Posts Tagged ‘solar’
reducing energy bills through long range planning
For commercial buildings, it is not uncommon for some buildings to consume twice as much as other comparable buildings. New buildings, for example, are typically designed to consume about 30% less energy that comparable buildings of old, wether the building owners request it or not. New buildings in the future will be, across the board, even more energy efficient. But what about buildings that are already built? Often times building owners hire their utility provider to produce free energy studies on how to save money on their electric bills. Common results from such efforts are expensive replacements of light fixtures, and in the end, nothing much happens. Large foreign owned energy firms typically produce expensive studies that offer expensive solutions (with attractive paybacks). Expensive and complicated plans often don't always get followed through. This article is about other alternatives to saving on energy bills. For example, a less expensive study which produces a long range plan to replace aging equipment (when it needs replacement) with more cost effective solutions in terms of energy bills. Often, comfort increases in the process. Additionally, there are low cost ways to reduce your ...
Big day for solar
According to Frank Jordans (Associated Press Writer) in GENEVA today– An experimental solar-powered plane took off for its first 24-hour test flight Wednesday. The plane with its 262.5-foot (80-meter) wingspan left Payerne airfield in Switzerland shortly before 7 a.m. By midmorning pilot Andre Borschberg was cruising at 9,850 feet .
update on photovoltaic attic fan
[caption id="attachment_107" align="alignright" width="150" caption="installed fan"][/caption] Now that the heat has turned up, it is evident the solar powered attic fan I installed is more adequate for say 1,000 s.f. of roof area than the 2,200 sf I have. I am looking at installing a second unit for the hot season.
solar powered exhaust fan
[caption id="attachment_107" align="alignright" width="300" caption="installed fan"][/caption] I just installed a photovoltaic exhaust fan on my attic. I bought it from Lowe's for $230. I wished it moved more air than it does but definitely noticed a lower pressure and temperature in my attic which means better indoor air quality plus reduced air conditioning bills. Even with code required attic vents already present, pressure in the attic climbs dramatically in Florida to the point where hot dusty attic air pushes it's way into the house through tiny openings in the ceiling. This is even worse when a bathroom fan or dryer is operating. The quality of the fan housing was very good. It was easy to install. I did have to install it upside down in order to get the best angle for Florida's summer time sun.
