What are energy saving garage doors?

If you are not sure what energy saving garage doors are, they are simply garage doors that provide the same protection as regular garage doors, but they use a significantly less amount of energy. The job that they do is the same as a garage door that is not energy efficient. It is all in the mechanics of it as to why it uses less power.

And just because it is energy efficient does not mean that you cannot get different types of garage doors. They are available in different designs to fit your home. One design is not really going to be more efficient than another. When you’re energy efficient, you are energy efficient.

The tax credit

You will be able to apply for the Energy Tax Credit for Replacement Windows and Doors when it is time to file your taxes. For instance, if you buy your energy saving garage doors in 2009, you will be able to claim the credit when you file your tax return in 2010.

As for how you do this, you have to have proof that you purchased energy saving garage doors. When you are asked during the filing process whether or not you purchased anything of the sort, you can answer that you have. And because you have, the tax credit will automatically be applied.

Other points to keep in mind are in regards to how you are filing your taxes. If you are having your taxes filed professionally, then you need to make sure you provide this proof to your accountant. If you are filing them on your own, you have to know that what you are looking for is the Green tax credit. Anything you do to improve energy efficiency is considered you going green and it deserves a reward.

However, keep in mind that the amount of the credit is 30 percent on the first 5,000 dollars spent on energy efficient improvements. That is an automatic 1,500 dollars credit for you. But it is important to know that you can only get the 1,500 dollars once within a two year period. What is great, though, is that you can look at this as a way to get a good portion of your money back on your energy saving garage doors.

Author: Jeremy Harmon
This article brought to you by San Diego’s Choice Overhead Door Co. San Diego’s Choice Overhead Garage Door Company has become the number one choice for San Diego’s garage door needs. We specialize in repairs of existing and sales of new garage doors and garage door openers!

http://www.sandiegooverheaddoors.com/

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One third of all pollution released from the home comes from the cleaning products we use. A 2002 U.S. Geological Survey found that 69% of streams sampled for contaminants contained persistent detergent metabolites and 66% contained disinfectants.

When the rain sends this runoff thru our storm drains into the rivers it creates massive, nutrient-fed algal blooms and oxygen depleted areas in the coastal zones, suffocating fish and other marine life. These dead zones occur along the shores of all the oceans, including one of more than 8,000 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico.

As a person concerned about the impact your actions have on the environment, you should look at the ways your cleaning products effect the environment.
These include:
1) Usage – Their use may release toxic and hazardous vapors into the indoor air which may be unhealthy for your family.

2) Manufacture – The purchase of potentially hazardous products creates a demand for toxic chemicals which contributes to environmental pollution due to the development, manufacture and transportation of these chemicals.

3) Disposal – When hazardous products are used they release their ingredients into the waste stream adding to the runoff problem. Most often hazardous products are not disposed of properly and are land filled or incinerated where they can release their toxins to the environment.

The use of toxic, non-biodegradable products can cause indoor air quality problems including possible chemical burns, health problems from absorption or ingestion and even certain diseases. Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease are thought to be caused by environmental influences such as exposure to toxins found in cleaning solutions.

In addition bioaccumulation studies have shown that some toxins store in our body fat for life. Greater amounts are being stored at younger ages and diseases that used to develop later in life are now appearing in children and teenagers.

There has been a 28% increase in childhood cancer since the addition of pesticides into household products (Source: National Cancer Institute)

Over 150 chemicals found in the average home have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities (Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Most homes have airborne concentrations of hazardous and toxic chemicals that are 2-5 times higher indoors than outdoors (Source: Environmental Protection Agency’s Report to Congress on Indoor Air Quality Act of 1989)

When it comes to choosing home cleaning supplies you have several options. Many cleaning supplies you find at the store come in “green” varieties, meaning that the cleaners are usually all natural organic elements with no chemicals. These products are safe for the environment.

Another option is to shop online for the goods you need. This will give you a chance to learn more about what a company is offering and how well their goods match your environmental standards. Learn if they have buy green standards that examine a products’ lifecycle;

1) Source Material: What is the product made from?
2) Manufacturing: How is it manufactured?
3) Usage, How is it used and what is its effect on the environment?
4) Disposal: How is it disposed of and what is the environmental impact?

This information will help you protect our valuable water resources while offering a safe, rewarding, green shopping experience.

Author: Pat Herron

http://buygreenathome.com”>Green Standards
Help improve your environment and save money by shopping online for sustainable products produced using Green Standards.

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The good news is portable solar energy can help you out and run all of the gadgets we mentioned and much more. Solar panels are used by individuals and business all around the world to furnish power for your house or building. This article will take a look at why solar power can play an important role in your future.

A lot of the solar power devices make use of photovoltaic cells. When exposed to light these cells will produce electricity. These panels have two different layers that are made of different materials. When light goes through these layers one becomes positively charged while the other has a negative charge. This provides the current. The solar electricity this makes can be used however you like. There are variables on how much electricity the panel will put out. It depends on things like how strong the sun is and the size of the panels.

You can get small panels that will only provide enough power to run items that do not demand a large amount of electricity. When you go looking around for portable solar power you will notice that they have different watt ratings. To pick the right panel you will need to know how many watts you will be using. Take a look at the output rating, as this should let you know how many watts the panel will produce. The larger the solar panel the more output you have in most cases.

You can even get a panel that you can take with you when you go hiking or camping. You can carry it around on your back wherever you go and use it at your campsite. You can charge up your equipment while you are enjoying the scenery around you. You need to remember that these portable solar panels work best in bright sunlight. This may not be the best situation for your laptop or camera, as they usually should not be placed in direct sunlight.

Portable solar power can make life easier when you want to get off the beaten path. As technology advances you can expect the price to drop and the quality to increase. Thanks to modern day advancements you can now carry your power with you no matter where you choose to go.

Author:Douglas Taylor
For more information on solar power try visiting http://solarlifepower.com/ where you will find lots of tips, advice and resources about topics such as solar electric solutions

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For the same reason Jatropha is not cultivated as a food crop. Jatropha actually qualifies as an energy source in developing countries, because there is no competition with local food markets.

The Jatropha curcas L. variety has been tested as an energy source in a number of development projects and research programs since the early nineties, and it has shown very positive results.

Jatropha curcas L. produces seeds with an oil content of 30-50%. The Jatropha oil can be combusted as fuel without being refined. Jatropha oil burns with a clear, smoke-free flame. Within a development project conducted by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in Mali Jatropha oil has been successfully tested as fuel for simple Diesel-engines with precombustion-chamber used in agricultural production for mills and water pumps. The esterification with methanol or ethanol then produces biodiesel (methyl- or ethyl-ester) which can be used for Diesel-engines in ordinary vehicles.

For the past two years Bioenergy Plantations (BEP) has done extensive research in studying the growth of the Jatropha plant in tropical areas of India without irrigation. Bioenergy Plantations research and development center has been testing different lines and varieties of Jatropha plants. Bioenergy Plantations has also been measuring germination percentages and Jatropha oil content from several different varieties of Jatropha seeds.

The Jatropha tree uses are many and range from non-edible Jatropha oil production to soap production to pharmaceutical production.

COMMON USES OF THE JATROPHA PLANT ARE:

* The Jatropha seeds yield up to 35-45% oil which is non-edible.

* The Jatropha oil is a commercially viable alternative to diesel oil because it burns without emitting any smoke and has a very good burning quality.

* Engines do not need any modification for using Jatropha oil.

* Jatropha Oil cake is a good biofertilizer.

* Jatropha glycerin obtained during the refining of oil can be used in pharmaceuticals and for various other purposes

* Oil is also used in soap industry

* Latex, oil cake, leaves, and oil are known to possess antimicrobial properties and are used as pest protectants The life span of Jatropha curcas L. is about 40 years. For this reason Bioenergy Plantations (BEP) is very positive in promoting Jatropha oil as an alternative to soy bean oil, palm oil or any edible vegetable oil being used as a feedstock to produce biodiesel. Last but not least, Jatropha can grow on wastelands, in rural areas without any irrigation and management.

It is without question the green fuel of the future.

Author:
Naren Raju

Copyright (c) 2007

Naren Raju is CEO of Bioenergy Plantations (BEP), Singapore’s first Jatropha plantation company. BEP offers a full range of consulting services & turnkey solutions for biodiesel industry clients that see the future in Jatropha. For more information visit http://www.bioenergyplanations.com .

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Contrary to popular belief, solar water heating is not a new technology. Solar water heating systems have been used commercially for over a century now, with the first commercial water heater (the Climax Solar-Water Heater) going on sale in 1891 in the United States. By the year 1900, over 1600 houses in California were equipped with this solar water heater.

Due to its low cost and its effectiveness, solar hot water heating gained popularity until, by 1941, more than half the population of Florida was getting its hot water through solar water heaters!

Solar hot water heating only lost its popularity due to lowered electricity rates, along with an aggressive campaign by Florida Power and Light, to increase electrical consumption. This was done by offering electric water heaters at bargain prices. Thus Florida’s solar water heating was brought to halt.

The United States is not the only country with a solar water heating history. There are many other countries where solar hot water heating was once used, and has since fallen out of use – but not all of them. In fact, there are currently more than ten million Japanese households which heat their water using solar heating systems. This is definite proof that it is a workable technology.

Important Facts about Solar Hot Water Heating Systems

* Solar water heating can be used in any climate. Sound unbelievable? Check it out on the U.S. Department of Energy website. They say so as well.

* The fuel used to run a solar water heater is sunshine. And, at the time of this writing, sunshine is still free – no tax has been added yet.

* A solar hot water heater can reduce your water heating bill by fifty to eighty percent. But with energy prices going up, the amount of savings (as compared to normal prices) will soon be even higher.

* Aside from reducing your energy bill right now, a solar water heating system will protect you from future energy price increases. Your heating will no longer rely on fossil fuels for electricity.

* When building a new home, or when refinancing, the economic aspect of this becomes even more interesting.

You can, for instance, include the cost of a solar water heater with a new thirty-year mortgage package. This would usually add up to about $13.00 -$20.00 a month. Federal income tax deductions for mortgage interest would reduce the payment for the solar water heater by about $3.00 -$5.00 per month.

If your fuel savings with a solar water heating system is $15.00 or more per month (which it likely will be) you will have reduced your monthly heating bill right then and there.

* Solar hot water heating will significantly reduce your carbon footprint. It will reduce the use of fossil fuels which pollute the environment.

* Solar heaters can be installed in combination with backup systems. In fact, you could install a solar water heater next to your existing system and make it possible switch to conventional water heating whenever necessary. This way you are guaranteed always to have hot water.

-Types of Solar Hot Water Heating Systems

There are two types of solar water heating systems, active solar water heating systems and passive solar water heating systems. They both work on the same principles.

The only difference is that active systems have a pump or other mechanical means of moving the water through the solar heating systems, and passive systems rely on nature’s principles: warm water rises to the top, and cold water sinks to the bottom. Therefore, with a passive solar water heating system, the water storage tank must always be positioned above the solar water heater collector.

- Active Solar Hot Water Heating

There are two main designs of active water heating systems. Which one is best for you depends on the type of climate you live in.

There is what’s called an “indirect circulation system” which uses a non-freezing heat-transfer fluid to transfer heat from the collector to a heat exchanger (a device used to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the water in your storage tank). This is good for colder climates.

There is also the direct circulation system, in which case water is simply passed through solar heat collector and is then routed to the water storage tank for use. This system works fine in milder climates.

- Passive Solar Hot Water Heating

Passive solar water heating systems are usually cheaper than “active solar water heating systems,” as they do not need controls or pumps to circulate the water.

But generally, they are not as effective as the active systems. If you live in a warm climate, a passive water heating system may be all you need. Passive water heating systems are also known for being very reliable.

Essentially, solar hot water heating systems consist of a water storage tank and its solar collectors. The solar collectors are used to collect solar energy (which heats water), and the tanks store the heated water. That’s all there is to it.

Author: Anna Williams
Find out the important facts to consider when getting a solar hot water heater, and where to get good quality solar hot water heaters, at Solar Hot Water Heaters. http://www.squidoo.com/solar-hotwater”>Solar Hot Water HeatersSolar Hot Water Heaters”>

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While some alternative energy solutions for the home require a major investment for their initial installation, there are others which are not so complicated.

Solar lights are relatively simple to acquire and install, and are powered by clean energy.  Since they usually require no wiring, they are very simple to set up.

Solar garden lights (or solar landscape lights) are one example of this.  Solar garden lights have solar panels embedded into them at the top, facing the sun.  Of course one drawback of these is that they might not stay lit forever.  The amount of sun they receive will influence how long they last.   The specifications of these lights can give you some idea of how long they will stay lit in the dark.   But 8-12 hours is not an unusual estimate for a reasonably priced light, which should be plenty of time to get through the night in most circumstances.

Furthermore, these lights usually have sensors so that they turn on automatically at dusk and turn off when the sun starts shining again.  This means that you don’t have to run your lights the whole night through, if you don’t need to.  Motion sensors are also used in some solar lights, such as those that would be placed along pathways or near the front door, so that the lights turn on when an person or animal is present.  This is good for security, and its also good for just seeing where you are going when you walk in a garden or path, or approach a home in the dark.

Solar lighting can also be used in Christmas lights.  One might not think that December is the best time of year to utilize solar energy, but I suppose Christmas lights don’t require too much voltage.  Since solar powered Christmas lights are not hard to find.

Solar powered spotlights and floodlights are used in gardens and landscaping, among other things.  These are used to set out and highlight the best features of a garden or landscape, and again, no wiring required means they are much easier to install than electrical lights.  Not to mention cleaner and cheaper.

Again, with solar powered lights, one disadvantage can be the fact that they only stay on for as long as their stored solar electricity permits.  In most cases, however, they should last throughout the night if they are receiving sufficient solar energy during the day.  You could run into trouble if they are placed in a shady area or if you live in a cloudy climate.  They will probably still work, but not as well.  Snow can also block sunlight when it covers any photovoltaic surface.  But solar lights are often designed in such a way as to let snow slide off of them more easily.

There are plenty of other uses for solar lighting.  And they aren’t all for the home owner.

Street lights can be run with solar power.  It will be interesting to see how that concept develops, as the world turns its attention more and more toward clean alternative energy solutions.  Arguably, it would be dangerous if street lights went out early on days when their solar energy wasn’t sufficient.

But a simple solution would be to use a hybrid system, with a backup battery, a backup power generator, or the like.  That way, if the energy from the sun weren’t sufficient one day, the lights would continue to shine nevertheless.

Author:Anna Williams
Anna Stone is a photographer and a traveler, with an interest in clean energy solutions.  Anna writes about on alternative energy and solar power, to educate others on how they can be used.  To learn more, please visit her blog, Solar Power Updates & News.Solar Power Updates & News”>http://findportablesolarpower.com/updatesandnews”>Solar Power Updates & News

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