What Can a Backup Generator Do for You?

Flaming Power Outage in Longfellow

Image by edkohler via Flickr

Natural disasters are terrible when you’re watching them on cable news, but when you’re experiencing one, nothing is more frightening or terrifying. Until you lose your electricity, you may not realize how dependent you are upon it. When the lights go out, you may find that your water heater, stove, even telephone all do not work — not to mention your basic appliances like the refrigerator and microwave.

When weather is severe, many hours or even days may pass before power can be restored. Wind storms, rain storms and other weather conditions are all capable of disrupting the flow of energy into your home — and you don’ always know when bad weather is going to strike. The food in your fridge will go bad, your home may over heat or become badly chilled, your family and friends may find that they cannot reach you and begin to worry. There’s nothing you can do to protect the power lines, but you can protect yourself and your home with a backup generator.

Designed to kick in when the power in your home goes out, backup generators help supplement your normal power in times of trouble. Generators run on limited battery power, but they will give you several hours worth of time to prepare if you need to evacuate your home. In many cases, your generator will provide you with power until the outage is repaired. You won’t even miss a beat, whether you’re about to receive a no deposit bonus in an online slot tournament (because the power always chooses the worst times to go out), downloading music or recording a favorite program on your television.

Filed Under: Energy

Why Your Electric Company Is So Important

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We all know that electricity is crucial to today’s world. Almost everything we do uses power. Because of this, we know that the electric companies are very important. Did you know that your electric company is working to make the world better for you?

Many electric companies throughout the world are now offering incentives for making the world a little greener. Each company is doing this in their own way. Using a directory like Canada 411, you can contact your local electric company to find out what they are doing for the green movement.

Some companies offer incentives for those that use energy efficient machines in their homes. This has helped the energy-efficient movement. In fact, this movement has become much more popular as people have realized that they may even get a discount on their electricity bill if they have Energy Star rated appliances.

Have you seen huge windmills in the middle of fields? These are also put up, many times, by the electric companies. They are a very efficient way to produce the energy that we each use on a daily basis. Wind and solar power are renewable sources of energy, whereas many previous forms, such as coal, are not.

The push that your electric company is making to “go green” is important to the world. The more we use renewable energy instead of non-renewable sources, the more likely we are to be able to continue have electricity. Every time you hear about something being green, or you hear about a movement to “go green,” find out if your electric company is behind it. It is very likely that they are.

Filed Under: Economy, Energy Tagged With: , ,

Types of Alternative Energy Sources

Micon wind turbine, Dithmarschen.

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Decades ago, the only way scientists could come up with how to create energy was by turning nuclear power into electricity. In recent years, scientists and engineers have developed different types of renewable and alternative energy sources.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular types of renewable and alternative energy sources.

Wind Power

The media and Internet is filled with thousands of pictures of huge wind turbines. These wind turbines are responsible for creating energy out of the wind that is created naturally. Wind power is being used to power small cities and homes, but could eventually be turned into a power source for larger areas.

Solar Power

Every place on the planet Earth has access to the sun, so why not create a way to harness the heat and power from the sun and turn it into energy. That is exactly what solar power does. With the use of solar powered panels, the sun’s rays can be turned into electricity and power that can be used by cities, businesses and homes.

Tidal Power

Cities and towns that are located right on the ocean can take advantage of the ocean’s tides and waves. These ever moving ocean currents can be used to create energy using similar techniques to the wind turbines.

As more and more of the world’s natural resources are being consumed, more and more places are going to be looking for cleaner, more effective renewable and alternative energy sources like wind, tidal and solar power sources.

Filed Under: Energy, General Tagged With: , ,

Before You Buy Solar Panels

Solar panel installation at an information cen...

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For many homeowners investing in solar panels makes sound economic sense.  Not only will they receive a handsome credit on their federal income tax, but their home value increases, the environment is improved, and their energy dollars are reduced.

However, purchasing a solar panel system for your home is a major investment.  And like any investment, should be thoroughly researched before expending the money.  Here are some things to consider before your purchase.

  • How much energy do you need to produce? Call a local solar contractor for an energy estimate or use one of the many estimators online.
  • What type of mounting system will use?  Usually they come in two varieties.  One is called the proper tilt mounting which mounts the panels a specific angle to get the most use of the sun. The other mounting system is called a solar tracking mount which will adjust the panels to follow the sun.
  • What type of solar panel is best for your need?  There are two basic types of solar panels: crystalline silicon panels and amorphous silicon panels.  The amorphous panels are a good choice if you have a large space; while the crystalline panels are better for smaller spaces.
  • Will the payback period exceed the life of solar panels? Typically solar panels have a 25-year warranty and if properly installed will last 20 to 40 years.

Once you’ve done the research get bids from several contractors and check their references thoroughly before hiring. Finally check to see if there are state energy credits for installing solar panels.

Filed Under: Energy Tagged With: , ,

Wonderful Wind Power

Since renewable energy sources are on the rise, let’s take a look at one of the best – wind power!

Icon of Wind Turbines

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Wind power is a clean, environmentally friendly energies. It doesn’t bother the wild life as much as water power and it doesn’t require lots of panels all over your roof like solar power. Oddly enough, wind power is reliant on both water and the sun for it’s energy production. The daily wind cycle is caus

ed by the earth’s different surfaces heating and cooling from the sun, causing uneven heat levels which in turn cause wind.

Wind turbines are relatively simple. The blades spin, collecting kinetic energy through a drive shaft. Currently, only just over 1% of the United State’s power comes from wind power. That’s only enough to power 4.5 million homes, which sounds bigger than it is.

On a smaller scale , wind power can be used for more than an entire country. If you wanted to power a single home with wind power, it is very possible. Miniature turbines are available from many green energy companies. Combining turbines with other green power sources can reduce your power bill greatly. Typically, wind companies suggest that you only partially run your home off of wind power because of power regulations in residential areas. The only thing you need to consider adding to your wind power system is a battery storage – in case the wind doesn’t blow every day.

If more time was devoted to wind power, it could easily produce a good portion of power needed.

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Filed Under: Energy, Environmental Issues Tagged With: ,
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