New Technology Home: Renewable Energy

Now that reasonable people acknowledge the effect we are having on our planet it is critical that we learn what we can do. It's too important to our children that we not wait for our government leadership to act on their own. We all need to understand these new technologies so we can demand that our government representatives do take action.

Learn what you need to know and then write or call your Representatives and the Whitehouse.

Energy from the earth, sun and wind

New technologies have enhanced your ability to produce power for your home using geothermal, solar and wind. The cost of installing these systems is most often reduced because of tax incentives. Responsible, renewable energy can save you money. How much you will save depends on how well your home is insulated and how many of your appliances and light fixtures are energy-efficient. Energy conservation can result in savings amounting to tens of thousands of dollars over the 30-year life of a mortgage. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling consume most of the energy needed by an average home, nearly 45 percent. Savings here can have an enormous impact on your monthly energy bill.

Geothermal - Pipes buried in the ground. Inside the pipes is a fluid anti freeze, this gets circulated around the pipes by a pump. During hot weather hot air from the inside of your home goes through the heat exchanger and the heat passes into the ground that's relatively cooler. In the winter the process is reversed, the heat from the warmer ground goes through the heat exchanger of the heat pump which sends warm air into the house.

Solar - The primary components for producing electricity using solar power are: solar panels, charge regulator, battery and inverter. Solar panels charge the battery, and the regulator insures proper charging of the battery. The battery provides DC voltage to the inverter which converts the DC voltage to household AC voltage. Solar can also be used in the event of a power failure.

Wind - wind turbines charge the battery, and the regulator insures proper charging of the battery. The battery provides DC voltage to the inverter which converts the DC voltage to household AC voltage.

Visit the "Energy Information Portal": A gateway to hundreds of Web sites and thousands of online documents on energy efficiency and renewable energy.