The Easiest and Simplest Option Eco-Friendly Energy Projects by ...

Alternative Green Energy Projects That You Can Do At Home

Fossil fuel consumption is quite exhaustive because it is a non-renewable energy source. But times are really changing and a good alternative green energy is needed now. There is also an increasing interest among folks who would like to try their luck in generating energy sources that are affordable, highly available and environment-friendly.

Along with it is the increasing number of alternative green energy sources that can be implemented and run at home. Some of them can be installed quickly, while others are a bit complicated. Whichever you choose, these alternative sources are there to help in reducing the dependence of humans on fossil fuel.

Here are some of the best alternative green energy projects that are good to set up at home:

DIY Solar Power

You can search for information regarding solar energy systems on the net. For those who love gadgets and show their support in environmental efforts, then green energy products are ideal for you.

Green energy products - what are they?

Green energy products or gadgets basically use natural sources of energy to power them and/or to power other products. These products are also beneficial and not just full of aesthetics, so make sure that you handle them with care.

Here are some of the green energy products that you may be interested in:

Solar laptop charger - Laptop charges usually come with long chords and adapter for the electrical outlet. It is inconvenient when you have to charge and you happen to be outdoors and beyond reach to an electrical outlet. Solar cooker - This gadget uses the same technology as the solar laptop charger and it is quite handy whenever you need it outdoors. If you love camping and hiking, it's best that you have a solar cooker to bring along. The cooker starts working upon exposure to sunlight and it can beat at electronic oven with 1000W to 12000W power.

LED flashing bike pedals - This is one of the green energy products that you can always put to the test once you're outdoors. These small LED flashing pedals may be able to save lives and prevent biking accidents at night. It generates energy by itself by harvesting and storing small amounts of energy once you start stepping on the pedals.

There are many other fun and interesting green energy products out there. If you need to invest in one, it's best that you invest on a gadget that will benefit you in the long run.

Where To Find Green Energy Sources

The message is clear regarding energy conservation and saving the environment, and it is going strong each day. Many people are now realizing the difference that they can make in contributing to help lessen the negative impacts of too much wasted water and energy.

The earth's main energy source is fossil fuel which is already depleting and should be acted upon immediately. Numerous scientists have predicted that in less than 20 years, these fossil fuels and their sources will dry out. This brought about numerous projects and researches that relate to finding and using green energy sources.

Many people have already experienced the positive effects and advantages of using solar power for the home. http://factsaboutsolarenergy.net/

11 Most Frequently Asked Questions on Converting Your Car to ...

1. What do I need to do to convert my car to biodiesel?

First and foremost, you need to have a diesel engine car. Biodiesel CAN NOT be used in a gasoline engine. Having said that, any engine that runs on #2 diesel can also be run on biodiesel. This means, home furnaces, generators, semi-trucks, farm equipment, fishing boats, etc. There is really nothing you need to do and nothing you need to convert. Just use it the same as any other fuel. “Conversion” becomes necessary when you want to run your diesel engine on Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) For some pre-1994 model vehicles it is said that you need to replace your rubber hoses with synthetic ones. But truthfully, unless you have a leak, I wouldn't bother.

2. How much money will I save?
It really depends on you, and how you decide to make your own biodiesel. For example, if you are using waste vegetable oil from restaurants, (free feedstock) and buying other ingredients in bulk, your savings are going to be substantial. Say, around $2.00 or more per gallon.

3. Is it true that a gradually increasing the amount of biodiesel in my diesel fuel is the best way to start using biodiesel in my vehicle? 
 Not necessary. There is no mechanical reason that I know of to support this. Any blend of biodiesel, from 100% biodiesel (B100) to 100% diesel can be used in any diesel engine.

4. Should I replace my fuel filter before using biodiesel?

Not necessary. Biodiesel is a solvent and as such will also start cleaning your diesel engine and your fuel system. What it is going to clean is the sludge left behind from regular diesel fuel. Over time, this sludge can clog your filters. The truth is, biodiesel will keep your car's fuel system very, very, clean. The degreaser cleaning properties of biodiesel will clean the system of the accumulated diesel sludge/debris first. It might take weeks, months or years, who knows? Engines are funny. After a while, you may need to change your fuel filter, but you'll need to change them anyway as a normal maintenance procedure. If it clogs up, or you are having a problem (loss of power, smoking, coughing, trouble starting, etc.) and you suspect it could be related to the fuel filter, then by all means, switch it out, they are fairly cheap anyway. Simply change out the filter and chances are your problems will go away. It's not a bad idea to keep an extra fuel filter on hand anyway.!

..just in case. The good news is, once your engine's fuel system has been cleaned, it will stay incredibly clean from then on.

5. I have heard that biodiesel will eat or degrade the rubber in my fuel system?

Biodiesel is a solvent and a degreaser (a good one) and as a solvent, yes, it will eat rubber over time. The truth is, petroleum diesel with a high sulfur content does this too, only slower. Biodiesel acts a lot like Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) that is now fast becoming the diesel standard. Also, since 1993, diesel engines and equipment have been reworked and redesigned, using synthetic rubber with ULSD in mind. The auto makers have been phasing out rubber from the fuel systems themselves. This is resulting in fewer fuel leaks for diesel and biodiesel users alike. If you have a pre-1994 vehicle with rubber fuel hoses and are experiencing leaking problems, then yes, you should replace them with ULSD compatible hoses.

6. If I switch to biodiesel and don't like it, are there any problems with switching back to diesel again?

No problems at all. You can switch back and forth as much as you like.

7. How are automobile makers, and specifically their warranties, responding to biodiesel usage?

It's kind of interesting to watch, truthfully. As the biodiesel industry gets older and wiser, more and more OEMs (Original engine Manufactures) are warming up to this idea and making positive statement about 100% biodiesel and this is reflected in their warranties. The truth is, it's kind of tough for them to argue the fact. The diesel engine, after all, was designed for this. Caterpillar, John Deere, and New Holland all accept and explicitly warrant B100 biodiesel in their engines. Others are taking a more "wait and see" attitude. They are warranting blends like B20, or B5 but stop short of wholeheartedly endorsing the idea. Other say they "neither oppose nor endorse" the use of bio-fuels.

This is where it gets interesting; Mercedes and Volkswagen both sell cars in Europe and the USA with diesel engines and there is no problem with warranty issues in Europe, but here in the good ol USA, they don't/won't support the use of biodiesel or the biodiesel industry. So bottom line? One, check your warranty. Two, if a OEM wants to deny a warranty based on biodiesel use, they can. But legally, they have to show a compelling reason that biodiesel hurt the engine. Which would be very hard to do. This is a very good reason to use ASTM (Commercial biodiesel) fuels, especially in newer cars or trucks.

8. What is biodiesel made from, besides vegetable oil?

Because modern diesel engines have been modified to meet diesel #2 viscosity standards, straight vegetable oil like the kind Rudolf Diesel used in 1912, is much thicker. This is the thing which kept biodiesel out of the energy/fuel playing field for so long. What has happened recently is a process called "transesterification." This process is used to thin the vegetable oil and remove the glycerol molecule from the vegetable oil and replaces it with methyl alcohol , or methanol. In order to do this, the methanol is mixed with sodium or potassium hydroxide (Lye) before being mixed with the vegetable oil. This is the basic process. Commercial production requires more ingredients and more refining processes, but you get the picture.

9. Should I worry about residual methanol, lye, or glycerol?

For home-brewers, the possibility of residual ingredients or by-products in the brewed biodiesel is a compelling reason to "wash" then test the biodiesel. Biodiesel that is commercially sold, is regulated and made to the ASTM standard, does not allow for residuals to be present. Therefore, you should have little worry with commercial biodiesel .

10. I'm thinking about converting my car/truck to run on straight vegetable oil (SVO) because it does not involve all the chemicals, and is cheaper. Why doesn't everyone just convert to SVO?

As we have said, just because the first diesel engines were designed to burn vegetable oil, a lot has changed in the engine world since 1912. Biodiesel fuel, to work efficiently in a modern diesel, we need to lower the viscosity (thickness) of the vegetable oil. we accomplish this through the biodiesel production process. It can also be accomplished by modifying the engine with a SVO Conversion kit. But additionally, there are other reasons not to use straight vegetable oil. One, it still contains glycerol which doesn't burn as cleanly as biodiesel and can leave deposits behind in the injection chambers. Two, SVO still needs to be de-watered, filtered and heated prior to introducing it into your tank. Also, filtering SVO can be very tedious to say the least, needing lots of time and energy, not to mention equipment and tools

11. Will biodiesel work in kerosene heaters and/or oil furnaces?

The short answer is...yes. Biodiesel is 100% compatible with diesel #2. There are no worries in that regard. One of the compelling reasons to buy a biodiesel kit in my opinion is to get rid of that financial albatross, called "heating oil" in colder climates. A biodiesel kit can pay for itself in a matter of months, one winter definitely. Kerosene, which is also known as diesel #1, or heating oil #1, is thinner than diesel #2. This, of course, requires a bit more experimentation, but generally, if a heater is designed for kerosene, then it will work with a biodiesel blend. (meaning a higher percentage of kerosene and a lower percentage of biodiesel)

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Just How Many Ways Can Electricity Be Made by Paul Fletcher

What are the most conventional methods of making electricity?

Electricity is conventionally produced by turning giant turbines and various other types of energy fuels are used in order to turn these. Here are some of the typical methods of making electricity and one not so typical:

• Using fuel and steam - Water is heated on a large scale in a furnace. The vapor thus generated helps move the turbine blades. In order to heat the water, various fuels are used, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

• By nuclear fission - Electricity is produced in nuclear reactors by using the heat produced in the chain reaction caused by nuclear fission. This heat boils the water and the steam is then used to rotate the turbine blades.

• Using bio-waste - Electricity is now also made by burning bio-fuels instead of fossil fuels. Bio-fuels are obtained from biological waste, mainly from plants. Bio-fuels are considered safer than fossil fuels.

• By hydro-power - Water is also a common method of producing electricity. The huge turbines are turned by the harnessed force of water from rivers and other bodies of water. Although this method may not negatively affect the environment in general, it can upset the ecological balance within the bodies of water.

• Using the wind - Electricity can be produced by wind generators. Wind generators work by converting wind power into mechanical energy and then into electrical power.

What is so important about using alternative sources of energy?

Alternate power solutions are needed in the light of rapidly-depleting fuels and energy sources. Furthermore, most of the conventional ways of electricity production adversely affect the environment in one way or the other. We are facing a serious power crisis. Time is running out for fossil fuels as a source of power. In the meantime we can take measures to mitigate the harmful effects of conventional energy production.

Some alternative ways to produce electricity

In these times of energy crisis and environmental damage, you might ask: What can be done? We can do much if we want to. We can begin by reducing our consumption of power. In addition, we can implement alternative methods of energy production such as:

• The Wind power solution – Installing a wind turbine can help produce electricity for our homes and farms.

• The solar power solution – Using the solar power to cook, light up and heat our homes is a wise idea.

• Bio-gas – Bio-gas can be used to produce electricity on a small scale.

But the little known yet most effective method is by the use of magnets..... yes, that's right, magnets that produce much more energy than they consume and thereby reduce your energy bill drastically. Read the revue and see for yourself: http://solar.how-to-digitals.com/index.php/magniwork-generator

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Save Gas Money - Make Your Car A Hydrogen Hybrid!

Alternative Heating – How Much Room Do You Need? by Sam Streubel ...

Even if you owned a million dollar townhouse in Boston’s Back Bay, there just isn't enough room on a 25' x 100' lot for a townhouse, small deck, a couple of parking spaces AND a closed loop geothermal heating system.

If you live in high humidity Alabama, the less expensive and environmentally friendly swamp cooler will never be a viable substitute for central air conditioning.

Only when you narrow down the choices for alternative heating or cooling based on where you live, can you begin to focus your time and energy on the most relevant, cost effective heating solution.

Urban Alternative Heating

Geothermal, outdoor furnaces and most wind power are not suitable for urban or small-lot suburban homes. Except for very small wind turbines (i.e., with rotors one meter or less in diameter) on very small towers, a property size of one acre or more is desirable.

Wood burning stoves have been used in urban areas for as long as I can remember.I bought my first air tight stove in 1976. Corn and wood pellet stoves are quickly gaining acceptance as new installations or replacements for existing wood stoves.

One Connecticut pellet stove dealer I spoke with said he sold so many wood pellet and corn stoves last winter he was forced to temporarily close one of his two stores for lack of product.

An adaptation of the wood or pellet stove is the fully vented fireplace insert. They are comparably priced to freestanding stoves and offer a simple way to turn an otherwise inefficient fireplace into a source of heat for multiple rooms.

Unvented gas log fireplaces or propane space heaters are less expensive to purchase and install but are controversial with respect to health risks and are prohibited in some localities. Make sure the unit you purchase has an ODS (Oxygen Depletion Sensor). This safety device turns off the heater when the oxygen in the room drops below 18%. (Normal is around 21%)

Decorative gel fireplaces are nice to look at, but aren’t considered legitimate heating devices.

Electric and hydronic (hot water) radiant heat are extremely versatile and can be installed anywhere. The hydronic application of radiant heat can be fueled by anything from corn to gas and can be adapted to heat driveways, hot tubs and of course, your home.

Solar for hot water is on the rise in urban areas. A neighbor of mine in the Port Norfolk section of Boston recently installed a solar array on the roof of his two family home. His contractor did a first rate job and it doesn’t detract from the visual appeal of his house at all. He also says his hot water bill now costs him “chump change”.

Let’s not forget the ever popular space heater. For many elderly homeowners who spend most of their time in one room of their home, a space heater is the least expensive way to supplement their conventional heating system.

Suburban Alternative Heating

Suburban lot sizes can run anywhere from ¼ of an acre to three acres. But even a quarter acre lot opens up the possibility of a vertical closed loop geothermal system.

A three acre lot will afford you the space to install a slightly less expensive horizontal closed loop geothermal system, a wind turbine or even an outdoor wood, pellet or corn furnace.

At approximately $5000, the outdoor furnace is your least expensive option. A quality 1,800 watt wind turbine and tower can be purchased for $7,000. If geothermal is your system of choice, a new 3,000 sq. ft. home can be heated and cooled for around $20,000. Rebates and tax credits could reduce this amount substantially.

For instance, if you partner with a program such as Energy Crafted Home in Connecticut, it’s possible to receive a rebate of $713 per ton of geothermal heating/cooling capacity. For the 3,000 sq. ft. home just mentioned, it would mean a rebate of $2,971.

Although wind, geothermal and outdoor furnace systems are more expensive than the typical $2000 wood pellet stove, they are very efficient and pay for themselves in only a few years.

The increasingly popular manufactured home is a growing segment of the suburban real estate market, and fire safety codes are very specific as to what you can use to heat your home.

Check with your local building department to find out exactly which alternative heating appliances are permitted before you start shopping for the best deal.

Rural Alternative Heating

Just as the sky and landscape open up in rural America, so do opportunities for alternative heating.

With so much room to work with, you could easily design a CHP (Combined Heat and Power Unit) and heat your home for 70% less than fuel oil.

A possible CHP for homeowners in the Corn Belt would be an outdoor corn furnace for heat and hot water, coupled with a wind turbine for electricity

If your property includes a shallow pond or lake, a closed loop geothermal system will heat and cool your home for the cost of electricity to operate a heat pump.

The choices for alternative heating are plentiful no matter where you live. It’s just a matter of knowing where you fit in.


Off Grid Renewable Energy MAGNET MOTOR GENERATORS Setup PLANS

Magnetic Generators – Produce Electricity Without Harming ...

In the volatile economy, money is vital for all. Are you searching for an alternative source of energy? Do you wish to reduce or eliminate rising energy costs? If yes, then magnetic generators are the best solution to cut down your energy bills. Probably, you have heard the rumors that you can make it on your own. Well, it’s true! Don’t be skeptical about your ability to create a functional generator. You can do it without professional guidance. Meanwhile, the production of electricity via these generators is real. Hordes of people are using it today. All you required to understand is the basics of magnets and its great powers.

Indisputably, electricity generation through magnetic powers can cut down energy bills significantly. If you really wish to reduce the bills then you can take some concrete creative steps towards making or producing your own electricity. It will help you knock down almost half of your current electricity bill. The potential of energy generation is directly related to the strength of these magnets you are using. Stronger magnets produce more energy. Certainly, it will reduce your dependency on public electrical grid. It’s enough to save some money. Beneficially, it has no harmful environmental effects. It’s better than the conventional energy production ways we use today. No hazardous substance is emitted into the atmosphere.

Interestingly, having an alternative energy producing generator can lower your electricity bill up to 40%. Now, you don’t have to rely upon the movement of wind or sun to produce electricity. With the wind or solar energy generators you may face trouble during weather changes. Electricity generated with the help of the magnet generator gets unaffected due to any change in weather. It relies upon nothing else other than the power and beneficial features of ‘Magnets’. In order to create home-based energy generators, you should learn about magnetic field effects. These generators are made up of a series of magnets. Their opposite poles repel each other and in this way electrical energy is produced.

Meanwhile, creating magnetic home use generators is not astronomically expensive. You will get all the required components from local home improvement store. Don’t forget, magnet is the most important item of all the components used in a generator. There are some important aspects that you should keep in mind while creating an excellent machine. Firstly, the magnet you are using should be of highest possible quality. Secondly, having patience is crucial while producing electricity with the help of a generator magnet. If you have a background of electronics then it could take few hours to make the generator.

Another interesting aspect that most people don’t know is that the magnet generator electricity gathers vigor from the gravitational energy of the earth. The force that repels the opposite poles of a magnet is nothing but the gravitational force that is channelized through permanent magnets. There are some guides and schematics available online to educate yourself. Try to make the most out of this opportunity.

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