Posts from — October 2009
Use Old Domestic Radiators As Solar Heating Panels
The whole idea of using solar energy for heating is about saving money, reducing waste and avoiding the release of carbon into the atmosphere which may be damaging our climate so it makes a lot of sense to reduce waste and save money by and use old domestic radiators as solar heating panels.
Home heating radiators are designed to transfer heat from the heating water pumped through them to the air in our rooms so all we need to do is to reverse the process and use the heat of the sun to heat the water pumped through an old domestic heating radiator which can then be transferred indoors to warm our home.
It will take a little technical ability but it is simple plumbing with a bit of woodwork and carpentry but all you need to do is construct a timber box which the radiator sits inside. You put insulation underneath the radiator, paint the radiator black and then add a glass top to allow the sunlight in and keep the heat in the radiator.
Next we have to find a way to connect the radiator to the internal heating system and this is best done with a heat exchanger so the water in the radiator is separated from the internal heating system water supply.
This is to allow you to disconnect the external solar panel if there is a danger of freezing in winter or for maintenance. It will also allow you to use an anti freeze solution in the home made solar panel which avoids the problems of freezing without interfering with the internal house heating system.
Old domestic radiators are cheap and often free so you can build a very low cost solar heating panel and this means you cover the cost of installation and start making real savings on heating costs very soon after installation.
US $122.87
October 8, 2009 No Comments
Advice On Getting A Solar Power Grant
In this modern era, with both global warming and greenhouse gases on the rise, it's important to take note of the importance of renewable energy resources. Paying attention to the reduction of carbon emissions and further harmful effects upon the environment is essential.
Everyone is responsible for reducing their impact on the environment. Whether it be finding more environmentally friendly means of heating their home, or driving their car less, everyone can contribute.
Governments around the world have offered grants, tax breaks and concessions to those who are willing to do their bit by helping out the environment. However, sometimes it can be hard to know what's on offer and how to get them (how to get solar power grants for example).
So, if you're interested in doing your bit to improve the environment that you live in, and being rewarded for you efforts, what's the best way to proceed?
The website for the 'Database of State Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency' is a good place to start. From this site you can find out what incentives and grants are available in the specific state that you live in. You can find this out by simply clicking on your state from the map of the United States that you will be presented with.
You should definitely be checking out this site before taking any other steps towards living a greener life. You'll then know exactly what you're entitled to and the amount of money that you can receive. This is probably the first step in order to understand how to get solar power grants for instance.
Some of the items presented there include...
- The type of policy or incentive being offered. For example, is it a tax credit, net metering, etc.?
- Are the benefits available to all sectors (residential, commercial, government, etc.)?.
- Is the grant a state or federal one?
- A link to the website in charge of the offering of the grant or incentive.
- The purpose the grant is on offer for, whether it is for the installation of solar power, wind energy or insulation, etc.
A combination of this website and the individual websites of the various state and federal departments will set you well on your way. You could soon be receiving thousands of dollars to use for the installation of one or more renewable energy, or environmentally friendly, facilities..
Though your can find lots of information on how to get solar power grants from just a single visit to these websites, it's advisable to regularly monitor them as they updated every couple of months. Both state and federal governments are constantly increasing what's on offer to encourage people to go green in order to reduce their own carbon emissions at both the state and national levels.
October 8, 2009 No Comments
