Archive for December, 2009
How To – Energy Efficiency
Here are some great ideas on how to make your home cabin or cottage more energy efficient:
- If you have any appliances such as refrigerators freezers ovens stoves dishwashers and clothes washers and dryersmade before 2000 consider purchasing newer ones. Older models use significantly more energy than newer appliances. For example current energyefficient refrigerators use on average 40 less energy than models did in 2000. Modern power supplies also shrink idle energy use in appliances by turning them off or putting them into a lowenergy “sleep” mode. Energy Star labeled products are recommended.
- Use compact fluorescent light CFL light bulbs in place of incandescent light bulbs. A CFL uses roughly 25 the wattage of an incandescent light bulb and they last over 10000 hours. Replace your mostused light bulbs first and work your way from there.
- Turn off and unplug appliances that aren’t being used or plug them into a power bar and turn it off. This includes computers TVs cell phone chargers etc. Just because the device is off doesn’t mean it’s not drawing power!
- Have a light colored roof. Dark colored roofs get a lot hotter than any other roof surfaces and they transfer some of this additional heat inside. Light colored roofs use up to 40 less energy for cooling than buildings with darker roofs. Light colored roofs save more energy in sunnier locations.
- If you’re considering building a cottage or cabin consider the location and building direction. These play an important role in controlling temperature and light. Trees and hills can provide shade and/or block wind. In colder climates consider building your cabin with an eastwest direction. This will allow you to increase the number of southfacing windows which will minimize energy use by maximizing passive heating. Of course try to include energyefficient windows wellsealed doors and extra insulation the walls and basement. This can reduce heat loss by up to 50
- Another great solution is to produce your own renewable energy. Commercial installations can cost thousands of dollars but you can make your own solar panels or windmills and generate your own clean power. There are tons of guides that show you how to do this but you have to watch out because some are just scams. Trust me I found out the hard way. I made a website to review all the products I bought to save everyone else a lot of time and money.
Learn how to make your own energy with a home solar system or wind power system. Go to http://www.squidoo.com/renewableenergyforhome to see my reviews of solar power and wind power products to increase your energy efficiency.
About the writer: In case you didn’t notice I’m a big fan of making my own renewable energy. I want to share my successes and failures and let people learn for my experiences.
How To Clean A Sta-rite System 3 Cartridge Swimming Pool Filter
The StaRite System 3 Cartridge Filter is an excellent swimming pool filter and will serve you well if you keep it maintained and cleaned properly throughout the year.
The StaRite System 3 Modular Media Cartridge Filter comes in several different sizes 300 400 450 and 500 square feet. The 300 sq. ft. filter is sufficient for most standard size swimming pools but for pools over 20000 gallons the 450 or 500 sq. ft. filter would be recommended.
For most swimming pools with a StaRite System 3 Cartridge Filter installed cleaning the filter quarterly is sufficient. Follow these steps to clean a StaRite System 3 Cartridge Filter.
Turn Off Pool Equipment make sure you turn off the pool equipment. If possible turn off the circuit breaker for the pool equipment so the filter will not come on while the filter is disassembled.
Relieve Filter Pressure Open the air release valve on the top of the filter in order to relieve the pressure from the filter.
Drain the Filter Remove the Filter Drain Plug from the bottom of the filter in order to allow the water to be completely drained from the filter.
Open the Filter while the water in the filter is draining remove the PosiLok clamps from the outside of the filter. You won’t need to unscrew the clamps all the way just enough to slide the PosiLok clamps up and off of the filter tank top.
Remove the Filter Top once the water is completely drained from the filter and the PosiLok clamps have been removed carefully remove the filter top and set it out of the way. Be careful not to damage the pressure guage and air release valve on the top of the filter tank top.
Remove the Filter Cartridges carefully remove the filter cartridges one at a time by pulling straight up on the filter cartridge until they slide off the outlet tubes on the tank bottom.
Clean the Filter Cartridges using a highpressure hose attachment thoroughly clean the filter cartridges removing as much debris as possible from the cartridges.
Clean out the Inside of the Filter Spray out the inside of the tank bottom to remove any debris.
Clean the Air Bleed Strainer Clean off and remove any debris from the air bleed strainer. The air bleed strainer is attached to the air bleed tube coming from the tank bottom.
Replace the Filter Cartridges put the clean filter cartridges back into the tank bottom. Make sure the arrows on the top of the filter cartridges are aligned properly with the outlet tubes on the tank bottom. Make sure the air bleed tube comes up through the middle of the small cartridge.
Replace the Filter Top carefully replace the filter top.
Close the Filter replace all of the PosiLok clamps until tight. It might be necessary to gently hit the clamps with a rubber mallet in order to tighten the clamps enough to eliminate any leaks.
Replace the Filter Drain Plug replace the filter drain plug. If necessary use teflon tape to prevent leaking.
Test the Filter with the air release valve on the top of the filter open turn the filter on until a solid stream of water is shooting out of the air release valve.
Close the Air Release Valve close the air release valve until there is no water being released.
That’s It Your StaRite System 3 Cartridge Pool Fitler is Clean! make a note of the filter pressure psi immediately after cleaning the filter for future use.
About the writer: Dave LeBeau is a professional swimming pool technician sharing his experience and knowledge on the topic of swimming pool maintenance.
How To Build A Solar Water Heater
Employing solar power to heat water symbolizes one of the most logical methods of generating hot water that you can find. Why use unrenewable resources when we have an over abundance of energy emitting from our own sun? It is rapidly becoming an acknowledged impression that the best way to diminish energy consumption is by building your own water heater.
The very first thing that you would need to do is to find out exactly what your water consumption standards are. On average the typical person consumes about 30 gallons of water per day.
You would subsequently be required to establish a position aside your home where the solar water heater can be situated for a good southern exposure of the sun in order to ensure maximum heat generation.
During the construction phase of this project you would need to paint your water tank with flat stovepipe black paint. The paint will permit the tank to absorb as much of the sun’s energy as it can. You will also need to assemble a straightforward plywood box around the water tank. Be sure to insulate the interior of the box with some fiberglass insulation as this will facilitate eliminating any energy lost within the system.
At this point in time you would install the painted water tank into the box and attach any of the necessary plumbing to the bottom of it. These are of course the pipes which carry the water from your house to the heater. Another set of water pipes will carry the water from the heater back to the houses water distribution system.
Here you have a simple home made solar water tank that is more then capable of providing a single person or perchance a couple with adequate quantities of water.
About the writer: Now if you’re looking to build your own solar water heater you need to visit Solar Water Heater Plans now to learn more!