 1800s, the braking regenerative hybrid was invented by David Arthurs, an electrical engineer from Springdale, Arkansas in 1978-79. His home-converted Opel GT was reported to get as much as 75MPG and plans are still sold to this novel design, and the “Mother Earth News” customized version on their website.

Hybrid fuel (dual mode)

Additionally, vehicles that use two or more different devices for propulsion, some also deem vehicles that use discrete energy sources or input types (“fuels”) using the same engine to be hybrids, even though to avoid confusion with hybrids as described above and to use in the approved manner the terms, these are perhaps more suitably described as dual mode vehicles:

A few electric trolleybuses can switch between an on board diesel engine and
Overhead electrical power depending on circumstances (see dual mode bus). In principle, this could be pooled with a battery subsystem to create a true plug-in hybrid trolleybus, though as of 2006, no such design seems to have been announced.

Flexible-fuel vehicles can be able to use an assortment of input fuels (petroleum and biofuels) in one tank characteristically gasoline and bioethanol or biobutanol, though diesel-biodiesel vehicles would also meet the criteria.

Dual mode: Liquified petroleum gas and natural gas are diverse from petroleum or diesel and cannot be used in the identical tanks, so it would be unfeasible to build an (LPG or NG) flexible fuel system. As an alternative vehicles are built with two, parallel, fuel systems feeding one engine. While the replicated tanks cost space in some applications, the augmented range and flexibility where (LPG or NG) infrastructure is incomplete may be a noteworthy incentive to purchase.

Few vehicles have been modified to use another fuel source if it is available, such as cars customized to run on autogas (LPG) and diesels customized to run on waste vegetable oil that has not been processed into biodiesel.

Power-assist mechanisms for bicycles and additional human-powered vehicles are also integrated.

Fluid power hybrid

Hydraulic and pneumatic hybrid vehicles employ an engine to charge a pressure accumulator to drive the wheels through hydraulic or pneumatic (i.e. compressed air) drive units. The energy recovery rate is elevated and therefore the system is more efficient than battery charged hybrids, demonstrating a 60% to 70% increase in energy economy in EPA testing. Under tests performed by the EPA, a hydraulic hybrid Ford Expedition returned 32 mpgU.S. (7.35 L/100 km / 38.4 mpgimp) City, and 22 mpgU.S. (10.69 L/100 km / 26.4 mpgimp) highway

The most recent hybrid technology is the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The PHEV is inclusive of a gasoline-electric hybrid whose battery pack (usually Li-ion) is upgraded to a superior capacity, which can be recharged by moreover a battery charger curved into the electrical grid or the gasoline engine (only if required). The car runs on battery power for the first 10 to 60 miles (16100 km), with the gasoline engine on hand for faster speeding up, etc.

After the battery is almost discharged, the car reverts to the gasoline engine to recharge the battery and/or return the car to the charging station. This may get around the fundamental barrier of battery range that has made nearly all pure electric cars impractical. Fuel rates, in principle, may be as low as 5 cents/mile. It’s not obvious yet whether converting an existing hybrid car will ever pay for itself in fuel savings.

The major problem is finding a good, cheap, high-energy battery packthe equivalent problem that has plagued the unpolluted electric car. If everyone plugged into the function grid to charge up their car this would seem to be just displacing the gasoline/diesel combustion crisis to the trait coal powered electrical generating plant. But, if cars were recharged tardy at night this would allow the base load of the electrical system to be more capable with a much more even base load and electrical power can also be generated by clean wind, hydro, tide power, etc. while most travel is regarding 30 miles/day this may be the cleanest personal transportation system at present available.

There is a “cottage” conversion industry for owner- existing hybrids, and more than a few huge auto industry groups (GM, Toyota, Mercedes etc.) plus the US Department of Energy are investigating this system. No chief car company (as of late 2007) offers PHEVs yet. The characteristic “cottage” industry conversion car is the Toyota Prius (cost of conversion $5k-$40k), as it is a full hybrid with sufficient power in its electrical system to maintain distinctive city speeds.

Fuel consumption and emissions reductions

The hybrid vehicle characteristically achieves greater fuel economy and lower emissions than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), ensuing in fewer emissions being generated. These savings are mainly achieved by four elements of a typical hybrid design:

-Recapturing energy generally wasted during braking etc. (regenerative braking) this is a mechanism that condenses vehicle speed by converting some of its kinetic energy into a further helpful form of energy, particularly in stop-and-go traffic.

-having important battery storage capacity to store and recycle recaptured energy;

– shutting down the gasoline or diesel engine in traffic stops or while coasting or other idle periods;

– civilizing aerodynamics; A box shaped car or truck has to put forth more force to move through the air causing added stress on the engine making it toil harder. Improving the shape and aerodynamics of a car is a fine way to help better the gas mileage and also get better handling at the same time.

– By means of low rolling resistance tires; (tires these days are made to give a fine, smooth ride but hardly ever is efficiency taken into consideration. These tires cause a great pact of drag, once again making the engine toil harder, intense more gas mileage. Hybrid cars use special tires that are more exaggerated than regular tires and stiffer, which decreases the drag by about half, humanizing fuel economy by mitigating stress of the engine.

– relying on mutually the gasoline (or diesel engine) and the electric motors for peak power requires ensuing in a smaller gasoline or diesel engine sized more for normal usage rather than peak power usage.

These features make a hybrid vehicle chiefly efficient for city traffic where there are recurrent stops, coasting and idling periods. Besides noise emissions are condensed, mainly at idling and low operating speeds, in similarity to conventional gasoline or diesel powered engine vehicles. For constant high speed highway use these features are much less helpful in reducing emissions.

Energy Efficiency And Roof Design

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As a roofing contractor in the state of Wisconsin, I continually field requests for light colored (reflective) roofing for the purpose of energy efficiency. A white or light colored roof will reflect sunlight, keep the building cooler, and reduce energy consumptionCorrect?

It depends on where you live and the insulation value of the building.

Most roofing material comes in a variety of colors. EPDM (rubber) membrane, for instance, is a very common low slope roofing material that comes in black or white. In the case of EPDM, the white color is much more expensive. Many consumers will justify spending more on white instead of black EPDM since they believe that there will be energy savings. Asphalt shingles come in a variety of different colors from light to dark. Some shingle manufacturers, such as GAF, have marketed Cool Series asphalt shingles that are designed to be more reflective of sunlight.

Significant studies have been conducted to study the effect of roof color on energy consumption. Heat transfer will occur from the roof into the interior of the building if there is a low level of insulation and resulting low R-Value (thermal resistance). As R-value and thermal resistance increases with better insulation systems, the type and color of roofing material becomes less and less important. In general, an R-value of 30 or more negates any energy efficiency gains from white or light colored roofing material in hot climates. It stands to reason the most effective way to decrease a buildings energy consumption is to increase insulation levels.

There are situations in which the building structure itself cannot be insulated more effectively and a low R-value cannot be avoided. What color of roofing material would be best in this situation? It depends on where you live and the climate. Do you have more heating degree days or cooling degree days? Here in Wisconsin, we definitely have more heating degree days. Therefore, a dark colored roof will help heat interior building spaces and decrease energy consumption over time. In colder climates, dark colored roofs are the most energy efficient. The opposite is true for hot climates. It would be well worth the extra investment in purchasing white roofing material in Southern Florida. Central regions of the United States are considered color-neutral. In these areas, studies have shown that energy efficiency is not impacted by roof color.

With the increase in roofing material choices, it has become increasingly important that roof designers, contractors, and facilities managers consider the right roofing material for the right situation. Reflective roofing has become a knee-jerk reaction for some designers and contractors who do not take climate zones or insulation levels into consideration. Focus should remain on insulation systems and improving insulation value when optimizing energy efficiency. Advances in insulation technology have created opportunities to increase insulation value in almost any circumstance. Spray-on foam insulation and plywood manufactured with imbedded rigid foam insulation have become popular and effective systems to increase R-value in tight spaces.

Every building and every roof system is different. Roof design for energy efficiency must take into consideration climate zone and insulation value. With sufficient insulation, roof color becomes insignificant in the energy efficiency equation.

Choices For Energy Efficiency Savings Through The Management Of Energy How Can You Save Energy

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Learning how you can save energy these days is important for a number of different reasons. There are a many different plans that you might use to reduce your usage of energy and make your home or business more efficient. Deciding on an energy audit or other methods to find the higher use areas can be very helpful.

If you are looking at your energy bills and wondering how can you save energy, you can just begin the process by learning which areas of the building are using the most energy. This is known as an energy audit. Because there are many different ways that energy is used, it is important to understand what might be changed to reduce the use and what cannot be changed.

Working through the process will likely point out spots where too much energy is being used in various ways. When you find these areas, you can quickly correct the problem and reduce the use of energy in that way. Determining the best choices to correct problems will depend on the type of business you are in as well as the why there is excess energy being used.

The reduction of energy use is important to save money of course, but there are other reasons why you want to learn about ways you can accomplish this task. Today it is very important that everyone do their part in the reduction of energy use. By reducing the amount of energy that is used, steps are taken to help reduce the natural resources that are being used to create that energy.

Using specific methods for the management of energy is one way that anyone can learn about reducing the cost for this type of resource. By managing the use you can reduce the expense as well as be more efficient in a number of different ways. Finding ways to reduce the use will be important and can easily be accomplished by doing an audit of your use.

Learning how you can save energy is an important step to help reduce the use of natural resources to create the energy in the first place. At the same time it will help you to reduce your energy bill which is something everyone is working on doing today. Whether you need to rearrange equipment to create a more efficient use of the energy or you need to learn about other options, you can find a number of ways to help you save money on this necessary utility today.

Get The Facts On Energy Efficient Windows Part 2

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It’s easier to shop for new or replacement windows if you know the same things the window manufacturers know. This is the second part of a series on options and features that can make new windows more efficient.

Things To Know About Energy Efficient Glass Choices
Here’s a list of glass or glazing choices that can make windows more efficient. Quality replacement windows will offer these features.

Unless they are handmade in a local shop, virtually any windows you buy today will be at least double pane, which is two layers of glass sealed with an air space in between. This is also known as insulating glass, or sometimes double glazing. Some window companies fill the air space with argon, a nontoxic gas used to increase energy efficiency and lower the amount of heat the glass will conduct. Insulating glass is a great first step in improving efficiency. Plus, added benefits of insulating glass include cutting down on outside noise and making your home more secure from glass-breaking intruders.

Better window brands also offer tri-pane insulating glass, which is also known as triple pane or triple glazing. We’ll get back to this in a second. But first, here are some upgrades to insulating glass.

LoE-272 glazing (glass) is a double metallic coating that is applied to the inside glass surface in between the panes. It reflects heat into the room in winter and keeps out the sun’s heat in summer, optimizing room comfort and reducing utility usage. How does it know the difference? The sun is higher in the summer, so the coating is especially engineered to block these rays. This can significantly lower air conditioning bills. In the winter, when the sun’s rays are lower, the coating will allow the light through, naturally warming rooms. This warming is enough to make a difference in your heating costs.

In addition, this coating decreases the damaging effects of UV rays. Benefits of LoE-272 glass include both an enhanced U-factor and improved Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. (U-factor is the amount of heat loss to the outside, and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is how much heat from the sun your windows let in.)

LoE-366 glazing (glass) is three metallic layers of silver, and like LoE-272, it allows heat into the room in winter and keeps out the sun’s heat in summer. The difference is, LoE-366 glazing is tweaked to block more heat so it is recommended for warm climates, such as Georgia, where cooling costs are high and also for areas where intense exposure to the sun is an issue, such as a large wall of windows facing a southern exposure.

Tripane glazing, offered in Marvin window products, provides advanced energy efficiency. The air spaces between the three panes of glass are filled with argon gas or, for even better insulating value, krypton gas, and that it is available with LoE coatings to match a variety of climate requirements.

Energy Panels are sometimes confused with storm windows. Actually, this glazing option is a removable exterior glass panel finished on the edges by a frame. Energy panels cover the outside glass surface of each sash, and can further increase energy efficiency for wood windows with single glazing, such as those used in historical homes.

Storm and Screen combinations are two movable glass panels and one movable screen panel. The individual panels can be set up multiple ways depending on the season and homeowner’s needs, and can be easily removed from the interior for cleaning.

Framing Your Choices for Window Materials
Besides the glass, what your window frames and sashes are made of also makes a difference. Since the frames and sashes represent 10-30% percent of the total area of each window, the frame properties will definitely influence overall efficiency.

Wood Windows
Wood and aluminum clad wood are naturally better insulators than vinyl and aluminum. This means wood windows do not pass temperature extremes through their frames as readily as, say, aluminum windows. Ever stand near the interior of an aluminum window when it’s cold outside? They can feel very cold! Stand near a wood window, and you won’t notice the cold as much.

From a thermal point of view, wood-framed windows have a positive influence on a window’s overall U-factor (see below for the definition of U-factor). Well-built and well-maintained wood windows from a good manufacturer can have a very long life. Paint protects the exterior surface and allows you to change the color easily.

Wood windows with a clad aluminum exterior are another excellent choice for improving home efficiency. They possess the same properties as wood windows, and the sturdy exterior aluminum cladding acts like a coat of armor against the elements. Considered to be among the best, Marvin clad windows’ exterior color finish is extremely fade resistant and strong so they are a great choice for low maintenance good looks that last for decades.

Fiberglass Windows (Composite)
Another strong choice you can make in upgrading your energy efficiency is composite or fiberglass windows. As a window and door material, fiberglass comes closest to perfection. A quality fiberglass, such as Ultrex used in Integrity and Infinity replacement windows, is extremely strong and warp resistant much more so than vinyl. Besides helping your replacement windows last a lifetime, the strength of fiberglass keeps the shape of your windows intact for decades to come. The more your windows stay in shape, the better that layer of air sealed in between the insulating panes of glass can do its job.

What’s more, fiberglass expands and contracts very little, unlike vinyl, which can grow and shrink measurable amounts in the temperature extremes that windows and doors endure. The low rate of thermal expansion in fiberglass, again keeps your windows sealed tight, to prevent energy-robbing air leaks from finding their way in over the years. And finally, fiberglass is 500 times less thermally conductive than aluminum, which means it doesn’t allow in the heat or cold extremes from the outside.

With this knowledge under your belt, you can shop for replacement doors and windows and feel confident that they will add newfound comfort and energy efficiency to your home.

In case you missed it, please read GET THE FACTS ON ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS Part 1.