Category Archives: energy savings

Harvest the Sun With Solar Water Heaters

Posted on March 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

Barb and Joe Gordon were delighted the day they had a solar hot water heater installed on their suburban Chicago home, boosting their energy independence and helping to create a cleaner world. Now when they use hot water, they take pleasure in knowing it is heated by the sun. The Gordons estimate that their 64 square feet of solar collectors heats 70 percent of the hot water the family of four uses annually, requiring their backup natural gas hot water heater to fire up infrequently.

Conventional hot water heaters are responsible for up to 25 percent of a home’s total energy use, so a solar hot water heater can significantly reduce a house’s carbon footprint and energy bills. In most residential installations, a separate solar hot water storage tank feeds a conventional natural gas, electric or propane hot water heater, which serves as a backup if needed. This ensures the home will never be without hot water—even after a few cloudy days. When quality components are used, systems can last 20 to 30 years and require little maintenance. Three main types of solar collectors are typically used for residential applications.

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Drive 55 mph and Save Gas

Posted on February 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Some of us remember the maximum speed on the freeway being 55 mph. In 1995 the speed limit was increased to 65 mph on the freeway. In 1995 a gallon of gas was $1.26 but now at over $4.00/gallon we may have to return to our old ways; some us already have and don’t notice much difference except for the occasional middle finger from those who have to go around us.

Consumer reports states: This is the biggest factor. You may have to be a little patient, but driving at 55 mph instead of 65 or 75 will save you money. When we increased the Camry’s highway cruising speed from 55 mph to 65, the car’s fuel economy dropped from 40 mpg to 35. Speeding up to 75 mph cost the car another 5 mpg. One reason is that aerodynamic drag increases exponentially the faster you drive; it simply takes more fuel to power the car through the air.

When Prefab Becomes Fabulous: The Perks of a Well-made Kit Home

Posted on February 15, 2012 | Leave a comment

*Note this is an article from Australia so all dollar amounts are in Aussie dollars; check exchange rate.

It is architect-designed, environmentally friendly and cheap.

It may sound like an oxymoron, but a new range of well-designed, sustainable homes can be installed on site for as little as $65,000 for a one-bedroom house.

But there’s a catch: they are prefabricated.

Contact the appraisers at www.socalappraisalserv.com for your questions on value for a prefab/modular home.

For architect Bill McCorkell and builder David Martin who late last year launched Archiblox, that’s not a problem.

The stigma once associated with ”prefab” homes has largely disappeared as cost pressures, good design and sophisticated construction make building off-site more attractive.

Modular houses connect together like toy blocks. Each component is prefabricated, driven to the building site, lifted off the truck, placed on screw piles and joined together.

The process is relatively simple, efficient, stress-free and, compared with conventional building techniques, fast. A home can be on site in as little as 12 weeks.