Green Energy Technology – The Rising Challenges




Electric energy is something that we take for granted because it is the power that is behind all our household equipment and machines. We hardly give a thought to how we get all this energy.

However, electricity comes with a very high price and it is hard for municipalities to keep up with the rising demand for more and more energy. As a matter of fact, one of the biggest challenges faced by people today is how to provide an energy source that is clean and yet at the same time just as effective and affordable.

There is a whole new cottage industry that has come out of this need and that is green energy technology. These challenges are not easily met, because this newer greener energy needs to be renewable also.

Some see the power of the sum as a no charge resource; and as gift from the actual heavens. Solar power is a popular choice with people, and industries could use it to help them make a profit also. Maybe the time for solar energy to be more fully utilized by society has come. I can imagine solar cells placed in cars to absorb solar power to replace the traditional utilization of diesel and gasoline driven cars.

The power of the sun offers so much more than just a source of energy to run things, it also offers free warmth. We all know that the sun is an efficient energy source because we have all had the experience of being in an unheated room and finding the one spot that has been bathed in sunlit for a while. We relish in the warmth.

More and more people are willing to make the considerable initial investment to add solar panels to their home’s roof in order to help offset the cost of heating their home. In the summer the design features of your house can create natural air flows that will help keep you cool through shading of the sun.

You also don’t have to worry when you have plans on investing in solar panels for your home, or even for your business since it will lock in your electricity rate and that will protect you from rate hikes. Sounds like a win- win situation. It also seems like a really feasible way to provide an electrical source to boats; RV’s, sheds and cabins.



I think we need to look to the manufacturing of solar cells as a new cottage industry to take us into the 21st Century. Factories could create solar electricity with rates comparable to ordinary fossil-fuel derived electricity. I think affordable solar cells can be an ideal solution to our energy problems.

Low-priced solar cells along with batteries will stop our reliance on oil, coal and atomic fuels. I think the time has really come for solar power to take center stage and become the means we use to heat or homes, and move our cars. It will create new industry, promote job growth, and ensure a safer greener future for all.

Net Zero Energy Efficient Homes – What Are They?




Many energy conscious home builders are relentlessly striving to improve designs of houses they plan to construct in order to provide customers with several options concerning energy-efficient homes. It is not a simple task for the builders to offer not only Eco-friendly and energy-efficient homes, but also ensure that customers can afford their solutions.

Reasonable pricing of energy-efficient homes that customers plan to buy is very important considering the present state of economy in the US. Earlier the energy-efficient design for a house was so prohibitively costly that it was beyond the reach of the average customers, though they are all aware that owning energy-efficient homes and energy conservation are beneficial to the environment as well as their homes’ energy costs.

However, with several innovations in building designs and construction materials, an ordinary customer can now purchase a better-quality home, specially designed, keeping energy-efficiency aspects in mind at the same price as a normal home. Although energy–efficient homes are known by several different names, manufacturers and home builders call these reasonably priced houses ‘Net-Zero energy efficient homes’.

The concept of ‘Net-Zero energy efficiency’ involves meeting complete electrical energy requirements of a home. The focus of the Net-Zero efficiency in a home building system is to make available the total energy requirements of a home at the minimum possible price.

Many critics of this concept argue that one can accomplish the same ‘Net-Zero energy efficiency’ by installing a good number of solar panels in any new home that is constructed. In a way what the opponents of the Net-Zero efficiency concept claim is partially correct.

Although one can get all the energy needs of a house by installing a solar power system, it is not as valuable and cost-effective as designing a home and its various constituents as a total system that aims to cut down on power consumption as much as possible based on numerous improvements in the design, usage of building materials and construction methods.

The objective of Net-Zero efficiency is to ensure minimizing power consumption of a home in a way that only less number of costly solar photovoltaic system‘s parts are used rather than installing high-priced solar panels. Most home builders hesitate to improve designs and build energy efficient homes mainly because of heavy research and development costs.



However, in the present context of severe competition in the construction industry, builders who do not keep pace with energy efficient home designers will soon lose their market share. One can own environmentally friendly and energy efficient homes, if they purchase custom-built homes at the factory for the same price of most typical site built homes that one can come across in many residential areas.

In the site built homes, there is no scope for shifting the walls and extend the house. One has to buy what the developer offers in standardized plans. On the other hand, in respect of custom-built homes at the factory there is much better control over design and the final assembled home.

However, before taking any decision on the type of the house one would like to buy, it is advisable to carry out a comprehensive research on the internet online comparing the advantages and disadvantages of both Net-Zero efficiency homes and solar powered homes. It is the best way to find feasible choices at an extensive range of prices.

6 Practical Energy Efficient Home Improvements




Those worried about excessive energy consumption due to usage of various electrical equipment for heating, cooling, lighting and operating home appliances can take advantage of implementing many energy-efficient home improvements. Energy efficient homes are not only Eco-friendly but also are cost effective in the long run.

For example, if the home owner can implement certain measures such as stopping air leaks and strengthening insulation in the attic, basement and walls, the house would be warmer making the residents feel comfortable during winter season.

Energy efficient improvement involves making certain alterations to the house such as plugging the air leaks and improving insulation to prevent heat losses, and is meant to enhance the efficiency in the use of energy for heating and cooling.

By properly insulating the electrical systems in the home, there will be efficient utilization of energy, reduction in power consumption and consequently decrease in power costs. Here are several methods by which one can improve efficiency in the usage of energy in his home. Analytical study and pinpointing problem areas:

The ideal method to tackle problems relating to utilization of energy in older homes or homes that were not given due importance to energy efficiency is to thoroughly assess the ‘weak areas’ in the house that are responsible for high energy consumption and areas where there is considerable scope to make improvements with the aim of enhancing energy efficiency.

The study will indicate the areas of possible leakages of hot air in the house. The examination may include areas such as air ducts, roofs, basements, and any cavities in the outer walls, entry points of various utilities, checking for any leakages through doors or windows and others.

1) Insulation of windows.

Heat losses can occur if the insulation is defective. If the windows are old with gaps or spaces around the windows, hot air will escape through windows causing heat losses or the home may have single glazed windows, which can contribute to heat losses through heat transfer.

In such situations, it is advisable to get the windows repaired or replace old windows with energy efficient ones that can stop heat losses. Regarding glazed windows, it is better to choose double or triple glazed windows, using heat reflecting glass or have polythene insulation installed to facilitate reduction of heat transfer and retain the maximum amount of heat inside the home.

Other measures such as long curtains across the windows during the winter can also contribute in further decreasing heat losses.

2) Door insulation.

If the house has glass doors, one should adopt the same methods that are employed in respect of windows in order to properly insulate them. Apart from this, ‘draft proofing’ or ‘weather stripping’ methods can be followed for plugging air leaks.

When breeze is stopped from entering rooms, it will also automatically stop hot air from escaping the house. These measures are simple and inexpensive to implement and they can contribute significantly in improving energy efficiency of the home.

One can also have insulated doors installed by an expert. These doors are strong and will assist in minimizing heat loss as they have insulation material at the center.

3) Air sealing.

Air sealing involves sealing the less prominent air flows in the house. If there is an air flow under a door, one will be able to stop it with a weather strip. However, there will be substantial amount of heat loss through gaps and holes in basements and other places.

In order to prevent heat losses from these places, it is better to engage a contractor for identifying areas of leaks and seal them to prevent heat losses.

4) Duct sealing.

If the house contains ‘reverse cycle air conditioning duct system’, there could be heat losses through gaps due to improper insulation. An expert home improvement contractor can assist in rectifying the problem areas without compromising on the performance of the system.


5) Attic improvements.

If attics are not properly insulated, they can contribute to at least 20% of the heat losses in the home. There are a number of insulation products for the roof such as conventional fiber glass or environmentally friendly biodegradable material. They are more effective than fiber glass for insulation.

6) Wall insulation.

Wall cavities can be filled up with blow-in cellulose insulation, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of the house. While new houses would have already been constructed with this energy saving method, old house should be renovated to attain the required energy efficiency.