Q: What are eco-friendly gadgets? Eco friendly gadgets (also known as green gadgets) are electronic products have the some or all of the following traits: they have little or no harmful materials they can be recycled they are manufactured efficiently and locally they use energy as efficiently as possible In a broad sense, the purported eco-friendliness means that during the entire life-cycle of the product it will have a minimal environmental impact while helping the user save energy and produce {Read More}
How is Solar Energy Renewable?
July 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Q: How is solar energy renewable and why is that important? Renewable sources of energy are characterized by the ability to replenish themselves without any human involvement. Examples of renewable sources of energy include solar but also hydropower, geothermal and wind energy. Solar energy is a renewable energy source because regardless of how much it is used, its supply will never be exhausted. In other words, renewable resources are not only characterized by abundant energy flows, but also by their {Read More}
What is a HVAC Technician?
June 10, 2012 by 1 Comment
Q: What is a HVAC Technician? The HVAC technician is an expert that works on ventilation, heating, cooling support and services. The HVAC technician is charge of inspecting and testing systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or detecting and locating technical failure. HVAC technician is responsible for connecting, installing and adjusting thermostats and timers. HVAC technician is associated with testing electrical circuits/components for continuity, using electrical test equipment and testing pipe or tubing joints for leaks, using {Read More}
Are Swamp Coolers Effective?
June 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Q: Are swamp coolers effective in cooling the area? Evaporative or swamp coolers are energy efficient devices that can cost-effectively lower an area’s temperature. Compared to traditional devices such as air conditioners, swamp coolers use 75 % less electricity. The swamp coolers function on a simple principle. Namely, when dry air passes through or over water it absorbs some of the water and in the process the air gets cooled. The absorption happens when both the vapor pressure and temperature {Read More}
What are the Most Common Types of CFL Bulbs?
June 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Q: What are the most common types of CFL bulbs? Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are designed to replace many frequently used incandescent bulbs. They have the efficiency of fluorescent lighting but also the convenience of incandescent lamps. Some compact fluorescent lamps can fit into regular fixtures used for incandescent lamps. Compared to incandescent lamps, CFLs cost three to ten times more. However, CFLs reduce energy use by over 70 percent and last 8-15 times as long. Here are some common {Read More}
What are R-Values of Building Materials?
June 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Q:What are R-values of building materials? Can R-values be added to get the total R-value? The R-value is an insulating property of a material, also referred to as the thermal resistance. Based on particular materials that manufacturers use, the R-values vary considerably. For R-values individual to your project always check manufacturer literature. R-Values can be added. R-final (or R-total) is calculated as the sum of the single components: R1 + R2 +… + RN = R-final for example R-5 + {Read More}
Are CFLs Dimmable?
June 6, 2012 by 1 Comment
Q: Are CFL bulbs dimmable? Yes, but CFL bulbs must be designed to work on a dimming circuit. Due to the more demanding circuitry, dimmable CFLs are more expensive than standard CFLs. Dimming for incandescent bulbs works by reducing the amount of power sent to the bulb, which is not recommended to CFL bulbs. Reducing the amount of power to a CFL bulb can keep its filament from getting a sufficient amount of heat to function correctly and the CFL {Read More}
How to Dispose of a CFL?
June 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Q: How can I safely dispose of a CFL bulb? Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are fantastic energy savers but they contain up to 5 milligrams of mercury, which is hazardous to the environment if improperly discarded. Here are ways to safely dispose of CFL bulbs. Several big retailers offer CFL bulbs disposal programs Home Depot. Consumer CFL recycling program has been offered since 2008. Simply take your used, unbroken CFLs bulbs, place them in a plastic bag and deposit {Read More}
What are R-Values of Polystyrene and Spray Foams?
June 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Q: What are R-values of polystyrene and spray foams? R values of polystyrene usually range from 2.3 to 5.0 per inch and are based on its density. Loose-fill polystyrene (tiny pieces of foam or fiber) has a lower R-value, usually 2.3 per inch. Foam board polystyrene (strong, firm insulation panels) has a higher R-value. Expanded polystyrene (EPS), for example, has an R-value of 4.0, while extruded polystyrene (XPS) has an R-value of 5.0. R-values per inch of spray foams are {Read More}
How Much Can I Expect to Pay for a Home-Sized Wind System?
June 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Q: I would like to become a home wind-farmer. How much can I expect to pay for a home-sized wind system? A reliable, well-installed and productive home-sized wind system will cost between $20,000 and $200,000. Several factors will determine the cost of the system, namely your budget, your wind resource and your needs. If you are a wind energy novice, choose a knowledgeable dealer with excellent service. A good dealer will normally evaluate your energy habits and energy efficiency before {Read More}
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