It all started with office automation tools – which largely did away with those noisy typewriters of the old and the huge cabinets filled with dog-eared files that were considered a standard feature in the office of the past. Today, thanks to office automation technology, an office that still keeps a typewriter would be considered ‘interesting’ while the huge file-filled cabinets of the old have largely been replaced with much smaller things, to an extend that the contents of cabinets that previously filled a whole storage cabinet can now be carried around in a pocket as in a flash disk.

Automation systems were however not about to just stop at the office. They followed us home – starting with energy saving gadgets like the washing machine that has now become a standard feature even in the humblest of homes to the microwave cookers that changed our concept of cooking – making the idea of cooking a meal without fire – which would have been considered magic a few years ago to be an everyday affair. They also include air conditioning systems that make even the stuffiest of houses a habitable place – among others. The problem with all these energy-saving gadgets, however, tended to be in control – as one still had to keep moving from room to room to switch on (and off) the various gadgets. And while automated doors that could be locked securely and quite effortlessly (electronically without even touching a mechanical key) became available a number of decades ago, one would still have to be present at the door – or at least within its electronic field to get to use these technologies. Clearly, while all these energy saving gadgets were truly a Godsend, there was always a missing link in their use as one still had to be near the gadget to use it. Practically, this meant the need for someone to be always around the house – and this was clearly not as efficient as many would have liked.

Then came home automation systems. Thanks to these home automation systems, it is not only possible to control your whole house – however big an edifice it happens to be – from a central location as first mentioned, but to even do so remotely (very far away from the home) over the Internet. The fact that remote home management through the Internet has become a possible is evidence that home automation technology has definitely come of age. Combine this with the now widely available home entertainment systems and you get the home that people in previous times would not even dare dream of – for fear of being considered out of their minds. Home entertainment gadgetry include audio systems (like the widely talked about Marantz Audio systems and Onkyo Audio systems) that take sound quality to a whole new level, video systems (like the new 3D systems that with adequate display sizes, one finds themselves unable to differentiate the images on the system and real life images) among others

]]> http://www.ihomeimprovement.biz/energy-efficient/home-automation-entertainment-systems/feed/ 2 http://www.ihomeimprovement.biz/energy-efficient/residential-wall-construction-methods-family/ http://www.ihomeimprovement.biz/energy-efficient/residential-wall-construction-methods-family/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:19:37 +0000 abdul http://www.ihomeimprovement.biz/?p=668 By: Mark Mathis

When you are in the process of reviewing house plans at a reputable online floor plan website, there is more to consider than simply the number of bedrooms/bathrooms, the living space square footage, the floor plan layout, and the Architectural style. You should also consider the construction methods to be used by your builder, and in particular, if the floor plan wall construction type is optimal for the climate in your local region, and your needs.

Choosing a floor plan and building with an appropriate wall type can save you many thousands of dollars in heating and cooling costs over the years, will make your residence more comfortable to live in, and may help to protect your residence if an extreme natural event such as a hurricane or tornado should affect your local region. Selecting a floor plan with a wall type suitable for your area is critical.

The easiest, quickest, and likely the most versatile floor plan wall construction method is the 2×4 stud wall. The 2×4 wall construction method is, usually, the most cost-effective, offers sufficient strength for most areas, and is normally suitable for most locales in the United States.

However, in certain parts of the United States, a 2×4 stud wall may not allow enough space for insulation, and as such, a 2×6 stud wall may be used. In the 2×6 stud wall construction, the additional 2 inches of wall cavity space can be filled with additional insulation which can add an additional level of interior comfort for the homeowner. Also it should be noted that, although a 2×6 house wall construction will be more expensive initially, the additional insulation and space can save you a significant amount in future heating and cooling costs.

One additional floor plan wall construction type is ICF or Insulated Concrete Forms. In certain areas of the United States, it may be common to build with the ICF walls, which offer some of the highest levels of insulation and significant strength and durability. In addition, the ICF wall construction may be preferable in certain areas of the country prone to extreme weather, temperatures, and high winds. Also, this type of floor plan wall construction is usually more expensive than either 2×4 stud wall or 2×6 stud wall construction, but may provide you with the features that you need in your area of the country.

Most high-quality house plans that you find on the internet, will have one or more floor plan wall construction methods included in the plan package. If your desired wall type is not included in the standard plan package, you can usually have the home designer provide you with a reasonable quote to modify the design to other wall types.

One of the best places to locate best-selling house plans on the Internet is at http://www.HousePlanGallery.com

Niche Article Directory: http://www.thatsmyniche.com

Mark Mathis is the president of House Plan Gallery, Inc, a residential design firm that develops and markets stock home plans with flexible floor plan layouts and all the most-popular home design features. Be sure to visit House Plan Gallery.com and join the “House Plan and Home Design eNews” mailing list. You’ll be the first to know about new home plans and special SUBSCRIBER-ONLY offers! Don’t miss out… Join today!

While going solar steadily grows in popularity, myths about using solar energy for the home persist. Dispelling these myths and learning the facts frees you to embrace a clean, abundant, and efficient energy source. 

Now let’s deal with the three myths.

1. Residential solar power systems are too expensive. Let’s address the expense of a home solar power system. The truth is a home solar energy system could be expensive. Without doing your homework first, buying and installing a photovoltaic (PV) system to replace current home energy consumption stretches the budget of the average American.

However, you have complete control of the initial cost of a solar energy system. You have no control over the rapidly increasing cost of oil and natural gas.

The good news is there are ways to make solar energy available to every budget. A few simple steps can bring solar energy in line with your budget.

• Reduce energy consumption,
• Improve home energy efficiency,
• Take advantage of renewable energy tax incentives and rebates that apply in your area.

Thoughtless energy consumption habits are a thing of the past. It is neither environmentally safe nor economical feasible to continue our caviler attitude of energy consumption. It benefits all of us to acquire and practice new energy consumption habits.

Begin with some easy habits. Turn your thermostat up in summer and down in winter. Switch to compact fluorescent light blubs (CFLs). Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees. Take short showers instead of baths. Wash clothes in cold water.

Increasing your home’s energy efficiency is an extremely cost effective step to going solar. Get a professional home energy audit. An energy professional can tell you where you home loses energy and what efficiency improvements you can make. Depending on your home, improvements could mean more insulation, upgrading to energy efficient windows, or sealing air leaks around doors and soffits.

Next, investigate the renewable energy tax incentives and rebates. Congress just passed into law Incentives Tax Credits (ITC) for residential and business solar systems. The price of a solar energy system could be reduced by as much as 30 percent. Each state has its own rebate plans as well. Remember: the least expensive steps make the biggest impact on the final cost of a solar system.

2. Solar energy does not work on cloudy days. What about solar energy systems on cloudy days? As long as there is some light, solar panels produce electricity. That means even on cloudy days. Panels do produce proportionately less energy on cloudy days but they still work.

Obviously, solar panels produce more energy from direct sunlight during sunny days. It is true that atmosphere, sun angle, and distance affect the amount of sunlight a solar panel receives. Weather patterns like clouds, fog, rain, and falling snow diminish the amount of solar energy that can be captured.

Latitude, time of day, and time of year also affect the amount of sunlight. Logically, the Northeastern US needs more panels to produce the same energy as those same panels placed in California where there are more direct sunlight days. Geographic location also comes into play when incorporating solar power.

Yet, consider this cloudy climate. Germany has half the average sun hours as the USA. Two-thirds of all daylight hours in Germany are cloud covered. It rains there year round. Yet Germany managed to become the world’s leader in solar power generation. Last year almost half the solar electricity produced in the world was produced in Germany.

No matter where you live, solar power can be part of your energy source. Work with a local solar professional to determine the best solar options for your home, in your location.

3. Solar energy is inefficient. How efficient is solar energy? Energy efficiency is a delicate balance between economic costs, benefit for the environment, and available supplies. It must be financially affordable, good for our planet and its inhabitants, and in abundant supply.

Seen from a strictly financial point of view, coal is the least expensive electrical energy source. On an energy-per-Btu basis, coal is also the least expensive fossil fuel. But adding the environment to the equation, coal is a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gases.

Efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) power increases dramatically with gains in PV technology. Still, commonly available solar PV panels produce electric energy at a 15% efficiency rate. That sounds low, right?

But consider there are no harmful air pollutants released into the air. Neither can we run out of solar energy. Technological advances as well as incentive tax credits continue to reduce the price of solar energy systems.

Now that three major barriers to a home solar energy system are demystified, you can pursue a clean, abundant, and efficient energy source for your home. You know it is possible to reduce the expense of solar energy, that solar panels do work on cloudy days, and that the most efficient energy source is one that will never run out.

About the Author

Cathy Spain researches and explores ways to make solar energy economically practical. Visit Simple Home Solar Energy for more information and tips on using solar energy for your home.

Use the heat of earth to heat your home.

This is a true fact that in UK, the temperature of the earth, just a few feet below the ground surface bears the heat of and the boilers. They further facilitate the actual heating process where the source remains extremely environment friendly. The obtained heat can be as high as 50 degrees which accounts fro the fact that the earth contains large amount of heat in it. This heat can be collected and used to preheat the water which can be further used in room heating. This is far more cost effective than the oil-run boilers and gas system. Thousands of modern homes feature this sort of environment friendly heating system and all of them are reportedly happy with the performance of their ground pumps.

Conventional stoves

The heating stoves have also been popular in home heating. There are various types of stoves available in the market and day by day new features are being included in these devices. Some of them bear elegant looks with state-of-the-art designs. These stoves look like decorative pieces when kept at a corner of the room. The stoves can be run by various fuels. You can also install the stove at the roof or other rear places so that the entire room gets warm evenly. There are some heating stoves which are quite compact yet efficient. The construction of the stoves generally uses cast iron. This ensures the durability and enhances its performance as well. Stoves are available at various price ranges; hence you can select one which fits in your budget perfectly.

Solar Panel heating

The solar panels make a popular choice for home heating these days. The panels are quite costly but one panel can generate energy for more than 20 years. You need to place the solar panel at an open area. If you have a spacious roof, it can be used as the right place for installation. The sun rays are collected by these panels and the solar power is further converted into electric energy which is used for heating the homes. This one-time-investment is as efficient as the regular heating energies like gas, oil and electricity. Moreover it is cost effective and eco-friendly as well.

Double Glazing

Double glazing is considered one of the most effective home heating aid. They provide an interesting appearance to the home apart from serving the purpose of heating. The system contains two sheets of thick glass. These two sheets are separated with a layer of anhydrous desiccant. The system is further sealed with an effective edge sealant. When you are installing the Double glazing to your windows or doors, you are actually conserving the energy. It bars the external cold to enter your room and retains the higher temperature inside. So no matter where you are in the UK, double  glazing Leeds or double glazing in Bradford, you need not spend any electricity or gas energy to run it which makes it a budget friendly heating solution. This one time investment will provide long term solution for the winters.

How to make your home heating more efficient?

If you are using a boiler or radiators for a long time now and feel that the heating system is not working as efficiently as you want it any more, then this is time to get the boiler repaired or replaced. Now repairing is the better option between these two if at all the boiler is in a repairable condition. Boiler repair companies are the best service providers that can repair most of the critical problems of the boilers. Now this is always good to get a professional opinion about the current condition of the boiler so that you do not end up spending money unnecessarily on a useless boiler or plumbing supplies.  Boiler repairs in London are in demand this year, so make sure you have contacts for a boliler repairs  company in London to hand this cold winter. Some people also get their boilers insured before hand so that in future they do not suffer from any monetary loss.
In short a good home heating system is simply indispensable for the UK homes and there are plenty of options available for this.

Steps

• Stop energy loss via the doors. Fit draught excluders around all exterior doors, and interior if needs be. Sealant strips can be bought cheaply from DIY stores and are very easy to fit – just like applying sticky tape. Don’t forget to get a brush trim for letter boxes, bigger gaps and the bottom of doors.
• Ensure the windows are well insulated. Cracks and crevices around window frames are a popular escape point for warm air. To check for weak points in your window, run the palm of your hand around the edge of the frame. If you feel a breeze, you’ve got a hole. Patch the weak points up with a putty or sealer.
  • To make it really easy on yourself get the type that comes in a tube. Squirt it on, smooth it over, job done.
• Consider double glazing. It’s worth investing in double glazing if you don’t already have it. This could save you between up to hundreds of dollars or pounds on your annual heating bill.
• Use window dressings to assist. Closing curtains or blinds after dark also traps in the warm air and prevents draughts. And it looks cozier too! Use curtains and blinds with thermal backing for added warmth retention.
• Fill any floor gaps. Most homes have gaps between the skirting board and the floor, and if your have floorboards there’s likely to be a few gaps between them too. This is a job for the silicone sealer. If you have a wood floor and want to insulate thoroughly, you could get the experts in to fit floor insulation beneath the boards. Putting a rug down isn’t a bad idea either.
• Insulate the loft or attic. Laying loft insulation on the average home can save a whopping 1 tonne of carbon dioxide a year, and make a major dent in you bills.
• Wrap your hot water tank in a cosy 80 mm jacket. This will cut heat loss by 75 %, and you’ll recoup the cost of it in less than 6 months.

Tips

• Seek professional advice on insulation where you are not sure what to do; the money spent up front will be well paid back in a short space of time and you will definitely notice the positive difference in your living environment.

Things You’ll Need

• Insulation
• Sealant
• Double glazing
• Rug

Related wikiHows

• How to Save Energy in Four Easy Ways
• How to Choose an Energy Efficient Refrigerator
• How to Use Solar Energy to Heat a Pool
• How to Achieve Energy Independence

Sources and Citations

• VideoJug A video demonstration of article. Original source of article; shared with permission & appreciation.

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Insulate Your Home. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Morning Edition, July 29, 2008

More than a dozen states have adopted ambitious goals to cut back on energy use. My home state, Maryland, has one of the most aggressive plans.

This spring, Gov. Martin O’Malley signed a law that calls for a 15 percent reduction in electric use, per capita, over the next seven years. If successful, Maryland will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve a cleaner environment. These efforts also will reduce the state’s need to build new power stations and transmission lines. While no one will be rewarded for making that 15 percent reduction, or punished for failing to meet it, it is an important effort.

To reach the goal, local utilities are being asked to come up with conservation plans. Public education plans will also be initiated to encourage the state’s 5.6 million residents to cut down on electricity use in their homes. I asked an energy-efficiency expert to come to my 100-year-old clapboard house in the Washington, D.C., suburbs and show me what I can do to cut back on my electricity use. Jennifer Thorne Amann from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy cheerfully took up the challenge.Here is what she found on a walk through my house:

Insulation And Cracks

A lot of energy goes out of the cracks around doors and windows and through poorly insulated walls and ceilings. Thorne Amann suggested that I use a stick of incense or a candle to look for wasteful drafts by following the whiff of smoke. She told me that for less than $20 I could buy sealants to stop those drafts and save on heating and cooling.
She also said that for $250 to $500 I could hire a contractor to attach a gizmo called a “blower door” to my front door. This device sucks air from the house and helps identify the big leaks.

Lighting

Lights consume about 10 percent of the electricity in a typical home. I replaced a lot of my incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs). These energy-efficient bulbs use one-fourth the amount of electricity that incandescent bulbs use. But I also have about 10 fixtures that are on dimmers — and standard CFLs do not work there. Dimmable CFLs are $17 apiece at my local hardware store. These light fixtures are not used all that much in my house, so I may not recoup the cost of those bulbs. Thorne Amann said prices should come down, because a new federal law will eventually phase out C. I’ll wait.

Appliances

My refrigerator is 11 years old. It seems like a good candidate for replacement, because refrigerators built after 2001 are in general 30 percent more efficient than older models. However, we ran the numbers and found that my old fridge was actually pretty good. I would save a bit in energy costs, but not enough to make up for the purchase price of a new fridge.

The old freezer in my basement was a different story. If I traded it in for a new model, I would save $100 a year in electric bills and reduce my household electricity use by 6 percent. To see these savings, however, I would have to spend $450 for a new freezer — a painful move in the short run but worth it in the long run.

Electronics

Electronics often consume up to a quarter of a home’s electricity. In particular, appliances such as televisions and cable boxes are always drawing energy. Since I do not have a television or cable box, I avoid these are expenses. However, upon visiting a neighbor’s house, I found that an ordinary TV draws around 60 watts, even if it is turned off most of the time.

Also drawing “phantom power” is anything with a charger that stays plugged in – from cell phones to laptops. So Thorne Amann suggested that I unplug those “bricks” when they are not actually doing work. It is even worthwhile for me to unplug my electric toothbrush stand, which draws two watts of electricity. That may not sound like much, but it is more energy than the lights in my bathroom use.

Heating And Cooling

Heating and air conditioning units are typically the biggest home energy users. My system failed last fall. When I bought a new one, I spent a few extra thousand dollars to get the most efficient model on the market. That probably was not a sensible investment from the standpoint of strict dollars and cents, but I did it anyway to reduce my family’s “carbon footprint.” Thorne Amann said even with a new system, I could save energy by making sure the ducts were taped up tightly (not with standard “duct tape” but with specialized metallic sealing tape). I might also consider insulating my ducts to save energy

Water Heater

My electric water heater turned out to be the bogeyman in my house. It consumes a shocking 35 percent of my home’s electricity. (Thorne Amann figured out its consumption by researching my model’s specifications, which is not easy for most people to figure out. This is one reason why it may be worthwhile to use the services of an expert.) I could buy a marginally more efficient electric heater, or I could save a lot of electricity — and carbon emissions — if I switched to natural gas. Thorne Amann told me I could save by switching to low-flow shower heads and washing my clothes in cold water

Behavior

Thorne Amann said my family and I could also change some everyday behaviors around the house to reduce electricity consumption. For example, we could hang our laundry out to dry instead of using the electric dryer. I could set our thermostat higher in the summer and lower in the winter. And I could remind the kids to turn off lights and computers when they are not using them.

The Bottom Line

I can make a difference with simple steps, such as installing low-flow shower heads and compact fluorescent light bulbs. But if I want to get to the Maryland goal of a 15 percent reduction, I will have to invest a few hundred dollars in a new freezer. I can go further, and even cut my electricity bill in half, by replacing my water heater. In four to six years, those investments will probably pay for themselves. The power bills will also remain low after that.

There are simple things that each of us can do at little or no cost that will help control energy use. One of the most effective things you can do to save energy and manage your energy costs is to add the right amount of insulation to your attic. Basements and crawlspaces are other good places to check since they are easy to access and likely to be under-insulated. When coupled with caulking and sealing around windows and doors, this can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs according to the Environmental Protection Agency. You can also turn down the thermostat when you are not home, install a programmable thermostat and replace regular incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs.

The appropriate amount of insulation in a home varies depending upon where you live. The majority of American homes should have R-49 insulation in the attic for optimum savings and comfort. For most of us, this will mean adding between an R-19 and R-30 insulation to what you already have. Keep in mind, the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.

Good resources for adding insulation and increasing the energy efficiency of homes include:

• http://www.simplyinsulate.com
• http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation_sealing.html
• http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing
• http://drivesmarterchallenge.org/
• http://www.ase.org

With winter and high energy costs upon us, it is more important than ever for homeowners to take these few steps to reduce their monthly costs and save energy. The Harvard University School of Public Health estimates that there are more than 46 million under-insulated homes in the US, about 65% of all homes. Chances are good, you are one of them. Adding insulation, caulking around windows and doors, and using Energy Star products will continue to provide benefits to your wallet and your family’s comfort for years to come.

About the Author: Robin Bectel is a communications professional with 15 years of experience in building materials, energy efficiency and high technology. She is currently director of communications for the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association.