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New York Solar Electricity – Using Solar Power For Lighting
We are so used to flicking the light switch and having bright light stream through the room at the, well, speed of light. We do not think about it, we just assume that it will be there. It is actually amazing that it was as little as about a hundred years ago when people were still using gas lamps (if they were lucky). For about the other 10 000 years of human civilization, people had to cope with candles or firelight – no easy flicking of the switch for caveman Ogg!
Today we not only have New York  electrical lights in our homes, but we can store electricity in the form of batteries and take light with us everywhere in the form of flash lights and other outdoor lights.
But we all know that electricity is generated through coal-driven power stations and that this is a resource that is finite. Soon we will have to go back to that never ending power source of warmth and light that was the main source of warmth and light for a couple of thousand years for our forebears, namely the sun.
Yes, solar electricity is something that we need to investigate and spend some serious thought on for our future power use.
Today there are some sources and examples of solar electricity already, let’s take a look at some.
Indoor Lighting
There are some great examples of indoor lighting provided by solar electricity available already. A New York  solar panel is typically the best form of capturing solar energy and converting it to electricity that can be used to drive indoor lighting. You can use these lights in your garden sheds, garage or in your house.
Outdoor Lighting
At night there is nothing that is more romantic and casts a warm glow over the garden than a few lights hidden here and there in between your plants. Solar electricity lights are ideal for this scenario since you can often get soft glow through lights powered by solar panels.
Use these lights around your pond or pool, on your gate posts or in the garden itself. You can even get lights that are not actually connected to your solar panels, but have their own build in solar cells that soak up the sunlight during the day and light up automatically when it gets dark. These types of lights are really great for the garden and has a much lower investment cost. If you really feel that you want to explore the benefits of solar power but you do not want to invest too heavily into solar panels, since, let’s face it, solar panels are quite expensive to buy and install, then these low-cost solar driven garden lights are just the thing for you.
New York  Solar power seems to be the most obvious route to go when investigating alternative forms of power, although it does seem to be quite expensive to install up front. Hopefully the more research is done on capturing the energy from the sun and storing it for future use in this way, the less expensive it will become and will justify getting rid of coal driven power.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6610932
If you are looking for a professional New York electrician then, please call us today at 845.569.1299 or 845.265.5033 or complete our online request form.
Your Choices When It Comes To New York Solar Water Heaters
A New York solar water heater can definitely save you money and reduce your footprint on the environment. With the right system, you can save up to 50-80% of your current water heating bills! Solar energy water heating systems can also be one of the more affordable ways to begin using solar energy in your home.
A whole house New York solar energy system can be more expensive to install, especially in an existing home, but the up-front cost of a water heating system that uses the sun’s energy can be more affordable, and can save you quite a bit over time. So how do they work, and how do you choose the best one for your home?
What Should a Solar Powered Water Heater Do?
- Use the sun’s energy to heat your water
- Store the heated water for you
- Get the hot water from the storage location to where you need it, such as the shower, tub, or sink, using gravity or a pump
- Optional, but usually desired – a back up system to heat your water during those times the sun simply doesn’t shine or if you have family members who use up all the hot water with long showers!
What Do You Need to Consider?
what you first need to consider is to decide which type of water heating system will work the best in your climate and how efficient it will be. Does the sun shine relatively often or only sometimes?
Then, you need to know how much hot water you will need for your home, which will determine size of heater and type of collector. Last, you’ll likely want a water heating system that won’t overwhelm your budget!
Types of Solar Water Heating
New York Solar Water Heater – “Tankless”
This type of heater is mounted on a roof and appears to be a series of tubes in a panel configuration. There is no tank with this version. It is installed between the existing pump and electric water heater.
How does it work? The heated water, which is heated by the sun shining down on the roof, is stored in your electrical water heating tank until you need it. When you need the hot water, turn on the electrical water heater and your pump will pressurize the water and send it into the house.
New York Solar Water Heater with a Tank
Also called a thermosyphon system, this type of heater has the storage tank that sits above the tubes on top of your roof. Water is pumped to the New York solar panel; the water is heated, and then is stored in the tank on the roof.
When water is needed, the electric water heater is bypassed and the water flows into the house by way of gravity. In order to heat water when the sun isn’t shining, you’ll want to add a backup electrical heating element.
Passive or Active Technology
Depending on your geographical location and climate, you’ll need to decide between an active New York solar heater or a passive one. An active heater for water utilizes pumps, electricity, and controls, so it can be used literally any where in the world. A passive system doesn’t require electricity or pumps and therefore can only be used in warm geographical locations.
Installation of a New York Solar Power Water Heater
It’s best to hire a qualified solar thermal systems contractor for this installation. A New York solar powered water heater installation requires knowledge in New York solar technologies, climate factors, building codes, safety requirements and many other details.
To find a New York solar expert in your area, you can look in your local phone directory and also online. Depending on where you live, your local heating and cooling businesses may have information about solar options and also the best type of New York solar water heater for your home.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4042402
If you are looking for a solar water heater then, please call us today at 845.569.1299 or 845.265.5033 or complete our online request form.
Orange County Passive Solar Heating
Everyone has been utilizing solar power for hundreds of years. Ancient Greeks employed the sun to heat their residences. Because they understood that the location of the sun varied through the seasons, they had been capable to set up their houses so that the sun straightly hit them inside the winter, but not in the hot season’s when they needed to stay cool.
Some homes are still heated up this way. This technique is called passive solar heating. An additional example of this method is when sunlight shines on a puddle and warms the water.
If you’re going to take advantage of the astounding technology which is passive solar, a good beginning point what be a definition of just what precisely is meant by passive solar. Solar makes reference to the sun, which supplies us with extraordinary quantities of light as well as heat every and every single day.
Passive signifies that you will discover no mechanical or moving components found within the technology in question, in this case passive solar heating. You could think of this as performing things naturally, instead of mechanically.
Orange County Passive solar homes make the most of building segments, the orientation of the house, and many design features to offer passive solar heat to the building. Windows that face the sun as much throughout the day as achievable are utilized to transport solar light towards the building, where it might be absorbed by the flooring, walls and other such building elements, where it really is transformed into thermal energy (heat).
In a completely Orange County passive solar heating system, the entire energy (heat) flow is simply by natural ways (conduction, natural convection, and radiation. ) In comparison, an active solar heating system employs pumps, blowers and/or fans to move heated fluid from the solar collectors to the heated space, from the collectors to solar heat storage area, and from heat storage to the heated space.
Designs contain major components that collect, offer you storage for and cautiously send out gains of solar heat equally into each and every single and just about every single portion of the place becoming heated. You commonly do not want particular mechanical kind gear to make particular that heat is carried out, converted or radiated all the way by means of your space.
Style the property to gather natural light. A house making use of Orange County passive solar heating will need to have an huge area with windows and supply on the spot entry to the sunlight lacking having shrubs, brush or other objects limiting it.
Style the building’s floor technique to enhance solar heating. Orient the solar collection surfaces, as example appropriate glazing in doors and windows, in just 15 degrees of accurate south, if plausible.
Other Orange County solar heating design important features contain sunspaces and trombe walls. A sunspace (which is a lot like a greenhouse) is built on the south side of a building. As sunlight passes by means of glass or other glazing, it warms the sunspace.
Correct ventilation enables the warmth to circulate within the building. Alternatively, a trombe wall is really a incredibly thicker, south-facing wall, which is painted black and made of a material that absorbs a great deal of heat.
A pane of glass or plastic glazing, mounted some inches in front of the wall, helps hold in the heat. The wall warms gradually throughout the day. Then as it cools steadily during the night time, it gives off its heat into the building.
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If you are looking for a professional solar heating system then, please call us today at 845.569.1299 or 845.265.5033 or complete our online request form.
The Benefits of Orange County Solar Water Heaters
Knowing that solar energy is available to us – particularly with the escalating concerns of current supplies of energy and lack of prolonged availability – is reassuring. Current sources in the way of fossil fuels are thought to be dwindling and alternative sources need to be sought. Solar energy is a continual renewable energy source. It is logical to conclude the sun is not going anywhere nor will using it as a source of energy provide any worries about future supplies dwindling.
It is also clean and does not provide any less than favorable gaseous materials to be emitted into the earth’s atmosphere. Knowing all of the above is why consumers who are concerned about future energy as well as environmental standards regarding safety and health are easily turning towards solar energy as a prime alternative energy source. The following article places emphasis on using a Orange County solar water heater in order to save on associated costs of energy and address environmental concerns.
Naturally, solar water heaters make use of solar energy in order to effectively heat water. The system, in the way of design, is made up of collectors as well as a system (fluid-based) that transfers the heat from the collectors to the end-consumer. You can easily use a Orange County solar water heater in a residential as well as a commercial location. The water heated can be used in the way of sanitation or in the generation of electrical service. In order for the solar heater to operate you must place a collector on the top of your dwelling or commercial building, or at minimum upon a wall that is within the direct path of the sun. The collector is an insulated box with a top made of glass. Inclusive is a solar absorption area comprised of sheet metal painted black in order to better absorb the sun’s rays and copper piping. The absorber can also be made up of metal tubing within a cylinder made of glass.
Cold water is pumped into the area of the collector where it is heated. It then flows back to a tank where it is housed for eventual use. You may be surprised to know solar-style water heaters have been around for quite awhile. They have been in existence since the nineteenth century. Also it may further surprise you that currently approximately one and one-half million commercial enterprises and residents across America are making use of a solar water heater. If you believe at this point installation of a solar water heater will prove beneficial within your household or commercial business then you may wish to search the “net” for construction plans for solar water heaters.
How much do solar water heaters cost? Although fairly free of maintenance, there is a certain cost to materials and installation before profiting from overall savings as to energy. This naturally brings up the very important point of cost of the solar appliance. Do not allow installation of a solar water heater deter you. Any cost involved can be recouped since maintenance is nearly non-existent as well as other associative costs as to energy.
The price you will incur with regard to a solar water heater is relative to the type or style of water system you select for installation. There are 2 primary kinds of water-heating systems: a passive system and an active system. The active system is comprised of a pump and temperature control. The passive system as the name suggests is absent of movable parts and works on the proven theory that hot water will come to the top; and cold water moves toward the bottom.
The active system has a pump but no tank. The passive hot water heater has a tank but no pump. From the standpoint of efficiency, passive heaters are not as effective as active heaters. The passive heater however is very dependable and generally lasts for a longer span of time than the active heater. The price of the passive heater is less than the active water heater. The active (flat) system is priced around the three-thousand dollar price point. The passive system comes in around half of what the active system costs.
Also besides product price there is the matter of installation. The cost to install a water heater for use within the household is between three-thousand to five-thousand dollars. The price stated is for general Orange County installation.
However, you may expect the bonus to come in the way of operational expense of the solar water heater. The cost annually is generally around fifty dollars in order to operate a solar water heater. Compare that to the average per annum cost of electric and gas heaters. The current traditional-style heaters come in around an average price projection-point of five hundred dollars. Your energy-savings realized on a yearly basis can amount to right around $450.00. (Environmental and Energy Study Institute). Also you can expect your solar heater to provide anywhere from five to fifteen years more service as opposed to your gas/electric version. The average life for the gas and electric brand is generally around ten years. In comparison, the solar water heater’s useful life is fifteen to thirty years in duration.
The passive style solar water heater does not need near as much maintenance as the active version. The parts of solar-powered water heaters are maintained very similarly to how gas and electric heaters are maintained. Maintenance on the heater is scheduled three to five years. However, all appliances must be properly maintained in order to work at maximum levels of efficiency so do not let the associative cost of maintenance scare you off.
In using a solar water heater you are practicing energy conservation as well as affecting a cost saving, so timely expense as to maintenance need not be an area of concern. Further, maintenance needs to be carried out regardless of the type of appliance whether it is electric, gas or solar and you are paying well more monthly when using an electric or gas water heater. Orange County Solar water heaters are, at this point, able to provide the average residence with nearly half of the energy needed to heat the water required. When you use any type of solar energy you are greatly contributing to a decrease of dwindling fossil fuel reserves and other more provincial energy sources.
Another positive consideration is that clearly solar energy generation does not cause pollution. The costs of installation and possible higher maintenance costs are rationalized by the savings incurred when heating the water. Certainly keeping the environment safe and healthy cannot be measured price-wise as no amount of money can get back an environment that has been ruined or destroyed from pollution or neglect.
If you are looking for a solar water heater then, please call us today at 845.569.1299 or 845.265.5033 or complete our online request form.
Active Vs Passive Solar Heating Systems in New York
By Roby Hicks
Are you interested in using a New York solar heating system? If so, then you will have several options. One of the main ones is whether to choose an active or passive system.
What are Active Solar Heating Systems?
This type of system involves harnessing and storing (in the form of heat) solar energy. It uses fans and other objects to dispense heat that has been harnessed. Solar cells constructed of silicon are the most common type of solar heat collectors. Typically, the cells are contained on solar panels, which are located on the roof of a home.
What are its main types?
There are two primary types. Their difference lies in the material that captures and moves the heat that is located in the solar collector. Usually the material is a gas or a liquid. For instance, an air-based system usually involves transpired air collectors or air room heaters. On the other hand, liquid-based systems usually involve water (or antifreeze) to capture and move heat.
How much power does it provide?
Usually the goal of such systems is to heat up to three-fourths of a home’s interior. When more solar energy than a house needs is produced, the homeowner could then sell excess power back to his or her local utility company. Also, it is advisable to heat both the air and water in your home, so your system can function throughout the entire year.
What Are Passive Solar Heating Systems?
This type of system is a low-technology method of capturing solar energy. It functions by directly capturing the sun’s warmth, and then retaining it within the house for the function of heating. This is mainly achieved through methods such as quality insulation and windows. This type of system can lower your current heating costs, or even replace your home’s current system.
What are its components?
Windows are the primary components of such systems. The goal is to maximize the amount of sunlight and heat that one can collect during the daytime. Typically, the windows consist of a special variety of glass that absorbs as much heat as possible-and then keeps it indoors for a maximum amount of time.
Besides windows, another common component of Passive Solar Heating Systems are trombes, which are a special type of wall. There is a pane of glass in front of the wall. The mission is for the space between the glass and wall to collect heat. Another method is to paint the concrete walls black, so they will absorb sunlight more.
What are its benefits?
This is generally an ideal option when you are looking for a New York solar heating system for a new home. The reason is that New York Passive Solar Heating systems are based on factors such as the location of the windows in the home, the location of the building itself, the amount of insulation in the building, and so on. These issues can be quite challenging to change within existing homes-and especially the location of the home!
After learning the basics of Active and Passive Solar Heating Systems in New York, it is time to determine which one is best for you.
Article Source:Â http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roby_Hicks
If you are looking for professional solar energy services then, please call us today at 845.569.1299 or 845.265.5033 or complete our online request form.
Solar Energy for your New York Home – 3 Myths Dispelled
While going solar steadily grows in popularity, myths about using solar energy in your New York home persist. Dispelling these myths and learning the facts frees you to embrace a clean, abundant, and efficient energy source.  Your New York Solar Consultant can help dispel these myths. Here are some facts to ease your mind so that you will want to schedule a consultation.
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 bulbs (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 Germ
any.
No matter where you live, solar power can be part of your energy source. Work with a New York solar professional to determine the best solar options for your Putnam County home.
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. Then consider that at current rates of production only 155 years of coal supplies remain.
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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Spain
If you are looking for a professional solar consultant then, please call us today at 845.569.1299 or 845.265.5033 or complete our online request form.
Types of Solar Panels for Cold Spring Home Power Generation
There are several types of solar panels that are being used by practically everyone right now. This is because of the general trend of people coming up with ingenious methods to harness the sun’s potential and utilize it as a renewable energy source. This bodes well for the future of energy utilization because, let’s face it, these types of solar panels are environmentally friendly, they do not require much tinkering, and they sometimes even work better than traditional panels.
However, there are different types of solar panels. Each type has a specific purpose when it comes to different facets of human living, but just as well, all these panels are safe, renewable, and fast becoming popular. Here are a few of the most popular solar panels right now:
The first type would be the monocrystalline panels. This type is made from a large silicon crystal, and moreover, this variety is considered to be one of the most efficient types of solar panels in harnessing sunlight and then converting it to electricity. However, it can be costlier than most other types. The reason for its efficiency, relative to other panel types, is because it works better in lower light conditions.
Polycrystaline panels, on the other hand, are the most common variety of panel right now. Their appearance resembles shattered glass, but they are generally acknowledged to be less efficient than monocrystalline panels, and less costly to buy. Unlike a mono panel that only has one large siilcon crystal, a polycrystaline panel has numerous silicon crystals that are relatively smaller.
Another popular variety is the amorphous panel. This type consists of a thin film that’s made out of molten silicon, and is spread across a number of large stainless steel plates or other similar material. Amorphous panels are relatively less efficient compared to the other two types, but they have the cheapest price.
A basic reason why this type is quite popular is because it is generally shadow-protected. This means that even when the panel is located somewhere where it does not have direct contact with the sun, the panel still continues to charge. An amorphous solar panel works best on boats, yachts, or other forms of transportation.
These four types of solar panels are generally considered to be at the forefront of choices right now. When you are looking for a panel that can best work for you, it is important that you know how to compute for the solar efficiency of each type. This can be computed by comparing the amount of solar energy that is captured relative to the amount that’s converted into electricity.
Of all the available choices, the monocrystalline is the most efficient panel with an 18% efficiency rating, followed by the polycrystalline with 15%, and then finally the amorphous panel which has a 10% rating.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5138544
Mahopac 10 Benefits of Solar Energy
Have you been considering having a solar power system added to your Mahopac area home then you need to give your trained professionals Mahopac solar installers a call and see what they can do for you. Â But first read these wonder 10 reasons why you should have a home solar power system then give our experts a call and see what they can do for you.
Benefits of Solar Energy:
1. Solar energy is renewable. We never have to worry about running out of sunlight or using it all up. The sun is a consistent power source meaning it’s always going to be there every day.
2. Solar energy is environmentally friendly. Compared to fossil fuels which release greenhouses gases, carcinogens and carbon dioxide, solar cells don’t release anything into the air.
3. Solar panels are extremely reliable. There are no moving parts so you don’t have to worry about replacing anything. In fact, most people generate electricity for 1000s of hours with little or no maintenance.
4. Solar cells make no noise while collecting energy. There are no other renewable energy sources that are completely silent.
5. In the long run, solar electricity is cheaper than buying it from the power company. There is a start up cost, but then it starts paying for itself. Once you break even, everything after that is profit. Compare this to paying a monthly bill and getting no return on investment.
6. There is a huge variety of solar panel systems available. Some can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and some cost just a couple hundred. This means anyone can get into solar, there’s an entry point for just about everybody.
7. You’re not required to connect to the power grid. You can be completely self-sufficient and live off-the-grid. Imagine never paying another monthly bill or hook-up charge.
8. Sell excess electricity. If you build a large enough solar panel system, you can make your electric meter spin backwards! Most power companies will gladly buy or credit you for this excess electricity. Contact your local power companies for more details.
9. Government tax credits. Most governments will provide some kind of tax credit or incentive for people purchasing solar energy systems. On average, rebates usually cover 20-30% of the system cost. Contact your local representatives for more details.
10. Solar technology is constantly improving. Solar installations are increasing by an incredible 50% every year, most of which are small homemade systems.
We are youre Mahopac professionals solar power contractors so let our trained professionals assist you with all of your solar needs
Article Source:Â http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_R
If you are looking for a professional solar consultant then, please call us today at845.569.1299 or 845.265.5033 or complete our online request form.
New York What is a Carbon Footprint & How Big is Yours?
The term “carbon footprint” is being tossed around a lot these days, but many of us don’t have a clue what it actually means. A carbon footprint has nothing to do with your size nines or a misplaced piece of carbon paper. It is a measurement of the effect that your life has on the environment and most specifically on the climate changes.
Your personal carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases that you produce in your life and is figured out by the carbon dioxide levels that you individually create. There are two types of carbon footprints, and no I don’t mean a left and a right. There are primary carbon footprints, which are the measurements of the direct carbon dioxide emissions that you personally create by doing things like burning fossil fuels or driving your car, or breathing. Yes breathing adds to your carbon footprint. In fact the average person exhales approximately 290kg of carbon dioxide per year. Primary carbon footprints are ones that you personally have control over and can reduce by your own actions (though I am not suggesting you cut out breathing all together in order to reduce yours).
A secondary carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide that you create indirectly by the production and manufacturing of the things you use in your life in order to live. The packaging of food products or the amount of carbon dioxide created by the trucks that take the food to the supermarket where you buy it. The production of  red meat apparently is responsible for up to 18% of all the greenhouse gas emissions in the world (according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture organization) and so a vegetarian has a much smaller secondary footprint than someone who eats red meat on a regular basis.
There are many who feel they can’t live without their steaks and burgers and pot roasts, so how do these people reduce their carbon footprint without eliminating their favorite food? There are several small things that you can do which when added together will have a big effect on the amount of greenhouse gases that you produce.One of the best ways is to be more energy efficient in your life. Turn off lights when you don’t need them, don’t leave the television running all night and turn the heat or air conditioning unit down when not needed. There are energy efficient light bulbs that can make a difference in the amount of energy that you use and you can reduce your energy usage by unplugging appliances and electronics when not being used. Many of these continue to waste energy even if turned off. Another way that you can reduce your energy usage and save yourself some money in the long run is to install double paned windows or cover them with plastic in the winter so that you are not losing heat through them.
While the initial cost of installing more energy efficient windows can be expensive, you do save a great deal of money over time.Another effective way to reduce your carbon footprint is to start buying local products so that less greenhouse gases are emitted in the process of getting the product to you. Eat at restaurants that have local cuisine and shop at stores that provide the option of local foods.
You can improve your health and your carbon footprint by walking or riding your bike more. If you have to use a car or are looking to buy a new one then choose a hybrid to drastically reduce your greenhouse gas emissions or take public transportation that is going your way anyways. Never sit in your car idling and instead of using a drive thru turn your vehicle off and go inside. Better yet, if you are going to the donut shop or fast food joint down the road… you should probably walk there anyway. That way you can burn off the calories you are about to stuff in your face when you get there.
You don’t have to make drastic changes to your life but if you change a few small things you can make a big difference in the size of your carbon footprint and this is one time that size matters and smaller is definitely better.
Introducing New York to Solar Water Heaters
Depending on the amount of hot water you use in the home and the amount of sun your New York home receives throughout the year, you could save as much as 90% on your utility bills. This massive saving will help towards paying for the water heater within the first few years. If you do not get the sun all year round, you can still benefit from the months when there is sun. The unit also comes with a heating element to heat the water when the solar panels cannot heat the water.
You can buy these units in various tank sizes to suit the size of your home and the demand on hot water your family uses on a daily basis. When installed by a professional solar contractor, you know it’s done right.
If you cannot afford a solar water heater but you still want to save on your utility bills then you could look at buying a tankless model. They supply hot water on demand, rather than constantly heating a tank full of water. They are only suitable for smaller homes with one or two bathrooms however.
