As more of us shop for green products and make wiser energy choices — and increasingly have to watch our budgets — buying in bulk is becoming a popular option. Bulk products reduce the amount of waste going into landfills and take less energy and other resources to produce while offering shoppers lower prices.

Statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency show we generate about 80 million tons of waste from packaging and containers every year — almost a third of the country’s municipal solid waste. And besides the waste products themselves, the manufacture of all those boxes, cans, cartons and labels that end up in landfills also wastes energy and resources. When you buy in bulk and reuse storage containers, it clearly contributes positively to our planet’s health.

And it contributes to your pocketbook as well. By not paying for all that individual packaging, labeling and advertising, you get more product for your money.

Bulk buying also lets you save by purchasing the amount of product you need, rather than prepackaged amounts. Larger quantities can offer savings, of course, but so can buying less of products like spices and seasonings. Bulk spices are much less expensive per ounce than their prepackaged versions, and you can pay for just the small amount you plan to use right away.

Because you can get just the amount of the exotic spice or grain you need for that magazine recipe or to experiment with small quantities of spices you haven’t tried before, bulk offers an exciting way to expand your food horizons. Another advantage of bulk is that you can assess for yourself the color, aroma and texture of the products you’re buying. If you think you might like to try something new, buy a small quantity for a test run.

Buying in bulk at the store is usually a simple process — you weigh the quantity needed and write the product’s item number on the bag or container. There’s a wide selection of products commonly sold in bulk — from basic food items like beans, grains, flours, pastas and coffee to cooking staples like herbs, spices and oils to household items such as pet foods and soaps.

You can buy in bulk online, too. For example, Frontier Natural Products Co-op, offers a huge selection of spices and seasonings (as well as herbs and loose-leaf teas for health and wellness) on its Web site at www.frontiercoop.com. If you’re looking for an herb, spice, baking product, dried fruit, soy food and more, chances are good you can buy it in bulk from Frontier.

Many of the products at Frontier are certified organic — grown without exposing the environment or growers to dangerous chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. And Frontier buys green energy tags to offset the carbon emissions produced in processing and shipping your order, making it an ideal choice for environmentally minded shoppers.

Whether you buy in bulk at the store or online, you help minimize the impact of your purchases on the growing problems of waste and global warming — and get more for your money in the bargain. The growing popularity of bulk buying isn’t just a trend; it’s smart shopping both environmentally and financially.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: bulk products, buy in bulk, EPA, Frontier Natural Products Co-op, Green Living

Investing in a Green Home Starts with the Windows

(ARA) - This year’s big home improvement trend is not the hottest paint color or the newest countertop surface. With a stagnant economy, American homeowners may not be in a buy/sell mode, but rather a remodel and stay put mentality, tackling projects that will add efficiency and value to their home, versus aesthetic sizzle. In many areas, that practicality translates into greater energy efficiency and living ‘green.’

Living la Vida Verde

Living the green life is now easy. Every aisle you turn to in home improvement centers has energy efficient, green materials as options, from flooring to light bulbs to heating and cooling systems. Even the bag you choose to carry your products home can be green.
Indeed, the greening of America has gone from being a passing fad to a practical way of life for many homeowners in a budget-tightening economy. The first area to consider; windows and doors.

In a recent national study conducted by Kelton Research, nearly two out of three (65 percent) homeowners believe that energy efficiency is the most important quality to consider when choosing new windows. The virtues of ‘green’ energy-efficient windows easily won out over other qualities like durability, safety, ease of use, soundproofing and clarity.

According to the study, over half (51 percent) of Americans say that of anything in their home, windows offer the most potential when it comes to improved energy efficiency — more than other products such as lights (48 percent), insulation (48 percent) and heating systems (43 percent).

“We recognize the priority consumers put on energy efficiency when it comes to choosing windows and doors,” says Rob Jablonski, Pella Corporation’s vice president of engineering, whose team is focused on designing and testing innovative energy-efficient solutions. “That’s why innovation and the environment are so important at Pella. We continuously strive for ways to make Pella windows and doors the best they can be in terms of quality and energy efficiency.”

For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have named Pella Corporation the 2008 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award for the Product Manufacturer, windows category, for Pella’s outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing and educating consumers about energy-efficient products.

Surprising News

When it comes to remodeling, the virtues of green are winning out over aesthetics. Americans are looking for home improvement projects that work to add value to their home and add to their monthly savings. In fact, 44 percent of homeowners surveyed say that if presented with the free services of a contractor, window replacement would be more important than a variety of popular home improvements like a kitchen remodel, installing new carpeting, landscaping the yard or building a new deck.

“A majority of American homeowners (51 percent) say their windows aren’t ‘green’ or energy-efficient enough,” says Elaine Sagers, vice president of marketing at Pella. “That fact combined with this new sense of practicality about home improvement projects tells us that many consumers are truly looking for ways to reduce how much their house actually costs them in monthly bills and upkeep.”

When to Say Now

When deciding on when to replace your windows or doors, consider these signs as indicators that old windows need an upgrade:

Poor performance — opening and closing is difficult; air leaks in, out or around the window; condensation or fogging occurs between glass panes; windows are painted or nailed shut and virtually impossible to open

Looks — chipping, deterioration or water stains on the window or the area around the window (inside or out); design or style that doesn’t blend well with the rest of the home

Effort — cleaning is a major hassle; replacement parts are hard to find or even non-existent

For more information on practical home improvements that include energy-efficient windows and doors, contact a local Pella Window & Door Showroom expert by calling (888) 84-PELLA or logging on to www.pella.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

For more information, contact Kathy Krafka Harkema at Pella Corporation at (641) 621-6971 or krafka-harkemakk@pella.com or Sara L. Opie, The Integer Group at (515) 247-2822 or sopie@integermidwest.com. For the latest news and information from Pella and to download high resolution images, visit our pressroom at: http://pressroom.pella.com.

Tags: Energy Efficiency, Green Living, home decorating, natural light, windows

To understand solar power systems and what they can do for your home, you have to understand exactly what they do. Installing a solar power system will mean less consumption of electricity and basically provide power to all the items in your home. The exception is these solar systems do not provide power to the larger appliances that incorporate an element of heat such as an electric stove, electric water heater or central electric heat as the solar power systems would not be cost effective to do so. For those larger appliances, natural gas should be an option to lower electrical consumption even further in your home.

Location Is Important

Location is an important element to consider when considering solar power systems because it affects how much of the sun’s rays can be captured. The physical location of your home in reference to the equator as well as where the solar panels are placed around you home should be considered.

The best scenario for solar power systems is to have the photovoltaic (PV) panels that capture the sun’s rays and convert it into energy facing what is called solar south. This solar south is a bit different from a compass’s magnetic south location. An angle within thirty degrees of the southern area is best for the panels’ direction. Of course, you also have to keep in mind any physical obstructions like tall building or even trees that could cast a shadow over the PV panels.

Basic Components

To understand how the sun’s rays are harnessed and turned into energy, you have to understand the different components of solar power systems.  Basically there are four of them that help in the production of regular 120 volt AC power – solar PV panels, a charge controller, the battery and an inverter.

The PV panels capture the sun’s rays and in turn charge the battery while the charge controller ensures that the battery is storing the energy properly. In turn, the battery in these solar power systems sends DC voltage straight to the inverter, which then converts the DC power into consumable 120 volt AC power. When additional AC power is needed, either a transformer needs to be added to the system or another separate inverter.

It is important to keep in mind that the best solar power systems in the world will do you no good if your location is not optimal. For instance, Alaska may have spectacular summers with great sunshine which converts to plentiful power but come winter when the sun barely makes an appearance and you have a power system that is not running effectively to pay for itself. In addition, solar power systems will be rather ineffective when there are physical obstructions like trees, other homes and buildings and even hills and mountains.

Tags: Solar Power Systems

There are a number of global changes in the world today.   Many of these changes have been attributed to the greenhouse effect.  The greenhouse effect is a condition in which the atmosphere of the planet rises in temperature.  In addition, it is maintained, that this global warming affects the delicate ecological balance, the weather and the ozone layer.

Furthermore it is suggested that there are many causes for this rise in the temperature of the planet’s surface.  Some of the suggested causes include the burning of fossil fuel, pollutants from industry and damages to the ecological system as examples.

Accordingly, many individuals are endeavoring to go green.  This simply means that concerned citizens of the planet make an effort to maintain the sensitive balance of the planet by conserving Earth’s resources.  Some of these acts of being environmentally sound include the recycling of products, limiting the use of fossil fuels and using products that are environmentally friendly. One additional way of going green is through the use of solar power products.  Therefore, if one is considering the option of doing their part to reduce global warming, it is important to know what solar power products do and which solar power products are popular today.

What Are Solar Power Products?

Solar power products are those devices that obtain their power to operate by utilizing the energy from the sun.  Often these devices are equipped with appropriate sized solar panels, which help to convert the sun’s power into usable power to operate the device.

Specifically, these panels are comprised of photovoltaic cells that are bound together.  As the photovoltaic or solar cells capture the energy from the sun they are then converted into energy to power the solar powered device.  This absorption of the solar energy is achieved through semiconductors that make up the photovoltaic cell.  Generally these cells or semiconductors are made from silicon, which helps to absorb some of the solar energy.  Ultimately this captured energy is flows into electrical fields that cause the energy to stream in a certain direction.  This directional flow of power is also known as electrical current.

Examples

There are many examples of solar power products that are available to the consumer in today’s market.  Some of the more early and common solar power products are solar power calculators.  In addition, solar powered lights can be used as part of a landscaping plan for the front or back yard.

Also, solar power products have become so sophisticated and cost effective that homes can now be equipped with solar paneling mounted on the roof.  This paneling can capture the energy of the sun and convert the sun’s power into electricity for the home.

Tags: Solar Power Products

There is sometimes confusion between solar thermal power and solar power. People sometimes use the term interchangeably, even if that is wrong. Solar power simply means that sunlight is being converted into electricity. Solar thermal power is completely different in that the sunlight is used to create heat.

Solar thermal energy is becoming popular just like solar power and is increasingly used in both residential homes and commercial enterprises for various things. You may not realize it but you might be using solar thermal power already in your home if you have a pool. It is not as cheap as solar power as some people might have you believe.

Residential Use

Most commonly solar thermal power is used to heat swimming pools. This type of solar energy is considered as a low collector. Sometimes this type of energy is used in space heating but it is less common and more expensive. At the moment it may not be worth it to completely heat a home with solar thermal power.

Solar thermal power is also used in water heaters in many residential homes. You can qualify for a tax credit with a purchase of one of these power converters and this has helped to increase the popularity of these systems. Although expensive the money you save on heating will soon pay off the initial cost.

High Temperature Collectors

Solar thermal power is now being used in energy production in many countries. It is seen as a good alternative to traditional methods as vast amounts of electricity can be generated at very little cost. This is especially handy for remote areas where electricity is often cut off. People in disadvantaged communities may be able to benefit from the use of this energy.

Cost

The cost of solar thermal power is zero once you have bought the equipment. This is what makes the energy so attractive. It is also a viable replacement for traditional electricity that is generated using fossil fuels.

Large plants producing electricity with solar power would also have much lower costs as the only cost would be cost of the building and maintenance cost. It is a much safer alternative to nuclear energy and can help to reduce pollution.

It is also a reliable source of electricity. It is fast becoming a price competitive form of energy that many people are turning to. You can harness the incredible solar thermal power in your own home and reduce your energy bill while helping the environment as well. It’s a win-win situation all around.

Tags: Solar Thermal Power

The hippest thing these days is going green, which basically means making environmentally conscious decision regarding recycling and power consumption. The use of solar power panels to harness the sun’s rays for sustainable renewable energy is nothing new. In fact, solar energy has been used for hundreds of years in a variety of forms but has only recently been understood and utilized in the past century.

Most people have an idea of how solar energy works but the solar power panels themselves are something of a mystery. How do they work to capture energy from the sun to create a usable energy to power your microwave, television, lights and other electrical appliances?

Breaking It Down

These solar power panels are comprised of PV cells with the PV representing the words photo and voltaic. Obviously, photo represents light or the sun’s rays while the word voltaic represents electricity so following through, these PV cells harness the sunlight and convert it into electricity. These PV cells can be found in a variety of solar devices and are configured into a series of cells for maximum solar energy absorption.

The PV cells are what the solar power panels are made of and there will be a lot of them housed within a panel, all interconnected to provide the maximum electrical energy possible. Diodes from semiconductors are incorporated into a PV cell with silicon, the primary material used in its construction because it is an efficient material. This semi-conductive material in the cells transports the energy (in the form of electricity) from the silicon material to the surrounding metal parts.

Photons from the sun’s light are absorbed through these tiny semi-conductive cells that make up the solar power panels. From there, atoms are released and travel through these cells to produce an electrical charge. The metal parts amass this electrical energy and carry it to the inverter that changes it into AC power that can then be used to power your appliances.

Silicon is the typical material (as mentioned above) used in the creation of the PV cells for solar power panels but other materials are being researched too. Nano-crystals, foil, special polymers and dye-sensitized materials are being experimented with to determine what will produce the most efficient energy for various applications.

With a renewed focus on environmental awareness and reducing the country’s dependency on fossil fuels for power, solar power panels are growing in popularity. Even if you cannot immediately afford to install a solar system in your home, keep an eye on the market because soon the technology will be more affordable to most classes of the population.

Tags: Solar Power Panels

There are hundreds of different companies worldwide that retail solar power kits, and so if you are one of the many people who are interested in integrating solar power more into their lives and looking for a retailer to purchase solar power kits from, here are a few of the very best.

Solar Solutions

Anyone who is into the solar power trend has most likely heard of this company before. Solar Solutions is one of the leading solar power-based companies in the world, and one that offers a wide selection of solar power kits and other similar products.

They feature a number of different kits but one of the most popular of all is the Kit 7 Energy Plus 1. This kit is ideal for a residential location with an existing electrical utility connection. The power can be used immediately as required or you can use it to run your electricity meter backwards if you want to reduce your electrical bill.

This kit features a custom aluminum mounting structure which uses corrosion resistant structural aluminum specially designed to accommodate a variety of installation arrangements. It also comes with an array power cable, Sunny Boy 1800 watt inverter, disconnect switch and protection equipment, and an installation kit and guide.

You can even increase the benefits with this kit, as the modular design of the system allows for additional solar models and inverters to be added on.

Alpine Survival

Another retailer offering solar power kits is Alpine Survival. They understand that solar modules for remote applications must be tough, lightweight and easy to transport, and so they have made sure that every module they offer is just that.

They feature a Uni-Pac which is so durable that it can be stepped on or dropped and will still not get damaged. It has been field-proven as being dependable and easy to use, and the unique design features used here include a lightweight construction without glass or fragile crystalline to break or crack.

Solar power kits will be one of the best purchases you will ever make, especially due to the wonderful benefits that you will receive. Not only will you dramatically cut costs by not having to foot the electricity bill any longer, but as well you will be saving the environment from even more pollution.

Although these solar power kits can be a bit expensive and a bit of a pricey initial cost, it is well worth it and you will definitely not regret making the buy.

Tags: Solar Power Kits

Deriving energy from solar power is not a new concept.  In fact, the use of solar power has been used to provide energy for calculators for a quite a few years.  Also as children many of us can relate to the fact that we would use a small magnifying glass to try to burn a hole in a leaf that we were holding the magnifying glass over.

However, as of late, the concept of solar power has been taken to a higher level.  The possibility of using solar power is due to the fact that traditional forms of energy, used to provide power to homes, have become more expensive.  In addition, there are other factors associated with the use of traditional forms of energy. Some of those factors include the use of fossil fuel and hydroelectric power.  It could be argued that the use of these types of powers to provide energy to a community could inflict serious environmental harm to the ecological system.

Therefore, a popular use for energy gathered from the sun surrounds the concept of solar power houses.  In trying to understand the implications of a solar power house is important to understand how solar power works and what are the benefits associated with the use of energy from the sun.

How Does Solar Power Work?

First of all, solar is directly linked to the star in our solar system called the sun.  In fact the word solar is Latin for the sun.  In addition, anyone who’s ever tried to look directly at the sun realizes that it is a tremendous source of power and brilliance. Therefore, the sun has long been revered as a critical part of our existence as it provides an essential factor in the health of our plants existence.  This is because it provides the necessary warmth required for the growth of life as well as the provision of heat.

In addition, it has taken on even further implications.  Those implications include the capturing of solar power and transferring that power into energy.  This process is accomplished by a gathering together of numerous photovoltaic cells that capture the power of the sun.  Then through a number of processes the power is converted into electrical energy.  Ultimately this electrical energy flows into the properly equipped solar power house to provide a portion or full requirement of the energy needed by that home.

Benefits Of A Solar Power House

There are many benefits associated with having a solar power house energized by the sun’s energy.  Some of those benefits include economical benefits as well as benefits to the environment of the planet.

Some of those economical benefits include the possibility of tax rebates.  In addition there may be a reduction in energy costs associated with the use of solar power.  Also, in certain communities a solar power house may generate more energy than is required for the home.  If this is the case there may be an opportunity for the homeowner to sell back to the energy company any surplus electricity created through the use of solar energy.

In addition, there are benefits derived from solar energy that aid the planet. This benefit can be realized as the solar power house utilizes more of the sun’s energy rather than energy created through hydroelectric power, fossil fuel or nuclear generated power.  Ultimately, the less energy utilized by expanding the Earth’s limited natural resources, the more those resources are preserved.

Tags: Solar Power House

With the skyrocketing cost of fossil fuel, and the fact that this type of energy is hard to find and to retrieve, many are beginning to seek ways to use other natural resources.  There are options to fossil fuels that have been used for thousands of years.

Many ancient settlements and cities were built with the idea of using the sun’s warmth to keep the buildings warm.  Houses were made to make the most of the daylight hours and the heat that comes from the sun.  Before there was a name for it, solar power heating was being used by everyone from the Romans to Native Americans.  This process of using solar power heating was ingenious and one that more and more companies and consumers are looking into as an alternative to our current energy concerns.

Solar power heating may seem to be an unpredictable source of energy, but companies are working on ways to create better storage of this energy so that it will be a constant and reliable source of energy.

Solar Power Heating:  How It Works

Solar power heating can be looked at in two ways, a passive form and an active form.  The passive type of solar power heating occurs when your blinds are open during the day and the house heats up due to the sun, or your car becomes warm because of a day in the sun.  This form of solar power heating requires no work and occurs daily in nature.

The active form of solar power heating occurs when a receptacle is used to capture the energy supplied by the sun.  This is accomplished by using specially made silicone panels that are created to collect the photons from the sun.  The panels absorb the photons and then the process of converting electrons into energy is made.  This energy is stored to be used later.

Consumers can equip their homes with solar panels to collect this energy.  The cost for this can be initially high, but many look at the long-term advantages to having on sight energy that will in the end cut monthly heating bills.  There are also individual states that have special tax incentives for businesses and individuals to begin looking into solar power heating. And even the federal government is offering some tax incentives to motivate consumers and businesses alike to look into this alternative. Solar power heating is a way to use a natural resource that can burn cleaner than fossil fuel and is easier to retrieve than fossil fuel.

Tags: Solar Power Heating

Solar power for homes is more popular today than ever before.  People are more devoted to clean energy, and solar power for homes is a great way to preserve the atmosphere.  Solar power for homes has many uses, and a solar power system can save money for the occupants of a home.  Solar power for homes uses the sunshine to heat and power a system that is provided by other energy sources in other homes.  Solar power for homes might require money for installation, but solar power for homes will often be less expensive over the long term.

Many homes use gas or electricity to heat the water for showers and other cleaning chores.  Solar power for homes can save the occupants and provide the same hot water for these daily tasks.  Heating the water for daily use is often a significant part of the energy used on a daily basis.  Homeowners who switch to solar water heating systems can save a huge amount on their power bills.  Homeowners can often get a tax credit when they install and use a solar system for heating their water.  According to many reports, the people who use solar power to heat their water are very pleased with the results.

Solar Power For Homes Works For Pools, Patios and Parties

Heating water with solar power can produce a great savings in energy bills, but an entire home can be run with solar power.  A swimming pool can be expensive because of the upkeep, and solar power for homes can include the swimming pool system as well.  A solar power system installed in a home can mean that a pool can be heated for a reasonable sum of money so people can use the pool for a greater part of a year.  A swimming pool is often a great place to stay in shape.

Many people seem to believe that solar power for homes can only be used in very warm climates.  There are now solar power homes in many areas of the world including some that are extremely cold during some months of the year.  Some people in colder climates have high electricity or gas bills during the winter months and people with solar power for homes in the cold climates often are very happy with the savings on energy costs.  A solar system can run all of the appliances and lights in a normal home at a significant savings.

Tags: Solar Power For Homes